One of the most sought-after table games is roulette. The spinning wheel, the click of the ball, the thrill of watching it land on your chosen number – it’s an undeniably exciting game. But did you know there are actually multiple versions of roulette out there? The two main types you’ll encounter at casinos worldwide are European roulette and American roulette.

While these games may seem similar at first glance, they have some notable differences when it comes to rules, odds, wheel layouts, house edge, and more. As you grow your skills as a roulette player, it’s important to understand these key distinctions to succeed on such platforms as Casino999. That way, you can make informed decisions on which version of roulette is the best fit for your goals and playing style.

Where European and American Roulette Differ

The wheel is the iconic centerpiece of every roulette game. However, its layout plays a major role in the differences between the European and American versions.

European wheels contain only a single zero (0) in addition to the numbers 1 through 36. The numbers alternate between red and black around the wheel, with the exception of the single green 0.

American wheels, on the other hand, contain both a 0 and 00 slot for a total of 38 numbered pockets. Having that additional 00 pocket may not seem like a big deal – but it actually doubles the house edge, as we’ll explore more later on.

Gameplay Rules and Table Layouts

Beyond the actual roulette wheel itself, European and American roulette adhere to learn more different rules and layouts on the table itself:

European Tables:

• Only the single 0 slot
• Numbers 1-36 in a seemingly random order
• Located on both sides of the table are the outside bets

American Tables:

• The extra 00 slot
• Numbers set across from one another to allow more outside bet coverage
• Outside bets are only located on one side of the table

While gameplay flows similarly in both versions, the extra 00 pocket does influence some of the payouts and odds calculations, which we’ll cover next.

The House Edge – Why It Matters

One of the most crucial points of difference between European and American roulette is the house edge. The house edge represents the mathematical advantage the casino has over players in the long run. Essentially, it’s how much the house expects to profit from bets placed across the table over time.

So why does the extra 00 pocket have such a massive impact? Here’s a comparison of the house edge in each roulette version:

• European Roulette House Edge = 2.70%
• American Roulette House Edge = 5.26%

As you can see, the house edge nearly doubles when you add that one extra green pocket. Over the course of extended gameplay, that has major implications that no serious roulette player can afford to ignore.

Odds and Payouts on Different Bets

Now that we’ve covered the core structural differences, let’s explore how they actually affect real bets and payouts during gameplay.

Straight Bets Both versions provide a 35:1 payout on straight bets, which is when you successfully predict a single number. The odds reflect the probability of hitting any specific number, taking into account the total number of pockets on each wheel.

• European = 36/1
• American = 38/1

The even-money outside bets maintain the same payout ratios in both versions. This demonstrates that the extra 00 only impacts the odds and house edge, not the actual payouts themselves.

Gameplay Strategies – Making the Most of Each Wheel

While both games rely heavily on chance, that doesn’t mean strategy isn’t involved. The different wheel layouts impact optimal approaches under each version:

European Roulette 

The single 0 wheel gives players better odds overall. You can leverage that using an aggressive betting approach:

• Bet more heavily on simple chances.
• Leverage neighbor bets surrounding your chosen number.
• Occasionally bet on hot and cold numbers.

American Roulette 

The extra 00 means focusing bets on that sector gives the house a massive advantage. Instead, you’re better served playing more conservatively:

• Prioritize even-money outside bets like red/black or odd/even.
• Place corner bets that cover four adjoining numbers.
• Bet on entire dozens or columns to spread your risk.

Adjusting your approach based on the unique wheel is key to minimizing the house edge.

Evaluating Your Options

When playing live roulette at casinos worldwide, you’ll inevitably encounter both American and European layouts. We always recommend taking a moment to inspect that wheel and understand which version you’re up against.

While American roulette is more widely available, the European wheel offers substantially better odds due to having only a single 0 pocket. That translated to nearly half the house edge – which is a big deal over extended play sessions.

So next time you step up to a roulette table, take a glance at the wheel, consider the version, and adjust your strategy accordingly. Those small tweaks can be the difference between profit and loss in this classic casino game!