What’s the difference between American and European Roulette?

There is only one major difference between American and European roulette: the number of zeros. The American wheel has two green spaces (0 and 00) on top of the regular numbers (1 through 36), whereas the European wheel has just one (the single zero). That means that the advantage of the house is 2.7% on a European wheel and twice as much – 5.26% – on an American wheel. In other words, your chances of success at American-style roulette are about half as good as they are for European-style roulette. A professional gambler would always choose European roulette, because every extra opportunity to win counts. Besides, besides having fewer zeros, European roulette also has another rule known as “en prison” that favors players.

Only the zeros differ: American Roulette has two – 0 and 00 – whereas European has only one. That increases the house’s advantage over players (from 2.7% to 5.26%), and decreases their chances of winning on any given bet. So if you want more favorable odds, pick the European option. In fact, if you prefer low odds and a more favorable house advantage, select the European version. As for me, I like the speedier pace of American Roulette and the added betting opportunities it provides. It all comes down to personal taste and risk appetite.

The key distinction between American and European Roulette is that European wheels have only one zero slot, whereas American Roulette has two (0 and 00). That may seem like a small detail, but it has a significant impact on the odds: the house’s share of your earnings is 5.26% when you play American Roulette versus 2.7% for European. If you want to maximize the chances of beating the house, stick with European Roulette. It’s less glamorous, but also less costly.

American and European Roulette operate under identical rules, except that American Roulette wheels include both a 0 and a 00 slot, which increases the house’s advantage to 5.26% (for European Roulette, the house advantage is 2.7%, given the lack of a 00). The addition of that second zero slot may seem insignificant, but the difference over the long term is considerable. Thus, if you are serious about getting the most bang for your buck on Roulette, European Roulette it is.

The primary distinction is the arrangement of the wheels: American roulette has a 0 and a double 0 (or 00), meaning the house takes 5.26% of each bet. European roulette has only the 0, and thus the house takes 2.7% of each bet. That seemingly minor 00 makes a huge difference over the long run, as the additional number also affects the variety of bets that can be made. Don’t play the American version. The differences are significant.