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
The single most important difference between the two games lies entirely in the number of green zero pockets.
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.
This means you will lose money almost twice as fast playing the American version over the long term.
Special European Roulette Rules
The "En Prison" rule "imprisons" your bet for the next spin if the zero hits, giving you a second chance.
This makes French roulette one of the most mathematically favorable table games on the entire casino floor.
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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European vs. American Roulette Explained
Guillermo Leichhardt edited this page 2026-07-29 04:26:14 -04:00