European Vs. American Roulette Explained

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

A European roulette wheel features 37 pockets in total: the numbers 1 through 36, plus a single zero (0).


The addition of the 00 pocket effectively doubles the casino's built-in mathematical advantage over the player.

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

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.

Lowering the Edge Even Further

The "En Prison" rule "imprisons" your bet for the next spin if the zero hits, giving you a second chance.


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

The conclusion is incredibly simple: you should always seek out and exclusively play European or French roulette.