The Difference Between European And American Roulette

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


Understanding the difference between the American and European variations is the most crucial strategy in the game.

The Green Zero: The House's Secret Weapon

The European roulette wheel features 37 slots in total: numbers 1 through 36, plus a single green zero.


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

European roulette has a house edge of 2.70%, which is relatively standard for a table gameAmerican roulette has a house edge of 5.26%, making it one of the worst bets on the entire floorAlways check the wheel before placing a chip to see how many green slots exist
The 'En Prison' and 'La Partage' Rules

Certain high-end European tables utilize the 'La Partage' rule, which further reduces the house advantage.


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.