The best-known bet in roulette is, of course, ‘Red or black’. However, the roulette wheel offers many more betting options. One of these is the so-called Zero Game, also known as ‘jeu zéro’.
How exactly does the Zero Game work and which numbers do you bet on? And how does the Zero Game differ from a regular bet on zero? In this article, we tell you everything about this fun roulette game, which you can try both in a land-based or online casino.
Which numbers are included in the Zero Game?
The Zero Game is a special bet in European or French roulette. These roulette variants have a single green zero on the wheel. The Zero Game focuses on the numbers located around this zero.
In the most common version of the Zero Game, you bet on the following seven numbers:
0, 3, 12, 15, 26, 32 and 35.
All these numbers are located close to zero on the roulette wheel. You win if the ball lands on one of these seven numbers.
How do you place the chips for the Zero Game?
With the Zero Game, you divide your stake across different numbers and combinations. You use four chips in total. One chip is placed directly on number 26 and then one chip on each of the combinations 0 and 3, 12 and 15, and 32 and 35. With the three combination chips, you are therefore betting on two numbers at a time.
How do you play the Zero Game?
Now that you know what the Zero Game means, we will take you through the simple steps of a typical round.
- Place your bet: put one chip directly on number 26 and place one chip on each of the combinations 0–3, 12–15 and 32–35.
- The croupier spins the roulette ball around the wheel.
- If the ball lands on one of these numbers, the corresponding number bet wins.
- If the ball lands on another number, you lose the bets.
With a bet of €1 per number, your total stake on the seven numbers is €7 per round. If the ball lands on a number other than one of your selected numbers, you lose your stake.
Zero Game vs. betting on zero
The Zero Game has different advantages and disadvantages compared with simply betting on a single zero. Betting on zero means directly placing a chip on the zero space. You only win if the ball lands there.
With the Zero Game, on the other hand, you place your bet on a combination of several numbers. Zero is part of this combination, but you also win if the ball lands on one of the other six. However, betting on several numbers at once does mean that your total stake is higher.
How does the payout work with the Zero Game?
The numbers included in the Zero Game are individual numbers, so the regular payout for a straight-up bet applies. In European roulette, this payout is generally 35 to 1. If the ball lands on one of your numbers, you receive the payout for the winning chip, but you lose the chips placed on the other numbers.
For example, you bet €1 on each of the seven numbers in the Zero Game. Your total stake is then €7. If the ball lands on one of your numbers, the corresponding number bet is paid out according to the standard roulette payout. The other six bets are lost in that round.
Does the Zero Game have a better house edge?
The Zero Game does not change the house edge of roulette. In European roulette, the casino has a theoretical house edge of approximately 2.7% thanks to the single zero. This also applies when you use a special bet such as the Zero Game.
It may seem as though betting on several numbers is more favourable because there are more possible winning outcomes. The chance of the ball landing on one of your selected numbers is, of course, higher than when betting on a single number. However, this does not mean that the Zero Game changes the overall odds or guarantees a win.
Why choose the Zero Game?
The Zero Game is a fun option if you want to try a different type of bet than classics such as ‘Red or black’, ‘Even or odd’ and ‘High or low’. Because you bet on several specific numbers on the roulette wheel, you also spread your chances across multiple outcomes.
Of course, you can also create your own combination of numbers to bet on at roulette, but the advantage of the Zero Game is that it provides a set series of numbers. This means you do not have to decide yourself which chips to place on which numbers. You can simply follow the rules and enjoy the excitement of roulette.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Zero Game bet cost?
You can choose how much you bet per number. For example, if you place €1 on each of the seven numbers, your total stake is €7 per round.
Does the Zero Game have a higher chance of winning than a bet on a single number?
With the Zero Game, you bet on several numbers, which means that your chance of winning is higher than when betting on a single number. However, you also place bets on several numbers at once, so the house edge does not change.
Can you play the Zero Game on mobile devices?
Yes, online roulette is also available on smartphones and tablets. This means you can play a roulette game from different mobile devices. Choose a European or French roulette variant so that you play with a single zero in the game.
Can you play the Zero Game for free?
Some online casinos allow you to play roulette in a demo version without wagering real money. This allows you to discover how the Zero Game works before playing for real money.
