American vs. European Roulette
Roulette games are one of the most popular online casino games people enjoy playing. There are two main variations for players to consider which is Amercian Roulette and European Roulette. The main difference between American and European Roulette is that American Roulette has higher house edge due to the extra double zero, while European Roulette offers slightly better odds of winning because it has only a single zero (The Amercian wheel has 38 numbers and the European wheel has 37, but both pay 35/1). Before sitting down and placing a bet, it’s important that you understand the ins and outs of both variations, also the detailed differences between American and European roulette, as the odds of a successful spin can be greatly impacted as a result. That’s exactly what we’re discussing in this article, covering the American vs European roulette debate from all angles.
Table of Contents:
- The Overview of American Roulette and European Roulette
- The American Roulette Wheel vs. the European Wheel
- Difference in Rules: Roulette American vs. European
- Differences in Bets
- House Edge Differences: European Roulette vs. American
- Which Roulette Variation is Better?
- Popular Games of European and American Roulette
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions About American Roulette vs. European Roulette
It’s also worth mentioning that there are plenty of other variations of Roulette, such as Lightning Roulette and Nexus Roulette, which tend to have a rather unique set of rules. While they can often be complicated to learn, the change in rules can offer an entertaining experience to players!
The Overview of American Roulette and European Roulette
American Roulette Overview
American roulette is one of the types of roulette where a wheel with 38 numbered slots, numbers 1 to 36, plus 0 and 00.
The extra double zero on the Amercian wheel increases the house edge to 5.26%, giving the casino a higher advantage than in European Roulette. While the payouts remain the same, the odds are slightly lower. Still, its fast pace and classic Las Vegas appeal make it a favorite among many players.
European Roulette Overview
European Roulette has 37 pockets, numbered 1 to 36 and a single 0. With no double zero, the house edge drops to 2.7%, offering better odds for players. Some versions also feature La Partage or En Prison rules, which further improve player chances. It’s often chosen for its lower risk and strategic appeal.
The American Roulette Wheel vs. the European Wheel
Roulette, a game that’s synonymous with casinos, has two popular versions: the American and the European. The key difference lies in the design of the wheel and the house edge. When looking at the American Roulette wheel vs. European, an additional zero can be found in the American variation. This can influence the house edge, as explained later on in this guide. On the other hand, the European roulette wheel only has a single zero.
This means that the American Roulette Wheel has a total of 38 pockets, while the European variation has 37. The same is also reflected on the betting area, with the 0 and 00 on American variations being represented by their own corresponding sections.
Difference in Rules: Roulette American vs. European
So, are there any other rules for players to take into consideration? Below are three unique types of rules, however, they are not always active on all Roulette tables, so checking in advance is recommended!
La Partage
La Partage is a rule that many players are fond of. Should this be active on your table and the ball lands in a zero pocket, half of the initial bet size will be recouped. This is only valid on even-money bets, such as red or black.
En Prison
With this rule, if the ball lands on zero, the bet will remain on the table for another spin. Should this bet be successful, the stake size will be returned to the player in full. Just like with ‘La Partage’, this rule only applies to chips placed on even-money bets.
Surrender
Finally, American Roulette has a rule called ‘Surrender’. Similar to La Partage, the Surrender rule allows you to recoup half of your bet if the ball lands on zero or double zero.
Differences in Bets
When comparing the different bets that can potentially be made by players, there is only one extra option to consider. Let’s dive into this bet a little further!
The American 5 Number Bet
Often known as a ‘Basket Bet’, the American 5 number bet involves chips being laid on the numbers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. Should it be successful, players are awarded at the rate of 6 to 1, however, in terms of house edge, this is the worst possible bet in Roulette, sitting at 7.90%.
House Edge Differences: European Roulette vs. American
Before discussing the statistics of both Roulette variations, it’s important that players know that the house edge represents the advantage that the casino has in any game. It’s shown as a percentage, and the lower it is, the better a player’s chances of winning are.
While the introduction of an extra zero pocket in the American version of Roulette may seem like a minimal change, it does have a rather drastic effect on this house edge. In the American version of Roulette, this percentage sits at 5.26%, while the house edge in European Roulette is 2.70%.
The aforementioned special rules can also impact the house edge. If La Partage is in play, for example, the house edge in American and European Roulette can be reduced to 2.64% or 1.36%, respectively.
Which Roulette Variation is Better?
While it’s a matter of personal preference, most punters lean in the direction of European Roulette, purely due to the change in house edge. Interestingly, however, some American Roulette tables offer the ‘Surrender’ rule, which can help to make things more entertaining. This surrender rule can also decrease the house edge, putting it on a level playing field with European alternatives.
Players should also consider which type of Roulette is most entertaining to them. At BetVictor we offer a range of the top roulette games and testing out some other options, such as Quantum Roulette x1000 or XXXtreme Lightning Roulette, could also be games to take into account!
Popular games of European and American Roulette
Popular games of American Roulette
MGM Grand Live American Roulette
Popular games of European Roulette
Conclusion
To summarise this guide, European and American roulette is a debate with no definite answer. As one of the most popular online casino games while some people prefer the American roulette wheel due to its unpredictability, most opt for the European roulette, due to the lower house edge.
Regardless of play American or European roulette, remember to always gamble responsibly. Here at BetVictor, we have a variety of tools that can help players remain safe at all times, including deposit limits, timeouts, and reality checks, to name just a few!
Frequently Asked Questions About American Roulette vs European Roulette
American Roulette features 38 numbers on the Roulette wheel, with a single and double zero pocket. European Roulette, on the other hand, has a single zero and 37 numbers in total.
Yes, the extra zero pocket increases the house edge. In European Roulette, this value sits at 2.70%, while the house edge in American Roulette is 5.26%.
Overall, the variation of Roulette a player chooses is all down to personal preference. With that being said, the European version is more popular, as it has a lower house edge.
The answer is yes, there is also French roulette which is very similar to European Roulette, using a single-zero wheel with 37 pockets.
Both roulettes are classic casino games and use a single-zero European wheel with 37 pockets, the main difference between them would be that the French one often have a lower house edge due to special rules, and also use a more Classic, elegant design that appeals to strategic players.
