Roulette is universally recognized as one of the most iconic and popular games in casino history.

Understanding the subtle differences between the wheels is crucial for maximizing your chances of winning.
The Extra Green Zero
The single most important difference between the two games lies entirely in the number of green zero pockets.

This single extra pocket on the American wheel drastically alters the mathematical probabilities of the game.
The green zeros represent the house edgeAmerican roulette includes the 0 and the 00European roulette only utilizes the single 0 Why the House Edge Matters
Conversely, the American wheel's extra double zero pushes the house edge up to a massive 5.26%.

This means you will lose money almost twice as fast playing the American version over the long term.
Lowering the Edge Even Further
The "La Partage" rule dictates that if the ball lands on zero, you only lose half of your even-money bet.

This makes French roulette one of the most mathematically favorable table games on the entire casino floor.
TypeLong Term Loss per $100Player ValueSingle Zero$2.70ExcellentDouble Zero$5.26Terrible
Playing American roulette is a mathematical mistake that unnecessarily drains your bankroll twice as fast.