Roulette is universally recognized as one of the most iconic and popular games in casino history.
European and American roulette may look nearly identical to the untrained eye, but the math differs wildly.
The Difference is in the Zeros
The single most important difference between the two games lies entirely in the number of green zero pockets.
The addition of the 00 pocket effectively doubles the casino's built-in mathematical advantage over the player.
The extra number changes all probability calculationsThe betting layout is slightly larger on the American tableEuropean tables often use a different chip system
The Mathematics of the Two Wheels
With a house edge of 2.70%, European roulette is relatively fair compared to many other casino games.
There is absolutely no mathematical justification for ever choosing to play American roulette if European is available.
Lowering the Edge Even Further
The "En Prison" rule "imprisons" your bet for the next spin if the zero hits, giving you a second chance.
This makes French roulette one of the most mathematically favorable table games on the entire casino floor.
GameWheel NumbersEdge with La PartageFrench371.35%American38N/A
Playing American roulette is a mathematical mistake that unnecessarily drains your bankroll twice as fast.
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European vs. American Roulette Explained
Amelie Marlay edited this page 2026-08-05 18:05:20 +02:00