European roulette and American roulette look almost identical at first glance: you place chips on the table, the wheel spins, and the ball lands in a numbered pocket. But one small design choice changes everything for your odds, your bankroll, and the long-term cost of play.
The core difference is the wheel layout. European roulette uses a single-zero wheel with 37 pockets, while American roulette adds an extra pocket: the double-zero (00) for a total of 38. That single extra pocket roughly doubles the casino advantage.
Below is a clear, practical breakdown of how these versions compare, why it matters for RTP (return to player), and how to choose the best option online or in a land-based casino.
The One Change That Drives Everything: 37 Pockets vs 38
Both games include numbers 1 through 36. The difference is in the green pockets:
- European roulette: numbers 1–36 plus a single 0=37 pockets.
- American roulette: numbers 1–36 plus 0 and 00=38 pockets.
That extra 00 isn’t just cosmetic. It reduces the probability of hitting any given bet while keeping the same payouts, which increases the house edge.
House Edge and RTP: The Numbers You Actually Feel
Roulette payouts are designed so that, without the green pocket(s), many bets would be close to fair. The green pocket is what creates the casino advantage.
European roulette house edge (single zero)
On a European wheel, the house edge for standard bets is:
- House edge: 1 / 37≈2.70%
- RTP: ≈97.30%
American roulette house edge (double zero)
On an American wheel, the house edge for standard bets is:
- House edge: 2 / 38≈5.26%
- RTP: ≈94.74%
In plain terms: if you play long enough at the same stake and pace, American roulette tends to cost more per unit wagered because the casino advantage is larger.
European vs American Roulette at a Glance
| Feature | European Roulette | American Roulette |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel pockets | 37 (1–36 + 0) | 38 (1–36 + 0 + 00) |
| Standard house edge | ~2.70% | ~5.26% |
| Approx. RTP | ~97.30% | ~94.74% |
| Typical “best” even-money rule options | Often la partage or en prison | Less common |
| Basic bet types and payouts | Same as American for standard bets | Same as European for standard bets |
| Why it matters | Lower long-term cost, stronger bankroll efficiency | Higher variance cost over time due to extra green pocket |
Do the Payouts Change? Usually No (That’s the Problem)
A key reason the house edge differs is that payouts remain the same while your odds worsen on the American wheel.
Common roulette payouts (typical for both variants) include:
- Straight up (single number): pays 35:1
- Split (two numbers): pays 17:1
- Street (three numbers): pays 11:1
- Corner (four numbers): pays 8:1
- Six line (six numbers): pays 5:1
- Dozens / columns: pays 2:1
- Even-money bets (red/black, odd/even, 1–18/19–36): pay 1:1
Because the payouts don’t improve to compensate for the extra 00, American roulette delivers a higher casino advantage across the board.
Player-Friendly European Rules: La Partage and En Prison
Beyond pocket count, European tables (and especially French roulette tables) more commonly offer rules that can reduce expected losses on even-money bets. Two of the most well-known are la partage and en prison.
La partage (split the stake on zero)
With la partage, if you place an even-money bet (like red/black) and the ball lands on 0, you lose only half your bet instead of the full amount.
This changes the math in a player-friendly way:
- European even-money bet house edge normally: 2.70%
- With la partage: effective house edge becomes about 1.35% on even-money bets
That is a meaningful improvement in RTP for a simple, low-stress betting style.
En prison (the bet goes “to prison”)
With en prison, if an even-money bet loses because the ball lands on 0, your bet is not immediately lost. Instead, it is “imprisoned” for the next spin:
- If your bet wins on the next spin, you get your stake back (typically without profit).
- If it loses on the next spin, you lose the stake.
- If 0 hits again, house rules vary (often the bet remains imprisoned), so the exact impact can depend on the table.
Under common implementations, en prison is generally comparable to la partage for even-money bets in terms of expected value, often cited around a 1.35% effective edge in standard conditions.
Why These Differences Matter for Bankroll Management
Roulette is a negative-expectation game in the long run, so “better” roulette usually means lower house edge and more efficient bankroll use. This is where European roulette shines.
Expected loss: a simple way to compare cost over time
You can estimate expected loss with a straightforward relationship:
Expected Loss ≈ Total Amount Wagered × House Edge
Example (illustrative, not a guarantee of session results):
- If you wager a total of 1,000 units on European roulette, expected loss is about 27 units (2.70%).
- If you wager a total of 1,000 units on American roulette, expected loss is about 52.6 units (5.26%).
Because outcomes are random, any single session can swing either way. But across many spins, the lower-edge game tends to preserve your bankroll longer, which can mean more playtime and smoother swings.
Bankroll tips that pair well with European roulette
- Choose the lowest-edge variant available: European single-zero first; French with la partage or en prison for even-money play is even better.
- Size bets conservatively: smaller bet sizing generally reduces the risk of short-term wipeouts.
- Plan your session: decide your budget (and stop point) before you start, so emotions don’t dictate stakes.
- Track total wagered: your long-run cost is tied more to total action than to “how close you feel” to a win.
How Strategy Changes Between European and American Roulette
Roulette strategies don’t change the underlying house edge, but the best-practice approach does change depending on which wheel you’re playing.
1) Prioritize variant selection over betting systems
The biggest “strategy lever” in roulette is simply choosing the better game. Moving from ~5.26% to ~2.70% is a major improvement before you even place your first chip.
Many players report their sessions feel more sustainable when they start with a lower-edge game, because the bankroll tends to last longer and the swings can feel more manageable at the same stake level.
2) Even-money bets get a real boost with la partage or en prison
If your table offers la partage or en prison, even-money bets become especially attractive for players who value steadier pacing. You are still playing a game of chance, but you are doing it with improved expected value compared with standard rules.
3) Be cautious with “special” American bets
Some American roulette layouts include a five-number bet (commonly covering 0, 00, 1, 2, 3). This bet is widely known for having a higher house edge than typical bets.
Where offered in the classic form (5 numbers paying 6:1), it creates a house edge of about 7.89%, which is notably higher than the standard American edge.
If you’re optimizing for RTP and value, sticking to standard bets on a single-zero wheel is usually the more efficient path.
Choosing the Best Roulette Variant Online or in a Casino
If your goal is to maximize entertainment value per unit wagered, the decision tree is simple: pick the roulette game with the lowest built-in edge and the most favorable rules, or play blackjack.
What to look for (quick checklist)
- Wheel type: choose European (single-zero) over American (double-zero).
- Rules: look for la partage or en prison if you like even-money bets.
- Clear labeling: online lobbies typically label games as “European,” “American,” or “French.” In land-based casinos, look for the 00 on the layout to identify American roulette instantly.
- Table limits: pick limits that match your bankroll so you can play comfortably without forced bet jumps.
- Payout transparency: ensure standard payouts are posted, and confirm how zero is handled on even-money bets.
Which variant is “best” for different player goals?
| Your goal | Best fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Maximize RTP and value | European roulette | Single zero reduces the house edge to ~2.70% |
| Boost even-money betting efficiency | French roulette with la partage or en prison | Even-money effective edge can drop to around ~1.35% |
| Play the classic double-zero experience | American roulette | Iconic layout and feel, but with a higher house edge (~5.26%) |
| Stretch your bankroll for longer sessions | European / French roulette | Lower expected loss per unit wagered can mean longer playtime |
Common Questions About European vs American Roulette
Is European roulette always better than American roulette?
From an odds and expected value perspective, European roulette is generally better because the house edge is lower. If you have the choice and your priority is value, the single-zero wheel is typically the smart pick.
Do European and American roulette use the same betting options?
Yes, the basic bet types (inside and outside bets) and their standard payouts are the same. The major differences come from the extra 00 pocket in American roulette and the availability of special rules like la partage and en prison in European-style games.
Does the wheel number order matter for house edge?
No. The specific sequence of numbers around the wheel is designed for balance and tradition, but the house edge is driven by the number of pockets (and any special rules), not by the order of numbers.
Bottom Line: Pick the Wheel That Gives You More Game for Your Money
If you remember only one takeaway, make it this: European roulette’s single zero is a built-in advantage for the player compared to American roulette’s double zero. With ~2.70% house edge versus ~5.26%, European roulette generally offers stronger RTP, more efficient bankroll management, and a better foundation for sensible, low-drama play.
And if you can find European-style tables with la partage or en prison, even-money betting becomes even more attractive by reducing expected losses further. In roulette, small structural differences add up fast, so choosing the right variant is one of the most impactful decisions you can make before the ball even drops.
