Differences Between American vs European Roulette

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May 23, 2019 9 min read Last updated Sep 20, 2024

• American Roulette and European roulette are two similar yet very different games
• The Roulette table layout and the roulette wheel changes in each version of the game
• You should always choose the single zero roulette over the double zero wheels

No. More. Confusion. Do you want to know what is the real difference between American and European Roulette?

That's what you find on this guide.

Roulette is one of the most played Casino games, and such popularity comes (also) from the invention of many variants of the game.

The most popular versions are the American and European Roulette.

On this article, you find clear and easy to understand answers to questions like:

• What do the American and European wheel have in common?
• What is the difference between American and European Roulette?
• What roulette strategy is best on American vs European Roulette?

The Main Difference Between American vs European Roulette

A quick look at the roulette table layouts and at each roulette wheel should be enough for you to notice the most important difference between American and European Roulette.

It doesn't matter whether you play roulette online or you are standing next to a roulette table at a brick-and-mortar casino.

The difference is subtle yet clear. And the same difference affects both the design of the wheel and the house edge.

The Difference in Roulette Wheels

The main critical point when it comes to understanding the difference between European and American Roulette is the differences between the roulette wheel layouts for the two versions of the game.

In this section of our guide, we’ll run through the different wheels and the impact this has on your potential payout when playing roulette online.

The American Roulette Wheel

The American wheel has 38 pockets for the Roulette ball to rest in. Those are black and red numbers, from 1 to 36. And two extra green pockets for a single 0 (0) and a double 0 (00).

The European Roulette Wheel

If you glimpse at European Roulette, you will also see 36 numbered pockets that are either red or black. But only one green pocket for zero.

Also, you may notice that the numbers on the wheels are not in the exact same order. But that's a less relevant difference between European and American Roulette.

The Difference in House Edge for European Roulette vs American Roulette

Although this subtle difference on the different roulette wheels may seem irrelevant, it is one that can have an enormous impact on the outcome of your games. In short, it impacts the house edge for the casino, and therefore the odds, and Return to Player (RTP) percentage.

In some games, when the odds are lower, the payouts are bigger. And that's logical, right?

But it's not the case with American Roulette.

Even with lower odds, for betting on the winning number you get paid the same - 35 to 1. Just like in European Roulette.

House Edge for American Roulette

The odds of winning when betting on particular numbers at American Roulette are lower. 1 in 38 compared to 1 in 37 when playing European Roulette.

Having that extra green pocket was not the American Roulette designer's whim. It was a strategic move for the house to have a higher edge.

All in all, when you play American Roulette, the House Edge is 5.26%. And that's a lot. In the case of European Roulette, the House Edge is only 2.7%.

The table below shows the odds, potential payouts, and RTP for each type of roulette bet – all based on a house edge of 5.26%:

House Edge for European Roulette

As mentioned, the house edge and odds for European Roulette are better for the player, compared to American Roulette. The house edge is a lot lower at 2.7%, and the odds of winning by betting on specific numbers is 1 in 37.

That's a huge difference, considering you are playing the same game, with exactly the same payouts, and the same level of excitement.

Here’s the same table but for European Roulette, and a house edge of 2.7%:

Which Variant of Roulette is Better – American or European?

Better odds, lower house edge… Do I need to spell it out?

The difference between American and European Roulette may be subtle. But the odds make European Roulette a better option.

Don't get me wrong.

I am not saying you should never ever play American Roulette. If you put a good roulette strategy in place, you can better understand what type of bets to make.

Plus, playing American or European Roulette for free doesn't make that much of a difference to your bankroll, does it?

And finally, there are more variants of European Roulette to try online. Don't limit yourself to only American or only European Roulette.

There are so many Roulette variants for you to choose from, that you can alternate between the games where you get better chances (European Roulette) and the ones you want to play to try something new.

For example, you can try the Double Ball Roulette (free, ) where you play with two balls at the same time. And you know what they say, "double the action, double the fun!"

Where to Play American and European Roulette Online

No matter which version of roulette you choose, you need a place to play it. And that should be a good place, too. Especially, if you want to play roulette for real money at an online casino.

If you want to jump into playing American, European and other variations of roulette, take a look at the table below. We’ve included links to our recommended online casinos, plus the option of playing a demo roulette game for free:

Differences between American & European Roulette FAQs

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