Roulette is one of the most iconic and visually thrilling games available on any casino floor.
The variation you decide to play has a massive impact on your mathematical chances of walking away a winner.
Understanding the Wheel Layouts
The European roulette wheel features 37 slots in total: numbers 1 through 36, plus a single green zero.
That extra double zero on the American wheel might look harmless, but it drastically increases the operator's profit margin.
- The payouts for hitting a single number are exactly the same (35 to 1) on both wheels
- Because the payouts are identical but the American wheel has an extra number, your odds of winning decrease
- You are taking on more risk for the exact same potential reward when playing the American version
Why French Roulette is Even Better
If you can find a French roulette table, you will encounter the best possible odds for this specific game.
Under the 'La Partage' rule, if you make an even-money bet (like Red or Black) and the ball lands on zero, you only lose half your bet.
| Roulette Variation | Number of Zeros | House Edge (Standard Bets) |
|---|---|---|
| American | Two (0, 00) | 5.26% |
| European | One (0) | 2.70% |
By simply choosing the European wheel, you instantly double your expected mathematical longevity at the casino.