The Difference Between European And American Roulette

Roulette is universally recognized as one of the most iconic and popular games in casino history.


Understanding the subtle differences between the wheels is crucial for maximizing your chances of winning.

The Difference is in the Zeros

The single most important difference between the two games lies entirely in the number of green zero pockets.


The addition of the 00 pocket effectively doubles the casino's built-in mathematical advantage over the player.

European wheel has 37 total pocketsAmerican wheel has 38 total pocketsBoth versions pay 35 to 1 on a single number bet
Why the House Edge Matters

Conversely, the American wheel's extra double zero pushes the house edge up to a massive 5.26%.


This means you will lose money almost twice as fast playing the American version over the long term.

The En Prison and La Partage Rules

Some European, and particularly French, roulette tables offer player-friendly rules called "La Partage" or "En Prison."


This makes French roulette one of the most mathematically favorable table games on the entire casino floor.

TypeLong Term Loss per $100Player ValueSingle Zero$2.70ExcellentDouble Zero$5.26Terrible

Playing American roulette is a mathematical mistake that unnecessarily drains your bankroll twice as fast.