Difference Between European Roulette & American Roulette

2.09.2019, 16:00

Roulette has long been known as one of the most popular casino games in the world which rich gambling history. The first origins of modern Roulette are traced back to France and Italy. While its popularity spread around Europe, the first places for the 0 and 00 were found on wheels in Germany. With the abolishment of gambling, the table began to spread eventually making its way to the United States, first landing in New Orleans and Mississippi. This resulted in the differences between European Roulette and American Roulette.

It wouldn’t be until the 1970s that tables started trickling into Las Vegas, making the roulette a phenomenon that it is today.

You might want to get to know the basic Roulette Rules and Variations before learning the difference between European and American Roulette.

Roulette: The World’s Favorite Game

Roulette features a large table with numbers ranging from 0 to 36. These are further divided into colors with red representing odd numbers and black representing even, while 0 and 00 are green. The best part of the game, the wheel, features all these numbers and is spun by a dealer who releases a ball that begins to spin and eventually lands on a number. There are several different ways to win the roulette game as you can make different bets. Its simple gameplay and thrill are perhaps the reason why it has survived through centuries and remains popular today.

American VS European Roulette

There are different versions of Roulette, but the two most recognized ones are American and European. Most gamers know them by name though they may not actually know the distinctions in the rules and the gameplay. First, let’s take a look at the basic rules for both and dive further in-depth.

You can begin placing your bet when the white “pog” is visible and make a selection until the dealer waves his or her hand to choose the bet. After that is done, the dealer releases the ball, allowing it to spin until it lands on the winning number.

Visual Differences

Visually, the two wheels appear similar as they show numbers, with black representing the odd, red – the even, and green – standing for 0. However, there is one tiny difference; the 00 field or the Double Zero. The American wheel contains this extra number for a total of 38 numbers total compared to the European roulette’s 37 numbers. This makes the play table slightly different in appearance as well, featuring one solid block for zero and a squarer setup in the European version. It may seem like a minute detail as more numbers generally account for higher chances to win but in this case, it means the contrary.

Return to Player

Roulette is not only fun and interactive to play but can win you loads of money with only a few spins; if you’re lucky enough to bet on the lucky numbers of course. As we mentioned above, the addition of 00 tilts the scales and, unfortunately, not in your direction. The European version proudly boasts a 97.30% RTP along with every bet. The American wheel hosts a 94.74% RTP for all bets excluding the 5-line mode, which drops to 92.11%. This setup also affects the house edge, with that of the American roulette being higher at 5.25% compared to the European roulette’s 2.7%.

Of course, there is also a matter of House Edge when it comes to Roulette variations, which you can learn more about in House Edge and How to Beat it.

Beneficial Extra Rule

There is an added rule that you won’t find when you play American Roulette of the world’s favorite game. Thanks to this rule, you can play on the European wheel with added confidence. We’re talking about the ‘La Partage’ rule, which guarantees you half of your bet back when you make an unlucky choice. You’re rewarded when the ball lands on 0 and if you happened to make an even-money bet on Red or Black.

Where to Play

Roulette’s high odds and thrilling gameplay have kept it popular around the world. However, just as with any game, it is still a matter of luck. Luckily, when choosing a place to play in Canada, you can find both versions featured in both on-land and online casinos. When it comes to Bob Casino, the latest developments in HD technology allow Canadian players to play live Roulette and other live casino games, featuring in-action play.

Final Verdict

American Roulette and European Roulette are very similar. As a matter of fact, most gamers cannot tell the differences between them visually and some don’t worry about the house edge and RTPs. Both on-land and online casinos generally feature both versions as it seems to come down to preference when choosing which version to play. Many people enjoy the American version simply due to the presence of 00.

Those basing their gaming decisions on reason choose the European version for greater chances of winning and the added security from the ‘La Partage’ benefit. While we can’t make the final decision for you, obviously if you’re in it for the winnings, the European roulette is the way to go. The odds are much higher, and you are more likely to win spinning for your lucky number.