This is an educational guide to how casino games work. House edge and payout figures are typical values and vary by game, rules and operator. No casino game can be beaten in the long run — play for entertainment, never as a way to make money, and only stake what you can afford to lose.
European vs American Roulette
They look almost identical, but the difference between European and American roulette has a big effect on your money. Here’s what sets them apart.
One extra pocket
European roulette has 37 pockets — numbers 1–36 plus a single green zero. American roulette adds a second green pocket, the double zero (00), giving it 38 pockets. That’s the only real difference in layout, but it matters enormously.
Why it matters
Payouts are identical on both wheels — a single number still pays 35:1 — but the extra pocket gives the casino more winning outcomes. The result: the house edge nearly doubles, from 2.70% on European to 5.26% on American.
The verdict
For the same game and the same payouts, European roulette simply gives you better odds. Choose it every time, and if French roulette is offered, that’s better still on even-money bets. See what roulette is, what French roulette is and what the house edge is.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference?
American roulette has an extra double-zero pocket, giving it 38 numbers to European’s 37.
Why does it matter?
The extra pocket nearly doubles the house edge — 5.26% American vs 2.70% European — for the same payouts.
Which should I play?
European, every time, for the lower house edge.
Related guides: what roulette is, what French roulette is and what the house edge is.