Article
European vs American vs French Roulette
A wheel-and-rule comparison showing why zeros and half-back rules determine roulette house edge.
Quick answer
A standard single-zero European wheel has 37 pockets and a 2.70% house edge. A standard double-zero American wheel has 38 pockets and a 5.26% edge on most bets. French single-zero rules can reduce even-money bets to 1.35% when La Partage or equivalent En Prison treatment applies.
Wheel comparison
| Version | Pockets | Standard edge | Special rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| European | 37: 0 + 1–36 | 2.7027% | None required |
| French / single-zero with La Partage | 37 | 2.7027% generally | 1.3514% on eligible even-money bets |
| American | 38: 0, 00 + 1–36 | 5.2632% on standard bets | Five-number basket is worse |
The extra zero is the price difference
Standard roulette payouts are based around 36 ordinary numbers. Adding zero pockets without increasing payouts creates the edge.
French rules do not improve every bet
La Partage or En Prison generally applies to even-money bets such as red/black or odd/even, not straight-up numbers, streets or dozens.
Verify the actual digital table
Game names are not enough. Confirm wheel pockets and zero-treatment rules in the information panel.
Sources
Related reading
Responsible gambling: Gambling involves financial risk. Never chase losses or gamble with money needed for essentials. Eligibility and legal age vary by jurisdiction.