1 European vs. American Roulette Explained
Rocco Mackenzie edited this page 2026-08-03 07:32:57 +00:00


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 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 "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%.
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.