If you’re comparing European (single-zero) roulette and American (double-zero) roulette, the biggest takeaway is simple: the extra 00 pocket in American roulette increases the house edge and lowers your long-term expected return. That means single zero vs double zero is not just a cosmetic difference on the felt or wheel layout, it’s a math difference that impacts your results over time.
European roulette has 37 pockets (numbers 0 to 36). American roulette has 38 pockets (numbers 0 to 36, plus 00). Because roulette payouts typically remain the same (for example, a straight-up number pays 35 to 1 in both variants), adding one more losing pocket shifts the odds in the casino’s favor.
Below, you’ll find a practical, benefit-driven breakdown of house edge, RTP (return to player), odds, payouts, wheel layout, rule variants like la partage and en prison, and smart table-selection tips that can meaningfully improve your expected value.
European vs American roulette in one sentence
European roulette generally offers better odds and higher RTP because it has only one zero pocket, while American roulette’s extra 00 raises the house edge (especially noticeable on even-money bets and the American five-number bet).
Core difference: number of pockets (37 vs 38) and why it matters
casino roulette is a probability game. Every additional pocket slightly changes your chances, but payouts typically do not increase to compensate. That mismatch is what creates (and changes) the house edge.
- European roulette: 37 pockets total (0–36).
- American roulette: 38 pockets total (0–36 plus 00).
Because most bets pay the same in both games, the double-zero wheel gives the casino one extra way to win without paying you more when you win. That is the key reason single-zero games are usually the better choice for players focused on value.
House edge and RTP: the numbers you should know
The house edge is the casino’s average advantage over time, expressed as a percentage of each wager.RTP (return to player) is the flip side: how much you can expect to get back over the long run as a percentage of what you bet, assuming standard rules and consistent play.
| Roulette variant | Pockets | Zeros | Typical house edge | Typical RTP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European (single-zero) | 37 | 0 | ~2.70% | ~97.30% |
| American (double-zero) | 38 | 0 and 00 | ~5.26% | ~94.74% |
That gap is meaningful. Over a large number of spins, a lower house edge usually translates to a higher expected return and a more efficient use of your bankroll.
Why the house edge doubles in American roulette (without changing payouts)
To see why the edge changes, consider a common even-money bet like Red (or Black, Odd, Even, 1–18, 19–36). On a European wheel, there are 18 winning numbers, 18 losing numbers, and one zero that causes you to lose under standard rules.
- European (single-zero): 18 wins, 19 losses (18 opposite color + 0).
- American (double-zero): 18 wins, 20 losses (18 opposite color + 0 + 00).
The payout for Red is still 1 to 1. That extra losing pocket makes the bet less favorable in American roulette, which is why the house edge increases from about 2.70% to about 5.26%.
Wheel layout and table layout: what changes visually (and why it can affect your experience)
Both variants use the same set of numbers 1 through 36, arranged on the table in three columns. The key visual difference is in the zero area and the wheel layout:
European roulette table layout
- Features a single 0 pocket and a single 0 spot on the felt.
- The 0 is typically positioned at the top of the betting layout.
American roulette table layout
- Features both 0 and 00 at the top of the layout.
- The presence of two zero pockets enables an additional inside bet (the five-number bet, also called the basket bet), which is widely known for having the worst house edge on the table.
Wheel layout differences
On the physical wheel, the order of numbers around the rim differs between European and American wheels. This difference doesn’t change the mathematical house edge by itself, but it can affect the feel of the game for some players, especially those who like to track outcomes or prefer the traditional European wheel design.
Odds and payouts: what stays the same (and what the extra 00 changes)
Most roulette payouts are standardized across variants. The crucial point is that the probabilities change when you add an extra pocket, but the payouts usually don’t. Here are common bets and typical payouts:
| Bet type | Covers | Typical payout | European win probability | American win probability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight up | 1 number | 35 to 1 | 1 / 37 | 1 / 38 |
| Split | 2 numbers | 17 to 1 | 2 / 37 | 2 / 38 |
| Street | 3 numbers | 11 to 1 | 3 / 37 | 3 / 38 |
| Corner | 4 numbers | 8 to 1 | 4 / 37 | 4 / 38 |
| Dozen | 12 numbers | 2 to 1 | 12 / 37 | 12 / 38 |
| Column | 12 numbers | 2 to 1 | 12 / 37 | 12 / 38 |
| Even-money outside | 18 numbers | 1 to 1 | 18 / 37 | 18 / 38 |
Because the payout schedule is the same while the odds are slightly worse on the double-zero wheel, the expected value is lower in American roulette across comparable bets.
The American five-number (basket) bet: why it’s the worst value on the layout
American roulette typically offers a unique inside bet that covers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. This is commonly called the five-number bet or basket bet. While it can look appealing because it covers five outcomes, its payout does not make up for the true odds, which is why it’s known for having one of the highest house edges in standard roulette offerings.
Practical takeaway: if you’re playing American roulette and you care about value, one of the biggest easy wins is to avoid the five-number bet and focus on bets with more standard value characteristics.
European rule variants that can improve your odds: la partage and en prison
One of the most player-friendly reasons to love European roulette is that many single-zero tables may offer special rules on even-money bets (Red/Black, Odd/Even, 1–18/19–36). Two of the most common are la partage and en prison.
La partage (share)
With la partage, when you make an even-money bet and the ball lands on 0, you lose only half your wager instead of the full amount.
This can reduce the effective house edge on even-money bets from about 2.70% to about 1.35% on a single-zero wheel, which is a major boost to RTP on those bets.
En prison (in prison)
With en prison, if you make an even-money bet and the result is 0, your bet is “imprisoned” for the next spin instead of being lost immediately. If your bet wins on the next spin, you typically get your original stake back (without additional winnings). If it loses, you lose the stake.
Functionally, on even-money bets, en prison can have a similar effect to la partage in terms of improving long-term value, though the exact experience differs because it involves a follow-up spin.
Why these rules matter for RTP
These rule variants directly target the biggest “problem” for even-money bets: the zero pocket. By reducing the penalty when zero hits, they improve your expected return on outside bets and can make European roulette even more attractive for players who prefer simpler betting patterns.
Best choice for odds: single-zero roulette (especially with la partage or en prison)
If your goal is to maximize your chances and improve long-term expected return, this is the most practical hierarchy:
- European single-zero roulette with la partage on even-money bets.
- European single-zero roulette with en prison on even-money bets.
- Standard European single-zero roulette (no special zero rule).
- American double-zero roulette, ideally avoiding the five-number bet.
This table-selection mindset is one of the simplest “strategies” that actually changes the math in your favor (or at least reduces the disadvantage), because you’re choosing a better RTP game from the start.
Betting strategies that fit the math (and the player-friendly way to apply them)
Roulette outcomes are random, so no betting strategy can remove the house edge entirely in standard casino roulette. However, you can still make smart, practical decisions that improve your experience and protect your bankroll while you play.
1) Start with the highest-RTP game you can find
- Prioritize single-zero tables.
- If available, choose tables with la partage or en prison for even-money bets.
This is the most impactful choice because it directly targets the house edge.
2) Favor straightforward bets if you want stable pacing
If you like a smoother ride (more frequent small wins), outside bets such as Red/Black or Odd/Even can deliver more frequent results than long-shot inside bets. The trade-off is smaller payouts, but many players enjoy the rhythm and bankroll management benefits.
3) Avoid the worst-value options on American wheels
If you’re at an American table:
- Consider skipping the five-number (basket) bet.
- Stick to more standard bets whose value is not uniquely worsened by a special payout structure.
4) Use a simple staking plan to manage bankroll
A practical bankroll plan doesn’t change the odds, but it can improve how long you stay in the game and how consistently you play:
- Decide a session budget and treat it as a fixed cost of entertainment.
- Choose a base unit size (for example, 1 unit per spin) that gives you plenty of spins.
- If you increase stakes, do it gradually and within your budget, rather than chasing losses.
European vs American roulette: quick comparison checklist
When you’re standing at a table (or selecting a game in a lobby), this quick checklist helps you make a strong value pick in seconds:
- Count the zeros: pick single zero (0) over double zero (0 and 00).
- Look for rule variants: la partage or en prison are a plus for even-money bets.
- Scan the inside bet area: if you see a 5-number option tied to 0 and 00, you’re on an American layout.
- Confirm the house edge / RTP (when published): higher RTP is better.
- Choose a comfortable table minimum: a lower minimum can help you get more spins for your bankroll.
FAQ: house edge, RTP, odds, and payouts in European vs American roulette
Is European roulette always better than American roulette?
From a pure value perspective, European roulette is generally better because the single-zero wheel produces a lower house edge (about 2.70%) than the double-zero wheel (about 5.26%) under standard rules. If you can also get la partage or en prison, European roulette can become even more favorable on even-money bets.
Do payouts change between single zero vs double zero?
In standard roulette, payouts are typically the same across European and American variants (for example, a straight-up win pays 35 to 1). The difference is that American roulette includes an extra losing pocket, which changes the odds and lowers RTP.
What does RTP mean in roulette?
RTP means return to player. It represents the theoretical percentage of total wagers returned to players over the long run. For example, a typical European roulette RTP is about 97.30%, while American roulette is about 94.74%, assuming standard rules.
Does wheel layout affect results?
The specific number order on the wheel (the wheel layout) differs between European and American wheels, but the major driver of house edge is the number of zero pockets and the rules applied when zero hits. The wheel layout mainly affects appearance and tradition, not the core math of the game.
What is the five-number bet and why do people warn against it?
The American five-number bet (often covering 0, 00, 1, 2, 3) is frequently called out because it’s typically structured with an especially unfavorable house edge compared to other common bets. If you want better value, it’s a smart move to avoid it.
Bottom line: the best roulette choice for better odds
If you want the most player-friendly roulette experience in terms of house edge, RTP, and long-run value, choose European single-zero roulette whenever you can. Then, upgrade your odds further by seeking tables that offer la partage or en prison on even-money bets.
That combination gives you a clear, measurable advantage compared to double-zero roulette: better odds, higher RTP, and a more efficient use of your bankroll. And that’s exactly what smart roulette table selection is all about.
