European Vs. American Roulette: Which Is Better?

Roulette is one of the most iconic and visually thrilling games available on any casino floor.


The variation you decide to play has a massive impact on your mathematical chances of walking away a winner.

Understanding the Wheel Layouts

On a European table, the presence of the single zero is what prevents the even-money bets from being perfectly 50/50.


Conversely, the American layout adds an extra green slot—the double zero—significantly altering the math of the game.

The single zero is the only reason the casino makes a profit on Red/Black or Odd/Even wagersAdding a second zero effectively doubles the speed at which you will statistically lose your bankrollThe visual layout of the numbers on the wheel itself is also completely different between the two versions
Why French Roulette is Even Better

If you can find a French roulette table, you will encounter the best possible odds for this specific game.


Under the 'La Partage' rule, if you make an even-money bet (like Red or Black) and the ball lands on zero, you only lose half your bet.

Game TypeSpecial Rules?House Edge (Even-Money Bets)Standard EuropeanNo2.70%French (La Partage)Yes (Half-back on Zero)1.35%

If you have the option, you should absolutely never sit down at an American roulette table.