This blog was originally written on October 6th, 2020, and updated on February 7th, 2025.
Roulette is an iconic casino game known for its simple rules and exhilarating gameplay. But not every roulette wheel is made equally. American roulette and European roulette are the two commonly played variations. To help you determine which type of roulette best fits your style, read our guide below.
What is American Roulette?
American roulette is a type of roulette frequently played in casinos in North America. It can be identified by its distinctive wheel design, which has 38 pockets consisting of one zero, a double zero, and numbers one to 36. The addition of the double zero raises the house edge, making the game less appealing than European roulette for some players.
Features of the American roulette wheel
- 38 pockets: Contains 00, 0, and 1 to 36.
- House edge: Around 5.26% because of the double zero pocket.
- Wheel layout: The game maintains balance by arranging numbers randomly.
How to play American roulette
- Place your bets using either inside bets, particular numbers, or outer bets, which are more general categories like odd and even or red and black.
- The ball is released in the opposite direction as the dealer spins the wheel.
- As the ball lands in a pocket, winning bets are paid out by the odds.
Check out American Roulette at Bspin.io to play this version.
How to win at American roulette
- Stick to outside bets: They offer lower payouts but higher chances of winning.
- Manage your bankroll: Ensure you set a budget and never chase your losses.
- Use betting systems: Strategies like Martingale or Fibonacci can add structure but don’t guarantee wins.
What is European Roulette?
European roulette is the traditional type of roulette preferred by many players because of its lowered house edge. Like most roulettes offered in online casinos, its wheel has 37 pockets that include numbers 1 to 36 and one zero.
Features of the European roulette wheel
- 37 pockets: Contains the numbers 0 and 1 to 36.
- House edge: About 2.7%, which is smaller than American roulette.
- Wheel layout: The same as the American wheel minus the double zero pocket.
How to play European roulette
- Choose either inside or outside bets when placing your wagers.
- The dealer spins the wheel to see which will be the winning number.
- Await which pocket the ball will land in and get compensated based on the odds.
Read How to Play European Roulette for a more thorough explanation.
How to win at European roulette
- Focus on single zero advantage: The lower house edge increases your winning potential.
- Consider combination bets: Combining bets, like splits and corners, balance risk and reward.
- Leverage the “En Prison” or “La Partage” rules: These rules further reduce the house edge, but they are only available in some versions.
Difference Between American and European Roulette
The main distinctions between these two types of roulette are their wheel configurations, house edges, and betting odds. The table below shows a quick comparison of American vs. European roulette:
| Feature | American Roulette | European Roulette |
|---|---|---|
| Total number of pockets | 38 (1-36, 0, 00) | 37 (1-36, 0) |
| Double zero (00) pocket | Yes | No |
| House edge | 5.26% | 2.7% |
| Odds of winning | Slightly lower | Slightly higher |
| Popularity | North America | Europe and online casinos |
If you want to try both types of roulette, explore Bspin’s American Roulette and European Roulette games.
American vs. European Roulette Betting Options
American and European roulette both offer a variety of betting options. Still, the double zero in American roulette slightly alters the odds and payouts.
Inside bet
An inside bet is when a player wagers on specific numbers or small groups of numbers. The types of inside bets include:
- Straight-up: Betting on a single number (payout: 35 to 1).
- Split: Betting on two adjacent numbers (payout: 17 to 1).
- Street: Betting on three numbers in a row (payout: 11 to 1).
- Corner: Betting on four numbers in a square (payout: 8 to 1).
- Six-line: Betting on six numbers in two adjacent rows (payout: 5 to 1).
These bets function the same way in both versions. Still, the chances of winning are slightly higher in European roulette due to the absence of the double zero.
Outside bet
An outside bet is when players wager outside the roulette table layout. These have a higher chance of winning, though they offer lower payouts. These include:
- Red or black: Betting on whether the ball will land on a red or black number (payout: 1 to 1).
- Odd or even: Betting on whether the winning number will be odd or even (payout: 1 to 1).
- High or low: Betting on numbers 1-18 (low) or 19-36 (high) (payout: 1 to 1).
- Dozen: Betting on one of three groups of 12 numbers (payout: 2 to 1).
- Column: Betting on one of three vertical columns of numbers (payout: 2 to 1).
Since European roulette has a single zero, the odds of winning these outside bets are slightly higher than in American roulette.
Final Thoughts
Knowing the difference between American and European roulette may significantly improve your gaming experience. If you’re a newbie, consider starting with European roulette due to its lower house edge. Otherwise, American roulette could be your thing if you are searching for exciting challenges and willing to take risks. Regardless of your choice, play responsibly and have fun with the game.