Roulette is universally recognized as one of the most iconic and popular games in casino history.
Understanding the subtle differences between the wheels is crucial for maximizing your chances of winning.
The Extra Green Zero
The American wheel, however, has 38 pockets: numbers 1 through 36, a single zero (0), and a double zero (00).
The addition of the 00 pocket effectively doubles the casino's built-in mathematical advantage over the player.
- European wheel has 37 total pockets
- American wheel has 38 total pockets
- Both 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.
Lowering the Edge Even Further
The "La Partage" rule dictates that if the ball lands on zero, you only lose half of your even-money bet.
If these special rules are in effect, the house edge on even-money bets drops to an incredible 1.35%.
| Game | Wheel Numbers | Edge with La Partage |
|---|---|---|
| French | 37 | 1.35% |
| American | 38 | N/A |
The conclusion is incredibly simple: you should always seek out and exclusively play European or French roulette.