American roulette has two zeros because the extra zero increases the casino’s advantage. The 0 and 00 are not bonus spaces for the player. They are the pockets that make even-money bets lose more often while still paying only even money when they win.
Plain Talk
The double zero is the price tag.
On a single-zero wheel, there are 37 pockets: 1 through 36 plus 0.
On an American double-zero wheel, there are 38 pockets: 1 through 36 plus 0 and 00.
Your red/black, odd/even, and high/low bets still pay 1:1. But they now lose to two green pockets instead of one.
That extra losing pocket is why double-zero roulette is more expensive.
For the broader zero question, read Why Do Roulette Wheels Have Zero? and the main Roulette guide.
Why People Ask This
Players ask because roulette looks simple.
Red or black feels like a coin flip. Odd or even feels like a coin flip. High or low feels like a coin flip. Then the ball lands on 0 or 00 and the player realizes the game is not paying like a true 50/50 bet.
That is the whole point.
The wheel gives the casino its edge by adding green numbers that are not covered by normal even-money bets. The Wizard of Odds roulette page explains the house edge differences between common roulette variants and bets.
What Actually Happens
The second zero changes the denominator of the game.
| Wheel type | Pockets | Green pockets | Typical house edge on standard bets | Practical takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European roulette | 37 | 1 | About 2.70% | Better than double zero |
| American roulette | 38 | 2 | About 5.26% | More expensive |
| French roulette with la partage/en prison | 37 | 1 | Lower on even-money bets | Best common version if rules apply |
The payout on most inside and outside bets is calculated as if there are 36 numbered pockets. The zero pockets are what create the house edge.
Regulated roulette procedures and layouts are usually defined by gaming rules. For example, Massachusetts roulette rules describe roulette equipment, wagers, and payouts.
Example
You bet $10 on red.
On a single-zero wheel, 18 red numbers win and 19 pockets lose: 18 black numbers plus 0.
On a double-zero wheel, 18 red numbers win and 20 pockets lose: 18 black numbers plus 0 and 00.
| Bet | Single-zero result space | Double-zero result space |
|---|---|---|
| Red wins | 18 pockets | 18 pockets |
| Red loses | 19 pockets | 20 pockets |
| Payout when right | 1:1 | 1:1 |
| Better choice | Single zero | Not double zero |
The extra zero does not change your winning payout. It changes how often the bet loses.
From the Casino Side:
From the casino side, double-zero roulette is a stronger earning game.
It is easy to understand, visually familiar, and attractive to casual players. Many players notice the table minimum before they notice the wheel type. A busy American roulette table can produce strong revenue because the edge is more than double the standard single-zero edge.
The casino is not hiding the zeros. They are printed on the wheel and layout. But players often do not price them correctly.
For the operations view, see Back of House and How Casinos Measure Drop and Hold.
The Common Mistake
The common mistake is thinking red/black is nearly a fair coin toss.
It feels like one because there are 18 red numbers and 18 black numbers. But the green pockets are still there. On American roulette, there are two of them.
The bet is not 18 ways to win and 18 ways to lose. It is 18 ways to win and 20 ways to lose.
That is the whole difference.
Hard Truth
The second zero is not decoration. It is the casino charging more for the same-looking spin.
Quick Checklist
- Look for 0 only or 0 and 00 before betting.
- Prefer single-zero roulette when available.
- Ask whether la partage or surrender applies to even-money bets.
- Do not call red/black a true 50/50 bet.
- Compare the wheel before comparing table minimums.
- Avoid betting systems that ignore the green pockets.
FAQ
Is double-zero roulette worse than single-zero roulette?
Yes. Double zero usually has a higher house edge than single zero on standard roulette bets.
Why do casinos use double-zero wheels?
Because the extra zero increases the casino’s edge while the game still feels familiar to players.
Does the second zero affect inside bets too?
Yes. The extra pocket affects the probability of all standard bets because there are more total outcomes.
Can I avoid the double-zero disadvantage with a system?
No. Betting systems do not remove the extra losing pocket.
Should beginners play single-zero roulette?
If roulette is available in both versions, single-zero is normally the better choice.
Deeper Insight
The double zero teaches the most important roulette lesson: payout and probability are not the same thing.
A straight-up number pays 35:1, but the wheel has 38 pockets in American roulette. An even-money bet pays 1:1, but it wins only 18 out of 38 outcomes.
The payout does not fully match the true odds. That gap is the house edge.
Formula / Calculation
| Metric | Formula | Plain-English meaning |
|---|---|---|
| House Edge | Casino Advantage / Total Outcomes | The casino’s long-term percentage edge |
| Expected Loss | Total Amount Wagered × House Edge | What roulette is expected to cost |
| Total Amount Wagered | Average Bet × Number of Spins | Total action created |
| Average Loss Per Hour | Spins Per Hour × Average Bet × House Edge | How roulette speed turns edge into cost |
Formula Explanation in Plain English
On American roulette, a $10 red bet wins on 18 pockets and loses on 20 pockets. Because it still pays only $10 when right, the casino keeps the difference over time.
The second zero matters because every spin has one more way for standard bets to lose.
Related Reading
Start with Ask a Veteran for direct casino answers. Then read Why Do Roulette Wheels Have Zero?, Roulette Wheel Differences, and Roulette Surrender Rule. For terms, review house edge, expected value, and variance. For system myths, read Why Betting Systems Fail and Roulette.