If you are comparing European roulette vs American roulette, the most important difference is not the betting layout, the payouts, or the basic rules of play. It is the wheel itself.
European roulette uses a single-zero wheel with 37 pockets (numbers 1 to 36, plus one 0). American roulette uses a double-zero wheel with 38 pockets (numbers 1 to 36, plus 0 and 00).
That one extra pocket may look minor, but it has a major impact on the roulette house edge. With the same payouts, adding a second zero increases the casino advantage from about 2.70% (European) to about 5.26% (American). In other words, single-zero games typically give you meaningfully better odds for the same types of bets.
Quick Comparison: European vs American Roulette at a Glance
| Feature | European Roulette | American Roulette |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel pockets | 37 pockets | 38 pockets |
| Zero pockets | Single zero: 0 | Single zero: 0 and double zero: 00 |
| House edge (typical) | About 2.70% | About 5.26% |
| Bet types | Same core bets | Same core bets |
| Payouts | Same standard payouts | Same standard payouts |
| Common extra rules | Often includes en prison or la partage (even-money bets) | Typically no player-friendly zero rules |
| Best for | Players who want better odds and lower long-run cost per spin | Players who can only access double-zero tables, or who prefer that table availability |
The Core Difference: 37 Pockets vs 38 Pockets
Both roulette versions let you bet on outcomes like a single number, a color, odd or even, dozens, columns, and many more. The big change is how many outcomes exist on the wheel.
European roulette wheel: 37 pockets
- Numbers 1 through 36
- One green pocket: 0
American roulette wheel: 38 pockets
- Numbers 1 through 36
- Two green pockets: 0 and 00
Because roulette payouts are usually based on the idea of 36-to-1 coverage for straight bets, the additional 00 increases the casino advantage. You are effectively paying an “extra tax” in probability terms whenever the ball can land on more pockets without your payouts increasing.
Roulette House Edge: Why Single-Zero Games Are Usually Better
The roulette house edge is the casino’s long-run advantage over players, expressed as a percentage of the amount wagered. It does not mean you will lose that percentage every session, but over many spins it describes the average cost of playing.
European roulette house edge (single zero)
With 37 pockets and standard payouts, the house edge is about 2.70%. This figure is often shown more precisely as 2.7027%, based on the fraction 1 / 37.
American roulette house edge (double zero)
With 38 pockets and standard payouts, the house edge rises to about 5.26%. This figure is often shown more precisely as 5.2632%, based on the fraction 2 / 38.
What that means in practical terms
Two roulette tables can look almost identical, accept the same bets, and pay the same amounts, yet one can cost about nearly double in house edge over the long run. If you are making a high-intent decision about where to play, picking a single-zero game is one of the most impactful choices you can make without changing your style of play.
Do European and American Roulette Pay the Same?
Yes. In standard casino roulette, payouts and bet types are otherwise the same between European and American roulette. The difference is the probability of winning those payouts due to the extra pocket on the American wheel.
Common roulette bets (same in both versions)
- Straight up (one number): pays 35 to 1
- Split (two numbers): pays 17 to 1
- Street (three numbers): pays 11 to 1
- Corner (four numbers): pays 8 to 1
- Six line (six numbers): pays 5 to 1
- Dozens (12 numbers): pays 2 to 1
- Columns (12 numbers): pays 2 to 1
- Even-money bets (red or black, odd or even, 1 to 18 or 19 to 36): pays 1 to 1
Because the payouts do not improve to compensate for the extra 00, American roulette typically produces a higher expected cost per unit bet.
European Roulette Bonus: “En Prison” and “La Partage” Rules
One of the biggest upsides in the European roulette ecosystem is the frequent availability of player-friendly rules for even-money bets, especially in French-style or European casino variants.
Two rules you will often see mentioned in searches for en prison la partage are en prison and la partage. Both can reduce the effective house edge on even-money bets.
What is “la partage” in roulette?
With la partage, if you place an even-money bet (like red or black) and the ball lands on 0, you lose only half your bet instead of the full amount.
On a single-zero wheel, this can reduce the effective house edge on even-money bets to roughly 1.35% (often shown more precisely as 1.3513%).
What is “en prison” in roulette?
With en prison, if you place an even-money bet and the ball lands on 0, your bet is “imprisoned” for the next spin rather than being immediately lost. On the next spin:
- If your even-money bet wins, you typically get your original stake back (without additional profit for that spin).
- If it loses, you lose the stake.
- If 0 appears again, the specific handling can vary by house rules (this is a key detail to check).
In many standard implementations, en prison also brings the effective house edge on even-money bets down to about 1.35% on a single-zero wheel.
Why these rules are a practical advantage
If you enjoy simple wagers like red or black, odd or even, or high or low, these rules can significantly improve the value of your play without forcing you into complex betting. You are still playing roulette, just with more player-friendly handling of the 0 outcome.
Player Implications: How the Wheel Choice Impacts Your Session
When you are deciding between European roulette and American roulette, it helps to translate the “house edge” concept into everyday decisions.
1) Better odds for the same bets
If you prefer the classic roulette experience and are mainly choosing based on entertainment, the single-zero wheel is a simple upgrade: the table looks familiar, the bets feel the same, and the long-run cost is typically lower.
2) More mileage from your bankroll
Because the expected cost per unit wager is lower on European roulette, many players find their bankroll lasts longer when playing the same stake sizes and similar bet frequency.
3) Even-money betting can become more efficient with the right rule set
If you specifically like even-money bets (red or black, odd or even), then a European roulette table with la partage or en prison can be especially appealing because it can cut the effective edge on those bets to roughly 1.35%.
Live Dealer vs RNG Roulette: What Changes and What Doesn’t
Today, roulette is widely available in two main formats: live dealer and RNG (random number generator) digital roulette. Understanding the difference helps you apply the European vs American comparison in the real world.
Live dealer roulette
Live dealer roulette streams a real wheel and a real dealer. The experience is often praised for:
- A social, casino-like feel
- Clear visibility of the wheel type (single-zero or double-zero)
- Table rules displayed in the interface (often including whether en prison or la partage applies)
For players optimizing for value, live dealer lobbies also commonly label games as European or American, making it easier to choose the wheel you want.
RNG roulette
RNG roulette is software-based. The benefits are typically:
- Fast play pace
- Low minimum stakes in many versions
- Convenient access across devices
The key is to confirm the game configuration: many apps and casino menus offer both European and American versions, and the only reliable way to know the odds is to verify whether the game uses one zero or two zeros.
How to Spot European vs American Roulette in Seconds
You do not need to memorize complex rules to identify the version. Use this quick checklist:
- Look at the wheel or interface: do you see 00?
- If 00 is present, it is American roulette (double zero).
- If you only see 0, it is typically European roulette (single zero).
- Check the game details or table rules for en prison or la partage (these usually apply to even-money bets only).
This quick habit is one of the best ways to stay intentional with your choice of roulette table, whether you play online or in a land-based casino.
European Roulette vs American Roulette: Expected Value Example (Simple Math)
You do not have to do math while playing, but understanding the mechanics can make the decision feel more concrete.
Even-money bet example (red or black)
Suppose you bet 1 unit on red.
- On a European wheel (37 pockets), red wins on 18 outcomes, loses on 18 black outcomes, and the 0 creates the house edge.
- On an American wheel (38 pockets), you have the same 18 red wins and 18 black losses, but now there are two green outcomes (0 and 00) working against the bet.
That extra green pocket is why American roulette’s standard house edge is about 5.26% versus about 2.70% for European roulette.
What “la partage” changes on even-money bets
With la partage on a single-zero wheel, the 0 does not take the full bet. Losing half instead of the full amount on that one pocket is what brings the effective edge for even-money bets down to roughly 1.35%.
Which Roulette Version Should You Choose?
Most high-intent searches for European roulette vs American roulette come down to one goal: choosing the game that gives you the best chance of getting more entertainment per unit of bankroll. Here is a practical way to decide.
Choose European roulette if you want better odds
- You prefer a single-zero wheel
- You want the lower standard house edge of about 2.70%
- You like even-money bets and want to look for en prison or la partage for an effective edge near 1.35%
Choose American roulette if it is the only option available to you
- You are playing at a venue (or in a lobby) where double-zero tables dominate
- You value familiarity or availability over the lower edge
- You still plan to be selective with table rules and limits
If you have a choice, many players prioritize European roulette because it keeps the gameplay identical while improving the underlying odds.
What to Check Before You Place Your First Bet (A Smart Table-Selection Checklist)
Small details can change the quality of a roulette game. Before you commit, take a moment to confirm the following.
1) Wheel type: single zero vs double zero
- Look for 0 only (European) or 0 and 00 (American).
2) Rule variations: en prison or la partage
- Confirm whether en prison or la partage is offered.
- Confirm which bets it applies to (usually even-money bets only).
3) Minimum and maximum limits
- Pick a table where the minimum bet fits your bankroll strategy.
- Check maximums if you plan to increase stake size during a session.
4) Game speed and format
- Live dealer tables often have a steady pace and clear rule displays.
- RNG tables can move faster, so it helps to set your own rhythm.
5) Special side bets (optional)
Some roulette games add side bets or bonus features. These can be entertaining, but the main value decision still starts with the wheel type and the base rules. If your goal is better odds, prioritize single-zero and player-friendly rules first.
SEO-Focused FAQ: European Roulette vs American Roulette
Is European roulette better than American roulette?
From an odds perspective, European roulette is typically better because it has 37 pockets with a single 0, producing a house edge of about 2.70%, compared with 38 pockets and a 0 plus 00 in American roulette, with a house edge of about 5.26%.
Do European and American roulette have the same payouts?
Yes. Standard roulette payouts and bet types are the same. The difference comes from the wheel configuration, which changes the probability of winning those payouts.
What is the roulette house edge in European roulette?
European roulette (single zero) has a house edge of about 2.70% under standard rules.
What is the roulette house edge in American roulette?
American roulette (double zero) has a house edge of about 5.26% under standard rules.
What do en prison and la partage mean in roulette?
En prison and la partage are rules commonly found on European or French-style roulette tables that can reduce losses on a 0 result for even-money bets. They can reduce the effective house edge on those bets to roughly 1.35% on a single-zero wheel.
Key Takeaway: The Best Simple Upgrade Is Choosing Single-Zero
If you want one clear, practical conclusion from the European roulette vs American roulette comparison, it is this: when you have a choice, select a single-zero (European) roulette table. You get the same classic roulette bet types and payouts, while typically enjoying a lower house edge of about 2.70% instead of about 5.26%.
Then, if you like even-money bets, look one step further for en prison or la partage, which can reduce the effective edge on those wagers to roughly 1.35%. That combination of familiar gameplay and improved value is why European roulette remains the go-to choice for many players who care about odds.
Whatever format you choose, keep the habit that smart roulette players rely on: always check the wheel configuration and the table rules before you play.
