European vs American Roulette: What’s the Difference?
Learn the difference between European and American roulette, including wheel layout, zero pockets, house edge, payouts and which version has better odds.
European vs American Roulette: What’s the Difference?
The main difference between European and American roulette is the number of zero pockets on the wheel.
European roulette usually has one zero, while American roulette has both 0 and 00.
That extra double-zero pocket changes the probability of every standard bet and gives American roulette a higher house edge.
If you are new to the game, start with our beginner's guide to roulette.
European vs American Roulette at a Glance
| Feature | European Roulette | American Roulette |
|---|---|---|
| Total pockets | 37 | 38 |
| Zero pockets | 0 | 0 and 00 |
| Numbers | 0 to 36 | 0, 00 and 1 to 36 |
| Standard house edge | Approx. 2.70% | Approx. 5.26% |
| Straight-up payout | 35:1 | 35:1 |
How Does European Roulette Work?
European roulette uses a wheel with 37 pockets.
These are:
Numbers 1 to 36
A single 0
Among numbers 1 to 36:
18 are red
18 are black
The zero is green and sits outside standard red or black, odd or even, and high or low bets.
How Does American Roulette Work?
American roulette is very similar, but the wheel contains 38 pockets.
These are:
Numbers 1 to 36
0
00
The additional 00 means there is one more losing outcome for many standard wagers.
That is the key mathematical difference between the two games.
Why Does the Extra 00 Matter?
Imagine betting on red.
There are 18 red numbers on both European and American roulette wheels.
On European roulette:
18 winning red pockets out of 37 total pockets
On American roulette:
18 winning red pockets out of 38 total pockets
The additional 00 reduces the probability that red wins, while the payout remains the same.
European Roulette House Edge
Most standard European roulette bets have a theoretical house edge of approximately:
2.70%
This applies to common bets such as:
Straight-up numbers
Splits
Streets
Corners
Dozens
Columns
Red or black
Odd or even
High or low
American Roulette House Edge
Most standard American roulette bets have a theoretical house edge of approximately:
5.26%
The difference comes primarily from the extra 00 pocket while most standard payouts remain unchanged.
Why Are the Payouts the Same?
A straight-up number normally pays 35:1 on both European and American roulette.
However, the true probability is different.
European roulette:
1 winning pocket out of 37
American roulette:
1 winning pocket out of 38
So the American version gives you a lower probability of winning without increasing the standard payout.
You can compare all the main wagers in our roulette payouts and odds guide.
Red or Black: European vs American Roulette
| Wheel | Red Numbers | Total Pockets | Approx. Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| European | 18 | 37 | 48.65% |
| American | 18 | 38 | 47.37% |
Neither is exactly 50% because the green zero pockets are outside red and black.
Straight-Up Number Odds
A straight-up bet covers one exact number.
On European roulette:
1 ÷ 37 ≈ 2.70%
On American roulette:
1 ÷ 38 ≈ 2.63%
Both generally pay 35:1 when successful.
Do European and American Roulette Have the Same Bet Types?
Most common roulette wagers are available in both versions.
These include:
Straight up
Split
Street
Corner
Six line
Dozen
Column
Red or black
Odd or even
High or low
American roulette can also include bets involving the 00 pocket.
What Is the American Five-Number Bet?
American roulette may offer a five-number bet covering:
0, 00, 1, 2 and 3
This wager is sometimes called the basket or top-line bet.
It typically pays 6:1.
Its house edge is higher than most other standard American roulette bets, making it an especially important wager to understand before placing it.
Does European Roulette Have 00?
No.
Standard European roulette has only one green zero:
0
If you see both 0 and 00, you are generally looking at an American-style wheel.
What Is French Roulette?
French roulette is closely related to European roulette and also normally uses a single-zero wheel.
Some French roulette tables include special rules such as:
La Partage
En Prison
These rules can reduce the house edge on certain even-money bets under the relevant conditions.
Not every single-zero roulette game includes these rules, so check the table information.
What Is La Partage?
La Partage may apply when the ball lands on zero after an even-money bet such as red or black.
Under this rule, part of the losing wager may be returned to the player instead of the entire wager being lost.
Where available, this changes the effective house edge on eligible bets.
What Is En Prison?
En Prison is another roulette rule sometimes found in French-style games.
If zero appears on an eligible even-money wager, the bet may remain "in prison" for the next spin instead of being immediately settled as a full loss.
The exact rules can vary by table.
Does European Roulette Have Better Odds?
On standard versions of the two games, European roulette has a lower house edge than American roulette.
The main reason is simple:
European roulette has one zero pocket, while American roulette has two.
That means European roulette gives standard wagers a slightly higher probability of winning.
Does American Roulette Pay More?
Most standard American roulette bets do not compensate for the extra 00 with larger payouts.
For example:
| Bet | European Payout | American Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Straight Up | 35:1 | 35:1 |
| Dozen | 2:1 | 2:1 |
| Red / Black | 1:1 | 1:1 |
The payouts are generally the same while the probability is less favorable on the American wheel.
Can Betting Strategy Remove the Difference?
No.
Betting systems such as Martingale or Fibonacci do not remove the mathematical difference between a 37-pocket and a 38-pocket wheel.
Changing how much you wager cannot remove the extra 00.
Our roulette strategy guide explains why progression systems do not change the underlying house edge.
European vs American Roulette for Martingale
Martingale is commonly used with even-money wagers such as red or black.
But the underlying probability of those bets is different between the two wheels.
European roulette:
18 winning red pockets out of 37
American roulette:
18 winning red pockets out of 38
The betting progression does not change that difference.
Do Previous Spins Matter More on One Version?
No.
Previous results do not reliably predict the next independent spin on either European or American roulette.
If black has appeared several times in a row, red does not become guaranteed because of that sequence.
Online European vs American Roulette
Online casinos can offer digital and live versions of both roulette formats.
Before betting, check:
Whether the table has 0 only or 0 and 00
The minimum and maximum bets
The payout table
Whether any special rules apply
The wheel type should normally be visible in the game information or directly on the roulette layout.
Live European vs American Roulette
The same mathematical differences apply to live dealer roulette.
The fact that a real dealer spins a physical wheel does not change the effect of the extra 00 pocket.
A standard European live roulette table still uses 37 pockets, while an American table uses 38.
Which Roulette Version Should Beginners Understand First?
European roulette is often easier for beginners to use as a reference because it has a simpler single-zero layout.
Once you understand that structure, American roulette is essentially the same game with an additional 00 pocket and some extra betting possibilities.
What Should You Check Before Choosing a Roulette Table?
Before playing, look at:
Single zero or double zero
House edge
Table limits
Available bet types
Special rules such as La Partage or En Prison
The total amount you plan to wager
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between European and American roulette?
European roulette has one zero, while American roulette has both 0 and 00.
How many numbers are in European roulette?
European roulette has 37 pockets: 0 plus numbers 1 to 36.
How many numbers are in American roulette?
American roulette has 38 pockets: 0, 00 and numbers 1 to 36.
Why does American roulette have a higher house edge?
Because the additional 00 creates another possible losing result while most standard payouts remain unchanged.
What is the European roulette house edge?
Most standard bets have a theoretical house edge of approximately 2.70%.
What is the American roulette house edge?
Most standard bets have a theoretical house edge of approximately 5.26%.
Does European roulette have better odds than American roulette?
For standard bets, European roulette has a lower house edge because it has one fewer zero pocket.
Does American roulette pay more?
Most standard payouts are the same as European roulette despite the extra 00 pocket.
One Extra Zero Makes a Big Mathematical Difference
European and American roulette look very similar, but the additional 00 changes the mathematics significantly.
European roulette has 37 pockets and a standard house edge of about 2.70%, while American roulette has 38 pockets and a standard house edge of about 5.26% on most common wagers.
Before playing, check the wheel rather than assuming every roulette table offers the same odds.
For more detail, read our guides to how roulette works, roulette payouts and odds and roulette betting strategies.
Play responsibly and only gamble with funds you can afford to lose.
