Roulette: European vs American Edges (2025)
Why single‑zero is kinder to your bankroll—and when French rules help.
Last updated: September 3, 2025 · Beginner‑Friendly 7–9 minute read
Wheels & Layouts
- European (single‑zero, 37 pockets): numbers 1–36 plus one zero.
- American (double‑zero, 38 pockets): numbers 1–36 plus 0 and 00.
- Triple‑zero (39 pockets): 0, 00, and 000—avoid unless you value the novelty over cost.
Heads‑up: some casinos market triple‑zero wheels for “more fun.” The math is meaningfully worse; shop around.
House‑Edge Math (Short & Sweet)
Roulette pays 35:1 on a straight‑up bet but the wheel has more than 36 outcomes. That gap creates the house edge.
| Wheel | Pockets | Edge (straight‑up) | Edge (even‑money) |
|---|---|---|---|
| European (single‑zero) | 37 | ≈ 2.70% | ≈ 2.70% (no French rules) |
| American (double‑zero) | 38 | ≈ 5.26% | ≈ 5.26% |
| Triple‑zero | 39 | ≈ 7.69% | ≈ 7.69% |
Derivation for straight‑up: EV = (1/N)·35 − (N−1)/N, where N is pockets. European: (35−36)/37 ≈ −2.70%; American: (35−37)/38 ≈ −5.26%; Triple‑zero: (35−38)/39 ≈ −7.69%.
French Rules: La Partage & En Prison
On even‑money bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low), some single‑zero tables apply special rules when the ball lands on 0:
- La Partage: you lose only half of your even‑money bet on 0 (house edge on those bets ≈ 1.35%).
- En Prison: your even‑money bet is “imprisoned” after 0 and carried to the next spin (effective edge also ≈ 1.35% under common implementations).
Bottom line: Single‑zero + French rules is the most budget‑friendly mainstream roulette you’ll typically find.
2025 Table‑Shopping Checklist
- Prefer single‑zero wheels; confirm on the placard.
- Look for French rules (La Partage or En Prison) on even‑money bets.
- Check signage for minimums and any triple‑zero traps.
- ETG/auto‑roulette often offers lower minimums; rules vary—read the screen details.
- Bankroll pacing: set timeboxes and avoid increasing bet sizes to “catch up.”
Visiting Vegas? Combine this with our Low‑Minimum Tables (2025) and Bankroll guide.
Quick Bankroll Examples
- $200 session, single‑zero with La Partage: even‑money bets suffer ≈1.35% long‑run edge—expectation ≈ −$2.70 per $200 cycled per 100% turnover (variance still high short‑term).
- $200 session, double‑zero: ≈5.26%—expectation ≈ −$10.52 per $200 per full turnover.
- Take breaks every 45–60 minutes; fatigue magnifies mistakes more than the wheel type.
Original Bullets (Kept As‑Is)
- Edge: European ≈ 2.70%; American ≈ 5.26% (double‑zero).
- French rules: La Partage/En Prison can halve loss on even‑money bets.
- Tip: Prefer single‑zero wheels and clear table signage.
References (Global Authorities & Research)
- Math & Game Rules: Wizard of Odds — Roulette overview & house edges · Derivations & variants
- United Kingdom: UK Gambling Commission — Safer Gambling hub
- United States: Nevada Gaming Control Board — RG & player resources · American Gaming Association — Industry resources
- Singapore: Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) — Regulatory & player info · National Council on Problem Gambling — Helpline & self‑exclusion
- Macau (China SAR): DICJ — Responsible Gambling
- Hong Kong (China): Ping Wo Fund — Responsible Gambling
- Russia: Unified Gambling Regulator (ERAI) — Official site
- Research: UNLV Center for Gaming Research — Gaming reports & data
We periodically review these links and update figures if casinos alter rules, payouts, or signage.
