Roulette is the undisputed symbol of the casino floor, an elegant game of chance that has captivated players for centuries.

Sitting down at the wrong Roulette table is one of the most common and expensive mistakes a novice player can make.

The difference between the two games comes down to a single, tiny pocket on the wheel, but the mathematical impact is massive.

In this article, we will compare European and American Roulette to definitively answer which version is better.

The Zeroes: What Separates the Two Games

The entire difference between European and American Roulette boils down to the green pockets on the wheel.

A European Roulette wheel features 37 pockets in total: the numbers 1 through 36, plus a single green zero (0).

When the game was brought to America, casino owners greedily added a second green pocket, the double zero (00), to increase their profits.

This seemingly minor architectural change is the sole reason why one game is vastly superior to the other.

When you bet on black, you lose if the ball lands on a green zero; in the American version, there are twice as many ways to lose.

The Statistical Advantage: 2.7% vs. 5.26%

To truly understand why the American version is inferior, we must look at the mathematical House Edge.

In both games, a winning bet on a single number pays out at 35 to 1.

Because the payout (35 to 1) is only slightly lower than the true odds (36 to 1), the house edge is a very reasonable 2.70%.

Despite the worse odds, the American game still only pays 35 to 1, significantly short-changing the player.

Mathematically speaking, playing American Roulette when a European table is available is a completely irrational decision.

Taking it a Step Further: The French Rules

French Roulette uses the same single-zero wheel as the European version but includes special player-friendly rules.

The French variations are designed to protect players when the dreaded green zero actually hits.

Instead of losing your entire wager to the zero, the casino returns 50% of your stake as a consolation.

If your bet wins on the subsequent spin, you get your original stake back (without profit); if it loses, the casino takes it.

If French is unavailable, default to European; but never, ever click on the American Roulette table.

Quick Reference: Which Game is Best?

• Double Zero Roulette: High house edge, fast bankroll drain. Never play this if other options exist.


• Single Zero Roulette: Excellent odds for a table game. This should be your default choice.


• French Rules: Cuts the house edge to 1.35%. Always play this online if the casino offers it.


• Live Dealer: Always check if the live stream is using an American or European wheel before sitting down.


• The Math: The only true strategy is picking the wheel with the lowest built-in casino advantage.

Odds and Payouts Breakdown

Playing the American version is essentially volunteering to give the casino double the money for the exact same entertainment.

However, online casinos offer both versions to all players, giving you the power to choose the better odds.

Always inspect the digital wheel or the live dealer's layout before you place your first chip.

Respect the math, demand the single zero, and enjoy the elegant thrill of classic European Roulette.