European Vs. American Roulette: Which Is Better?

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


Knowing which wheel to choose is the single most important decision a roulette player will ever make.

Understanding the Wheel Layouts

A standard European wheel contains only one green slot (the 0), giving the house its mathematical advantage.


That extra double zero on the American wheel might look harmless, but it drastically increases the operator's profit margin.

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
Advanced European Roulette Rules

In addition to the better wheel layout, some European (often called French) tables offer incredibly favorable special rules.


The 'En Prison' rule allows your even-money bet to remain 'in prison' for the next spin if a zero hits, giving you a second chance.

Roulette VariationNumber of ZerosHouse Edge (Standard Bets)AmericanTwo (0, 00)5.26%EuropeanOne (0)2.70%

There is absolutely no strategic reason to ever play the double-zero variation if a single-zero table is available.