If you’re comparing European vs American roulette, you’re already making a smart move. Roulette looks similar wherever you play, but one tiny detail on the wheel can make a meaningful difference to your long-term results: the number of zero pockets.
In short, single zero roulette (European) generally gives players better value than American roulette. That’s because European roulette has 37 pockets (0–36), while American roulette has 38 pockets (0, 00, 1–36). Both versions typically pay 35:1 on a straight-up number bet, but the extra pocket changes the probabilities and increases the casino advantage.
This guide breaks down roulette odds, the double zero house edge, and helpful rule variations like en prison and La Partage—plus practical tips to help you pick the best roulette for players in real-world casino conditions.
Important notice for users (content retrieval deadline)
For anyone trying to recover posts or personal materials: the service was permanently shut down on 1 March 2026. Users who want to retrieve personal content must submit a request no later than 24 March 2026 to the privacy email address privatnost@.
European vs American roulette: the core difference
The heart of the comparison is simple: European roulette uses a single zero, while American roulette uses both 0 and 00. That extra pocket is the reason American roulette is usually less favorable for players over time.
European (single-zero) roulette wheel
- Pockets: 37 total
- Numbers: 0, 1–36
- Typical house edge: about 2.7%
American (double-zero) roulette wheel
- Pockets: 38 total
- Numbers: 0, 00, 1–36
- Typical house edge: about 5.26%
Even though the table layout and bet types look familiar, the wheel design directly affects roulette odds—and that’s what determines the casino advantage.
Roulette odds and house edge: why the extra zero matters
Most roulette bets pay at odds that assume there are 36 “regular” numbers (1–36). The zero pocket (or pockets) are what create the house edge.
Here’s the key concept: roulette payouts are typically the same in both games, but your probability of winning is lower when there are more pockets.
House edge explained (in plain terms)
The house edge is the average amount the casino expects to keep over the long run from your total wagers, assuming standard payouts and fair spins. It doesn’t guarantee what happens in a short session, but it’s very useful when choosing between tables.
European roulette house edge (single zero)
In European roulette there is 1 losing zero pocket out of 37 total pockets. That produces a house edge of:
1 / 37 ≈ 2.7027%
American roulette house edge (double zero)
In American roulette there are 2 losing zero pockets (0 and 00) out of 38 total pockets. That produces a house edge of:
2 / 38 ≈ 5.2632%
This is why many experienced players prefer single zero roulette: you’re facing roughly half the casino edge compared with the standard American wheel.
Both pay 35:1 on straight bets—so what changes?
A common surprise is that both European and American roulette typically pay 35:1 on a straight-up bet (picking one exact number). That payout is the same, but the probability of hitting your number is different.
Straight-up bet probabilities
- European: 1 winning pocket out of 37 → probability 1/37 ≈ 2.70%
- American: 1 winning pocket out of 38 → probability 1/38 ≈ 2.63%
That difference looks small per spin, but over many spins it contributes to the larger gap in expected value—especially when combined with the extra 00 pocket on American wheels.
European vs American roulette at a glance (table)
| Feature | European Roulette | American Roulette |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel pockets | 37 (0–36) | 38 (0, 00, 1–36) |
| Zero pockets | Single zero (0) | Double zero (0 and 00) |
| Typical house edge | About 2.7% | About 5.26% |
| Straight-up payout | 35:1 | 35:1 |
| Even-money bets (standard rules) | Same structure; better odds due to fewer pockets | Worse odds due to extra pocket |
| Common beneficial rules | Often includes La Partage or en prison on even-money bets | Less commonly includes these rules |
Rule variations that boost value: La Partage and en prison
If you want the best roulette for players, choosing European roulette is a strong baseline—but you can sometimes do even better thanks to specific table rules that apply to even-money bets (like red/black, odd/even, high/low).
Two of the most player-friendly rules are La Partage and en prison. They don’t change the wheel, but they change what happens when the ball lands on zero.
La Partage (often seen on European single-zero tables)
Under La Partage, if you place an even-money bet and the result is 0, you typically lose only half your stake (and get the other half back).
Why this helps: the standard European edge (about 2.7%) is largely driven by what happens on zero. When you only lose half on zero for even-money bets, the effective house edge on those bets is roughly cut in half:
- Approx. house edge on even-money bets with La Partage: about 1.35%
En prison (a close cousin to La Partage)
With en prison (French for “in prison”), if you make an even-money bet and the ball lands on 0, your bet is “imprisoned” for the next spin instead of losing immediately. On the next spin:
- If your even-money bet wins, you typically get your original stake back (often without profit for that round).
- If it loses, you lose the stake.
In expected-value terms, en prison usually results in a similar improvement to La Partage for even-money bets on a single-zero wheel—again, roughly about 1.35% house edge on those even-money wagers (depending on the table’s exact implementation).
The upside is clear: if you enjoy betting on red/black or odd/even, these rules can make your sessions feel more efficient because less of your bankroll is “taxed” by the zero result over time.
Practical advice: how to choose the best roulette table
You don’t need complicated systems to make a solid roulette choice or to learn about black jack online. A few quick checks can help you consistently find higher-value games.
1) Prefer single zero roulette whenever possible
If the goal is better value, single zero roulette is the easy win. The difference between about 2.7% and 5.26% house edge is significant in the long run.
2) Look for La Partage or en prison when playing even-money bets
If your style is red/black, odd/even, or high/low, choosing a table with La Partage or en prison can improve the effective odds on those bets to around 1.35% house edge (for even-money wagers on single-zero wheels).
3) Confirm the wheel type before you sit down
In some venues, multiple roulette variants are available side-by-side. Make it a quick habit to confirm whether it’s European vs American roulette (single zero vs double zero) before committing your bankroll.
4) Match your bet selection to your goals
- If you want steadier variance, even-money bets have frequent wins but smaller payouts.
- If you want bigger hit potential, inside bets (like straight-up) pay more but hit less often.
Regardless of bet type, the wheel (single zero vs double zero) remains one of the biggest value levers you can control.
European vs American roulette: quick examples of probability shifts
To make the impact more concrete, here are a few common roulette odds comparisons. The bet payouts are usually the same across variants, but the hit rates change with the number of pockets.
Even-money bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low)
- European: 18 winning outcomes out of 37 →18/37 ≈ 48.65%
- American: 18 winning outcomes out of 38 →18/38 ≈ 47.37%
Dozen bets (1–12, 13–24, 25–36)
- European: 12 winning outcomes out of 37 →12/37 ≈ 32.43%
- American: 12 winning outcomes out of 38 →12/38 ≈ 31.58%
These are small per-spin changes, but they’re exactly what drives the difference in the double zero house edge versus the single-zero alternative.
Why the “best roulette for players” is usually European (and sometimes French)
When people ask for the best roulette for players, they’re often really asking: “Where do I get the best value per bet?”
In most standard casino conditions:
- European roulette (single zero) tends to be the best starting point because of the lower house edge (about 2.7%).
- French roulette (often single zero) can be even better for even-money bettors when it includes La Partage or en prison, bringing the effective edge on those bets down to about 1.35%.
- American roulette (double zero) typically costs more in expected value over time due to the higher house edge (about 5.26%).
The benefit of knowing these differences is immediate: you can keep the same fun, familiar gameplay while improving the math behind your choices.
FAQ: European vs American roulette (common questions)
Is European roulette always better than American roulette?
From an odds perspective, European roulette is typically better because the single zero creates a lower house edge. In practice, the “best” option is usually the single-zero table, especially if it also offers en prison or La Partage for even-money bets.
Do both versions really pay 35:1 on straight-up bets?
Yes, standard rules in both versions usually pay 35:1 for a straight-up number. The difference is that your probability of hitting the number is 1/37 in European roulette and 1/38 in American roulette.
What does “double zero house edge” mean?
It refers to the higher casino advantage created by the extra 00 pocket on American roulette wheels. That extra pocket is why the house edge rises to about 5.26% compared with about 2.7% on single-zero wheels.
Which bets benefit from La Partage and en prison?
These rules typically apply to even-money bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low). They improve expected value specifically when the ball lands on 0.
Takeaway: choose single zero, then level up with smart rules
The most effective way to improve your roulette value is refreshingly simple: prioritize single zero roulette over American double-zero wheels. That one decision can cut the typical house edge from around 5.26% to about 2.7%.
Then, if you enjoy even-money bets, look for tables that offer La Partage or en prison. Those rules can make an already player-friendlier European game even better for that betting style.
When you combine better wheel selection with awareness of key rules, you’re not just playing—you’re playing informed, which is one of the biggest advantages you can bring to any roulette session.
