In the battle of European Roulette vs American Roulette, ask most online roulette players, and they’ll emphatically pick the former. Why? While on the face of it, a lower house edge makes one of these games considerably better value for money, there are compelling reasons for opting to choose European or American Roulette over the other, and that’s where we’re heading in this guide.
The Double Zero (00)
The standout difference between the two games is the inclusion of the double zero (showcased as “00”) in American Roulette. Both games feature thirty-six numbered (red and black) pockets, but while European Roulette supports a single zero, American Roulette has two nasty green pockets.
Given that dropping the ball in a zero pocket results in a loss (except under certain conditions that we’ll discuss momentarily), European Roulette is obviously more advantageous in terms of roulette odds. In fact, the house edge in American Roulette is 5.26%, while in its European counterpart, it is 2.70% (halved).
Bet Names Differ
The next thing to consider is the slight variation in bet names. Whether a bet on a single number is called a single or straight may depend on the game you choose. Similarly, corners may also be known as squares, six-lines as double streets, trios as baskets, and some games even feature names such as single, double, three or five-number bets instead of straights, splits, streets and corners. There are also instances of bets having the same name (Top Line) but meaning different bets. We’ll look at those next.
European Roulette vs American Roulette: Additional Bets
For the most part, the same inside and outside bets will be present in both European Roulette and American Roulette. However, that doesn’t mean there are no unique betting options in specific variants. Some of these include wagering on the zero spot (or both of them) in particular, so let’s explore those.
Basket Bet
Basket bets are unique to American Roulette. A Basket involves betting on the ball landing in the zero, double zero, one, two or three pockets. This bet is also (sometimes) called a Top Line. Payouts start at 6:1 in most games. This is surprisingly easier to land than its equivalent in European Roulette, which we’ll look at next.
First Four
European Roulette doesn’t have a Basket bet, but it does have its own equivalent, known as the First Four. In a few games, it also goes by the name Top Line, but this is far less common in European Roulette. With this inside bet, you’re wagering on the ball landing in zero, one, two, or three, just as its name suggests. Payouts here are set to 8:1, as it is trickier to pull off than American Roulette’s Basket bet.
Racetrack Bets
Options such as Voisins du Zéro, Orphelins, and Tier du Cylindre would only appear in French Roulette. However, many online casinos amalgamate these racetrack bets (that allow you to cover the wheel) found in French Roulette into European Roulette. They aren’t always available in American Roulette games for two reasons. Firstly, most American Roulette games don’t feature a racetrack. Secondly, even if it did, the inclusion of the double zero effectively means that the numbers covered are different. The key thing to note here is that while racetrack bets aren’t ordinarily available when playing American Roulette online, there may be exceptions to the rule.
French Rules
With these rules, landing in the zero isn’t as bad as it might otherwise be. You’ll either get half your bet back or can use it for the subsequent spin, depending on the rule in play. La Partage and En Prison rules don’t appear in American Roulette. However, while they typically crop up in French Roulette, it isn’t impossible to find them cropping up in European Roulette from time to time. We’d always recommend a European Roulette table that features these rules, as the house edge is cut again, down to 1.35%, a far cry from what you’ll get with American Roulette.
Go Spin’s Four Handy American vs European Roulette Tips
Next, we’ll provide tips and tricks for playing either American or European Roulette. Before you make a decision on which way to go, consider paying attention to the following roulette tips to help you make an informed choice:
#1 The Odds Differ
The odds of success vary based on your preferred game. Here’s a brief look at the odds you’ll typically find in each variant:
| Bet Type | American Roulette Odds | European Roulette Odds |
| Straight | 2.60% | 2.70% |
| Split | 5.30% | 5.40% |
| Street | 7.90% | 8.10% |
| Corner | 10.50% | 10.80% |
| Basket/First Four | 13.20% | 10.80% |
| Six Line | 15.80% | 16.20% |
| Columns | 31.60% | 32.40% |
| Dozens | 31.60% | 32.40% |
| Even/Odd/Red/Black | 47.40% | 48.60% |
| High/Low | 47.40% | 48.60% |
#2 The Prize Remain the Same
The odds of success may be different between the games, but excluding Basket and First Four bets, the payouts remain the same in both variants. Baskets may pay less (6:1) than First Four bets (8:1) in European Roulette, but they are more likely to crop up on account of that double zero.
#3 Explore Variants First
If you’re hesitating between the two, you don’t have to decide right now. You can explore both options by playing free online roulette games. RNG roulette games can be played in demo modes for free, allowing you time to assess what each brings to the table, which bets work, and to double-check those probability and odds numbers. This is also a great idea if you fancy a crack at a European Roulette table with those French Roulette niceties woven in or if you want to practice racetrack or Basket betting.
#4 Live Games Favour European Roulette
If live roulette is your forte, then Go Spin has news for you: most live roulette games feature European Roulette rules. While some are entirely different variants, on account of them featuring multipliers, side bets and all manner of alternative payouts, they are still based on the basics of European Roulette – meaning a single zero.
That said, you should be careful when choosing to play live games with multipliers. Ordinarily, multipliers only apply to straight bets, but because they can be worth up to 500x, sometimes more, you shouldn’t be surprised to see the payouts for straight bets drop – rather dramatically, too. In fact, in the most famous of these games, Lightning Roulette, you’ll only receive a payout of 29:1 for a bet on a single number. Other bets in this European Roulette pay the same as always.
So, Which Is Better?
That’s really down to you. Most online roulette players opt for European Roulette. If you aren’t interested in the Basket Bet, there’s little incentive or reason to play American Roulette. Of course, for North American roulette players seeking a thrill or who want to play something akin to the land-based tables of Las Vegas and beyond, American Roulette remains their favourite. Naturally, if you’re a beginner, then European Roulette makes for the ideal starting point, as it’s a touch kinder to first-time players.
