Roulette is universally recognized as one of the most iconic and popular games in casino history.
Choosing the wrong version of roulette is the most common and costly mistake new players make.
The Impact of the Double 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.
European wheel has 37 total pocketsAmerican wheel has 38 total pocketsBoth versions pay 35 to 1 on a single number bet
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 "En Prison" rule "imprisons" your bet for the next spin if the zero hits, giving you a second chance.
If these special rules are in effect, the house edge on even-money bets drops to an incredible 1.35%.
GameWheel NumbersEdge with La PartageFrench371.35%American38N/A
Online casinos almost always offer both, so be vigilant and always click on the European wheel.
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Which Roulette Version is Better?
norinespicer34 edited this page 2026-08-04 04:20:10 -04:00