European vs American Roulette: Why the Extra Zero Matters

Walk into any casino and you'll find two types of roulette wheels. They look similar, but that small difference—one extra green pocket—has massive implications for your bankroll.

The Key Difference

European Roulette: 37 pockets (0-36) with one green zero

American Roulette: 38 pockets (0-36 plus 00) with two green zeros

That's it. One extra pocket. But the impact is huge.

House Edge Comparison

The house edge is how much the casino expects to win from every dollar you bet over time.

• European Roulette: 2.70% house edge
• American Roulette: 5.26% house edge

American roulette has nearly double the house edge of European roulette. That means you lose money almost twice as fast.

Real-World Impact

Let's say you bet $100 per spin for 100 spins ($10,000 total wagered):

European Roulette

• Expected loss: $270 (2.7% of $10,000)

American Roulette

• Expected loss: $526 (5.26% of $10,000)

By playing American roulette instead of European, you're giving the casino an extra $256 for no reason.

Why Does the Extra Zero Matter?

When you bet on red/black, odd/even, or any other bet, the green pockets are where the house makes its profit. You're paid as if there are only 36 numbers, but there are actually 37 (or 38).

Example: Betting on Red

European: 18 red, 18 black, 1 green → 18/37 = 48.6% win rate

American: 18 red, 18 black, 2 green → 18/38 = 47.4% win rate

That 1.2% difference adds up quickly over hundreds of spins.

What About Payouts?

Here's the kicker: payouts are identical on both wheels. A straight-up bet pays 35:1 whether you're playing European or American roulette.

So you're getting the same payout with worse odds. There's literally no advantage to playing American roulette—it's strictly worse for players.

Why Do Casinos Offer American Roulette?

Simple: It makes them more money. Many players don't know the difference or don't care. The casino is happy to take that extra 2.56% edge.

Special Cases: La Partage and En Prison

Some European roulette tables offer special rules that further reduce the house edge:

La Partage

If the ball lands on zero and you made an even-money bet (red/black, odd/even), you get half your bet back.

House edge with La Partage: 1.35% (half of 2.70%)

En Prison

If the ball lands on zero and you made an even-money bet, your bet is "imprisoned" for the next spin. If you win the next spin, you get your original bet back (no profit).

House edge with En Prison: 1.35%

These rules are rare but dramatically improve your odds. Always ask if they're available.

The Bottom Line

If you have a choice between European and American roulette:

• Always choose European
• Seek out tables with La Partage or En Prison rules if possible
• Avoid American roulette unless it's your only option

This won't make you a winner—the house still has an edge—but it will make your money last longer and give you more playing time for your bankroll.

Track Both Wheels

Use our tracker to compare your results on European vs American wheels. You'll see the house edge manifest in your actual data over time.

The math doesn't lie. That extra zero costs you money.