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.
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
The Mathematics of the Two Wheels
Conversely, the American wheel's extra double zero pushes the house edge up to a massive 5.26%.
There is absolutely no mathematical justification for ever choosing to play American roulette if European is available.
Lowering the Edge Even Further
The "La Partage" rule dictates that if the ball lands on zero, you only lose half of your even-money bet.
American roulette essentially never offers these rules, further cementing its status as the inferior option.
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.
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Which Roulette Version is Better?
Megan Puig edited this page 3 weeks ago