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 Difference is in the Zeros
The single most important difference between the two games lies entirely in the number of green zero pockets.
While the payouts remain exactly the same, your odds of hitting a specific number decrease on the American wheel.
- The extra number changes all probability calculations
- The betting layout is slightly larger on the American table
- European 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.
Statistically, for every $100 you wager, you expect to lose $2.70 on European and $5.26 on American.
Lowering the Edge Even Further
Some European, and particularly French, roulette tables offer player-friendly rules called "La Partage" or "En Prison."
American roulette essentially never offers these rules, further cementing its status as the inferior option.
| Type | Long Term Loss per $100 | Player Value |
|---|---|---|
| Single Zero | $2.70 | Excellent |
| Double Zero | $5.26 | Terrible |
The conclusion is incredibly simple: you should always seek out and exclusively play European or French roulette.
