Learning About Roulette: Is American Roulette Worth Playing Compared to Other Versions?

Whether American roulette is a suitable choice depends on what someone wants to understand about the game and which mathematical factors they consider important. 

Its defining feature is the double zero, which gives the wheel 38 pockets rather than the 37 found on single zero versions.

This extra pocket has a direct effect on the probability of winning and the house edge. Comparing these figures provides a clearer way to assess American roulette alongside other variants at online casinos like Genting Casino.

Learn more about this topic through the following points in this online casino article:

• How American Roulette Differs
• American Roulette Bet Result Odds
• House Edge Comparison
• American Roulette vs European and French Roulette
• What the Differences Mean

How American Roulette Differs

American roulette has 38 pockets:

• 1 to 36

• 0

• 00

European and French roulette both use a 37-pocket wheel containing numbers 1 to 36 and a single 0.

The additional 00 in American roulette creates another possible outcome. Standard payouts do not increase to compensate for this extra pocket, so the house edge is higher.

This difference applies whether the game is offered as online roulette or live roulette through a live casino or online casino.

American Roulette Bet Result Odds

The probability of a winning result depends on how many numbers a bet covers. The double zero means that the same type of bet generally has a lower probability of winning on an American wheel than on a single zero wheel.

Bet Type	American Roulette	European/French Roulette
Straight up, single number	1/38 (2.63%)	1/37 (2.70%)
Red or Black	18/38 (47.37%)	18/37 (48.65%)
Odd or Even	18/38 (47.37%)	18/37 (48.65%)
High or Low	18/38 (47.37%)	18/37 (48.65%)
Dozen	12/38 (31.58%)	12/37 (32.43%)
Column	12/38 (31.58%)	12/37 (32.43%)

These figures show that the double zero affects both individual number bets and broader outside bets. The difference may appear small, but it is built into every spin.

House Edge Comparison

The house edge provides another useful way to compare roulette variants.

Roulette Variant	Pockets	Standard House Edge
American Roulette	38	5.26%
European Roulette	37	2.70%
French Roulette	37	2.70%*

*French roulette can offer a 1.35% effective house edge on qualifying even money bets when La Partage or En Prison applies. Other standard bets generally retain the 2.70% house edge.

American roulette therefore has a substantially higher standard house edge than European roulette. Its 5.26% figure is almost twice the 2.70% found on a standard single zero wheel. You may experience this house edge firsthand when you play games like American Roulette Live by Evolution.

American Roulette vs European and French Roulette

The main differences can be summarised by looking at the wheel and its rules.

Feature	American Roulette	European Roulette	French Roulette
Total pockets	38	37	37
Zero pockets	0 and 00	0	0
Standard house edge	5.26%	2.70%	2.70%
La Partage	No	Generally no	Available on qualifying tables
En Prison	No	Generally no	Available on qualifying tables
A five-number bet	Yes	No	No

The five-number bet, covering 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3, is also unique to American roulette. It carries a higher house edge than standard American roulette bets, at 7.89%.

French roulette can have a lower effective house edge on qualifying even money bets because of its special zero rules. La Partage, for example, reduces the loss on an eligible even money wager when zero appears.

What the Differences Mean

The higher house edge does not mean that a particular American roulette session will automatically produce a loss. Roulette outcomes are random, and short-term results can vary.

However, the house edge is important over a large number of spins. The more money wagered over time, the more opportunities there are for the mathematical disadvantage to affect the overall result.

No betting system can remove this advantage. Changing selections, following previous results or altering the size of wagers does not change the probability of the next spin.

For someone comparing online roulette or live roulette options, the wheel type and rules are therefore more important mathematical factors than the presentation of the game.

Genting Casino Tip: Before choosing a roulette variant, check the number of pockets and the applicable rules. A single zero wheel has a lower standard house edge than the American double zero wheel, while French roulette may offer additional rules on qualifying bets.

Is American Roulette Worth It?

From a mathematical perspective, American roulette is less favourable than standard European roulette because its 5.26% house edge is higher than the European figure of 2.70%. French roulette can offer an even lower effective edge on qualifying even-money bets when La Partage or En Prison applies.

That does not make American roulette inherently different in terms of randomness. It simply means that its double zero creates less favourable mathematical odds than single-zero alternatives.

For anyone considering a roulette variant, comparing the wheel, bet probabilities and house edge is more useful than assuming one format is better because of its presentation or popularity.

Understanding the Differences

American roulette can be clearly compared with other variants through its 38-pocket wheel, lower winning probabilities and higher house edge. European roulette has a lower standard house edge, while French roulette may offer additional rules that reduce the edge on qualifying even money bets.

At Genting Casino, understanding these differences can help readers assess roulette variants based on their mathematical features while keeping responsible gambling in mind.

Understanding the odds does not make roulette predictable. Every spin remains a separate event, and losses are always possible. Responsible gambling means setting clear financial and time limits before playing and sticking to them. Do not chase losses or increase spending because of previous results. UK Gambling Commission standards require regulated remote gambling systems to provide financial limit facilities and support customers in managing their gambling. Roulette should never be treated as a way to make money or solve financial problems. If gambling becomes difficult to control, stopping and seeking appropriate support should take priority.

FAQs

Is American roulette worse than European roulette?

American roulette has a higher standard house edge. American roulette has a 5.26% house edge, compared with 2.70% for standard European roulette.

Why does American roulette have lower winning odds?

The American wheel has 38 pockets because it includes both 0 and 00. European and French roulette have 37 pockets with only one zero.

Which roulette version has the lowest house edge?

French roulette can have a 1.35% effective house edge on qualifying even-money bets when La Partage or En Prison applies. Standard European roulette has a 2.70% house edge, while American roulette has 5.26%.

Does choosing a different roulette bet overcome the house edge?

No. Standard American roulette bets generally carry the same 5.26% house edge. The five-number bet is an exception, with a higher 7.89% house edge.

Does a lower house edge guarantee better results?

No. A lower house edge means a smaller mathematical disadvantage over the long term, but it cannot predict the result of an individual spin. Roulette remains a game of chance.