European roulette is better for the player than American roulette because it has one zero instead of two. European roulette has 37 pockets and a standard house edge of 2.70%. American roulette has 38 pockets and a standard house edge of 5.26%. Same basic game, same normal payouts, almost double the long-term cost on the American wheel.
Quick Facts
- European roulette has one zero: 0.
- American roulette has two zeros: 0 and 00.
- European straight-up chance is 1/37, or 2.7027%.
- American straight-up chance is 1/38, or 2.6316%.
- European even-money chance is 18/37, or 48.6486%.
- American even-money chance is 18/38, or 47.3684%.
- The extra double zero is why American roulette costs more over time.
Plain Talk
The difference is not complicated. European roulette gives the casino one green pocket. American roulette gives the casino two.
That extra pocket changes the price of almost every bet.
The payouts usually stay the same. A straight-up number still pays 35 to 1. Red/black still pays 1 to 1. Dozens still pay 2 to 1. But the American wheel has one more losing outcome against you.
That is bad value.
The Wizard of Odds roulette basics lists the standard double-zero edge at 5.26%, and its broader casino house edge comparison gives the classic single-zero and double-zero roulette figures. Formal rule sources such as the Nevada roulette rules also define roulette as using 36 numbers plus zero and/or double zero.
How It Works
Here is the clean comparison:
| Feature | European roulette | American roulette |
|---|---|---|
| Total pockets | 37 | 38 |
| Green pockets | 1 | 2 |
| Green symbols | 0 | 0 and 00 |
| Straight-up probability | 1/37 = 2.70% | 1/38 = 2.63% |
| Even-money probability | 18/37 = 48.65% | 18/38 = 47.37% |
| Standard house edge | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Normal straight-up payout | 35 to 1 | 35 to 1 |
| Normal even-money payout | 1 to 1 | 1 to 1 |
| Player value | Better | Worse |
The payout schedule hides the damage.
If American roulette paid more because it has an extra pocket, the comparison would be different. It does not. A one-number hit still pays 35 to 1 even though there are 37 losing pockets, not 36. That mismatch is the edge.
Scope guard: this page compares the two main wheel types. For the full numerical table, use roulette odds chart. For French rules that can improve even-money bets, read French roulette rules.
Roulette Table Example
Imagine two tables side by side.
Table A is European roulette. Minimum bet: $25.
Table B is American roulette. Minimum bet: $25.
You plan to bet $25 on black for 80 spins.
| Wheel | Total action | House edge | Theoretical cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| European | $2,000 | 2.70% | $54.00 |
| American | $2,000 | 5.26% | $105.20 |
Same player. Same bet. Same number of spins. Same excitement. Different bill.
Now suppose the American table minimum is $10 and the European table minimum is $25. The answer becomes practical. If the lower American minimum keeps your total action much smaller, it can reduce your session cost even with a worse edge. But if you are betting the same amount, the European wheel is plainly better.
From the Casino Side:
Casinos understand the wheel mix. A double-zero wheel gives more theoretical win per dollar wagered. A single-zero table may be used in high-limit rooms, European-style rooms, online live studios, or markets where players expect better rules.
The floor does not need players to misunderstand every detail. It only needs the game to remain attractive. Many players choose a table because it is open, lively, low-limit, familiar, or near the bar. That is enough.
From an operations point of view, American roulette has a strong selling point for the house: it looks almost identical to European roulette to a casual player, but the edge is nearly double.
Surveillance and the floor also watch for correct wheel/layout match. A table with 00 must have the correct layout and payout rules. Mislabeling the game is not a small issue; it affects settlement, compliance, and disputes.
Common Mistakes
- Saying “roulette is roulette” and ignoring the number of zeros.
- Choosing the American table only because it is closer or louder.
- Believing red/black is almost 50/50 on a double-zero wheel.
- Comparing minimum bets without comparing total action.
- Thinking a favorite dealer or lucky seat changes the wheel edge.
- Forgetting that French rules are different from plain European roulette.
- Playing the American top-line bet without realizing it can be worse than the normal American edge.
Hard Truth
If the bet size is the same, choosing American roulette over European roulette is choosing to pay almost double for the same guess.
FAQ
Which is better, European or American roulette?
European roulette is better mathematically because it has a lower standard house edge: 2.70% versus 5.26%.
Why does American roulette have a higher house edge?
Because it adds double zero while keeping the usual payout schedule. More losing pockets, same payouts, worse value.
Is American roulette ever worth playing?
Only for non-math reasons, or when the lower table minimum keeps your total action much smaller. If the bet size is the same, European roulette is better.
Are the payouts different?
Usually no. Standard bets normally pay the same on both wheels. That is exactly why the extra double zero hurts the player.
Is European roulette the same as French roulette?
Not always. French roulette usually uses a single-zero wheel, but it may also include La Partage or En Prison on even-money bets. Those rules can reduce the effective edge to about 1.35% on those bets.
Does a European wheel make roulette beatable?
No. It lowers the cost. It does not remove the house edge.
What should beginners choose?
Choose single-zero roulette when the minimum fits your bankroll, then keep total action low. Use the roulette odds calculator before comparing bets.
Deeper Insight
A comparison page should not pretend both versions are equally good. They are not.
European roulette is not a “strategy.” It is a better rule set. The player has the same guessing problem, but the game charges less for the guess. That matters because roulette offers very little skill leverage. There is no basic strategy like blackjack. There is no hand selection like poker. You cannot choose a smarter hit or stand decision after the ball is already spinning.
Your main controllable decisions are:
- wheel type,
- rule type,
- table minimum,
- bet size,
- number of spins,
- whether you chase losses.
Wheel type is one of the few decisions that directly changes the edge.
The practical trap is table minimum. A $5 American table can be better for a tiny entertainment budget than a $25 European table if the player truly sticks to small bets. But many players do not. They start at the low-minimum table, add coverage, chase losses, and end up putting far more money into action than they planned.
The clean method is to calculate expected loss from total action. Do not compare tables by vibe. Compare them by dollars wagered per hour.
Formula / Calculation
European straight-up expected value for a $1 bet:
$$EV = \left(\frac{1}{37} \times 35\right) - \left(\frac{36}{37} \times 1\right)$$
$$EV = -\frac{1}{37} = -2.70%$$
American straight-up expected value for a $1 bet:
$$EV = \left(\frac{1}{38} \times 35\right) - \left(\frac{37}{38} \times 1\right)$$
$$EV = -\frac{2}{38} = -5.26%$$
Expected loss example:
$$Expected\ Loss = Total\ Amount\ Wagered \times House\ Edge$$
For $2,000 total action:
$$European = 2000 \times 0.0270 = 54$$
$$American = 2000 \times 0.0526 = 105.20$$
Formula Explanation in Plain English
European roulette has one extra losing pocket beyond the 36 numbered pockets. American roulette has two. The payout does not rise to compensate you. That missing compensation is the house edge.
For the same total amount wagered, the American wheel costs almost twice as much in theory.
Related Reading
Start with the main roulette guide, then compare the numbers in roulette odds and roulette odds chart. To see the casino’s long-term advantage, read roulette house edge. To understand the player-friendlier single-zero version with special zero rules, continue to French roulette rules, La Partage rule, and En Prison rule. For cost estimates, use the expected loss calculator.