Differences Between American vs European Roulette

American and European roulette look alike at first glance, but the number of pockets, the house edge and the RTP on each bet type set them apart. This guide compares both wheels side by side, breaks down return to player figures for the common bets, and explains why the extra double zero on American tables works against the player.

American and European comparison

American and European roulette share the same core rules, yet a handful of details change the maths behind every spin. The number of pockets, how the house edge is calculated and a few optional betting rules make each version feel different, so it helps to compare them side by side before choosing a table.

That extra zero on the American wheel gives the casino a stronger edge and lowers the player's odds. For beginners, European roulette is usually the smarter pick, since the odds are slightly better and rules such as En Prison can help cut potential losses.

Return to Player in Roulette

Return to Player, or RTP, shows how much of the money wagered on a game typically comes back to players over time. On both American and European wheels, the exact RTP depends on the wheel layout and the type of bet placed, which helps beginners avoid low-return wagers.

Return to Player in American Roulette

The American roulette table has 38 pockets, numbered 1 to 36 plus 0 and 00. The extra double zero raises the house edge and lowers RTP compared with the European version: standard bets such as straight up, split, street, corner, six line, column, dozen, red/black, even/odd and low/high all return 94.74%. The five number bet, which covers both zeroes, is weaker still at 92.13%, making it the poorest-value wager on the table.

Return to Player in European Roulette

The European wheel has only one green pocket, 0, which improves RTP across the board. All standard bets return 97.30%, keeping the game more balanced than its American counterpart. Where the En Prison rule applies to even-money wagers, RTP can climb as high as 98.65%, giving players even better value.

The Main Difference Between American vs European Roulette

Casino floors around the world offer several roulette variants, though American and European wheels remain the most common. Both look similar at first glance, but their differences affect the odds enough that it pays to know what sets them apart before sitting down.

The American Roulette Wheel

The American wheel carries 38 slots: numbers 1 to 36 plus the two green zeroes, 0 and 00. Its number sequence follows its own pattern, distinct from the layout used on the European wheel.

The European Roulette Wheel

The European wheel holds 37 compartments, numbers 1 to 36 plus a single green 0. Many players favor it for the lower house edge and simpler structure, and its number sequence also differs from the American layout.

The number of pockets

The number of available pockets is the core mathematical difference between the two games:

• American roulette: 38 numbers, 36 red and black plus 2 green pockets (0 and 00).
• European roulette: 37 numbers, 36 red and black plus 1 green pocket (0).

That single extra pocket looks minor but shifts the odds noticeably against players on American wheels, which is why the American vs European roulette debate usually comes down to the house edge.

The house edge

The house edge is arguably the most important difference between the two versions. European roulette carries a 2.7% house edge, well below the 5.26% edge on American wheels. Over an extended session, that gap translates to an expected loss of $5.26 per $100 wagered on American tables against just $2.70 on European ones, nearly doubling the casino's advantage from a single extra pocket. Professional gamblers choose European roulette almost every time it is available.

The order of the numbers on the wheel

Both wheels arrange numbers non-sequentially but follow different logic. The European wheel spreads high and low, odd and even numbers evenly, with adjacent numbers often summing close to 37. American wheels place opposing numbers across from each other and keep the two zeroes directly opposite, balancing red and black between them, though neither pattern changes the actual odds during play.

Which Roulette Version is Better?

Choosing the better roulette experience comes down to more than the look of the wheel. The single green zero on European tables makes a real difference to expected returns, which is why American wheels dominate in Las Vegas while European wheels remain the standard in Monte Carlo and other established gaming destinations that cater to informed players.

American vs European roulette probability

Winning odds differ across every bet type. An even-money bet such as red or black pays out 47.4% of the time on American wheels against 48.6% on European ones, and a straight-up number hits 2.6% of the time on American tables compared with 2.7% on European tables. Over 100 bets of $10 each, the expected loss averages around $52.60 on an American wheel versus roughly $27 on a European one, a $25.60 gap. Tables that add La Partage or En Prison push the house edge on even-money bets down to just 1.35%, among the best odds available anywhere in roulette.