Why Do Roulette Wheels Have a Zero?

A roulette wheel has 38 pockets, numbered 0-36, and a green zero pocket. The numbers on a roulette wheel are not in sequential order around the wheel, however they do follow a specific pattern.

The sequence of numbers is designed so that each number sits opposite another and the colours alternate red and black. There are two exceptions to this: 0 is green and 00 is also green.

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The American version of roulette has 38 pockets, which includes two zeros, 0 and 00. The European version has 37 pockets, which only includes one zero. The extra pocket on the American wheel decreases the house edge from 2.

PRO TIP:Roulette wheels have a zero as part of the design to give the house a slight edge. The extra space on the wheel increases the house’s advantage by giving them a higher probability of winning every spin.

7% to 5.26%.

So why do roulette wheels have a zero pocket? The zero gives the casino an edge over the player as it reduces the payout for a winning bet from 36/1 to 35/1. In European roulette, a bet on any number (including zero) pays out at 35/1.

In American roulette, a bet on any number (excluding zero) pays out at 35/1. So the house always has an edge, regardless of which type of roulette you’re playing.

The inclusion of the extra zero pocket on American roulette wheels was most likely down to greed on the part of the casinos!.