American vs. European Roulette: Which Has Better Odds?
American vs. European Roulette: What Every Player Should Know
Roulette is one of the most recognizable casino games in the world, but not every roulette wheel is the same. The two most common versions—American and European roulette—look similar at first glance, yet they differ in one crucial way that affects your odds: the number of zero pockets on the wheel.
The Main Difference
European roulette has 37 pockets: numbers 1 through 36, plus a single green zero. American roulette has 38 pockets because it adds a second green pocket, the double zero (00).
That extra pocket may seem minor, but it changes the mathematics of the game. In European roulette, a straight-up bet on one number has a 1-in-37 chance of winning. In American roulette, the chance falls to 1-in-38, while the payout remains the same: 35 to 1.
House Edge
The house edge is the casino’s built-in statistical advantage over time. Because American roulette has an additional losing outcome for most bets, its house edge is roughly twice as high.
| Feature | European Roulette | American Roulette |
|---|---|---|
| Total pockets | 37 | 38 |
| Zero pockets | One zero (0) | Zero and double zero (0, 00) |
| Straight-up win chance | 1 in 37 | 1 in 38 |
| Straight-up payout | 35 to 1 | 35 to 1 |
| House edge | About 2.70% | About 5.26% |
For every $100 wagered over the long run, European roulette is expected to return about $97.30 to players, while American roulette returns about $94.74.
Wheel Layout
The number sequence also differs. European wheels arrange the numbers in a specific single-zero order, while American wheels use a different sequence and place the 0 and 00 opposite each other on the wheel.
The betting layout differs as well. American tables include a betting space for the double zero, and they offer a five-number bet covering 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. That bet carries one of the worst payouts relative to its odds in the game, so most experienced players avoid it.
Which Version Is Better?
From a pure odds perspective, European roulette is the better choice. The single-zero format gives players a lower house edge and a higher expected return over time.
American roulette is not “worse” in terms of excitement or available bets, but it is less favorable mathematically. If both versions are available at the same stakes, choosing European roulette is usually the smarter decision.
A Quick Example
Suppose you bet $10 on red.
- In European roulette, there are 18 red numbers, 18 black numbers, and one green zero. Your chance of winning is 18/37, or about 48.65%.
- In American roulette, there are still 18 red numbers, but now there are two green pockets. Your chance of winning is 18/38, or about 47.37%.
The payout is 1 to 1 in both versions, but the extra green pocket in American roulette makes losing slightly more likely.
Betting Basics
Both versions use the same core bet types:
- Inside bets: Wagers on specific numbers or small groups of numbers, such as a straight-up number, split, street, or corner.
- Outside bets: Wagers on broader outcomes, such as red or black, odd or even, high or low, dozens, and columns.
- Even-money bets: Red/black, odd/even, and high/low bets, which pay 1 to 1.
Outside bets win more often, while inside bets offer larger payouts but lower probability.
Final Thought
Roulette should be treated as entertainment, not as a way to make money. Every spin is independent, and no betting pattern can remove the casino’s advantage. Still, understanding the difference between American and European roulette helps you make a more informed choice: European roulette offers better odds, while American roulette carries a higher cost of play over time.
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