Roulette is universally recognized as one of the most iconic and popular games in casino history.
Choosing the wrong version of roulette is the most common and costly mistake new players make.
The Impact of the Double Zero
The single most important difference between the two games lies entirely in the number of green zero pockets.
While the payouts remain exactly the same, your odds of hitting a specific number decrease on the American wheel.
European wheel has 37 total pocketsAmerican wheel has 38 total pocketsBoth versions pay 35 to 1 on a single number bet
The Mathematics of the Two Wheels
Because the European wheel has only one zero, the house edge is a very reasonable 2.70%.
This means you will lose money almost twice as fast playing the American version over the long term.
The En Prison and La Partage Rules
The "La Partage" rule dictates that if the ball lands on zero, you only lose half of your even-money bet.
This makes French roulette one of the most mathematically favorable table games on the entire casino floor.
TypeLong Term Loss per $100Player ValueSingle Zero$2.70ExcellentDouble Zero$5.26Terrible
Online casinos almost always offer both, so be vigilant and always click on the European wheel.
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The Difference Between European and American Roulette
Allan Dawbin edited this page 2026-07-30 10:39:56 +00:00