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 American wheel, however, has 38 pockets: numbers 1 through 36, a single zero (0), and a double zero (00).

The addition of the 00 pocket effectively doubles the casino's built-in mathematical advantage over the player.

• 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

Why the House Edge Matters

Conversely, the American wheel's extra double zero pushes the house edge up to a massive 5.26%.

There is absolutely no mathematical justification for ever choosing to play American roulette if European is available.

Special European Roulette Rules

Some European, and particularly French, roulette tables offer player-friendly rules called "La Partage" or "En Prison."

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

Playing American roulette is a mathematical mistake that unnecessarily drains your bankroll twice as fast.