European (single-zero) and American (double-zero) roulette look almost identical at a glance: the same red/black layout, the same familiar bet types, and the same headline payouts like 35:1 on a straight-up number. But one small detail changes everything for your long-term results: the number of green pockets on the wheel.
European roulette has one green pocket (0), while American roulette has two green pockets (0 and 00). That extra 00 increases the casino’s advantage and reduces your expected return, even though the payout table stays the same.
The core difference: 37 pockets vs 38 pockets
Roulette outcomes are driven by simple fractions: your probability is the number of winning pockets divided by the number of total pockets.
- European roulette (single-zero): 37 pockets (1–36 plus 0)
- American roulette (double-zero): 38 pockets (1–36 plus 0 and 00)
Because roulette payouts are standardized, adding an extra losing pocket (the 00) increases the house edge across the board.
House edge and RTP: the numbers that matter
The house edge is the casino’s long-run advantage, expressed as a percentage of each wager. RTP (return to player) is simply 100% minus the house edge.
| Roulette type | Total pockets | Green pockets | House edge (typical) | RTP (typical) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European (single-zero) | 37 | 0 | 2.70% (1/37) | 97.30% |
| American (double-zero) | 38 | 0 and 00 | 5.26% (2/38) | 94.74% |
That difference is substantial: American roulette’s house edge is roughly about double the European edge.
Do payouts change between European and American roulette?
No. In standard rules, bet types and payouts are the same on both wheels. What changes is the probability of winning those bets, because there is one extra pocket that is neither red nor black and not part of 1–36.
This is why the same payout table produces a different expected return.
Payouts, exact odds, and probabilities (European vs American)
Below is a practical comparison of common bets. The payout is shown as the traditional to-1 payout (e.g., 35:1), and the probability is the exact fraction of winning pockets.
| Bet type | Winning pockets | Payout (to 1) | Win probability (European) | Win probability (American) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight-up (single number) | 1 | 35:1 | 1/37 (2.7027%) | 1/38 (2.6316%) |
| Split (two numbers) | 2 | 17:1 | 2/37 (5.4054%) | 2/38 (5.2632%) |
| Street (three numbers) | 3 | 11:1 | 3/37 (8.1081%) | 3/38 (7.8947%) |
| Corner (four numbers) | 4 | 8:1 | 4/37 (10.8108%) | 4/38 (10.5263%) |
| Six line (six numbers) | 6 | 5:1 | 6/37 (16.2162%) | 6/38 (15.7895%) |
| Dozen (1–12, 13–24, 25–36) | 12 | 2:1 | 12/37 (32.4324%) | 12/38 (31.5789%) |
| Column | 12 | 2:1 | 12/37 (32.4324%) | 12/38 (31.5789%) |
| Even-money (Red/Black, Odd/Even, High/Low) | 18 | 1:1 | 18/37 (48.6486%) | 18/38 (47.3684%) |
Key takeaway: the payout doesn’t improve to compensate for the extra pocket in American roulette, so your long-term expectation gets worse.
House edge math (with clear examples)
Roulette is a great game for understanding expected value because the math is transparent. Here are two examples that show why the single-zero wheel is a big win for players.
Example 1: Straight-up bet (35:1) on European vs American
Assume you bet 1 unit on a single number.
- European: Win probability = 1/37. If you win, your net profit is +35. If you lose, net is -1.
- Expected value (EV): (1/37) × 35 + (36/37) × (-1) = (35/37) - (36/37) =-1/37≈-2.70%.
- American: Win probability = 1/38. EV = (1/38) × 35 + (37/38) × (-1) = (35/38) - (37/38) =-2/38≈-5.26%.
Same payout, worse odds on American roulette because there is one more losing outcome.
Example 2: Even-money bet (1:1) shows the extra pocket even more clearly
Assume you bet 1 unit on Red.
- European: 18 red wins, 18 black losses, and 1 zero loss.
- EV = (18/37) × 1 + (19/37) × (-1) = (18/37) - (19/37) =-1/37≈-2.70%.
- American: 18 red wins, 18 black losses, and 2 green losses (0 and 00).
- EV = (18/38) × 1 + (20/38) × (-1) = (18/38) - (20/38) =-2/38≈-5.26%.
Even-money bets are popular for their smoother ride, but the 00 makes them meaningfully less favorable in American roulette.
Rules that improve even-money bets: la partage and en prison
One of the most player-friendly upgrades you can find on single-zero tables is a rule that softens what happens when the ball lands on 0 during an even-money bet (Red/Black, Odd/Even, High/Low).
La partage: lose only half on zero
With la partage, if you place an even-money bet and the ball lands on 0, you lose only half your stake (instead of the full amount).
That changes the EV on European even-money bets like this:
- Win (18/37): +1
- Lose (18/37): -1
- Zero (1/37): -0.5
EV = (18/37) × 1 + (18/37) × (-1) + (1/37) × (-0.5) =-0.5/37=-1/74≈-1.35%.
Benefit: la partage cuts the house edge on even-money bets from about 2.70% down to about 1.35% on European wheels.
En prison: your even-money bet gets “imprisoned” on zero
With en prison, if the ball lands on 0 on an even-money bet, your bet is not lost immediately. Instead, it is “held” for the next spin:
- If your bet wins on the next spin, you get your original stake back (typically with no profit for that resolution).
- If it loses on the next spin, you lose the stake.
In the long run, this produces a very similar improvement to la partage for even-money bets on single-zero roulette, bringing the effective edge down to roughly 1.35%.
Practical win: if you enjoy outside bets, a European table with la partage or en prison is one of the best value setups in standard roulette.
Where you’ll typically find each wheel (regional prevalence)
- Europe: Single-zero roulette is the standard in many European casinos, and rule variants like la partage or en prison are more commonly associated with European-style tables.
- United States: Double-zero roulette is widely seen in many US casinos, making the baseline house edge higher if you don’t specifically seek single-zero tables.
If you have the option, choosing the wheel layout is one of the simplest, highest-impact decisions you can make before placing a bet.
Variance and bankroll implications: what the extra 00 means for your session
Roulette outcomes are random, and short-term swings can be dramatic on any wheel. Still, the wheel type influences how quickly the math can work against you over time.
Lower house edge helps your bankroll last longer
With a lower house edge, European roulette generally gives you:
- More play time per bankroll at the same bet size, because the average loss rate is lower.
- Better resilience during downswings, because fewer outcomes are pure “dead zones” (there is only one green pocket instead of two).
- Better long-run value, especially if you play frequently or for longer sessions.
Bet selection changes volatility, not the house edge (in standard rules)
On a given wheel, most standard bets share the same house edge. What changes is variance (how swingy results are):
- Inside bets (straight-up, split) offer bigger payouts but hit less often, so your results can be more volatile.
- Outside bets (red/black, dozens) hit more often, so swings can feel smoother, especially for bankroll management.
If you combine outside bets with la partage or en prison on a European wheel, you get a double benefit: steadier hit frequency and a lower effective edge on those bets.
Quick comparison: European vs American roulette in one snapshot
| Category | European (single-zero) | American (double-zero) |
|---|---|---|
| Green pockets | 0 | 0 and 00 |
| Total pockets | 37 | 38 |
| Typical house edge | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Typical RTP | 97.30% | 94.74% |
| Payouts (standard) | Same payout table | Same payout table |
| Effect on your odds | Higher win probabilities | Lower win probabilities due to 00 |
| Player-friendly even-money rules | Often available (la partage, en prison) | Less common; baseline edge remains higher |
Practical tips to get the best roulette value
If your goal is to maximize entertainment time and improve your expected return (while keeping expectations realistic), these tips deliver immediate value, especially compared with other games such as blackjack.
1) Prefer single-zero (European) tables whenever possible
This is the biggest “upgrade” you can make without changing how you play. A European wheel roughly halves the typical house edge compared with an American wheel.
2) Seek la partage or en prison for even-money bets
If you enjoy Red/Black, Odd/Even, or High/Low, these rules can reduce the effective house edge on those bets to about 1.35% on a single-zero wheel.
3) Match bet style to your bankroll comfort
- If you want more frequent small wins, outside bets can feel steadier.
- If you want higher payout spikes (with more losing spins in between), inside bets deliver that experience.
Neither approach changes the standard house edge on the same wheel, but it changes how your session may feel and how quickly swings can happen.
4) Use simple bankroll structure to protect your session
- Set a session budget you are comfortable with losing.
- Keep unit sizes consistent so variance does not surprise you.
- Consider a stop-win and stop-loss point to keep play enjoyable and controlled.
5) Remember what roulette can and cannot do
Roulette is a negative-expectation game under standard casino rules, so the best “strategy” is choosing the best rules and wheel (single-zero, la partage, en prison) and then playing in a way that fits your entertainment goals and bankroll.
Bottom line: which roulette is better?
If you can choose between the two, European roulette is typically the better option because the single 0 produces a lower house edge (about 2.70% vs about 5.26% on American roulette). And if you find a European table offering la partage or en prison, even-money bets become even more attractive by lowering the effective edge to around 1.35%.
In practical terms, that means more value per spin, more staying power for your bankroll, and a better overall roulette experience without needing any complicated changes to how you play.
