Roulette is universally recognized as one of the most iconic and popular games in casino history.
European and American roulette may look nearly identical to the untrained eye, but the math differs wildly.
The Extra Green Zero
A European roulette wheel features 37 pockets in total: the numbers 1 through 36, plus a single zero (0).
This single extra pocket on the American wheel drastically alters the mathematical probabilities of the game.
The green zeros represent the house edgeAmerican roulette includes the 0 and the 00European roulette only utilizes the single 0
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.
The En Prison and La Partage Rules
The "En Prison" rule "imprisons" your bet for the next spin if the zero hits, giving you a second chance.
American roulette essentially never offers these rules, further cementing its status as the inferior option.
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
Keith Vesely edited this page 2026-08-04 19:24:28 +02:00