European Roulette vs American Roulette

Overview of American and European Roulette

Roulette originated in France in the 18th century and quickly spread across Europe. The version we know today as european vs american roulette took shape later, with one single-zero wheel dominating European casinos and a double-zero wheel becoming popular in the United States.

• European Roulette: Played on a wheel with 37 pockets, numbered 1 to 36 plus a single zero (0).
• American Roulette: Played on a wheel with 38 pockets, numbered 1 to 36, plus a single zero (0) and a double zero (00).

The addition of the double zero may look like a small tweak, but it changes the odds, house edge, and long-term profitability for players. Many experienced gamblers recommend European roulette because it is mathematically more favorable. Still, American roulette remains popular in casinos across the U.S. due to tradition and speed of play.

👉 In short, when comparing european roulette vs american roulette, the choice comes down to your approach: do you value higher chances of winning, or do you prefer the faster, riskier American style?

Wheel Layout and Design

The roulette wheel is the centerpiece of the game. While both versions share the same idea — a spinning wheel with numbered pockets — the roulette american vs european wheel layout has some important distinctions.

📌 Quick Comparison of Wheel Layout

Number of Pockets (Single Zero vs Double Zero)

• European Roulette has 37 pockets: numbers 1–36 and a single zero (0).
• American Roulette has 38 pockets: numbers 1–36, a single zero (0), and an extra double zero (00).

💡 This additional double zero in American roulette increases the casino’s advantage, making European roulette statistically more favorable for players.

Rules of Play

Although both versions look almost identical on the table, the way bets work in american roulette vs european roulette has a few subtle but important differences.

How Bets Are Placed in Both Versions

Players place chips on a betting layout that mirrors the wheel numbers. Bets can be made directly on numbers or on broader categories such as red/black, odd/even, or dozens.

• The process of placing bets is the same in both versions.
• Chips are put down before the dealer spins the wheel.
• Online roulette tables use digital layouts but follow the same rules.

Inside Bets and Outside Bets

There are two main categories of bets 👇 

👉 Inside Bets 

• Straight Up (a single number)
• Split (two numbers)
• Street (three numbers in a row)
• Corner (four numbers)
• Line (six numbers)

👉 Outside Bets 

• Red or Black
• Odd or Even
• High (19–36) or Low (1–18)
• Dozens (1–12, 13–24, 25–36)
• Columns

👉 These betting options are identical in both versions, but the probability of winning is slightly worse in American roulette due to the extra 00 pocket.

Special Rules (La Partage and En Prison in European Roulette)

One of the biggest advantages of european roulette vs american is that European tables sometimes offer extra rules that improve your chances:

• La Partage Rule: If the ball lands on zero, players lose only half of their even-money bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low).
• En Prison Rule: If zero comes up, the even-money bet is “imprisoned.” It stays on the table for the next spin. If the next spin wins, the bet is returned with no loss.

These rules reduce the effective house edge even further, making European roulette the “safest” version for players who prefer conservative play.

📌 Fact: These special rules do not exist in American roulette. The double zero makes the game tougher, and casinos in the U.S. rarely allow such player-friendly options.

Odds and Payouts

When comparing european roulette vs american roulette, the biggest difference is not the payouts but the probability of winning. Both versions follow the same payout structure, yet the double zero in American roulette changes the actual roulette odds.

Standard Payouts (Same in Both Versions)

Regardless of the version, the payout table is the same 👇 

• Straight Up (1 number) → 35:1
• Split (2 numbers) → 17:1
• Street (3 numbers) → 11:1
• Corner (4 numbers) → 8:1
• Line (6 numbers) → 5:1
• Dozen / Column → 2:1
• Red/Black, Odd/Even, High/Low → 1:1

So, in both american roulette vs european, a winning straight-up bet pays 35 chips for every 1 chip wagered.

Probability Differences Due to Double Zero

Here’s where the games begin to diverge 👇 

• European Roulette (37 pockets): chance of hitting a single number is 1/37 ≈ 2.70%.
• American Roulette (38 pockets): chance of hitting a single number is 1/38 ≈ 2.63%.

That difference may seem small, but over hundreds of spins, it significantly affects your bankroll.

Impact on Player’s Chances of Winning

Let’s illustrate with even-money bets (red/black, odd/even) 👇 

📊 The double zero lowers every winning probability, making American roulette riskier.

👉 This is why strategic players almost always recommend european roulette vs american when looking for the best long-term winning chances.

House Edge Comparison

The house edge is the built-in advantage that guarantees the casino makes a profit in the long run. This is where the gap between american vs european roulette becomes the most obvious.

📊 House Edge Overview

European Roulette House Edge (2.7%)

• With 37 pockets and one zero, the house edge in European roulette is 2.7%.
• This means that, on average, for every $100 wagered, the casino keeps $2.70.
• When special rules like La Partage or En Prison are applied, the edge drops even lower — to around 1.35% on even-money bets.

American Roulette House Edge (5.26%)

• With 38 pockets, including the double zero, the house edge almost doubles to 5.26%.
• For every $100 wagered, the casino keeps $5.26 on average.
• This makes American roulette less favorable for players who want to maximize long-term returns.

Long-Term Effect on Bankroll

The difference may feel small in one spin, but over hundreds of spins, it really adds up.

📌 Example:

• 1000 spins at $10 each = $10,000 wagered.
• European Roulette expected loss = $270.
• American Roulette expected loss = $526.

👉 Clearly, european vs american roulette shows why players seeking better mathematical chances almost always choose the European version.

Strategies for American vs European Roulette

Roulette is a game of chance, but roulette strategy still matters when it comes to managing risks and making smarter bets. The approach you take depends heavily on whether you are playing roulette american vs european.

Why European Roulette Is Better for Strategy Players

European roulette is the top choice for strategy-minded players because:

• The lower house edge (2.7%) gives your bankroll more life.
• Special rules (La Partage, En Prison) reduce losses on even-money bets.
• It works better with popular betting systems like Martingale, Fibonacci, or D’Alembert, since the odds are more favorable.

🎯 For players who want to apply mathematical betting strategies, european roulette vs american roulette is almost always the optimal pick.

Adjusting Bets When Playing American Roulette

When you sit at an American table, you need to be more conservative:

1. Avoid straight-up number bets unless you’re chasing big payouts.
2. Stick with outside bets (red/black, odd/even) to reduce volatility.
3. Limit the number of spins you play — the higher house edge eats away at long sessions.

📌 Tip: Some U.S. casinos label a game as “American Roulette” even if it uses a European-style wheel. Always check whether the wheel has one zero or two before betting.

Bankroll Management Depending on Version

Bankroll management is key to staying in the game:

👉 European Roulette 

• Safer for longer sessions.
• Smaller bets can stretch your bankroll more.
• Ideal for beginners testing strategies.

👉 American Roulette 

• Budget for faster losses.
• Use strict stop-loss limits.
• Better suited for players who value speed and excitement over long-term odds.

👉 Understanding how american roulette vs european influences your strategy ensures you stay in control, rather than leaving everything to luck.

Pros and Cons of Each Version

Both roulette types have their appeal. Comparing european roulette vs american helps players choose the table that fits their style.

📌 Quick Pros & Cons Table

Pros of European Roulette

• ✅ Lower house edge (2.7%)
• ✅ More favorable special rules (La Partage, En Prison)
• ✅ Higher chance of success for betting strategies
• ✅ Widely available in online casinos worldwide

Pros of American Roulette

• ✅ Faster pace in U.S. land-based casinos 
• ✅ Familiar layout for American players
• ✅ Often linked with high-limit tables, attracting serious gamblers
• ✅ More common in traditional Vegas-style casinos

👉 As you can see, american roulette vs european roulette comes down to your priorities: better odds vs. a more traditional U.S. casino experience.

Which Roulette Should You Choose

The decision between european vs american roulette depends on your goals as a player. Some want the safest odds, while others enjoy the thrill of risk.

Casual Players vs Strategic Players

• 🎯 Casual Players: Often prefer American roulette in U.S. casinos because of availability and faster gameplay. The focus is on fun rather than long-term odds.
• 📊 Strategic Players: Almost always go for European roulette because the math is in their favor. With a lower house edge and special roulette rules, it’s the smarter choice for optimal bankroll use.

Online vs Land-Based Casino Availability

• Online Casinos: European roulette is widely available and often the default version offered. Some platforms also feature live dealers, bringing the feel of a real casino.
• Land-Based Casinos: In the U.S., American roulette dominates the floor. In Europe and most of the rest of the world, single-zero roulette is the standard.

Long-Term Profitability Considerations

If you care about your bankroll over many sessions, the numbers speak for themselves:

• European Roulette offers the highest chance of long-term success.
• American Roulette results in almost double the expected losses.

👉 For most players, the answer to european roulette vs american roulette is simple: go European whenever possible.