Roulette is an iconic live casino game, but how does European vs American roulette compare?
Although the basic game structures are similar, the wheel layouts are different. European roulette contains 37 pockets, consisting of numbers 1-36 and a single 0. In contrast, American roulette has 38 pockets: numbers 1-36, a 0 and 00.
Naturally, the additional zero in American roulette affects the house edge and probabilities. American roulette has a higher house edge (5.26%) compared to its European counterpart (2.70%). Our in-depth guide tackles the key facets of European roulette and American roulette, assessing payouts, wheel layout, and available bets.
European vs American Roulette: Quick Comparison
Although payouts across the board are largely the same, the main difference between European and American roulette lies in the wheel structure. Our table shines a light on this, and we have shared a few additional notes:
| Feature | European Roulette | American Roulette |
| Total Pockets | 37 | 38 |
| Zero Pockets | 1 | 2 |
| Numbers | 1-36 + 0 | 1-36 + 0 + 00 |
| Standard house edge | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Straight-up payout | 35:1 | 35:1 |
| Red/black payout | 1:1 | 1:1 |
| Special five-number bet | No | Yes |
Although both roulette versions use the same main numbers from 1 to 36, the telling structural difference is the American wheel features an extra 00 pocket.
While payouts for individual betting types are broadly the same, the number of potential outcomes differs, as European roulette has fewer options.
The chances of winning bets being made diminish slightly with American roulette as the double zero adds an extra losing outcome without adjusting payout rates. Compared to European roulette, these fine margins can add up over time.
How does European Roulette Work?
European roulette is distinct in nature. In terms of layout and house edge, the following can be said:
- European roulette features 37 pockets.
- The wheel contains numbers 1-36 and a green 0.
- Among the standard bet types are:
- Straight-up bet – Covers one number on the betting layout.
- Split – Covers two adjacent numbers by placing the chip on the line between them.
- Street – Covers one horizontal row of three numbers on the betting layout.
- Corner – Covers four adjoining numbers by placing the chip at the intersection of their four boxes.
- Six-line – Covers two adjoining streets, for a total of six numbers.
- Red/black
- Odd/even
- High/low
- Dozens – Covers 1–12, 13–24 or 25–36.
- Columns – Covers one of the three 12-number columns on the betting layout.
- Standard bets usually carry a 2.70% house edge, as payouts are calculated as if there are only 36 outcomes even though the wheel has 37.
- Some European or French-style tables apply La Partage or En Prison to qualifying even-money bets. Under La Partage, half the stake is normally returned when zero lands. Under En Prison, the wager is held for the following spin and settled according to the table’s rules.
- Where La Partage applies, the effective house edge on qualifying even-money bets can fall from 2.70% to 1.35%. It does not normally apply to inside bets, dozens or columns.
- Special rules aren’t available on every European table, so players must check this out before proceeding.
How Does American Roulette Work?
American roulette throws up a slight curveball, as there are more outcomes than its European cousin, as discussed below:
- American roulette has 38 pockets.
- The wheel contains numbers 1-36, a 0, and 00.
- Through the additional double-zero pocket, this can change the probability of standard bets.
- Like European roulette, the numbers on an American roulette wheel don’t follow arithmetic order. This is designed to distribute colours and odd/even numbers as evenly as possible around the wheel.
- Most standard bets will carry a house edge of 5.26%.
- Nevertheless, standard payouts are similar to European roulette:
- Straight = 35:1
- Split = 17:1
- Street = 11:1
- Even-money bets = 1:1
- American roulette also commonly offers the five-number bet, sometimes called the First Five or basket bet. It covers 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3, pays 6:1 and has a house edge of 7.89%.
- With 38 numbers in play, and five possible winning chances out of 38, the probability of winning is around 13.16%.
- This bet normally pays out at 6:1 and offers a higher house edge (7.89%).
Why Does the Number of Zeroes Matter?
Having an extra zero makes a difference when it comes to the maths and winning outcomes in single zero vs double zero roulette. We’ve fleshed out some more details to clarify things:
- European roulette features one zero, meaning there are 37 possible outcomes.
- American roulette has two zero pockets, giving 38 possible outcomes.
- Zero and double zero are standalone numbers that aren’t included in the following betting groups:
- Red
- Black
- Odd
- Even
- 1-18
- 19-36
- Dozens
- Columns
- The extra 00 creates an additional losing outcome for standard outside bets while their payouts remain unchanged. This increases the standard house edge from 2.70% to 5.26%.
- The payout, however, doesn’t increase to compensate for the extra pocket.
Example: A European red bet has 18 winning pockets out of 37, while an American red has 18 winning pockets out of 38.
Remember, the house edge describes a long-term mathematical expectation based on a large number of wagers placed rather than what may or may not happen during a specific session.
European vs American Roulette Odds and House Edge
There is a pronounced mathematical difference when it comes to house edge between European and American roulette, and that is largely based on the number of possible winning outcomes.
With American roulette, there is a 1 in 38 chance of winning on a straight bet compared to 1 in 37 for European roulette.
This segment of the guide features a table and digs deeper into the house edges and odds for both game variants.
| Roulette type | Pockets | Standard house edge |
| European | 37 | 2.70% |
| American | 38 | 5.26% |
| European with La Partage on qualifying even-money bets | 37 | 1.35% |
The house edge serves as an in-built long-term advantage the casino has over a game. Nevertheless, the following factors also ring true:
- Most standard inside and outside bets within the same roulette version share the same house edge. It’s only where there are special rules for certain roulette games that the house edge changes, such as La Partage for European roulette.
- Higher payouts on inside bets don’t necessarily constitute a lower or higher house edge by themselves.
- The major difference between American and European roulette comes from the number of zero pockets, as American roulette has an extra zero.
- The American five-number or basket bet, as it is also known, is the exception, because its house edge (7.89%) is higher than other standard American bets.
Are the Bets and Payouts Different?
The European vs American roulette bets available are generally similar and we’ve listed the betting types that overlap across both games:
- Straight-up – 35:1
- Split – 17:1
- Street – 11:1
- Corner – 8:1
- Six line – 5:1
- Dozen – 2:1
- Column – 2:1
- Red/black – 1:1
- Odd/even – 1:1
- High/low – 1:1
However, there are a couple of features distinguishing American roulette from European roulette:
- American roulette adds an extra zero (00) and includes a five-number bet, covering specific numbers, such as 0-00-1-2-3.
- European tables can sometimes include rule variations, such as La Partage, which reduces the house edge.
- However, extra side bets or specials can vary between individual games.
- Users therefore should check specific table rules rather than assuming all roulette variants play the same way.
European vs American Roulette Wheel Layout
As a quick recap, we’ve drawn your attention to the structural difference in the wheel layout that lies within European and American roulette:
- The wheel sequence for European and American roulette uses different number arrangements.
- Both wheels deliberately alternate between red and black numbers, and distribute other values as evenly as possible.
- The betting-table layout is different, as American roulette needs space to accommodate 0 and 00.
- As such, the main distinction is that European roulette has a single zero, while American roulette uses both a single zero and double zero.
Common Misconceptions About European and American Roulette
We’ve tackled some common misconceptions or fallacies that continue to arise over European and American roulette:
“American roulette pays more because it has more numbers”
This isn’t true. Standard payouts generally remain the same, and the house edge is higher in American roulette.
“European roulette guarantees better results”
No. Standard European roulette has a lower long-term house edge than standard American roulette, but this does not guarantee a better result on an individual spin or during a particular session. Individual spins remain independent events, and the wheel order doesn’t create predictable patterns.
“Red or black is a 50/50 bet”
The zero and 00 in American roulette aren’t red or black, and the double zero raises the house edge to 5.26%.
“Past spins affect the next spin”
Under standard roulette rules, previous results don’t determine the next outcome. The randomness of spins can make things unpredictable.
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