If you have ever wondered which roulette is better, the answer usually comes down to one detail that has a big impact on your long-term results: how many zero pockets are on the wheel. European roulette uses a single zero (0) for 37 total pockets, while American roulette adds a double zero (00) for 38 total pockets. That small change meaningfully increases the casino’s advantage, which is why the keyword phrase European vs American roulette house edge is such a common search.
Below is a practical, player-first comparison that covers wheel and table layout, exact odds, the identical payout structure despite different probabilities, and the special European rules (En Prison and La Partage) that can reduce the house edge even further on even-money bets.
European vs American roulette at a glance
Use this section as your quick decision tool before you sit down at a table or pick a game online.
| Feature | European Roulette | American Roulette |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel pockets | 37 (numbers 1–36 plus 0) | 38 (numbers 1–36 plus 0 and 00) |
| Typical house edge | About 2.70% | About 5.26% |
| Straight-up payout | 35:1 (same as American) | 35:1 (same as European) |
| Even-money rules | Often offers La Partage or En Prison (table-dependent) | Usually no La Partage / En Prison in standard US casino roulette |
| Where it’s common | Europe and widely available at many online casinos | Frequent in US land-based casinos |
The core difference: wheel pockets and why they matter
European wheel: 37 pockets (single zero)
European roulette has 37 equally likely outcomes: 1 through 36, plus a single green 0. Because there is only one zero, the “non-winning” space that breaks even-money bets is smaller compared with American roulette.
American wheel: 38 pockets (zero and double zero)
American roulette adds one extra green pocket: 00. That means 38 equally likely outcomes instead of 37. This extra pocket doesn’t change the payouts, but it does change the probabilities, which is exactly where the higher house edge comes from.
From a player perspective, the benefit of understanding this is straightforward: once you recognize how much that extra pocket costs over time, you can choose the version that gives your bankroll more staying power.
Table layout differences: same bet types, one extra losing slot
The betting layout (the felt) matches the wheel type:
- European roulette layouts include a single 0.
- American roulette layouts include both 0 and 00.
Most of the popular bets are available on both layouts (straight-up, split, street, corner, dozens, columns, red/black, odd/even, high/low). The practical difference is that American roulette has one more result that can make many common bets lose.
Odds and payouts: identical payouts, different probabilities
One of the most important “aha” moments in roulette is this: European and American roulette typically pay the same amounts for the same bet types, even though the chances of winning are different due to the extra pocket.
Straight-up bets (single number): payout is 35:1 in both games
A straight-up bet (one number) commonly pays 35:1 whether you play European or American roulette. However, the probability of hitting that number changes:
- European: 1 winning pocket out of 37 outcomes (probability 1/37).
- American: 1 winning pocket out of 38 outcomes (probability 1/38).
This is the cleanest way to see why the house edge increases: the casino pays you as if the wheel had fewer pockets, while the wheel actually has more.
Even-money bets: the extra zero increases “break” frequency
Even-money bets include red/black, odd/even, and high/low. These cover 18 numbers and pay 1:1 in both versions. The key difference is how often you get interrupted by green:
- European: 18 winning outcomes, 18 losing outcomes, and 1 green zero that causes a loss under standard rules.
- American: 18 winning outcomes, 18 losing outcomes, and 2 green outcomes (0 and 00) that cause a loss under standard rules.
European vs American roulette house edge: exact figures and why they’re different
The house edge is the average advantage the casino has over a very large number of bets, expressed as a percentage of your stake. It does not predict short-term outcomes, but it is extremely useful for choosing the best game.
European roulette house edge: about 2.70%
In standard European roulette (single-zero, no special even-money rule), the house edge is approximately 2.70%. This value comes from the fact that the payouts don’t fully match the true odds created by 37 pockets.
American roulette house edge: about 5.26%
In standard American roulette (double-zero), the typical house edge is approximately 5.26%. The added 00 pocket increases the casino advantage across essentially every bet type because it adds an additional outcome that is not compensated by higher payouts.
A quick comparison table for common bets
Because the wheel structure drives the math, the house edge is generally consistent across standard bets for a given wheel (assuming the usual payout schedule). Here is the key comparison most players want:
| Bet type | Typical payout | European (single-zero) house edge | American (double-zero) house edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight-up (1 number) | 35:1 | About 2.70% | About 5.26% |
| Split (2 numbers) | 17:1 | About 2.70% | About 5.26% |
| Dozen / Column | 2:1 | About 2.70% | About 5.26% |
| Red/Black (even-money) | 1:1 | About 2.70% (lower with special rules) | About 5.26% |
Player benefit in plain terms: if you are comparing identical stakes over time, European roulette gives you more play for your money on average, and special European rules can improve it even more on specific bets.
En Prison vs La Partage: the European rules that can reduce the edge
Many players searching for En Prison vs La Partage are really asking a deeper question: “Can I reduce the house edge on roulette without changing my bet size?” On some European tables, the answer is yes, specifically on even-money bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low).
La Partage: you lose only half on zero (even-money bets)
Under La Partage, if you place an even-money bet and the ball lands on 0, you lose only half your stake (the other half is returned). This rule applies to single-zero games and typically reduces the house edge on even-money bets to about 1.35% (roughly half of 2.70%).
En Prison: your even-money bet is “imprisoned” on zero
Under En Prison, if you place an even-money bet and the ball lands on 0, your bet is not immediately lost. Instead, it is “imprisoned” for the next spin. On that next spin:
- If your bet wins, you generally get your stake back (effectively a push across the two spins).
- If your bet loses, you lose your stake.
Like La Partage, En Prison is associated with single-zero European tables and, on even-money bets, it typically brings the house edge down to approximately 1.35%.
Which is better: En Prison or La Partage?
For even-money betting, both rules are commonly considered equally favorable in terms of expected value (both commonly yield about 1.35% house edge on those bets). The practical difference is the player experience:
- La Partage gives you immediate partial return on the zero result.
- En Prison keeps your full stake “in action” for the next spin, which some players prefer because it feels like you still have a live chance to recover.
Either way, these rules are a major reason European roulette is so often the top recommendation when people ask which roulette is better for bankroll-friendly play.
How the extra zero affects betting strategy and risk
Roulette is a game of fixed probabilities and fixed payouts. You cannot change the math by switching bet patterns, but you can choose the version of the game that gives you better underlying odds.
1) The biggest “strategy” win is game selection
When comparing European vs American roulette house edge, choosing the single-zero game is one of the most impactful decisions you can make as a player. It is not flashy, but it is real.
2) Even-money bets benefit the most from special European rules
If your style is to bet on red/black, odd/even, or high/low, then a European single-zero table with La Partage or En Prison can be especially appealing because it reduces the house edge on those specific bets to around 1.35%.
3) The double zero increases volatility pressure on common bets
American roulette adds one extra green outcome that defeats many bets. That does not mean you cannot win, but it does mean that over a long sample, the extra 00 increases the expected cost of play. Practically, this can show up as faster bankroll drawdowns for players who are otherwise making the same bet sizes and choices.
4) Payouts don’t “compensate” for the extra pocket
A key reason players gravitate toward European roulette is that American roulette generally does not increase payouts to match the additional outcome. For example, the straight-up bet still pays 35:1 even though your true chance to hit a number is lower at 1/38 rather than 1/37.
Regional prevalence: where you’ll typically find each version
If you are deciding where to play, availability matters nearly as much as preference.
European roulette: common in Europe and widely offered online
Single-zero roulette is commonly associated with European casinos and is also frequently available at online casinos and live dealer platforms. Many online roulette games and game lobbies clearly label it as European Roulette or Single-Zero Roulette, making it easier to find when you are optimizing for lower house edge.
American roulette: common in US land-based casinos
Double-zero roulette is frequently found in US brick-and-mortar casinos. If you play in the United States, you may see multiple roulette tables on the floor, and many may be American-style by default.
Which roulette is better? A practical recommendation by player goal
Different roulette players optimize for different outcomes: more time at the table, better expected value, or a specific casino experience. Here is a simple way to decide.
Choose European roulette if you want the best odds
- You want a lower typical house edge (about 2.70%).
- You want the option of even better terms on even-money bets via La Partage or En Prison (often about 1.35% on those bets).
- You want to maximize bankroll longevity while keeping the classic roulette feel.
Choose American roulette if it’s what’s available (and you’re playing for the experience)
- You are playing in a venue where double-zero is the standard offering.
- You value the social and live casino atmosphere more than optimizing house edge.
- You are comfortable with the higher typical house edge (about 5.26%).
If your question is strictly mathematical, though, the answer to which roulette is better for the player is usually: European roulette, and if available, European roulette with La Partage or En Prison for even-money bets.
FAQ: European vs American roulette (quick answers)
Is European roulette always 2.7% house edge?
Standard single-zero European roulette is typically about 2.70%. If the table offers La Partage or En Prison, the house edge on even-money bets is typically reduced to about 1.35%.
Why does American roulette have a 5.26% house edge?
Because the American wheel has 38 pockets (it adds 00), but payouts are generally the same as in European roulette. The added pocket increases the casino advantage across standard bets.
Do I get better payouts on American roulette to make up for the extra 00?
Typically, no. For example, a straight-up bet usually pays 35:1 in both games even though the probability differs (1/37 versus 1/38). That mismatch is why the house edge is higher in American roulette.
En Prison vs La Partage: which should I pick?
If your main goal is lower house edge on even-money bets, both are typically very similar in expected value (often about 1.35% house edge on those bets). Pick the one you enjoy more in terms of flow: immediate half-back (La Partage) versus the “second chance” feel (En Prison).
Bottom line: the smartest roulette choice is the single-zero wheel
When you compare European and American roulette, the headline is simple and powerful: one extra zero nearly doubles the typical house edge. European roulette’s single-zero wheel produces a typical house edge of about 2.70% versus about 5.26% for American roulette, and special rules like La Partage and En Prison can make European tables even more player-friendly on even-money bets.
If you are searching for European vs American roulette house edge or asking which roulette is better, use this as your guiding principle: choose the game with the fewest zero pockets, and take advantage of player-favorable rules when they are offered.
