American Roulette vs European Roulette

The Basics of Roulette

Both American and European Roulette involve a spinning wheel, a ball, and a betting table where players wager on where the ball will land. The wheel features numbered pockets (1–36, alternating red and black) plus one or two green “zero” pockets. While the core objective remains the same to predict the winning number or category, the differences between the two variants lie in the wheel design, house edge, and additional rules.

Difference between American and European Roulette

The notable difference between the two games is the slots on the wheels. A single slot on or off the wheel is accountable for the difference in the casino’s edge. These two styles of roulette are available in America and Europe.

1. Wheel Layout and Number of Zeros

• American Roulette: Features 38 pockets, including numbers 1–36, a single zero (0), and a double zero (00). The addition of the double zero increases the house edge, making it less favourable for players.
• European Roulette: Has 37 pockets, with numbers 1–36 and a single zero (0). The absence of the double zero gives players better odds.

The extra pocket in American Roulette significantly affects the game’s odds and payouts, as we’ll explore below.

2. House Edge

The house edge is the casino’s built-in advantage, and it’s a critical factor when choosing a roulette variant:

• American Roulette: The house edge is 5.26% due to the presence of a double zero. This means, on average, the casino keeps $5.26 for every $100 wagered.
• European Roulette: The house edge is lower at 2.70%, thanks to the single zero. This makes European Roulette more player-friendly.

For example, if you bet $100 on a single number in European Roulette, your expected loss is $2.70, compared to $5.26 in American Roulette. Over time, this difference can add up, especially for frequent players.

3. Special Rules in European Roulette

European Roulette sometime sincludes two player-friendly rules that are rarely found in American Roulette. These rules are typically found in French Roulette, but some European Roulette variants make use of them:

• En Prison: If you place an even-money bet (e.g., red/black, odd/even) and the ball lands on zero, your bet is “imprisoned” and held for the next spin. If you win on the next spin, you recover your original bet.
• La Partage: Similar to En Prison, if the ball lands on zero, you lose only half of your even-money bet instead of the full amount.

These rules effectively reduce the house edge to 1.35% on even-money bets, making it an attractive option for strategic players. American Roulette typically does not offer these rules, further widening the gap in favour of European Roulette.

4. Betting Options and Payouts

Both variants offer the same types of bets, inside bets (e.g., straight-up, split) and outside bets (e.g., red/black, dozens), with identical payouts:

• Straight-up (single number): 35:1
• Split (two numbers): 17:1
• Red/Black, Odd/Even: 1:1

Which Should You Play?

• Choose European Roulette if you want better odds and a lower house edge. The single zero and potential En Prison or La Partage rules make it a more intelligent choice for maximising your chances of winning.
• Choose American Roulette if you’re in a U.S. casino where it’s the dominant variant or if you enjoy the added challenge of the double zero. It’s still a fun game, but the higher house edge means you’ll face more formidable odds.