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The Difference Between European and American Roulette
Donnie Steadman edited this page 2026-08-05 03:39:27 +02:00


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.
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.
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.
GameWheel NumbersEdge with La PartageFrench371.35%American38N/A
Online casinos almost always offer both, so be vigilant and always click on the European wheel.