European vs American Roulette
One little pocket. Nearly double the house edge. Here's why it matters — and how to spot the right wheel.
Two roulette wheels sit across from each other in a casino. They look nearly identical. Same red and black numbers, same layout, same dealer spinning the same little ball. But one costs you almost twice as much to play. The difference comes down to a single extra pocket — and if you don't know to look for it, you'll pay for that ignorance every spin.
The One Pocket That Changes Everything
European roulette has 37 pockets: numbers 1–36 and a single green 0. American roulette has 38 pockets: numbers 1–36, a single 0, and a double 00.
That's it. That's the whole difference on the wheel. But that extra 00 slot is how the house nearly doubles its profit on American tables — and how it quietly takes more of your money for every single bet, every single spin, forever.
The Math Behind the Difference
All the standard roulette payouts — 35-to-1 on single numbers, 2-to-1 on columns, even money on red/black — were set assuming 36 numbers on the wheel. The casino keeps the "extra" as its edge.
On a single-number bet paying 35:1, the true odds are 36:1 on a 37-pocket wheel, or 37:1 on a 38-pocket wheel. The gap between true odds and what the casino actually pays is the house edge.
One extra pocket doesn't sound like much — but over 1,000 spins at $10 per spin, it's the difference between losing $270 (European) and losing $526 (American).
Same game. Same bets. Same ball. Just a different wheel — and your bankroll lasts nearly twice as long.
The Bonus Rules That Make Europe Even Better
Some European roulette tables offer rules that cut the house edge even further on even-money bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low). If you find these, play them.
La Partage
If the ball lands on 0 while you're on an even-money bet, you lose only half your wager instead of the full amount. Cuts the house edge from 2.70% to just 1.35% on those bets.
En Prison
If the ball hits 0 on your even-money bet, your bet is held ("imprisoned") for the next spin. Win the next spin, get your bet back. Mathematically identical to La Partage — same 1.35% edge.
How to Spot the Right Wheel
You don't have to ask. You can tell at a glance.
Play This Wheel
- Only one green pocket (a single "0")
- Betting layout shows "0" at top — no "00"
- Often labeled "European Roulette" at the table
- Most common in high-limit rooms & European casinos
Walk Past This One
- Two green pockets ("0" and "00")
- Betting layout shows both "0" and "00" at top
- Default wheel in most US casino main floors
- Pays the same as European, but you lose twice as often
Most Florida casinos default to American wheels on the main floor. European wheels usually live in the high-limit rooms with $25+ minimum bets. If your bankroll supports it, the lower minimum bet cost is more than offset by the halved house edge. Ask the pit boss — most will direct you.
The One Thing to Remember
Count the green pockets before you place a chip. One zero means play. Two zeroes means walk. That simple habit saves you thousands over a lifetime.