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

Understanding the subtle differences between the wheels is crucial for maximizing your chances of winning.

The Impact of the Double Zero

A European roulette wheel features 37 pockets in total: the numbers 1 through 36, plus a single zero (0).

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

The Mathematics of the Two Wheels

With a house edge of 2.70%, European roulette is relatively fair compared to many other casino games.

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

The En Prison and La Partage Rules

The "La Partage" rule dictates that if the ball lands on zero, you only lose half of your even-money bet.

If these special rules are in effect, the house edge on even-money bets drops to an incredible 1.35%.

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