The game of roulette is historically one of the most iconic table games in the world. Its spinning wheel and the dropping ball produce an atmosphere of pure suspense. When players approach a roulette table, they often must decide between two main variations: European Roulette and American Roulette. To the untrained eye, the two games appear completely identical. But subtle layout changes that dramatically change your chances of success.
The biggest distinction between these variations is located on the spinning wheel. While both game wheels have red and black pockets ranging from 1 to 36, the zero slots are completely different.
This might seem like a tiny detail, but the double zero heavily impacts the math. Because the reward is identical for both games, the added 00 slot only provides the house with more ways to win.
To fully grasp why professionals avoid American tables, we must look at the house edge. The house edge is the built-in profit margin that the casino keeps over time.
| Roulette Variation | Pocket Count | House Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Single Zero Wheel | Thirty-Seven | Exactly 2.7% |
| American Game | 38 Pockets | 5.26% |
As the numbers demonstrate, the double zero edge is nearly two times bigger than the European version. If you play for hours, the double zero wheel will consume your funds twice as fast.
Making the single zero game even more attractive, some tables offer special rules known as ’En Prison’ and ’La Partage’. These rules only apply when you make even-money bets.
When the zero hits:
These rules further reduce the house edge down to just 1.35%. You will almost never find these features on a double zero wheel.
Ultimately, there is zero mathematical justification to choose the American wheel if you have a choice. European roulette provides much better chances to win, making it the undisputed champion for smart gamblers. Always inspect the table prior to making a bet.
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