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Updated Fact-checked 6 min read
Daniel Whitmore
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Single-zero vs double-zero roulette: which to play?
European and American are two of the three core roulette variants, and at a glance they look almost identical. The casual player might miss the extra 00 pocket — but it changes the maths significantly. Here's the breakdown of probabilities, payouts, and why one is clearly better for your bankroll.
Blog · Variant comparisonHouse edge: 2.70% vs 5.26%37 vs 38 pocketsSame payouts, different odds
European and American roulette are two of the most popular variants and two of the three core roulette types in existence. To a casual player they may appear identical — or the extra zero pocket in one of them may slip by unnoticed. In reality they differ in win probabilities and betting options. We'll explain the key differences and help you make the easier choice.
Key differences at a glance
The headline numbers. Read on for the math that produces them.
| Property | European | American |
|---|---|---|
| RTP | 97.30% | 94.74% |
| House edge | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Zero pockets | 1 (just 0) | 2 (0 and 00) |
| Total numbers | 37 | 38 |
| Win odds | higher | lower |
| Extra zero | — | 00 |
The 00 pocket
The biggest visible difference between the two variants is the second 00 pocket on the American wheel (so American has 0 + 00). The European wheel has just one 0. That makes American a 38-number wheel (36 numbers + 0 + 00), while European is 37 (36 + 0). This isn't a cosmetic difference — it also affects win probabilities, which we cover below. For this reason American is called 'double-zero' and European 'single-zero' roulette.
Number sequence on the wheel
Pocket order on the wheel head differs between the two variants. On European, the pockets adjacent to the 0 are 26 (black) on the left and 32 (red) on the right. On American, the pockets adjacent to 0 are 2 (black) on the left and 28 (black) on the right, with 00 directly opposite. The exact pocket order is published on our /roulette-table/ deep-dive.
Odds
To calculate a bet's win probability, divide the count of outcomes it covers by the total pockets on the wheel. This is why American has lower per-bet probability across the board:
On European, a straight-up single-number bet has a 2.70% probability — 1 / 37 = 0.0270.
On American, the same bet's probability is 2.63% — 1 / 38 = 0.0263.
This bet (and every other) pays the same in both variants. So the difference isn't in the payout — it's in the win probability. The 0.07-percentage-point gap looks tiny but compounds over time. For high-stakes regulars, that's a meaningful drag. The table below shows the per-bet gap across every standard wager.
Probabilities by bet type
| Bet | Payout | Odds (European & French) | Odds (American) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight up (single number) | 35:1 | 2.70% | 2.60% |
| Split (two numbers) | 17:1 | 5.40% | 5.30% |
| Street (three numbers) | 11:1 | 8.10% | 7.90% |
| Corner (four numbers) | 8:1 | 10.80% | 10.50% |
| Basket (5-number, American only) | 6:1 | — | 13.20% |
| Six line (six numbers) | 5:1 | 16.20% | 15.80% |
| Column | 2:1 | 32.40% | 31.60% |
| Dozen | 2:1 | 32.40% | 31.60% |
| Even / Odd | 1:1 | 48.60% | 47.40% |
| Red / Black | 1:1 | 48.60% | 47.40% |
| High / Low | 1:1 | 48.60% | 47.40% |
House edge and RTP
The probability difference flows directly into what you get back long-term. House edge measures the casino's average profit from your bets. RTP (Return To Player) tells you what percentage of your wager comes back, on average.
European Roulette: 97.30% RTP, 2.70% house edge. If you play 100 units, you'll get back ~97.30 on average; the casino keeps 2.70.
American Roulette: 94.74% RTP, 5.26% house edge. If you play 100 units, you'll get back ~94.74 on average; the casino keeps 5.26 — almost twice as much.
In other words: European preserves your bankroll roughly twice as well over the long run.
The Basket bet (American-only 5-number wager)
American Roulette offers one unique inside bet that doesn't exist on European: the Basket, covering 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. Place chips on the line dividing the 0/00 row from the 1/2/3 row. It pays 6:1, and it's often called the 'worst bet in roulette' — for good reason. The general American RTP is 94.74%, but for this specific bet it drops to 92.11%. Never use it. The 6:1 payout looks attractive but doesn't compensate for the probability.
Which is better?
Subjectively — entertainment-wise — it's individual. Some players like the basket bet and find American more dynamic. There's nothing wrong with playing what you enjoy. Objectively — on ROI — American is genuinely hard to defend: it has the lowest RTP of any common variant. By that criterion European is clearly better; it offers a lower house edge and higher RTP.
Why people still play 00
Despite the worse RTP, there are reasons players keep choosing American. The main one is lack of alternatives: roulette arrived in the US with the double-zero wheel, and for a long time it was the only option. Online casinos serving US players are limited, and the double-zero variant is much more profitable for land-based casinos so they push it. Most casual US players don't even know the single-zero variant exists.
Quick FAQ
If both are available at the same casino, which should I pick?
European, every time. Same fun factor, half the long-run drag. The only reason to pick American is if you specifically want to play the basket bet or have a sentimental attachment to the double-zero feel — both poor reasons financially.
What about French roulette?
Best of the three. Same wheel as European (single zero, 37 pockets), but adds La Partage and En Prison rules that cut the even-money house edge in half — from 2.70% to 1.35%. If French is in the lobby, choose it over European.
Why do online casinos still offer American?
Market demand from US-facing players, and operator profitability — American's higher house edge makes it more profitable per spin. Many international operators carry it as a courtesy for players who specifically want it, but European is the operator-recommended default for casinos that prioritise customer retention.