Roulette is a popular casino game that has mesmerized players for centuries, including many Indian players. This entertaining game exists in two primary versions: American and European Roulette. The games have the same easy rules, but the difference can alter the amount of money you can win and how you play.
The Wheel: The Heart of the Difference
The most apparent difference between American and European roulette lies in the wheel itself. This single variation leads to all other differences between the two games.
European Roulette Wheel
The European roulette wheel contains 37 pockets:
- Numbers 1 through 36 (alternating red and black)
- One green 0
American Roulette Wheel
The American roulette wheel, on the other hand, features 38 pockets:
- Numbers 1 through 36 (alternating red and black)
- A single green 0
- An additional green 00
This extra pocket on the American wheel is the primary factor that sets these two variants apart. But what does this mean for you when you play?
House Edge: Why It Matters
Adding the 00 pocket in American roulette significantly impacts the house edge, which is the casino’s mathematical advantage over the players.
European Roulette House Edge
In European roulette, the house edge is 2.7%. This means that, on average, for every INR100 bet, the casino expects to keep INR2.70 over the long run.
American Roulette House Edge
The extra 00 in American roulette increases the house edge to 5.26%. This means that, on average, for every INR100 bet, the casino expects to keep INR5.26 over the long run.
This difference in house edge is substantial. What is the difference between American and European roulette regarding player odds? European roulette offers nearly twice as favorable odds for the player as its American counterpart.
Betting Options and Payouts
Despite the differences in the number of pockets, American and European roulette offer the same types of bets with identical payouts. These include:
- Inside bets (bets on particular numbers or limited sets of numbers)
- Outside bets (wagers on bigger sets of numbers, colors, or odd/even)
However, the chance of winning them differs due to the additional 00 pocket in American roulette.
The En Prison Rule: A European Advantage
Some European roulette games have a special rule called “En Prison” (which means “in prison” in French). This rule works on simple bets like red/black, odd/even, or high/low when the ball stops on 0.
When this happens, instead of losing the bet immediately, it becomes “imprisoned.” The bet stays on the table for the next spin. If the next spin wins, the player gets their original bet back without winning anything. If it loses, the bet is lost.
This rule further reduces the house edge in European roulette to 1.35% for even-money bets, making it even more favorable for players.
European Roulette vs American Roulette: Which Should You Choose?
European roulette is better for players because it gives the casino less advantage and might have the En Prison rule. But you might not always get to choose which type to play.
Strategy Considerations
The general approach in both variants is the same: know the odds, bankroll management, and never wager more than you can lose. Yet, the lower house edge in European roulette enables longer playing time with an equivalent bankroll.
Some players think it’s easier to spot uneven wheel parts (tiny flaws that might make some numbers win more) on European wheels because they have fewer spots. But today’s casinos use very well-made wheels, so these flaws almost never happen.
The Psychology of the Extra 00
Some players like American roulette better, even though it gives them worse odds. They think having one more betting option (00) means more ways to win. But this isn’t true when you look at the math.
Cultural and Historical Context
These two versions demonstrate the game’s long history and cultural dissemination. Roulette was invented in France during the 18th century, disseminating throughout Europe in its single-zero version. When it arrived on American shores, casino owners added the double zero to boost profits, unwittingly developing a new version that would become an accepted standard in its own right.
Final Thoughts
If you play roulette, you need to know how American and European roulette are different. These games look the same when you first see them, but having one or two zeros changes how much you can win and your chances of winning.
European roulette gives players better chances to win because the casino has less advantage, and it has the En Prison rule. Both types are still loved by players around the world because they are easy to learn, fun to play, and offer chances to win big money.
FAQs
Yes, you can use most roulette strategies in both games. But they might work better in one game than the other because the odds are different.
No, both games pay the same amount when you win the same type of bet. The difference is in how likely you are to win because American roulette has that extra 00 spot.