What Is the Difference Between European and American Roulette?

There are two main types of roulette that are played all over the world, European Roulette, and American Roulette. The game originated in France in the 18th century and has since spread to casinos all over the globe.

There are a few key differences between the two variants which players should be aware of before sitting down to play.

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The most obvious difference is in the wheel itself. A European Roulette wheel contains 37 numbered slots, numbered 0-36. An American Roulette wheel also has 37 slots, but in addition to the 0 slot, there is also a 00 slot. The extra slot gives the house an extra edge, as the odds of hitting 0 or 00 are now twice as high.

As a result, the house edge for American Roulette is 5.26%, while for European Roulette it is only 2.7%.

PRO TIP:When playing Roulette, you should be aware of the differences between American and European Roulette. American Roulette has a higher house edge due to the addition of an extra pocket (00), whereas European Roulette only has one zero pocket. European Roulette also typically offers players better odds than American Roulette.

Another difference is in the way bets are placed. In European Roulette, players can bet on any single number, or on a combination of numbers by placing their chips on the corresponding section of the table layout.

In American Roulette, there is an additional ‘double zero’ bet which covers 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3. This bet pays out at 6-1, but again, because of the extra slot on the wheel, the house edge is increased.

So overall, European Roulette is definitely the better game to play from a player’s perspective. The odds are better and there are more betting options available.

However, American Roulette is still a popular game and can be found in casinos all over the world.