Roulette is universally recognized as one of the most iconic and popular games in casino history.

Understanding the subtle differences between the wheels is crucial for maximizing your chances of winning.
The Difference is in the Zeros
The American wheel, however, has 38 pockets: numbers 1 through 36, a single zero (0), and a double zero (00).

While the payouts remain exactly the same, your odds of hitting a specific number decrease on the American wheel.
The green zeros represent the house edgeAmerican roulette includes the 0 and the 00European roulette only utilizes the single 0 The Mathematics of the Two Wheels
With a house edge of 2.70%, European roulette is relatively fair compared to many other casino games.

Statistically, for every $100 you wager, you expect to lose $2.70 on European and $5.26 on American.
Lowering the Edge Even Further
The "La Partage" rule dictates that if the ball lands on zero, you only lose half of your even-money bet.

American roulette essentially never offers these rules, further cementing its status as the inferior option.
TypeLong Term Loss per $100Player ValueSingle Zero$2.70ExcellentDouble Zero$5.26Terrible
Playing American roulette is a mathematical mistake that unnecessarily drains your bankroll twice as fast.