If you want better odds in roulette without changing the way you play, the most impactful choice is often the table itself.European roulette uses a single zero wheel (37 pockets: 1–36 plus 0), while American roulette adds a double zero (38 pockets: 1–36 plus 0 and 00). That one extra pocket might look small, but it roughly doubles the house edge from about 2.70% to approximately 5.26%.
The good news: the payouts and the core bet types are essentially the same between European and American roulette. The even better news: many European tables also offer player-friendly roulette rules like en prison and la partage, which can further reduce the effective house edge on 50/50 bets.
This guide breaks down the technical differences, explains what they mean for your bankroll, and shares practical roulette strategy tips to help you get more value from every spin.
At-a-glance comparison: European roulette vs American roulette
| Feature | European roulette | American roulette |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel pockets | 37 (1–36 + 0) | 38 (1–36 + 0 + 00) |
| Zero type | Single zero | Double zero |
| Standard house edge (most bets) | 1 / 37 ≈2.70% | 2 / 38 ≈5.26% |
| Payouts | Same core payouts as American | Same core payouts as European |
| Rule variants on even-money bets | Often includes la partage or en prison | Less common; varies by casino |
| Where you’ll see it most | Common in Europe; widely offered online | Dominant in many US land-based casinos; also offered online |
Why the wheel matters: single zero vs double zero explained
Roulette odds are heavily determined by one simple thing: how many pockets the ball can land in compared to how much the casino pays you when you win.
Both European and American roulette typically pay the same on standard bets (for example, a straight-up number bet pays 35 to 1). The difference is that American roulette adds one more losing outcome for players: the 00.
European roulette: 37 pockets
- Numbers 1 to 36
- One green zero: 0
American roulette: 38 pockets
- Numbers 1 to 36
- Two green zeros: 0 and 00
That extra green pocket is the primary reason the American version is usually the less favorable choice for players.
House edge: the real cost of the extra zero
The house edge is the casino’s built-in advantage over the long run, expressed as an average percentage of each wager that the casino expects to keep. It does not predict short-term outcomes, but it is a strong guide for choosing better-value games.
European roulette house edge (2.70%)
With 37 pockets, the house advantage for most standard bets is:
House edge = 1 / 37 ≈ 0.027027... ≈ 2.70%
American roulette house edge (5.26%)
With 38 pockets (because of the double zero), the house advantage becomes:
House edge = 2 / 38 ≈ 0.052631... ≈ 5.26%
In practical terms, American roulette typically asks you to accept almost twice the expected cost for the same style of play. That is why European roulette is usually the smarter, more bankroll-friendly pick.
“But the payouts are the same” — why that’s exactly the issue
Players sometimes assume that if payouts are identical, the game must be equivalent. In roulette, identical payouts on a wheel with more pockets is exactly how the casino increases its edge.
Example: a straight-up bet pays 35 to 1 in both games. But:
- On a single zero wheel, your win probability is 1 out of 37.
- On a double zero wheel, your win probability is 1 out of 38.
That sounds close, but over many spins it makes a measurable difference, especially if you play regularly or bet higher amounts.
Roulette rules that can improve the odds: la partage and en prison
Where European roulette can become even more appealing is in rule variations that soften the impact of the zero on even-money bets (also called 50/50 bets), such as:
- Red / Black
- Odd / Even
- High (19–36) / Low (1–18)
On a standard European wheel, these bets do not truly pay 50/50 because of the zero. But two classic European-style rules can reduce your downside when a 0 appears.
La partage: “half back” on zero
With la partage, if you place an even-money bet and the ball lands on 0, you lose only half your bet (and get half returned).
This typically cuts the effective house edge on even-money bets in European roulette from about 2.70% down to about 1.35%.
En prison: “bet in prison” on zero
With en prison, if you place an even-money bet and the ball lands on 0, your bet is not immediately lost. Instead, it is “imprisoned” for the next spin. On the next spin:
- If your even-money bet wins, you get your stake back (typically without profit for that round).
- If it loses again, you lose the stake.
- If 0 appears again, house rules vary (the bet may remain imprisoned or be handled differently).
In many standard treatments, en prison produces a similar effective result to la partage on even-money bets, commonly described as around a 1.35% house edge for those bets on a single-zero wheel.
Important: These rules usually apply only to even-money bets, not to dozens, columns, or inside bets. And they are not guaranteed at every European roulette table. Always check the posted roulette rules before you play.
Where each game is commonly found (land-based and online)
American roulette in US land-based casinos
American roulette is widely used across many US brick-and-mortar casinos, and players often encounter it by default on the casino floor. That does not mean it is “better” in odds; it often reflects regional tradition and standardization.
European roulette online (and often in Europe)
European roulette is common in European casinos and is also frequently offered by online operators. Many online platforms list both European roulette and American roulette, and other table games like blackjack online, which is great for players because it creates a simple choice: pick the lower house edge when you can.
If you have access to both, selecting European roulette is one of the clearest positive expected-value improvements you can make without changing your betting style.
Choosing the best version for you: a practical decision checklist
If your goal is to enjoy roulette while getting the best value per spin, this checklist keeps things simple.
1) Prefer European roulette when available
- Look for single zero (0 only).
- Confirm there is no double zero (00).
- Enjoy the lower house edge (about 2.70% on most bets).
2) Actively look for la partage or en prison on even-money bets
- If you like red/black, odd/even, or high/low, these rules can be a meaningful upgrade.
- They can reduce the effective house edge on those bets to about 1.35% on a single-zero wheel.
3) If only American roulette is offered, adjust expectations (and session length)
- Recognize the double zero raises the house edge to around 5.26%.
- Consider lower stakes or shorter sessions to keep entertainment spend under control.
- Focus on the experience and pacing rather than trying to “beat” the math.
Roulette strategy: what helps most (and what to be cautious about)
Roulette is a negative-expectation game in the long run because of the house edge. That said, a smart roulette strategy can still improve your overall experience by reducing volatility, protecting your bankroll, and helping you play more intentionally.
Strategy #1: Start with the best rules (game selection is strategy)
The most powerful decision is choosing the game with the lowest built-in disadvantage:
- European roulette beats American roulette on base odds.
- European roulette with la partage or en prison is even better for even-money bettors.
In other words, “selection” is often a higher-impact strategy than any betting pattern.
Strategy #2: Use even-money bets for smoother swings
Even-money bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low) tend to produce smaller bankroll swings than inside bets. They do not remove the house edge, but they often make sessions feel steadier.
And if the table uses la partage or en prison, these bets become even more appealing because the zero is less punishing.
Strategy #3: Treat progression systems as volatility tools, not profit engines
Well-known progressions (like Martingale-style doubling after losses) can create frequent small wins but also occasional large losses and rapidly rising bet sizes. No progression can change the underlying house edge, and table limits can prevent recovery after a losing streak.
If you enjoy progressions, use them with clear guardrails:
- Set a maximum number of steps (for example, 3 to 5 increases).
- Pick a base bet you can comfortably afford to scale.
- Stop when you hit your pre-set limit, rather than chasing losses.
Strategy #4: Define your session goals (win limit and loss limit)
Roulette feels best when you control the pace and budget. Two simple limits can keep the experience positive:
- Loss limit: the amount you are willing to spend for entertainment.
- Win limit: a target that helps you lock in a good run before variance swings back.
This approach will not change the long-term math, but it can dramatically improve your consistency and enjoyment.
Understanding the odds on common bets (same payouts, different edge)
Because the wheel composition changes, your probability changes. The payouts usually do not. Here is a clear way to think about it:
- In European roulette, your chance of hitting any specific number is 1 in 37.
- In American roulette, it is 1 in 38.
The same idea applies to other bets: the extra 00 is another outcome that does not help your bet, so your expected value worsens.
Quick reference: the “zero effect” on even-money bets
Even-money bets cover 18 outcomes and lose on 18 outcomes, plus the green pockets:
- European roulette: 18 win, 18 lose, plus 1 zero (0) that usually causes a loss unless special rules apply.
- American roulette: 18 win, 18 lose, plus 2 zeros (0 and 00) that usually cause a loss.
This is why rules like la partage and en prison matter so much: they specifically reduce the penalty of the single zero on 50/50 bets.
Common misconceptions (and the reality)
“American roulette is more exciting, so it must be better”
Excitement is real, and entertainment value matters. But in pure value terms, the double zero increases the house edge. If you enjoy the faster loss rate or higher volatility, that is a preference. If you want better odds, European roulette is typically the better pick.
“If I cover more numbers, I beat the edge”
Covering more numbers can reduce volatility (you may win more often), but it also reduces the payout relative to the stake. The underlying edge remains tied to the wheel and payout structure.
“There’s a guaranteed roulette strategy”
No betting system can guarantee profit in the long run on a fair roulette wheel with standard rules, because the house edge is built into the game design. The most reliable “strategy” remains picking the most favorable rules and managing bankroll intelligently.
FAQ: European roulette and American roulette
Is European roulette always single zero?
In most standard definitions, European roulette refers to the single zero wheel. However, casinos sometimes label games differently, so the safest check is visual: confirm the wheel (or the game info) shows only 0 and not 00.
Are payouts different between European roulette and American roulette?
The core payouts are generally the same (for example, straight-up bets commonly pay 35 to 1 in both). The major difference is the number of pockets on the wheel, which changes the odds and therefore the expected value.
How much worse is American roulette, really?
On most bets, the house edge is about 2.70% in European roulette and about 5.26% in American roulette. That means American roulette is typically close to double the expected cost over time for the same amount wagered.
What do la partage and en prison do?
They are roulette rules that reduce the impact of the zero on even-money bets in European roulette. Both commonly reduce the effective house edge on those bets to around 1.35% on a single-zero wheel, depending on the exact table rules.
If I only play inside bets, do la partage and en prison help me?
Usually no. These rules generally apply to even-money bets only. If you prefer inside action (straight-up numbers, splits, streets), your biggest value lever is still choosing single zero over double zero.
Bottom line: European roulette is usually the more player-friendly choice
If you have the option, European roulette is typically the best-value version of the game because the single zero creates a lower house edge (about 2.70% vs approximately 5.26% on American roulette). And if you find European tables with la partage or en prison, even-money bettors can do better still, often reducing the effective edge on those bets to around 1.35%.
Whether you play in a land-based casino (where American roulette is common in the US) or online (where operators often offer both), choosing the right wheel and the right roulette rules is a simple move that can make your sessions feel better, last longer, and deliver more entertainment value per dollar wagered.
Pick the single zero when you can, take advantage of player-friendly rules when they’re available, and use a roulette strategy focused on smart selection and bankroll control. That combination is how you get the most upside from every spin.
