Roulette is universally recognized as one of the most iconic and popular games in casino history.
Understanding the subtle differences between the wheels is crucial for maximizing your chances of winning.
The Extra Green Zero
The American wheel, however, has 38 pockets: numbers 1 through 36, a single zero (0), and a double zero (00).
While the payouts remain exactly the same, your odds of hitting a specific number decrease on the American wheel.
The green zeros represent the house edgeAmerican roulette includes the 0 and the 00European roulette only utilizes the single 0
Comparing the House Edge
With a house edge of 2.70%, European roulette is relatively fair compared to many other casino games.
There is absolutely no mathematical justification for ever choosing to play American roulette if European is available.
Special European Roulette 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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European vs. American Roulette Explained
Millie Eberly edited this page 2026-07-30 00:38:13 +08:00