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 Difference is in the Zeros
The American wheel, however, has 38 pockets: numbers 1 through 36, a single zero (0), and a double zero (00).
This single extra pocket on the American wheel drastically alters the mathematical probabilities of the game.
The extra number changes all probability calculationsThe betting layout is slightly larger on the American tableEuropean tables often use a different chip system
Comparing the House Edge
Because the European wheel has only one zero, the house edge is a very reasonable 2.70%.
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 "La Partage" rule dictates that if the ball lands on zero, you only lose half of your even-money bet.
If these special rules are in effect, the house edge on even-money bets drops to an incredible 1.35%.
VersionZero PocketsHouse EdgeEuropeanOne (0)2.70%AmericanTwo (0, 00)5.26%
The conclusion is incredibly simple: you should always seek out and exclusively play European or French roulette.
1
The Difference Between European and American Roulette
ginahyam331353 edited this page 2026-08-04 08:49:39 +02:00