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

European and American roulette may look nearly identical to the untrained eye, but the math differs wildly.

The Impact of the Double Zero

The single most important difference between the two games lies entirely in the number of green zero pockets.

While the payouts remain exactly the same, your odds of hitting a specific number decrease on the American wheel.

• The extra number changes all probability calculations
• The betting layout is slightly larger on the American table
• European tables often use a different chip system

Comparing the House Edge

Because the European wheel has only one zero, the house edge is a very reasonable 2.70%.

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 "En Prison" rule "imprisons" your bet for the next spin if the zero hits, giving you a second chance.

This makes French roulette one of the most mathematically favorable table games on the entire casino floor.

Online casinos almost always offer both, so be vigilant and always click on the European wheel.