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 Extra Number That Changes Everything

On a European table, the presence of the single zero is what prevents the even-money bets from being perfectly 50/50.


The American wheel, however, features 38 slots: numbers 1 through 36, a single zero, AND a double zero (00).

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
Why French Roulette is Even Better

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


The 'En Prison' rule allows your even-money bet to remain 'in prison' for the next spin if a zero hits, giving you a second chance.

Roulette VariationNumber of ZerosHouse Edge (Standard Bets)AmericanTwo (0, 00)5.26%EuropeanOne (0)2.70%

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