Your Guide to Asia's Casino Resorts
TH EN
Tips & Tricks

European vs American Roulette: What's the Difference?

How one extra zero changes the house edge — and which bets suit beginners.

B Bloger Gide 1 min read
European vs American Roulette: What's the Difference?
Photo: Ralf Roletschek / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

How Roulette Works

Roulette is the wheel game where you guess which pocket the ball lands in. Bet on single numbers, groups, red or black, odd or even — it's simple and fun for beginners.

The Two Versions

Roulette wheel
A European wheel has a single zero
EuropeanAmerican
Pockets37 (0–36)38 (0, 00, 1–36)
Zeros00 and 00
House edgeabout 2.70%about 5.26%

The extra 00 pocket nearly doubles the house edge. Given the choice, the European wheel is better value for players.

Types of Bets

Inside Bets

  • Straight: A single number, pays 35 : 1.
  • Split: Two adjacent numbers, pays 17 : 1.

Outside Bets

  • Red/black, odd/even, 1–18/19–36: Pays 1 : 1.
  • Dozens and columns: Pays 2 : 1.
Good to knowNo betting system beats the house edge in the long run. Treat roulette as entertainment and always set a budget first.

FAQ

Which roulette is better value?

European, because its single zero gives the house a smaller edge.

Which bets suit beginners?

Outside bets like red/black — easy to follow, with close to even odds.

Questions, reviews and travel buddies for casino-resort trips — from fellow travellers. ✎ Ask on the webboard
B
Author

Bloger Gide

We're a team of travellers who visit Asia's casino resorts in person to review everything — rooms, gaming floors, shows and restaurants.