Did you think roulette was the same everywhere? Think again! The classic casino wheel may not differ too much visually, but there are a few variants that you need to know about.
Roulette originated in Europe, but when it moved across the Atlantic, the rules were altered. Now, American and European roulette are the two major variations of the iconic wheel.
In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know so you can decipher the difference between roulette games. You’ll be an expert in no time!
Roulette Wheels: American vs European
At first glance, it’s hard to notice the difference between American and European roulette wheels. They both feature the same numbers and the beautiful red and black colored pockets. However, if you look closely, you’ll realize that there’s one key difference between the two.
The American roulette wheel has 38 slots, as opposed to the traditional 37. This is because it has two green slots: one for zero and one for double zero. This may not seem like a drastic change, but it has various knock-on effects that we’ll explain in more detail in the following sections.
There are advantages to playing both games, even though the American version offers inferior odds. For example, players who like to bet on zeros have double the chance of hitting them on the American wheel.
House Edge Differences
The key thing that you need to know when deciding to play American or European roulette is the fact that the games have a different house edge. In this section, we’ll explain the house edge for each variant.
House Edge for American Roulette
Due to the double zero pocket, American roulette has a whopping house edge of around 5.26 percent. Check out the table below to see the odds for each of the different bets in American Roulette:
| Bet Type | Payout | Probability of Winning | House Edge | Odds Against Winning |
| Single Number (Straight Up) | 35 to 1 | 2.63% | 5.26% | 37 to 1 |
| Split (Two Numbers) | 17 to 1 | 5.26% | 5.26% | 18 to 1 |
| Street (Three Numbers) | 11 to 1 | 7.89% | 5.26% | 11.33 to 1 |
| Corner (Four Numbers) | 8 to 1 | 10.53% | 5.26% | 9.5 to 1 |
| Five-Number Bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3) | 6 to 1 | 13.16% | 7.89% | 6.6 to 1 |
| Line (Six Numbers) | 5 to 1 | 15.79% | 5.26% | 5.33 to 1 |
| Column | 2 to 1 | 31.58% | 5.26% | 2.17 to 1 |
| Dozen | 2 to 1 | 31.58% | 5.26% | 2.17 to 1 |
| Red/Black | 1 to 1 | 47.37% | 5.26% | 1.11 to 1 |
| Odd/Even | 1 to 1 | 47.37% | 5.26% | 1.11 to 1 |
| High (19-36) / Low (1-18) | 1 to 1 | 47.37% | 5.26% | 1.11 to 1 |
House Edge for European Roulette
European roulette typically has a lower house edge, thanks to the single zero pocket. You can expect a house edge of around 2.63 percent when you play the game. Have a look at the handy table below to see the odds for the different types of bets:
| Bet Type | Payout | Probability of Winning | House Edge | Odds Against Winning |
| Single Number (Straight Up) | 35 to 1 | 2.70% | 2.70% | 36 to 1 |
| Split (Two Numbers) | 17 to 1 | 5.41% | 2.70% | 17.5 to 1 |
| Street (Three Numbers) | 11 to 1 | 8.11% | 2.70% | 11.33 to 1 |
| Corner (Four Numbers) | 8 to 1 | 10.81% | 2.70% | 8.25 to 1 |
| Line (Six Numbers) | 5 to 1 | 16.22% | 2.70% | 5.17 to 1 |
| Column | 2 to 1 | 32.43% | 2.70% | 2.08 to 1 |
| Dozen | 2 to 1 | 32.43% | 2.70% | 2.08 to 1 |
| Red/Black | 1 to 1 | 48.65% | 2.70% | 1.06 to 1 |
| Odd/Even | 1 to 1 | 48.65% | 2.70% | 1.06 to 1 |
| High (19-36) / Low (1-18) | 1 to 1 | 48.65% | 2.70% | 1.06 to 1 |
As you can see, the probability of winning is slightly higher in European roulette. This, arguably, makes it the more popular option of the two.
Where Does French Roulette Fit in?
European roulette may be the better option to American roulette, but if you want the game with the lowest house edge, you’ll want to check out French roulette.
There are a couple of rules that you may encounter when you play French roulette – but we always advise checking the rules of the game first, just in case.
The first rule you may come across is La Partage, which means you only lose half your bet when the ball lands on zero on an even-money bet.
You may also see some games with the En Prison rule. This applies to even-money bets as well, and involves your bet being imprisoned when the ball lands on zero. This bet is then used on the next spin, and if it wins you get your bet back along with the winnings. If it loses, you lose that stake.
Both of these fascinating rules help to lower the house edge of French roulette to 1.35 percent, making it an attractive option for aficionados of the wheel.
European and American Roulette FAQs
Do you still have some burning questions about the different roulette games? If so, check out these FAQs to see if we’ve already got you covered. If not, why don’t you sign up at PlayStar and start playing some roulette games online today?
Why do players prefer European Roulette over American Roulette?
People generally prefer European roulette because it has a lower house edge. This means there’s a higher chance of winning on European roulette.
Are the payouts different between American and European Roulette?
No, even though the house edges are slightly different, the payouts for each bet are the same in both versions of the game.
Is there a strategy to win consistently at American or European Roulette?
No, both versions of roulette are based purely on chance. However, you can implement money management strategies and systems that aim to minimize losses and maximize gains.
