Aria Brown
Stefan Weber
Roulette is a very popular casino game. It's got a lot of action, interesting betting options, and the right balance between strategy and skill, and admittedly some luck. This is why you'll find so many fans of the format, and why increasingly, you'll see all sorts of variants and modifications, particularly when it comes to online play.
French roulette is generally considered the standard, the classic of the classics. And sometimes American roulette, depending on where you live. There are plenty of other versions, and although they're all more or less based on the original format and rules, each has its own unique spin - which is what we're going to help you explore today.
While this list is not exhaustive, it is certainly an excellent indication of the options and level of variety you'll find at the better roulette casinos.
Table of Contents
The Best Roulette Versions 2024
French Roulette
Variations of what is now called French roulette were played as early as the 17th century. With several small evolutions along the way, the game is now pretty much identical to the one that ultimately made its debut in 19th century France, played with 36 numbers, a single 0, and the same ball and wheel mechanisms.
The basics of French roulette:
©Evolution Gaming
- The wheel consists of 36 number pockets and a single 0 slot (37 numbers in total).
- Minimum 97.3% RTP.
- Highest payout is for a single number at a rate of 35:1.
- Mostly played with en prison and la partage rules.
- House edge drops from 2.7% to 1.35% when these rules are in use.
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Players generally favor French roulette for its lower house edge (ie. higher likelihood of winning). This is in part to the single zero as opposed to double zero on the American wheel. But French roulette also differs from other variants in that two additional rules often apply in the case of the ball landing on Zero in an even money bet.
With the la partage rule, you receive half your stake back if you've placed an even money bet and the ball lands in the Zero pocket. The en prison rule keeps your bet for another round on the same bet. If you win, your stake is returned to you, and if you lose the stake is forfeited.
European Roulette
In European roulette, the betting options are identical to those of the French variant. The main difference is that the la partage and en prison rules are rarely used here. The wheel structure, however is identical with 36 numbers, plus the single 0, arranged in the exact same pattern as you'd find on the French wheel.
The bet names on the table are often in English, and the croupier also generally makes announcements in English and not in French, for example: "Place your bets" rather than "faites vos jeux".
The basics of European roulette:
©Spinomenal
- The wheel consists of 36 number pockets and a single 0 slot (37 numbers in total).
- 97.3% payout rate.
- Highest payout is for a single number at a rate of 35:1.
- Announcements and bet names at the table are mostly in English.
- Often no la partage or en prison rule in effect.
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Note, European roulette is not a standardized term or a traditional variant like French or American roulette. That means that many casinos adapt the rules individually. In addition, especially in the US, European roulette is often used as a synonym for French roulette, so if you've ever found this confusing, you're right.
American Roulette
The little wheel game made its big debut in the United States somewhere in the early 1800s. Like many things that crossed the Atlantic, it was slightly adapted to meet its new frontier. The two major difference is the 00 pocket in addition to the single 0, which almost doubles the house edge. Plus a simplified betting scheme which makes it easier to follow, and quicker for each round to complete.
The basics of American roulette:
©Evolution Gaming
- Additional double zero pocket (so there are 38 instead of 37 numbers on the wheel).
- Numbers are arranged differently than on the French/European roulette wheel.
- Higher house edge of 5.26% because of the double zero.
- The payouts on different bets remain the same compared to French roulette.
- Faster game play.
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Besides the 00 green pocket placed directly across from the 0 pocket, the order of the numbers on the American wheel differs from that on the European and French variants. The betting options are a bit different, but are self-explanatory thanks to the names written on the table.
Immersive Roulette
Immersive Roulette is an online variant of the table game. A pioneering game in Evolution Gaming's live casino catalog, it was named the 2014 EGR Game of the Year by operators.
A fairly high stakes version, it allows for max bets of up to $5,000. Other standout features include the HD video of an actual wheel, ball, and croupier, streamed to your screen at a rate of 200 frames-per-second so you can enjoy every movement up close and in detail.
The basics of Immersive Roulette:
©Evolution Gaming
- Live online casino game from Evolution Gaming.
- RTP is 97.30% as in French roulette.
- Plein bets have odds of 35:1.
- Max bet of $5,000 per round.
- No la partage or en prison rule.
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The immersive part of the game's name has to do with the experience. It transports you deeply into the game, with excellent camera work and zoom in closeups of the table and croupier. Plus with slow-motion replays, it feels particularly interactive and engaging.
Double Ball Roulette
As the name implies, this live casino game uses two balls instead of one. An Evolution original, it is similar to European roulette in terms of the wheel and how bets can be placed. However, this time you have double the fun and double the luck, with two potential winning numbers on any one spin! That of course means you can win more than once on the same bet.
The basics of Double Ball Roulette:
©Evolution Gaming
- Rules and the wheel structure are much like French/European roulette.
- Each round is played with two balls.
- 1,300:1 jackpot if both balls hit; if only one ball wins, the odds are 17:1 for bets on individual numbers.
- The RTP is 97.3% overall.
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The croupier pushes the button to release both balls into play, until they eventually settle in the pockets, one by one. The advantages are exciting new betting opportunities, plus more frequent and potentially bigger payouts of up to 1,300:1.
Lightning Roulette
Billed by its creators at Evolution Games as: "The most popular roulette-inspired game show with an electrifying experience!", it most certainly by all accounts ensures an extra level of excitement.
While you've got that standard single 0 wheel, this online game is anything but typical. On top of regular bets, there are extra chances to win with the Lucky Numbers on every round and Lucky Payouts added in. Plus, it's all visually striking with a stunning gold and black interface.
The basics of Lightning Roulette:
©Evolution Gaming
- RNG draws up to 5 lightning numbers added to every round.
- If your winning number is among the lightning numbers, you get a multiplied payout.
- Multipliers are between 50X and 500X your winning amount.
- Lightning wins only apply to straight up bets.
- Non-multiplied straight up bets pay 29:1, while others such as red/black, splits, and corners, pay the same as in standard roulette tables.
- RTP of 97.1% for single numbers and 97.3% for the rest.
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Between one and five numbers are struck by lightning each round, turning them into Lucky Numbers multiplying payouts by 50 to 500X your base stake. If you bet on that number you're obviously in luck, as you'll be paid out accordingly.
Multi Wheel Roulette
In this unique spin on classic European roulette, you place one bet, and then choose to spin up to eight wheels at a time, depending on the provider. This is the Microgaming version. You can also find others with six or up to 12 wheels to spin simultaneously, all of which more or less operate with the same workings.
The basics of Multi Wheel Roulette:
©Microgaming
- 97.3% RTP.
- Standard European betting rules.
- As many as 12 wheels can be spun at once on a single bet .
- Faster game play.
- Live and standard online variants available.
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All you need to do is place a bet on a color, numbers, or your preferred combinations. All results will be verified after the round is completed. If several wheels spin numbers that are the same as your chosen bet, the winnings increase accordingly.
The big advantage of playing Multi Wheel Roulette is that a large number of game rounds can take place at the same time, as all active wheels spin in parallel, and quickly payout accordingly - making it a simple, yet super exciting game.
Speed Roulette
Speed Roulette is a live game that brings a realistic experience straight to your screen thanks to numerous camera angles. The settings can be adjusted, for example to a close-up view of the wheel. The rules are based on French roulette, with identical payout rates. And you can interact live with the croupier and other participants.
The basics of Speed Roulette:
©Evolution Gaming
- Only 30 seconds waiting time per round.
- Bets can already be placed during the current round for the next one.
- 97.3% RTP.
- Different camera perspectives can be selected.
- Standard roulette paytable.
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Speed Roulette is characterized by its increased playing speed. Participants barely have 30 seconds to make a decision before the ball lands in the bowl. In order to make it easier for players to complete their bets, placing your chips is permitted during the ongoing spin for the next round.
Power Up Roulette
In Power Up Roulette, another version with a live croupier, there is a screen on the wall behind the gaming table. Over the course of each round, as the wheel spins, between three and five numbers will appear on the wall. All numbers are assigned random multipliers, which start at 50X and can go up to 8,000X.
The basics of Power Up Roulette:
©Pragmatic Play
- Power Up round triggered if 3 to 5 special numbers are hit.
- The Power Up can be triggered up to five times in a row per round.
- Power Up results in extra win multipliers between 50X and 8,000X.
- Single zero wheel.
- Standard European roulette paytable, except for the straight up bet.
- Straight up bet pays out at 24:1 -7,999:1.
- 97.19% RTP.
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For the Power Up prize, if a bet has been placed on individual numbers and the same number is on the screen, the multiplier shown will be applied. Only those players who are willing to place single number bets can benefit from this bonus function. The special thing here is that the multipliers increase after every round you win, and in round five the highest possible factor is at stake; i.e. supremely large prizes.
3D Roulette
There is more than one provider that has created online 3D Roulette versions. But overall, whichever you choose what they all have in common are built in fair play RNGs and particularly realistic graphics that create a lively gaming feel.
The basics of 3D Roulette:
©irondogstudio
- Three-dimensional graphics in high resolution.
- European rules, only one zero on the wheel.
- 2.7% house edge, therefore high chances of winning.
- Turbo mode and auto play function for faster, more flexible play in some versions.
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Many like this game for the lifelike experience, that essentially feels like live play, but you can operate at your own speed, rather than waiting for the croupier and other players at a live casino table.
Mini Roulette
With only 12 numbers plus a single 0, the wheel in Mini Roulette has about a third of the numbers on a standard wheel. This increases the probability that the ball will land on the number you guessed. Of course, the payout rates are also adjusted, and the house edge (ie. your advantage) worsens accordingly.
Since there are numerous versions available online, Mini Roulette is not a standardized term. That means different providers sometimes have different rules, table arrangements, and the likes. The information listed below is not universal, but generally applies to the most common Mini Roulette variants.
The basics of Mini Roulette:
©Spribe
- The wheel usually has 12 numbered pockets plus one zero.
- Higher probability of winning, but lower win rate.
- 7.69% house edge.
- Single number bet pays 11:1.
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Players can bet on colors, even and odd numbers, single numbers, and combinations. Among other things, there is the possibility of placing a bet on groups of four, for example 1, 2, 4, and 5. Half a dozen is also possible. If a plein (i.e. straight) bet is placed, the odds are paid at 11:1.
La Partage Roulette
La partage is not originally an independent game variant, rather a rule system that is used at some roulette tables, particularly in French versions of the game. However, there are game developers who have released their own online game under this name to make it obvious what to expect. That is, that the la partage rule applies.
The basics of La Partage Roulette:
©Evolution Gaming
- Based on French roulette.
- Call bets, for example orphelins, are allowed.
- Only 1.35% house edge on even money bets.
- If the ball lands in the zero pocket, half your stake will be refunded.
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If an even money bet is placed and the ball falls on zero, you get half your money back, minimizing your losses. As such, the house edge is reduced to just 1.35% on such wagers, compared to the usual 2.7%, which is a fairly significant difference.
Auto Roulette
Although this is a live game, there is no actual croupier in this variant. Rather, the game process is automated, with the ball tossed into the cauldron by a robotic mechanism. This variant can often be played with a wager of just 10 cents per round, and is a bit quicker than many other live roulette games.
The basics of Auto Roulette:
©Atmosfera
- Automatic ball release mechanism.
- No croupier.
- Low stakes possible, at as little as 10 cents per round.
- Playable with la partage rule.
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It is also possible to activate the auto play mode to play the same bet for up to 100 spins without any further action. You can also save your preferred bets as favorites to further simplify this game.
Football Studio Roulette
This variant obviously is of most appeal to football fans. Basically, it's a live European roulette game set in a football studio with some of the sports elements for an added layer of interest.
The key feature of Football Studio Roulette are the Home/Away scoreboards. Red and black are assigned to the home team and the opponent respectively.
The basics of Football Studio Roulette:
©Evolution Gaming
- The 'Home' and 'Away' scoreboards keep track of red or black winning streaks.
- Racetrack for betting placement.
- Favorite bets can be saved.
- Lively ambience
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The atmosphere of this live game is exceptional. You'll find yourself in a kind of chilled out lounge, with an impressive football stadium in the background, and a classic roulette table awaiting. As already explained, the colors black and red are assigned to the home and away teams to create the right atmosphere. Bets on individual numbers, dozens, columns, and other constellations are of course possible, so you get classic roulette with a totally unique theme.
Dragon Roulette
The concept of Dragon Roulette is unusual and yet simple all the same. Essentially, some online developers have adapted the table game and replaced the numbers with Asian symbols, including a golden lion as the zero, for a visually stunning twist.
The basics of Dragon Roulette:
©Elysium Studios
- Numbers are replaced by Asian symbols.
- The golden dragon acts as the zero.
- Simple European rules are applied to the game.
- Payout rate of 97.44%.
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The first few rounds at the table can be a little confusing. But experience has shown that you'll quickly get used to the special design, and like many others, enjoy the stunning symbols. There's of course a paytable associated with the game which you can view to help you in placing your bets.
Mega Roulette
Mega Roulette from Pragmatic Play is a live version that will require you to be quick, as you only have 20 seconds to place your chips. It's good that the same betting options offered here are as in French roulette, so at least there's no learning curve there.
It's added angle are the Mega Multipliers up to 500X, and in turn, the Mega Win.
The basics of Mega Roulette:
©Pragmatic Play
- Single zero roulette game.
- Fast play with bets placed within 20 seconds.
- You can place all 37 straight bets in a single move.
- You can also place bets directly from the statistics or last results sections.aubt
- Multi-player, interactive experience.
- Multipliers up to 500X.
- Potential for Mega Wins.
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During each spin, between one to five multipliers of 50X up to 500X will be randomly applied to select straight up bets (ie. single numbers), which could vastly increase your winnings - and of course increase the thrills of the game.
Lucky Roulette
Lucky Roulette from Belatra is yet another version played with a single zero with a special in-game bonus. Before the game round starts, the random generator determines one to five numbers that will have multipliers of up to 500X.
The basics of Lucky Roulette:
©Belatra
- European rules apply.
- Each round has up to 5 lucky numbers.
- Potential lucky winnings of up to 500X.
- Non lucky numbers pay 28:1 Straight up.
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The betting field and what's often referred to as the track are here for easy placement of chips. You can make standard straight bets or certain call bets as well. For help, have a look at the game rules for all the exact options. Red/black, even/odd bets pay out at 1:1 odds, while single numbers have the highest rate at 28:1.
Other Popular Roulette Variations
With online casinos creating an atmosphere of exceptional creativity, there is really no end to the variants out there. While we've covered quite a few, we'll just list a few more to give you a sense of the massive potential out there.
- Zoom Roulette
- Roulette 360
- Lux Roulette
- Bond Roulette
- Rooftop Roulette
- Prism Roulette
- Philosopher's Roulette
- Bombay Live Speed Auto Roulette
- Pinball Roulette
- And the list goes on and on!
For exact details, we recommend opening the game's info section, to see all the betting options, payouts, and exact rules. While they'll generally be similar, it's always best to take a moment or two to familiarize yourself in order to both optimize and best enjoy your play.
JustCasino offers a wide range of unique roulette options.MoreLess
How to Find the Best Roulette Version for You
Although each roulette variant has its own unique twist, they are usually based on either the European, French, or American versions of the game. As such, the basic rules don't have to be learned again. That means, if you've ever played roulette before, the learning curve is zero to none when searching for a new game.
Tip: In addition to the difference in the house edge - created by the 0 versus 00 pockets - there is also a difference in how the numbers are arranged on the wheel in European/French and American versions of the game. This doesn't really affect you as a player in terms of strategy or outcome, but it will change the available betting options in the games.Single-zero vs double-zero-wheel:
Nevertheless, it is most certainly the small differences between the games that create their individual appeal. In order to help you find your personal favorite, the Roulette.Guide team has put together a number of game reviews that give you direct access to trial versions (ie. free play) as well as our overall assessment. This is an excellent resource to finding a game that suits your style.
Here's how players find their favorite:
- Read the game's description on Roulette.Guide.
- Compare the rules, game structure, betting options, table limits, and any extras.
- Familiarize yourself with the mechanics by playing the demo game.
- Register at one of our recommended roulette casinos that carry that game to optimize your experience.
- Claim the welcome offer if you want to extend your cash for play.
What to Consider When Choosing a Game Version
| Learn the basics of roulette first: For beginners, many would advise leaning towards a French or European version of the table game, because of the lower house edge with the single zero. Of course, some would say American roulette is simpler because there are less "fancy" bets involved. So the best advice is to study up, and check our roulette rules synopsis. |
| Compare payout rates: For any game you're considering, it can make sense to look at the RTP. You can see this in each online game's info section. The lower the house edge, the more money will be paid out. For this reason alone, European and French roulette are often preferred to American roulette. But RTP is only part of the equation, and other aspects like the look and feel of the game matter too. |
| Pay attention to the table limits: Beginners with a small budget often opt for gaming tables that allow for bets as low as $0.10 or maybe $0.25 per spin. On the other hand, you may be a high roller, so you'd be looking for tables that accommodate those kinds of stakes with max bets of $500, $1,000, and occasionally even $5,000. |
 | Consider the potential bonus winnings: Game variants like Lucky Roulette or Lightning Roulette offer the prospect of additional payouts, particularly in the form of win multipliers. These bonus functions add both profit and entertainment. Some roulette purists consider this a distraction, but plenty of players love these unique embellishments. |
| Determine your own willingness to take risks: Real money is at stake when playing roulette. Some variants offer lower odds during regular game play, but offer the prospect of high bonus payouts. These bonuses are paid out less often, which means you run a higher risk of losing more money than you win. There is also value in their entertainment factor, so that tradeoff is something to consider. |
 | Use the demo mode option: Ultimately, which roulette version is the "best" is always a matter of personal taste. All other considerations are worthwhile, but most important is finding a game that you like! Some like the thrills that advanced features like multipliers offer, while others prefer the classics. Use the free play demo version to see which roulette games interests you, without spending a penny. |
"In order to understand how roulette games differ from one another, it is advisable to read up first. Our test reports describe the basics as well as betting options and special features of each game variant."
Stefan Weber, Expert Reviewer at Roulette.Guide
Can Roulette Variants Be Played for Free?
In local casinos like those in Las Vegas, there is no way the croupier would let you get in a free round. And that of course is yet another benefit of online casinos; being that roulette can be played online for free.
True, only the digital gaming tables, as opposed to the live streamed versions, which can only be played with real money.
But still this is a clear and obvious advantage. And a great opportunity to not only learn the rules of each game, but also test out different roulette systems and strategies.
- Try out different variants risk-free; ie. no risk of cash loss.
- Almost the exact same experience as real money play.
- Little to no personal information is required to get started.
- Ideal for testing roulette strategies.
- Live games cannot be played for free, but they can be watched.
- All winnings are paid out in the form of play money.
- Some people find gambling more thrilling when they have real money on the line.
Mobile Roulette Games
For added convenience, almost all casino games are mobile these days, including roulette. That means the roulette options we reviewed can all be enjoyed on your phone or tablet too.
To enjoy mobile roulette variants, simply visit one of our recommended casinos, or click on one of our recommended roulette games, and you'll enjoy the most convenient roulette in whatever style you choose right from your phone, or PC if you prefer.
Most of the time, it's 100% browser based and you won't need to download a roulette app to play. And whether software or mobile live roulette, the visuals and gameplay are just as sharp as on desktop play.
Different Roulette Game FAQs
- How do the basic roulette variants differ from each other?
- Is every roulette game easy to learn?
- What are the benefits of different roulette games?
- Are there roulette games with side bets?
- Do different roulette variants have different payouts?
1. How do the basic roulette variants differ from each other?
Most forms of the game are based on either the American or French Roulette wheel. The main difference is that the American version has two zeros, while the French one has a single zero.
In addition, the numbers and colors on the wheel are arranged differently in American and French roulette, so the betting options are a little different as well, especially when it comes to the call bets.
French roulette tables are labeled in French, while the other variants are mostly in English. French and European roulette are often used synonymously, as they have the same wheel. There are other minor differences, mainly in terms of the la partage rule which is not necessarily used in the European variant.
Otherwise, most versions offer the same betting options on colors, high and low numbers, even/odd, or groups of numbers such as columns, and the likes. So there is a lot of overlap between the games as well.
2. Is every roulette game easy to learn?
In principle yes. Roulette is not an overly complex game, and as such is quite easy to learn, even though there are quite a few betting options available. While these betting options may seem daunting at first to the uninitiated, once you get the hang of it, you'll definitely realize how easy it is.
To help you out, there are fixed betting options that are shown on the gaming table, and chips of different (clearly marked) stake values can be placed on these fields. This applies equally to all roulette variants. Additionally, a race track may be available, which makes it easier to place bets that are based on the order of numbers on the wheel.
3. What are the benefits of different roulette games?
In the long term, games that have a lower house edge are more lucrative. For comparison's sake, while the house edge for European and French roulette is 2.7%, it rises to 5.26% for American roulette, which means the latter pays back slightly less of the money staked. So the benefit there would go to the French/European games.
French roulette also theoretically offers even better conditions thanks to the la partage rule, that can potentially help you recoup half your losses, and the en prison rule, which essentially gives you a partial second chance.
American roulette, however, is considered a bit simpler and faster. And for some, depending on where you live, may just be a more familiar form of play, which in and of itself is an advantage.
4. Are there roulette games with side bets?
Side bets are rather atypical in roulette, as opposed to in blackjack where you can add on to your original bet.
Even when the la partage or en prison rule are in effect, these are automatic advantages you gain, without having to invest any further money. Nevertheless, with the large range of different online game variants, there are also some that offer the option for side bets or additional bets, but they are definitely a rare find.
5. Do different roulette variants have different payouts?
Yes. 100%. Different versions of roulette most definitely have different paytables. This is a very important point, in fact, to consider when placing your bets, if not already in choosing your game.
While standard French and American versions will have universal payout rates, the many fancier versions can differ quite significantly, even on simple single number bets. As such, we always recommend viewing the game's information section before you get started, so you can understand the odds and potential payday for each type of bet.
Our Roulette Variants Recommendations
As we've detailed, there are a whole lot of versions of roulette available to play, especially online, going far beyond the French and American classics. While we've covered a good number of them throughout this review, we'll just reiterate that there are actually a whole lot more. As for where to play, any one of our recommended casinos are a good place to try the ones we've called out, as well as the many others that are regularly being released.
For more details on things like the different roulette betting systems or tips and tricks to consider, we of course refer you to our articles, which will help you maximize your play whichever version you choose.
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I am trained as a tax consultant, mostly because my father insisted that I get a normal job. Luckily, I listened to my heart and followed my passion in writing. Today I work as an online editor while traveling the world, which is why I'm rarely in my hometown, Toronto. By pure chance, I discovered the online casino review industry about ten years ago, and I have been testing and reviewing gambling sites since then. Personally, I prefer Blackjack and Roulette games. I think the skills and strategies involved make them much more interesting than slots.
I'm lucky enough to have found both my job and my calling on the internet. As the online marketing manager for a major sportsbook, I began in the online gambling business over a decade ago. The business has been good to me and I love the dynamics of the industry. A blackjack and roulette enthusiast myself, I try to provide articles that combine practicalities with the strategic elegance of the game in a way that both rookies and experienced players can appreciate. And when I can, I like to spend my free time on live streaming platforms such as Twitch and Kick.