American Roulette vs European Roulette: Differences and Similarities

Fans of the game of roulette will be aware of the two most important and famous variants of this game American Roulette vs. European Roulette (also known as French roulette).

This game, often viewed as a founding pillar of casinos, and which still constitutes an essential component of online casinos today, was born in Europe. Its invention is attributed to the mathematician and philosopher French Pascal in the mid-1600s.

In its initial version the wheel already the numbers zero and double zero but they were red and black in colour, respectively. It was only later for practicality that these two numbers became coloured green.

From here roulette arrived in America thanks to French colonists in the early 1800s, bringing with it the typical characteristic of the double zero.

The elimination of the double zero (00) took place in Germany, where entrepreneurs Francois and Louis Blanc took over a small casino in the city of Hamburg.

Due to high competition locally, they decided to give up the advantage of this extra number to favour players and entice them to attend their newly taken over casino.

This innovation brought such impressive results that it soon became the new standard of European roulette.

HOUSE EDGE: WHY THE DIFFERENCE MATTERS

The biggest practical difference between the two variants lies in the house edge.

• European roulette (single zero): 2.70% house edge
• American roulette (double zero): 5.26% house edge

That extra zero almost doubles the casino’s advantage. Over short sessions, this may not feel noticeable. Over long-term play, however, it has a measurable impact on returns.

This is why experienced players generally prefer European roulette when given the choice.

THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN ROULETTE

We have already discussed the best-known difference between these two variants above. It is a difference that shifts the probabilities and the statistical advantage considerably in favour of the bank.

But that’s not the only difference, some rules differentiate American roulette from its older cousin. The presence of the double zero opens one more possibility to players and precludes another:

The Five number bet or Basket Bet

The presence of this extra number also constitutes a different setting of the table layout. The two paired zeros offer the player the possibility to place a bet straddling the two numbers, but these two numbers are placed, within the layout, adjacent to the red and black numbers 1, 2, and 3.

This means that the bet can be placed so that it includes all five numbers.

With a total of 38 numbers in play (from 1 to 36 plus zero and double zero) and 5 chances of winning out of 38, the chances of winning rise to 13.16%, not bad for those who rely on more conservative strategies.

However, the payout will also be proportionate by offering a win of 6 to 1.

The “En Prison” rule

With such a distinctly French nomenclature one can easily imagine that this rule benefits the European variant and is instead excluded from American roulette.

In case a player places a simple bet, for example red or black, and the number 0 comes out the bet will be lost. But here comes the “In prison” rule that gives the player two possibilities:

Lose half of the bet, thus saving half of the amount played;

Or decide to keep your bet imprisoned.

In the second case, the amount will remain fixed on the number on which it was initially bet. The croupier will start the new round giving the player a second chance.

If the bet is lost again the player will have lost the sum, if it is winning the player can recover the entire sum played.

WHEEL LAYOUT AND VISUAL DIFFERENCES

One often overlooked difference between American Roulette and European Roulette is the actual wheel sequence.

While both variants include numbers 1–36, the order of those numbers differs. European roulette features a single zero and a specific number sequence designed to balance high and low, odd and even numbers around the wheel. American roulette not only adds the double zero (00), but also arranges the numbers in a different order.

This affects players who track wheel sections or favour certain number “neighbours”. However, it does not alter the mathematical independence of each spin.

STRATEGIES AND CHANCES OF VICTORY IN EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN ROULETTE

With what has been explained so far it is not difficult to understand that the chances of victory for the player are greater in the old continent version.

The prison rule, as well as the presence of one fewer number shifts the house advantage from a remarkable 5.26% in American roulette to a much more modest 2.7% in European roulette.

At the same time, even the “Basket Bet” which offers an extra possibility of play, does not seem to recover the initial gap between the two variants.

However, the basic strategies for roulette remain almost unchanged.

All the most famous strategies such as the Canon system, dozens, Fibonacci and all the others can be equally applied to one or the other roulette without the need for special adjustments both in the live version and in online roulette in both versions.

The choice therefore remains only with the player and their specific game preferences.

FAQs

Final Thoughts: Choosing Between American and European Roulette

American and European roulette share the same core mechanics. You spin the wheel, place your bets, and wait for the ball to settle. The excitement, the anticipation, and the overall experience remain largely the same.

The key difference lies in structure rather than gameplay. The additional double zero in American roulette slightly increases the house edge, while European roulette offers a more streamlined wheel and, in some cases, player-friendly rules such as La Partage or En Prison.

For many players, the decision simply comes down to availability and personal preference. Some enjoy the familiarity and pace of American tables, especially in US casinos. Others prefer the traditional European layout and rule variations.

Understanding the structural differences allows players to make informed choices. Ultimately, both versions offer the same essential thrill that has made roulette a casino classic for centuries.