European vs American Roulette - What's the Difference?

Basic Rules of Roulette

The way the game of Roulette works is for players to place their bets on specific numbers and/or events. The dealer then spins the wheel as players watch to see where the ball lands. If the ball lands on a predicted number or event that the player has bet on, they should win! 

Players cannot bet on the zero number or pocket, and this is where the differences between European and American Roulette begin! 

In short, a European Roulette wheel has one zero pocket, and an American Roulette wheel has two. Due to this, while the basic rules across both games remain similar, there are some rules unique to each version.

There are several bets that players can place in a game of roulette that remain the same across European and American roulette; these bets are as follows:

• Specific numbers

• Odd or Even numbers

• Red or Black numbers

• Low or High numbers

• Column bets

• Group bets

European Rules

Players of European roulette can expect a game that has 37 pockets for the roulette ball to land in. These pockets contain the numbers 1 to 36, with one single ‘0’ pocket that is green.

The original version of the popular casino game, European roulette, has a preferred house edge for players. 

American Rules

American Roulette has an additional ‘0’. Unlike European roulette, which has just one zero on the wheel, American roulette sees a double zero, ‘00’. While it may not look greatly different, it significantly impacts the house edge or RTP. 

There are 38 pockets on an American Roulette wheel: 0, 00, and 1 to 36. One zero, while a small and simple change, has resulted in the two versions of the popular casino game being vastly different. 

Key Differences: American Roulette vs European Roulette

When playing Roulette, the key differences between the European and American variations are in the design of the wheels and the house edge. We have examined these in more detail below.

RTP & House Edge

The addition of the extra zero in American roulette had a noticeable impact on the house edge, which dropped significantly compared to the European version of the game. Due to the addition of another number on the wheel, players have lower odds of getting the right number, reducing their chances of success. The house edge of American Roulette is 5.26, while in European Roulette, it is 2.70.

Wheel Layout

The wheel in American Roulette has 38 pockets numbered 1 to 36, with one pocket a 0 and an extra pocket a ‘00’. Both of the zero pockets are green to be easily distinguished by players. European Roulette has 37 pockets numbered 1-36 with a single green ‘0’ pocket. 

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Responsible Gambling

We understand that gambling can be fun, but it’s important to gamble responsibly. If you are struggling with a gambling problem, please don’t hesitate to ask for help. There are people who can help you get on the road to recovery.

Here are some resources that can help you:

• National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133

• GamCare: https://www.gamcare.org.uk/

• GambleAware: https://www.begambleaware.org/