Compare European and American roulette odds. Learn how single and double zero wheels affect the house edge, payouts and your overall chances to win.
The Basics of Online Roulette: European vs. American Odds Breakdown
Roulette is one of the most recognizable casino games in the world, famous for its spinning wheel, simple betting layout and high-suspense gameplay. Whether you are playing automated software or sitting down at a live dealer stream, you will notice that online tables come in two primary formats: European and American roulette. At first glance, both versions look almost identical, sharing the same basic grid layout and payout structures. However, a small structural difference on the wheel drastically alters the mathematical odds of every wager you place. In this guide, we will break down how single-zero and double-zero wheels work so you can pick the game with the best odds.
Wheel Structure and the House Edge Advantage
The fundamental difference between European and American roulette lies in the number of green zero pockets on the wheel. A European wheel features 37 pockets in total: numbers 1 through 36 and a single green zero (0).
An American wheel adds an extra green pocket for a double zero (00), bringing the total count up to 38 pockets. When you play on a site like LuckyRollers, choosing European roulette cuts the casino’s mathematical edge nearly in half. Because both wheel variants pay out single-number bets at the exact same 35:1 ratio, adding that 38th pocket reduces your chances of winning while offering zero financial payout upside.
| Feature / Metric | European Roulette | American Roulette | Payout Advantage Impact |
| Total Wheel Pockets | 37 (1–36, plus 0) | 38 (1–36, 0 and 00) | Single zero offers fewer total losing slots |
| Standard House Edge | 2.70% | 5.26% | European roulette cuts overall house edge in half |
| Straight-Up Win Probability | 2.70% (1 in 37) | 2.63% (1 in 38) | European yields slightly higher win frequency |
| Even-Money Bet Win Chance | 48.65% | 47.37% | Red/Black wagers hit more often in European |
| Straight-Up Payout Ratio | 35:1 | 35:1 | Equal payouts despite higher risk on American wheels |
Inside vs Outside Bets Breakdown
Roulette offers a wide range of betting options, divided into inside bets and outside bets based on where chips are placed on the layout.
Inside Bets for High Multipliers
Inside bets are placed on specific individual numbers or small number groupings. They carry lower probabilities of winning but deliver larger single-round payouts.
- Straight-Up (1 Number): Pays 35:1 with a 2.70% win chance on European wheels.
- Split Bet (2 Numbers): Pays 17:1 by placing a chip on the line separating two numbers.
- Street Bet (3 Numbers): Pays 11:1 on a row of three consecutive numbers.
- Corner Bet (4 Numbers): Pays 8:1 by placing chips on the intersection of four squares.
Outside Bets for Balanced Sessions
Outside bets cover large categories of numbers, making them popular for players who want frequent, low-risk wins.
- Red or Black: Pays 1:1 with a 48.65% chance of winning on single-zero tables.
- Odd or Even: Pays 1:1, covering all 18 odd or even numbers.
- High or Low (1-18 / 19-36): Pays 1:1 for hitting either half of the numbered grid.
- Columns or Dozens (12 Numbers): Pays 2:1, covering a third of the active wheel.
French Rules That Lower the Edge Further
If you want the best possible mathematical odds in online roulette, look for French Roulette tables offering the La Partage or En Prison rules.
How La Partage and En Prison Work
These special rules trigger whenever you place an even-money bet (like Red/Black) and the ball lands on the green zero pocket. Under the La Partage rule, the casino returns 50% of your even-money stake instead of taking the whole wager. Under En Prison, your bet stays locked on the table for one additional spin. Both mechanics reduce the house edge on even-money bets down to just 1.35%, delivering some of the best player odds in the entire casino.
Choose European Wheels to Maximize Your Odds
The mathematical lesson of online roulette is clear: always choose single-zero European or French roulette tables whenever they are available. Playing on an American double-zero wheel doubles the casino’s profit margin on your bets without increasing your potential payouts. Stick to single-zero games, use outside bets to manage bankroll risk and play with statistically superior odds.
