At first glance, American and European roulette look almost identical. Both have the familiar spinning wheel, numbered pockets, and a betting table. And both challenge you to predict where the ball will land. But there’s one small addition to the American wheel that makes quite a big difference to the odds.
Whether you’re completely new to roulette or deciding which version to play, here’s what you need to know about American vs European roulette. We’ll take you through everything, including their wheels, house edges, payouts, betting layouts, and more.
Quick Recap: What Is Roulette?
Before we discuss the differences, you first need to know how to play roulette in general. The premise of the game is very simple and applies to both versions. It’s a game of prediction where you choose where you think the ball will land on a spinning wheel. Your bet is placed on certain numbers, groups of numbers, or other categories before the wheel is spun.
Predict correctly? You win. It’s that easy.
What Is American Roulette?
American roulette uses a wheel with 38 pockets. These include numbers 1 to 36, which alternate between red and black, and then two green pockets labelled zero (0) and double zero (00). That extra ’00’ is the only apparent difference between the American and European variants. The extra 00 increases the number of possible outcomes and gives the game a higher house edge and worse odds.
What Is European Roulette?
European roulette is the most played version of roulette and has 37 pockets. These are numbered 1 to 36, also alternating between black and red, with just one green 0. Having only one zero makes a significant mathematical difference. Standard European roulette has a house edge of approximately 2.70%, compared with 5.26% on the American version.
Key Differences Between American and European Roulette
Differences between these two roulette variants mainly come down to the number of zero pockets. This may seem like a small difference, but it affects both the odds and the house edge. That said, let’s go through the key differences between European and American roulette to see which one is more your speed.
Wheel Layout
The first obvious difference between the two roulette versions is the wheel layout. The European layout is what most people are used to, with one green 0 and a total of 37 pockets. American roulette has an added 00, making it 38 pockets.
Betting Layout
With different wheel layouts, each variation also has a slightly different betting table and bets that are available. Both versions include familiar bets, like straight up numbers, splits, streets, dozens, columns, Red or Black, and Even or Odd.
The American roulette betting table differs slightly, as it needs to make room for both the 0 and 00. You’re also able to place a five-number bet, called a basket bet, that covers the 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. This wager isn’t available in European roulette.
RTP and House Edge
Return to Player (RTP) and house edge are two important factors to consider in all casino games. In roulette, the additional 00 pocket in the American variant creates a significant difference between the two.
On most standard bets, European roulette has an approximate RTP of 97.30% and a house edge of 2.70%. American roulette has an RTP of about 94.74% and a house edge of 5.26%.
So, from a mathematical perspective, European roulette is the more favourable option.
Payouts and Odds
When it comes to payouts, American and European roulette both have the same payouts for standard bets. For example, 35:1 on a straight up bet, 17:1 on a split, and 1:1 on Red or Black and Even or Odd.
The difference comes in the odds. With the additional 00 in American roulette, the probability for a win on a straight up bet, for instance, is 1 in 38. With European roulette, this will be slightly better with 1 in 37 odds.
Which Version of Roulette Is Better?
European roulette is generally the better option if your main concern is odds and probability. If you’re a beginner, the fact that there’s just one less number on the wheel to worry about can make the tiniest difference.
Then again, if you’re concerned about odds, you might want to consider French roulette, as those odds are slightly higher with an RTP of around 98.65% and a 1.35% house edge. However, the French variant comes with additional rules that new players might not want to learn, so European roulette is the safest option.
Ultimately, gameplay is very similar no matter which variation you choose, so it’s all up to personal preference.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What’s the difference between American, European, and French roulette?
American roulette has 38 pockets with a green 0 and a 00 and statistically has the worst odds. European roulette and French roulette both have 37 pockets with a single green 0. French roulette, however, has two additional rules that increase the odds of the game even more.
- La Partage “The Sharing”: When the ball lands on zero, you get half of your even-money bet back automatically.
- En Prison “In Prison”: If the ball lands on zero, your even-money bet stays locked on the table. If that bet wins the next spin, you get the full stake back.
Which roulette type has better odds?
Between American and European roulette, the European version has slightly better odds. However, French roulette has the best, with an RTP of around 98.65% and a 1.35% house edge.
Do American and European roulette have the same payouts?
Yes, most standard bets have the same payout ratios in both versions. The only payout difference is with the five-number basket bet in American roulette, which is 6:1. This bet doesn’t exist in the European variant.
