The Difference Between European And American Roulette

Roulette is one of the most iconic and visually thrilling games available on any casino floor.


Knowing which wheel to choose is the single most important decision a roulette player will ever make.

The Extra Number That Changes Everything

The European roulette wheel features 37 slots in total: numbers 1 through 36, plus a single green zero.


The American wheel, however, features 38 slots: numbers 1 through 36, a single zero, AND a double zero (00).

The payouts for hitting a single number are exactly the same (35 to 1) on both wheelsBecause the payouts are identical but the American wheel has an extra number, your odds of winning decreaseYou are taking on more risk for the exact same potential reward when playing the American version
Advanced European Roulette Rules

In addition to the better wheel layout, some European (often called French) tables offer incredibly favorable special rules.


The 'En Prison' rule allows your even-money bet to remain 'in prison' for the next spin if a zero hits, giving you a second chance.

Wheel StylePlayer RecommendationReasoningDouble ZeroAvoid completelyThe math is terrible for the playerSingle ZeroPlay this version exclusivelyOffers a fair and reasonable chance to win

There is absolutely no strategic reason to ever play the double-zero variation if a single-zero table is available.