Roulette is universally recognized as one of the most iconic and popular games in casino history.
Choosing the wrong version of roulette is the most common and costly mistake new players make.
The Extra Green Zero
The single most important difference between the two games lies entirely in the number of green zero pockets.
While the payouts remain exactly the same, your odds of hitting a specific number decrease on the American wheel.
European wheel has 37 total pocketsAmerican wheel has 38 total pocketsBoth versions pay 35 to 1 on a single number bet
The Mathematics of the Two Wheels
With a house edge of 2.70%, European roulette is relatively fair compared to many other casino games.
This means you will lose money almost twice as fast playing the American version over the long term.
The En Prison and La Partage Rules
The "En Prison" rule "imprisons" your bet for the next spin if the zero hits, giving you a second chance.
If these special rules are in effect, the house edge on even-money bets drops to an incredible 1.35%.
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
brockscullin86 edited this page 2026-07-29 18:32:40 +00:00