Roulette has been famous among gamblers in casinos for more than 300 years. Even though the spinning wheel is basically the same, there different versions have different rules and their own style of play. The biggest and most widely known versions of roulette are European and American.
From the point of view of a simple observer, these two versions of roulette might look almost the same. But, if you are a fan of the game, you will find that there are a few differences that are very important and also if you are a beginner just learning the game. By understanding the main differences between European and American roulette players will be able to choose the version that better suits their playing style and the amount of money that they want to spend.
Wheel Layout and House Edge
The most significant difference between European and American roulette lies in the actual wheel used for gameplay at Lucky Wins. While the European wheel contains only a single zero (labeled 0), the American version sports both a zero and double zero (00).
This extra pocket on the American wheel may seem trivial, but it has major implications for the built-in house edge. Due to having one less pocket that pays out on wins, the house edge doubles on American wheels to 5.26% compared to just 2.70% for European games. This grants casinos a far more favorable advantage. Over extended play sessions, the extra house edge also chips away substantially at players’ bankrolls.
For players focused purely on odds and payouts, European roulette offers noticeably better prospects over time. However, the higher stakes of American roulette appeal to more aggression players despite the reduced odds.
Table Layout and Bet Types
Along with distinct wheel configurations, European and American roulette also differ in their table layouts and available bet types.
While both versions share standard inside and outside bet options covering individual numbers or groups of numbers, each table layout adapts to the corresponding wheel. European tables have 12 numbers at the top with a single zero slot, matching its wheel. American tables add the extra double zero pocket at the top to integrate with its wheel.
| Roulette Bet Type | Payout (European) | Payout (American) |
| Straight (Single Number) | 35:1 | 35:1 |
| Split (Two Numbers) | 17:1 | 17:1 |
| Street (Three Numbers) | 11:1 | 11:1 |
| Corner (Four Numbers) | 8:1 | 8:1 |
| Six Line (Six Numbers) | 5:1 | 5:1 |
Additionally, American roulette introduces two extra bet types not available on European layouts:
- Five Number Bet – Covers 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3 with a payout of 6 to 1
- Double Street – Covers two adjacent rows with a payout of 5 to 1
These extra options let aggression players increase their bets and potential payouts. However, the low odds make them generally not recommended.
En Prison and La Partage Rules
While the wheels and table layouts form the foundations of European and American roulette, specialized rules also help distinguish between the two variations:
En Prison
Offered in some European games, the En Prison rule applies when the ball lands on zero for an even money outside bet (red/black, even/odd, high/low). Instead of losing the wager, it gets locked in place for a second spin. If the bet wins on the next spin, the player retrieves the locked bet but receives no payout. Should the ball land on zero again, only then does the casino claim the wager.
La Partage
Similar to En Prison, the La Partage rule lets players receive half their bet back if the ball lands on zero. This rule commonly applies to even money outside bets in many French/European roulette games. Like with En Prison, La Partage essentially cuts the house edge in half to about 1.35% on even money bets since players only lose half when hitting zero instead of the full amount.
Neither En Prison nor La Partage exist in American roulette. So European players gain back a portion of disadvantage against the house through these rules.
Key Differences
While originating from the same roots, European and American roulette have diverged into distinct variations over their centuries of existence. From wheel configurations to specialized rules, several key differences give each game its own unique gameplay style and experience.
European Roulette offers slightly better odds by having only a single zero on the wheel. Special rules like En Prison and La Partage also cut down the house edge for even money bets. Gameplay focuses more on odds and consistent payouts.
American Roulette doubles down on risk and reward with an extra double zero slot added to the wheel. Extra bet types also let aggression players ramp up stakes for bigger potential payouts. However, the house edge nearly doubles, chipping away at bankrolls over time.
Depending on personal preferences for risk versus reward, odds versus excitement, European or American roulette offers advantages that appeal to different segments of players. But for anyone sitting down at a roulette table, recognizing these key contrasts is instrumental in making informed betting decisions.
