The Difference Between European And American Roulette

Roulette is one of the most iconic and visually thrilling games available on any casino floor.


Understanding the difference between the American and European variations is the most crucial strategy in the game.

The Green Zero: The House's Secret Weapon

The European roulette wheel features 37 slots in total: numbers 1 through 36, plus a single green zero.


Conversely, the American layout adds an extra green slot—the double zero—significantly altering the math of the game.

The single zero is the only reason the casino makes a profit on Red/Black or Odd/Even wagersAdding a second zero effectively doubles the speed at which you will statistically lose your bankrollThe visual layout of the numbers on the wheel itself is also completely different between the two versions
Advanced European Roulette Rules

In addition to the better wheel layout, some European (often called French) tables offer incredibly favorable special rules.


These rules effectively cut the house edge in half again, dropping it to a phenomenally low 1.35% on outside bets.

Wheel StylePlayer RecommendationReasoningDouble ZeroAvoid completelyThe math is terrible for the playerSingle ZeroPlay this version exclusivelyOffers a fair and reasonable chance to win

There is absolutely no strategic reason to ever play the double-zero variation if a single-zero table is available.