European roulette is the roulette version with 37 pockets: numbers 1 through 36 plus a single zero. It usually has a house edge of about 2.70% on standard bets, making it cheaper for players than American roulette, which adds a double zero and raises the edge.
Plain Talk
European roulette is roulette without the double zero. That sounds like a small layout detail, but it cuts the usual house edge almost in half compared with American roulette.
The basic bets are familiar: one number, two numbers, three-number streets, corners, dozens, columns, red/black, odd/even, and high/low. The big difference is the wheel. With only one green zero, fewer outcomes kill outside bets and inside bets.
This glossary page defines the term. For the full game explanation, read Roulette and the Glossary.
| Term | Plain-English meaning | Where it appears | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| European roulette | Single-zero roulette | Casino floors, live dealer games, online roulette | Lower house edge |
| 0 | One green zero pocket | Wheel and layout | Creates casino edge |
| La Partage | Half-loss rule on even-money bets | Some European/French tables | Can reduce edge on qualifying bets |
| En Prison | Bet may stay locked after zero | Some tables | Changes zero handling |
Where You See It
You see European roulette in land-based casinos, online roulette lobbies, live dealer studios, and game rules pages. It may be labeled as “European Roulette,” “Single Zero Roulette,” or sometimes simply “Roulette” outside the United States.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board roulette rules of play describes roulette rules around wheels with 1 through 36 plus a 0 and/or 00. That “and/or” matters: a single-zero wheel is the European version; a double-zero wheel is the American version.
Why It Matters
European roulette matters because it is one of the simplest examples of shopping for better rules. You do not need a complicated strategy. You just need to know that one zero is better than two zeros.
For the player, the decision is practical. If a European and American roulette table have the same minimum bet, same speed, and same rules, the European table is usually the better choice.
If the game also offers La Partage or En Prison on even-money bets, the cost can be lower on those specific bets. Read the exact rules first. Do not assume every single-zero table includes those rules.
Example
A player has $100 and wants to bet $10 per spin on red.
On European roulette, red has 18 winning pockets out of 37. On American roulette, red has 18 winning pockets out of 38. The difference is one extra losing pocket, but over many spins that extra pocket is expensive.
The bet looks the same. The wheel is not the same.
From the Casino Side:
From the casino side, European roulette is often used where market expectations, competition, or customer profile support a lower-edge roulette product. It may attract more informed players or appear in premium areas, online product menus, or European-style casino environments.
Operations teams still care about the same basics: wheel security, dealer accuracy, bet settlement, table pace, disputes, and float. Regulators and operators also require responsible gambling information and controls; the UK Gambling Commission responsible gambling information rules is one example of how licensed operators are required to make responsible gambling information available to customers.
Common Misunderstanding
Players often think all roulette wheels are basically identical. They are not. A single zero versus double zero changes the game’s price.
Another misunderstanding is that European roulette is “easy to beat” because the edge is lower. Lower edge does not mean no edge. It means the long-run cost is smaller.
Hard Truth
European roulette is better than American roulette, but “better odds” is not the same thing as “good odds.”
Related Terms
| Term | Difference | Best page to read next |
|---|---|---|
| American Roulette | Double-zero version | American Roulette |
| La Partage | Half-loss rule on zero | La Partage |
| En Prison | Zero may lock the bet for another spin | En Prison |
| Even Money Bet | Red/black, odd/even, high/low | Even Money Bet |
| House Edge | Long-run casino advantage | House Edge |
FAQ
How many pockets are on a European roulette wheel?
European roulette has 37 pockets: numbers 1 through 36 and one zero.
Is European roulette better than American roulette?
Yes, from a player math perspective. European roulette normally has a lower house edge because it has one zero instead of two.
Does European roulette always have La Partage?
No. La Partage and En Prison are special rules. Some European-style games offer them, and some do not. Check the table rules before betting.
Can a betting system beat European roulette?
No. A betting system does not remove the zero or change the payout odds.
Is single-zero roulette the same as French roulette?
Not always. French roulette is usually single-zero, but it may include extra rules such as La Partage or En Prison. European roulette can be single-zero without those rules.
Deeper Insight
European roulette shows how a tiny rule difference can change long-run cost. The payout on a straight-up bet is still 35 to 1, but the wheel has 37 pockets instead of 38.
The missing double zero does not guarantee better sessions. It only improves the math.
Formula / Calculation
| Metric | Formula | Plain-English meaning |
|---|---|---|
| European roulette house edge | 1 / 37 = 2.70% | One unpaid unit spread across 37 outcomes |
| RTP | 1 - House Edge | Long-run return percentage |
| Expected loss | Total Amount Wagered × House Edge | Average long-run cost |
For a $10 bet:
Expected Loss = $10 × 2.70% = $0.27
On American roulette, the same $10 bet has a long-run expected loss of about $0.53. The spin still feels random, but the price is different.
Formula Explanation in Plain English
European roulette removes one losing green pocket. That does not make the game fair. It simply reduces how much the casino charges mathematically for each wager.
Related Reading
Read Roulette for the full game, then compare American Roulette with European Roulette. For bet types, continue with Straight-Up Bet, Split Bet, and Street Bet. For the bigger math picture, read House Edge and What Is House Edge?.