If you have ever looked at a roulette wheel and wondered why some tables show a single 0 while others show 0 and 00, you are already asking the question that matters most for your bankroll: European roulette vs American roulette is largely a story about single zero vs double zero, and the house edge that comes with that extra pocket.
The great news is that roulette is easy to compare because the rules and payouts are highly standardized. That means you can make a smart, practical choice in minutes by focusing on a few measurable differences: wheel composition, exact house edge figures, special rules like en prison and la partage, wheel number sequences, and where each version is most common.
The core difference: 37 pockets vs 38 pockets
At a high level, the gameplay looks identical: you place chips on a betting layout, the ball lands in a numbered pocket, and bets resolve based on the result. The key difference is simply how many pockets exist on the wheel.
- European roulette wheel: 37 pockets (numbers 1–36 plus a single 0).
- American roulette wheel: 38 pockets (numbers 1–36 plus 0 and 00).
That extra 00 pocket in American roulette is not just cosmetic. It adds one more losing outcome for most bets, which is why the American version has a noticeably higher casino advantage.
European roulette vs American roulette: exact house edge and RTP
Because roulette payouts are traditionally the same across both versions, adding one extra pocket changes the math in a very clean way. Here are the widely cited and straightforward figures players use when comparing best roulette odds:
| Roulette variant | Pockets | Zeros | House edge | RTP (return to player) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European roulette | 37 | 0 | 2.70% | 97.30% |
| American roulette | 38 | 0, 00 | 5.26% | 94.74% |
Those percentages are the main reason many players actively seek out European wheels online and in many European casinos. If your goal is to maximize value per spin, European roulette provides a stronger baseline.
Same bet types and payouts (so your strategy transfers easily)
A big benefit of roulette is that the main bet types and payouts are typically consistent across European and American tables. So if you learn the layout once, you can use it almost anywhere.
Common roulette bets (both versions)
- Even-money bets: Red / Black, Odd / Even, 1–18 / 19–36 (pays 1:1).
- Dozens: 1–12, 13–24, 25–36 (pays 2:1).
- Columns: 1st / 2nd / 3rd column (pays 2:1).
- Straight up: a single number (pays 35:1).
- Split: two adjacent numbers (pays 17:1).
- Street: three numbers in a row (pays 11:1).
- Corner: four-number block (pays 8:1).
- Six line: six numbers across two rows (pays 5:1).
This is why the wheel itself matters so much. When payouts remain the same, the version with fewer zero pockets typically offers the better long-term expectation.
Single zero vs double zero: why one extra pocket changes everything
In roulette, the 0 (and 00 in American roulette) exist to give the casino its built-in advantage. Most common bets do not cover the zero pockets, so when a zero hits, many bets lose.
Here is the practical takeaway:
- With European roulette, there is 1 zero pocket out of 37.
- With American roulette, there are 2 zero pockets out of 38.
That change is exactly why the house edge nearly doubles from about 2.70% to about 5.26%. If you are comparing tables and you have the choice, the single zero vs double zero decision is the fastest path to best roulette odds.
European rule upgrades: en prison and la partage (and how they improve RTP)
Many European roulette tables (especially French-style roulette) offer special rules that can improve outcomes on even-money bets. These rules are popular because they can meaningfully reduce the house advantage when the ball lands on 0.
What is la partage?
La partage (often translated as “sharing”) applies to even-money bets such as Red/Black, Odd/Even, and 1–18/19–36.
If you place an even-money bet and the result is 0:
- You lose only half your bet.
- The other half is returned to you.
This simple rule can cut the house edge for even-money bets in European roulette from about 2.70% down to about 1.35%, improving your effective RTP on those bets to about 98.65%.
What is en prison?
En prison (“in prison”) is another common European rule on even-money bets. When the ball lands on 0:
- Your even-money bet is not immediately lost.
- Instead, it is held for the next spin (it is “imprisoned”).
- If your bet wins on the next spin, you get your stake back (typically without additional winnings beyond the normal resolution of the bet, depending on table rules).
- If it loses on the next spin, you lose the stake.
In practical terms, en prison also tends to reduce the house edge on even-money bets to around 1.35% under the typical implementation where the bet is returned if it wins on the following spin.
Why these rules matter for best roulette odds
If your playing style leans heavily on even-money bets (a very common approach for longer sessions and steadier variance), then choosing a European table with la partage or en prison is one of the clearest ways to improve your overall value per spin while keeping the game feel the same.
| Even-money bet conditions | Typical house edge | Typical RTP |
|---|---|---|
| European roulette (single zero), standard rules | 2.70% | 97.30% |
| European roulette with la partage (even-money only) | 1.35% | 98.65% |
| European roulette with en prison (even-money only) | 1.35% | 98.65% |
| American roulette (double zero) | 5.26% | 94.74% |
Important detail: these beneficial rules usually apply only to even-money bets, not to dozens, columns, or inside bets like straight-ups and splits.
Wheel number sequences: the layout is different (and it’s useful to know)
The numbered pockets around the rim are not arranged in simple numeric order. Both European and American wheels use specific sequences designed to spread high and low numbers and distribute red/black pockets around the wheel.
Knowing the wheel sequence will not change the underlying odds of a fair wheel, but it can be handy for recognizing which wheel you are playing and understanding dealer and player terminology.
European roulette wheel sequence (single-zero)
European wheel order (clockwise) is commonly listed as:
0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25, 17, 34, 6, 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, 33, 1, 20, 14, 31, 9, 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26American roulette wheel sequence (double-zero)
American wheel order (clockwise) is commonly listed as:
0, 28, 9, 26, 30, 11, 7, 20, 32, 17, 5, 22, 34, 15, 3, 24, 36, 13, 1, 00, 27, 10, 25, 29, 12, 8, 19, 31, 18, 6, 21, 33, 16, 4, 23, 35, 14, 2The presence of 00 in the sequence is an instant giveaway that you are looking at the American wheel (or an American-style online variant).
Regional prevalence: where you typically find each roulette version
When players search for European roulette vs American roulette, they often want a practical answer to a simple question: “Which one am I more likely to see where I play?”
European roulette (single zero) is commonly found in
- Many casinos across Europe.
- A wide range of online roulette lobbies, where you can play blackjack online and single-zero variants are often promoted for their best roulette odds.
- French roulette tables that may also offer en prison or la partage.
American roulette (double zero) is commonly found in
- Many land-based casinos in the United States.
- Online roulette titles explicitly labeled “American Roulette.”
If you are playing online, you often have more freedom to choose the wheel type. If you are playing in a physical casino, the local market strongly influences whether single-zero or double-zero tables dominate the floor.
Best roulette odds: a practical checklist before you place your first chip
Choosing the best table is one of the most player-friendly things about roulette. You do not need complicated systems to get a measurable improvement in value; you just need to pick the right variant and rules.
Quick checklist for better value
- Look for a single zero (European roulette). This is the biggest upgrade in expected value compared with double zero.
- If available, choose a table with la partage or en prison (especially if you like even-money bets).
- Confirm you are not accidentally sitting at American roulette if your goal is lower house edge.
- Decide your bet mix: even-money bets can pair nicely with la partage or en prison for stronger RTP on those wagers.
When your goal is the best roulette odds, the simplest “strategy” is a table-selection strategy: pick the wheel and rules with the best math before the game even begins.
A clear example: how the zero(s) affect an even-money bet
Even-money bets are a great lens for comparing single zero vs double zero because the payouts are identical (1:1) but the losing outcomes change.
European roulette (single zero), even-money bet
- Total pockets: 37
- Winning pockets for red (for example): 18
- Losing pockets: 18 black numbers +1 zero =19
That extra losing pocket (the 0) is what creates the built-in 2.70% house edge.
American roulette (double zero), even-money bet
- Total pockets: 38
- Winning pockets for red: 18
- Losing pockets: 18 black numbers +0+00=20
Because there are now two zero pockets that typically cause even-money bets to lose, the house edge rises to about 5.26%.
European roulette with la partage (even-money bet)
Now the comparison gets even better for players:
- When 0 hits, you lose only half instead of the full amount on your even-money bet.
- This is why la partage is strongly associated with improved value and a lower effective house edge on those bets.
Which roulette version should you choose?
If you want a simple, confident recommendation based on the math and the player experience, here is a practical guide.
Choose European roulette if you want
- Lower house edge as a default (about 2.70%).
- A strong chance of finding player-friendly rules like en prison or la partage on even-money bets.
- More value per spin without changing the familiar bet types and payouts.
Choose American roulette if you want
- The classic double-zero format that is widely available in many U.S. casinos.
- Consistency with what you commonly see on American casino floors.
From a purely odds-focused perspective, players seeking best roulette odds typically favor European roulette and, when possible, European roulette tables that offer la partage or en prison for even-money bets.
FAQ: European roulette vs American roulette
Is European roulette always better than American roulette?
In terms of house edge, European roulette is generally better because it uses a single zero wheel (about 2.70% house edge) compared with the double zero American wheel (about 5.26%).
Do payouts differ between European and American roulette?
In most standard games, payouts and basic bet types are the same. The key difference is the wheel composition (single zero vs double zero), which changes the probabilities and therefore the casino advantage.
What are en prison and la partage?
En prison and la partage are rules commonly associated with European (often French-style) roulette that can improve outcomes on even-money bets when the ball lands on 0. They can effectively halve the house edge on those specific bets to around 1.35%.
Where is each roulette wheel most common?
Single-zero European roulette is common across Europe and widely available online.Double-zero American roulette is common in many U.S. casinos and in American-style online roulette games.
Bottom line: the fastest way to better roulette value
If you remember only one thing from this comparison, make it this: single zero vs double zero is the difference that most directly controls the house edge. Everything else being equal, fewer zero pockets means better value for the player.
For most players looking for best roulette odds, the ideal setup is:
- European roulette (single zero), and
- A table that offers la partage or en prison if you plan to play even-money bets.
With that choice, you keep the classic roulette experience while giving yourself the strongest math-friendly foundation available in standard casino roulette.
