Understanding the Odds for European and American Roulette

Roulette is a game of pure chance. You place a bet on a number or selection of numbers, then watch the wheel spin and see where the ball lands. Underlying the simple mechanics of this popular casino game, though, lies a complex mathematical foundation.

You don’t need to know the maths to enjoy roulette, but for those who are interested, this article will guide you through the main principles of both European and American roulette. Knowing the difference can also help you to find roulette games with the best odds.

The Two Main Versions of Roulette

Roulette players often assume that all wheels are identical, but this can be a costly mistake. There’s a subtle yet big difference between the two main types of roulette wheel, American and European.

• European roulette – 37 numbers (1-36), as well as a green “0” slot.
  
• American roulette – 38 numbers, 1-36 as well as a green “0” slot and green “00” slot.
  
  
  

The addition of these green zero numbers on roulette wheels is far from purely aesthetic. The zeros on roulette wheels is what gives the house an edge, a topic that we’ll explore in detail soon by breaking down the maths.

As a player, you won’t always have a choice of which roulette game to play. If you visit a physical casino, the wheel used will depend on where in the world you are, European wheels in Europe and American wheels in the rest of the world.

The exception to this is online roulette. Platforms like SlotsLV offer both European and American wheels, along with unique multiplier versions of the game. This allows players to choose the roulette odds that they desire. The house always has an edge but, as we’re about to find out, not all games are equal.

House Edge: The Hidden Cost of the Extra Zero

The green zero slots in roulette are what give the player a slight disadvantage and the house an edge. Green pockets are excluded from all outside bets, such as red or black, odd or even, or thirds of the board. These bets are paid at 1-1, yet the zero means they are not truly 50-50 propositions.

The”0” also disrupts the odds of betting on single numbers. In roulette, you are paid out at 35-1 on a single number, yet there are 36 numbers on a European board.

The addition of the “00” in American roulette gives the house an even greater edge on both outside bets and single number bets. This is always the case, no matter what roulette strategies you use.

European Roulette – Single Zero

• Single number win chance: 1/37
• House edge: 2.70%
• Expected loss per $10 bet: $10 × 2.70% = $0.27
  

American Roulette – Double Zero

• Single number win chance: 1/38
• House edge: 5.26%
• Expected loss per $10 bet: $10 × 5.26% = $0.53
  

Odds Breakdown by Bet Type

You can see from these numbers that the single “0” in European roulette is what gives the house an edge. The additional “00” in American roulette doubles this house edge by making it less likely that you’ll hit your bets while paying out the same amount.

Below is a table that demonstrates how the odds of different bet types winning changes depending on the type of roulette that you are playing. Notice how the payouts remain the same. These small differences in roulette odds are what gives the house more of an edge when an American wheel is used.

Bet Type	Payout	Probability (European Roulette)	Probability (American Roulette)
Single Number	35 to 1	2.70%	2.63%
Red/Black	1 to 1	48.65%	47.37%
Even/Odd	1 to 1	48.65%	47.37%
Dozens	2 to 1	32.43%	31.58%
Columns	2 to 1	32.43%	31.58%

You can also use a roulette odds calculator to find these odds out for yourself and experiment with different betting possibilities.

Playing Smart Roulette

What does all of this mean for you as a player? Well, if you’re concerned with getting the best roulette odds and therefore the best bang for your buck in terms of expected losses, you should always choose to play European roulette where possible.

The only problem is you won’t always be able to find European roulette. In many casinos in Las Vegas, for example, American wheels are used.

As we mentioned earlier, online casino platforms are a great choice. They usually offer both types of roulette, along with variations that you can’t find at physical casinos. It’s almost guaranteed you’ll find European roulette online with the best odds.

Online casinos also come with an added advantage for players, as you’ll be able to take advantage of frequent offers that can help you to find more value. You can read more about SlotLV bonuses here.

Aside from finding games with the lowest house edge, be sure to play roulette responsibly. Understanding the maths can help you to manage expectations, knowing that the house always has an edge and playing accordingly.