What are the differences between Roulette wheels?

Roulette is one of the most iconic and widely recognised casino games, famous for its spinning wheel. The game has evolved over the years, and today, the two most popular versions are European Roulette and American Roulette. While both versions share many similarities, notable differences impact gameplay and player outcomes.

With this in mind, we wanted to delve further into the differences between the wheels so you have a better understanding of the wheels when entering the Roulette section within the online casino.

The origins of the Roulette wheel

The Roulette wheel has a fascinating history that traces back to 17th-century France. The game as we know it today is credited to Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician and physicist.

Pascal’s initial goal was not to create a gaming device but rather a perpetual motion machine—an impossible task due to the laws of physics. However, his invention laid the blueprints for the modern Roulette wheel.

By the 18th century, the game of Roulette had evolved and gained popularity in French casinos. In its early form, the wheel had both a single zero (0) and a double zero (00). However, in 1843, French casino operators François and Louis Blanc introduced a version with a single zero (0), aiming to reduce the house edge and attract more players to the casino.

This wheel became the foundation for European Roulette. Meanwhile, the double-zero version became more popular in America, where it evolved into the game we now call American Roulette​.

The key differences between European and American Roulette wheels

The main difference between European and American Roulette lies in the number of pockets on the wheel. This subtle difference impacts the house edge and, consequently, a player’s odds of winning.

1. European Roulette
   • The European Roulette wheel features 37 pockets: numbers 1-36, plus a single green 0. This version is sometimes referred to as single-zero Roulette. Having only one zero reduces the house edge, giving players slightly better odds.
   • House Edge: 2.7%. This means the casino has a 2.7% advantage on all bets, which is considered favourable compared to other casino games.
2. American Roulette
   • The American Roulette wheel features 38 pockets: numbers 1-36, plus a single zero (0) and a double zero (00). The addition of the double zero increases the house edge, making it a less player-friendly option.
   • House Edge: 5.26%. Including the double zero means the casino has a higher advantage, making it more challenging for players to predict the outcome of the game.

How the differences affect gameplay

The main effect of the extra double zero in American Roulette is on the house edge. In European Roulette, bets like red/black, odd/even, or specific numbers offer better odds than in American Roulette because the single zero is the only non-numbered outcome. In contrast, the American version has both the single and double zeros, meaning these bets become less favourable for the player. 

For example:

• If you bet on red in European Roulette, your chances of predicting correctly are approximately 48.6% because the only number not covered by red/black is the green zero.
• In American Roulette, your chances of wagering correctly on red drop to about 47.4% because of the presence of the double zero.

The same principle applies to any bets involving numbers (straight, split, or street bets). While the odds in both versions are always against the player, European Roulette offers slightly better prediction outcome chances due to the reduced house edge.