American vs European Roulette: Which Is Better?

The numbers on the wheel clearly change the winning chances and the casino house edge. American Roulette has 0 and 00, while European Roulette has only one 0. This makes European Roulette better in terms of probability because it lowers the house edge and gives the player a better chance in the long run.

In this article, we will compare both American and European Roulettes in terms of gameplay, number of pockets, RTP, house edge, bet types, and the real difference between 0 and 00. We will also explain which version suits roulette players better, especially when choosing a live table or playing with a limited budget, so the player can decide between American vs European Roulette.

Casinos That Offer American and European Roulette

Quick Comparison Between American and European Roulette

Before choosing the best roulette games for Arab players or deciding between American vs European Roulette, this table explains the differences that actually affect the playing decision. The most important point is not the version name, but how the extra zero changes winning chances, theoretical loss, and the value of each bet when playing roulette.

Impact on the Player	American Roulette	European Roulette	Comparison
Each extra pocket reduces the chance of hitting the selected number	38	37	Number of pockets on the wheel
The double zero directly increases the casino house edge	0 and 00	Only one 0	Zeros
For every $100 wagered in theory, the expected loss is around $2.70 in European Roulette compared to $5.26 in American Roulette	5.26%	2.70%	Casino house edge
The difference is small in one round, but it builds up with repeated play	1 out of 38	1 out of 37	Chance of winning a straight-up bet
The payout is the same, but the winning chance is better in European Roulette	35:1	35:1	Payout for betting on one number
In American Roulette, the winning numbers remain 18, but the losing pockets increase because of 00	18 winning numbers out of 38	18 winning numbers out of 37	Outside bets, such as red and black
European Roulette theoretically gives the bankroll a longer playing duration	Weaker	Better	Suitable for small budgets
When both versions are available, European Roulette is the stronger choice in terms of probability	Less useful for the player	Usually the better choice	Final verdict on which is better

The Better Version for Arab Players in Terms of Probability

If the goal is to choose the version with better conditions in American vs European Roulette, then European Roulette is the stronger choice. The reason is not that it is easier, but that its house edge is almost half that of American Roulette. Therefore, when opening any roulette table, the player should first check that the wheel has only one zero. If a 00 pocket appears, this means you are playing the American version, which is less useful for the player in terms of probability.

American Roulette

American Roulette is a version of roulette played on a wheel with 38 pockets: the numbers from 1 to 36, plus 0 and 00. This small visual difference clearly changes the calculations because the 00 pocket adds an extra losing result for most bets. Therefore, when comparing American vs European Roulette, American Roulette is weaker in terms of probability.

For a player looking for a roulette game only, American Roulette may look very normal from the outside. The same table, the same colors, the same bets, and the same idea of a spinning wheel. But numerically, the player is betting against 38 possible results instead of 37. This raises the casino house edge to around 5.26%, compared to only 2.70% in European Roulette.

How Do You Play American Roulette?

The round starts by choosing a bet. The player can choose a straight-up number, color, odd or even, group, column, or a set of numbers. After the bets close, the dealer spins the wheel and releases the ball. When the ball stops on a specific number, the winning and losing bets are determined.

The important difference is that American Roulette has two green pockets: 0 and 00. If you bet on red, you are not actually covering half the wheel. You are covering 18 numbers out of 38, not 18 out of 36. Therefore, the chance of winning on red, black, odd, or even is around 47.37%, not 50%.

Key American Roulette Numbers

The key American Roulette numbers are not lucky numbers, but the numbers that affect probability. The numbers from 1 to 36 are the main playing numbers, while 0 and 00 are the reason the casino house edge increases.

Number or Group	Impact
0	A green pocket that makes most outside bets lose
00	An extra pocket that increases the casino house edge
1 to 36	The main numbers for inside and outside bets
18 red numbers	The basis of the red bet
18 black numbers	The basis of the black bet

The presence of 00 is the reason American Roulette is less useful for the player. If an Arab roulette player wants a table that helps them manage their bankroll for longer, this version is not the strongest choice. Instead, this table is more suitable for players who enjoy higher-risk gameplay.

Pros and Cons of American Roulette

American Roulette cannot be evaluated from one side only because it offers a clear and familiar playing experience, but at the same time it comes with weaker numerical conditions because of the 00. Therefore, when discussing the pros and cons of American Roulette, it is important to separate the enjoyment of the experience from the value of the game in terms of probability. The player may find it easy and suitable for trying, but when compared with European Roulette, the differences in the number of pockets and the casino house edge become very important, especially for players using a limited roulette budget.

In conclusion, when American and European Roulette are available in the same casino, American Roulette is less useful for the player in terms of probability and bankroll management.

European Roulette

European Roulette is the version that contains only 37 pockets: the numbers from 1 to 36, plus one 0. This makes it better than American Roulette because the player is betting against fewer possible results. Therefore, when searching for online roulette, European Roulette is usually the better choice.

The casino house edge in European Roulette is around 2.70%. This does not mean the player has an advantage over the casino, but it means the theoretical loss is lower compared with American Roulette. The difference matters especially when playing repeatedly or using a fixed budget.

How Do You Play European Roulette?

European Roulette works the same way as regular roulette. The player chooses the bet type, then the wheel spins and the ball moves until it lands on a number. If the number or group chosen by the player wins, the player receives the payout set for that bet type.

The difference is that the wheel has only one zero. Therefore, if the player bets on red or black, they cover 18 numbers out of 37. This gives an approximate chance of 48.65%, which is better than 47.37% in American Roulette.

Key European Roulette Numbers

The important numbers in European Roulette are 1 to 36 and 0. Having only one zero makes the game better for the player than the American version, but it does not fully remove the casino advantage. There are no guaranteed numbers in European Roulette. The best approach for the player is to focus on the game version, RTP, and betting limits instead of looking for a lucky number.

Number or Group	Impact
0	Gives the casino an edge, but less than having 0 and 00
1 to 36	The main numbers on the table
18 red numbers	A better probability than American Roulette
18 black numbers	A better probability than American Roulette
1 to 18	Low numbers bet
19 to 36	High numbers bet

Why Is It a Better Choice in Online Roulette?

European Roulette is considered a better choice among roulette games because it offers stronger probabilities and a lower casino house edge. The main difference is that the player faces only 37 pockets, while in American Roulette the player faces 38 pockets. In terms of winning chances, European Roulette is better for straight-up bets, color bets, odd and even, low and high. In terms of budget, it is also better because the theoretical loss is lower. For live casino tables, if a European table is available with a suitable minimum bet, it is usually better than the American table, even if the American table looks more attractive.

Pros and Cons of European Roulette

European Roulette is usually the stronger choice when comparing versions by numbers because it uses a 37-pocket wheel with only one zero. This makes it better than American Roulette in terms of the casino house edge, especially for players who care about bankroll management and reducing theoretical loss in the long run. However, despite this advantage, European Roulette is still a game of chance, so its pros and cons should be considered together before choosing it in online roulette.

The Main Difference Between 0 and 00

The difference between 0 and 00 is the basis of the comparison between American and European Roulette. In European Roulette, there is only one 0. In American Roulette, there are 0 and 00. This means American Roulette adds an extra losing pocket for most bets. Therefore, when choosing online roulette, the player should first look at the wheel. If it contains 00, you are playing a version with a higher casino house edge.

Casino House Edge	Number of Pockets	Green Pockets	Version
2.70%	37	1	European Roulette
5.26%	38	2	American Roulette

Why Does 00 Change the Winning Chances?

The presence of 00 changes the winning chances because it adds an extra result that does not benefit the player in most bets. A straight-up bet pays 35:1 in both versions, but in American Roulette the player must hit one number out of 38, while in European Roulette the player must hit one number out of 37. The same applies to red and black. In both versions, American and European Roulette, there are 18 red numbers and 18 black numbers, but the total number of pockets is different. Therefore, European Roulette is better in terms of winning chances and better for bankroll management.

RTP and House Edge Comparison Between Both Versions

RTP means the theoretical return to player in the long run. The casino house edge means the theoretical percentage the casino keeps from total wagers. These two numbers are very important when comparing American vs European Roulette.

RTP in American and European Roulette

Meaning	Approximate RTP	Version
Every $100 in wagers theoretically returns $97.30	97.30%	European Roulette
Every $100 in wagers theoretically returns $94.74	94.74%	American Roulette

These numbers do not describe the result of one session. The player may win or lose more than that. However, they show that European Roulette offers better value in the long run.

House Edge in Each Version

Rating	House Edge	Version
Better for the player	2.70%	European Roulette
Weaker for the player	5.26%	American Roulette
In favor of European Roulette	2.56 percentage points	Difference

This difference is the main reason to choose European Roulette. When playing online roulette, choosing a version with a lower house edge helps reduce the theoretical loss.

Bet Types in American and European Roulette

The bet types are similar in both American and European Roulette. The difference is not in the bet names, but in the number of pockets working against the player. The same bet may pay the same amount, but its probability is better in European Roulette.

Inside Bets

Inside bets are placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers. Their payouts are higher, but they are riskier.

Bet Type	Payout	Winning Chance in European Roulette	Winning Chance in American Roulette	Notes
Straight-up bet	35:1	2.70%	2.63%	One number only
Split bet	17:1	5.41%	5.26%	Two adjacent numbers
Street bet	11:1	8.11%	7.89%	One row of 3 numbers
Corner bet	8:1	10.81%	10.53%	Square of 4 numbers
Six-line bet	5:1	16.22%	15.79%	Two rows of 6 numbers

If an Arab player prefers choosing straight-up numbers, European Roulette is better because the selected number competes against 36 other pockets, not 37 other pockets as in American Roulette.

Outside Bets

Outside bets cover larger groups, so they are less volatile than inside bets.

Bet Type	Payout	Winning Chance in European Roulette	Winning Chance in American Roulette	Notes
Red / Black	1:1	48.65%	47.37%	Even-money bet
Odd / Even	1:1	48.65%	47.37%	Even-money bet
1–18 / 19–36	1:1	48.65%	47.37%	Low numbers / high numbers
Dozen 1–12, 13–24, 25–36	2:1	32.43%	31.58%	3 number groups
Column	2:1	32.43%	31.58%	Vertical columns on the betting layout

In European Roulette, a red or black bet covers 18 out of 37 pockets. In American Roulette, it covers 18 out of 38 pockets. Therefore, European Roulette is better for players who use outside bets when playing online roulette in the Arab world.

Are the Payouts Different Between American and European Roulette?

In most cases, the basic payouts do not differ. A straight-up number pays 35:1, color pays 1:1, and groups pay 2:1. However, American Roulette does not compensate the player for the presence of 00 with higher payouts. This is the real difference: almost the same payout, but a lower winning chance in American Roulette. Therefore, in terms of value, European Roulette is the better version.

Tips Before Playing American vs European Roulette

Before playing online roulette, the choice should be based on numbers, not only the table design. The version, RTP, minimum bet, and game speed all affect the playing experience.