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 Difference is in the Zeros
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 extra number changes all probability calculationsThe betting layout is slightly larger on the American tableEuropean tables often use a different chip system
Why the House Edge Matters
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 "La Partage" rule dictates that if the ball lands on zero, you only lose half of your even-money bet.
This makes French roulette one of the most mathematically favorable table games on the entire casino floor.
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.
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European vs. American Roulette Explained
Micheal Conover edited this page 2026-08-03 06:47:20 -04:00