Main Differences Between European and American Roulette

Byvarsha

When it comes to roulette, players essentially have two options – European roulette and American roulette. At first glance, these two versions of the classic casino game may seem quite similar. However, there are some key differences between European and American roulette that affect the winning odds and overall gameplay.

Wheel Layout and Number of Zeros

One of the most significant differences between European and American roulette in collecitions of gaming websites like Royal Reels online is the actual wheel itself.

European Roulette Wheel

A European roulette wheel contains 37 numbered pockets ranging from 0 to 36. The numbers alternate between red and black around the wheel, with the exception of the single 0 pocket, which is green.

American Roulette Wheel

The American roulette wheel also contains the numbers 0 through 36. However, it adds an additional 00 pocket for a total of 38 numbered slots. Like the European wheel, the numbers alternate between red and black, except for the green 0 and 00.

So while the numbering is largely the same between the two wheel versions, the extra 00 pocket has implications for gameplay and odds, which we’ll explore next.

House Edge and Odds

The addition of that 00 pocket may seem minor, but it actually doubles the house edge for American roulette over its European counterpart.

European Roulette House Edge

The presence of a single 0 pocket gives European roulette a house edge of 2.70%. This means that for every $100 wagered by players at the table, the house expects to earn $2.70 in profit over time.

American Roulette House Edge

By adding that additional 00 pocket, the house edge for American roulette effectively doubles to 5.26%. So for every $100 wagered by players in American roulette, the casino expects to net $5.26 in profit.

The difference in house advantage has a noticeable impact on overall player odds as well:

  • In European roulette, the odds for any straight-up wager (on a single number) are 1 in 37 (2.7% probability)
  • In American roulette, the odds worsen to 1 in 38 (2.6% probability) due to the extra pocket

While the difference may seem small, it does add up significantly over thousands of spins. Generally speaking, the better odds make European roulette the better choice for players looking to maximize their chances of winning.

Rules and Bets Available

Beyond the wheel itself, there are some subtle differences in rules and allowable bets between European and American roulette:

Bet Types

  • Both games allow inside bets (specific numbers or groupings) and outside bets (red/black, even/odd, 1-18/19-36).
  • The “la partage” and “en prison” rules apply only to European roulette and improve odds for even money outside bets when the ball lands on 0.
  • American roulette features two extra bets – Five Number Bet and Basket Bet – made possible by the 00.

Payout Odds

  • Payout odds remain the same for straight bets on a single number – 35 to 1 in both versions.
  • The house edge difference mainly applies to even money outside bets, which pay 1 to 1 but have slightly worse odds in American roulette.

So the types of bets available and associated payouts are largely similar. But again, European roulette offers better odds thanks to the single 0 wheel and special rules that apply when the ball lands on 0.

Gameplay Comparison and Strategies

Now that we’ve explored the wheel, odds and rules, let’s see how it translates to actual gameplay.

Game Flow

In terms of general flow, European and American roulette play out quite similarly:

  • Players make their bets by placing chips on the felt layout before the dealer spins the wheel and ball.
  • Once the ball settles in a pocket, losing bets are collected and winning bets are paid out.
  • Play then continues with the next round.

Game pace is lively, games are quick and the gameplay itself is essentially the same. Experienced roulette players should have no trouble transitioning between the two game versions.

Best Bets and Strategies

Serious roulette players should learn the best bet types and gameplay strategies to utilize for each version:

European Roulette

  • Even money outside bets – With better odds thanks to the single 0, outside bets like Red/Black or Odd/Even are smarter plays here than American roulette. The “la partage” and “en prison” rules also allow you to recover half your even money bet when landing on 0, improving your odds.
  • Corner and line bets – Grouping numbers by covering four numbers with a corner bet or six numbers through a two-row line bet helps balance risk vs reward. They bring solid payouts with a reasonable probability of hitting.

American Roulette

  • Columns and dozens bets – Covering 12 numbers at once with the column or dozens bets helps offset the worse odds. They still pay at a lucrative 2 to 1 rate and give you over a 25% chance of winning.
  • Five Number Bet – Unique to American roulette wheels, the Five Number bet puts 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3 all on one bet. This carries a big payout of 6 to 1 despite only a 13% chance of success. But for risk takers, it does leverage that extra 00 well when it hits.

And while individual numbers carry the biggest 35 to 1 payouts, they are definitely not advisable bets in American roulette where the probability of success dips to only 2.6%.

Consider the Odds

In summary, here are some key bottom line takeaways when weighing European vs American roulette:

  • European roulette has better winning odds – The presence of a single 0 gives it a lower house edge against players. Bet types like even money outside bets are smarter plays.
  • American roulette adds extra bets – The 00 pocket enables extra bets like the Five Number, but comes with worse overall odds for players.
  • Rules and gameplay are largely similar – Aside from odds and special rules, European and American roulette play out in much the same way.
  • Consider the wheel, odds and strategies – Serious roulette fans should understand the differences between versions and play optimally based on the wheel they are up against.

So while roulette across the board brings excitement and decent winning potential, European roulette ultimately gives players the better overall odds. Understanding these key differences allows players to make informed decisions and bring the right betting strategies to the right roulette table.

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