European vs American Roulette: Why One Extra Pocket Matters

At a glance, European and American roulette look much the same: a numbered wheel, a felt layout and bets on colours, numbers or groups. The difference that matters most is the green pocket. A standard European wheel has a single zero; an American wheel has both zero and double zero.

That second green pocket gives the house another winning result on many bets. It is a small change in the layout, but it changes the long-run arithmetic of every standard wager.

What one extra pocket changes

A European wheel has 37 pockets: 1 through 36 plus 0. An American wheel usually has 38: the same numbers plus 0 and 00. On a straight-up single-number bet that pays 35 to 1, the European return is 36 possible outcomes against one winning number. The American version has 38 outcomes against that same one number.

For standard rules, that works out to a house edge of about 2.70% on a single-zero wheel and 5.26% on a double-zero wheel. The edge is a long-run average, not a forecast for a short session. A lucky run can happen on either wheel, and a losing run can happen too.

The familiar even-money bets, such as red or black, are affected as well. Zero (and 00 on the American wheel) usually makes those bets lose, so the payout does not compensate for the extra losing pocket. The roulette bets guide explains how outside bets are settled.

Check the game, not just the label

Online casinos may offer several roulette variants, and their names do not always tell the full story. Read the rules for the number of pockets, the payout table and any special rule that may return part of an even-money stake when zero lands. French roulette, for example, may offer a rule such as La Partage under specified conditions; do not assume every single-zero game includes it.

TopGamb’s roulette table checklist covers the rules and limits to inspect before playing, while our guide to roulette chips and table tokens explains how to read the layout. The broader house-edge guide explains why a lower edge still does not make a game a reliable way to earn money.

Roulette outcomes are random. A streak of red does not make black due, and a system that raises stakes after losses cannot remove the zero pockets. If you choose to play, set a fixed entertainment amount and a time limit before the first spin. Stop when either boundary is reached.

The simplest comparison is also the most useful: identify whether the wheel has 0 only or both 0 and 00, then read any special rules before placing a bet. If the difference is unclear on screen, choose another game or ask the operator before playing.

Sources and support

• Wizard of Odds: Roulette
• UK Gambling Commission: Technical standards for gambling software
• National Council on Problem Gambling: Help and treatment