Roulette Variants: European, American, and Triple-Zero
Last reviewed: June 2026
The single most important roulette decision you will ever make is which wheel you sit down at — because every extra zero on the wheel is money extracted directly from your bankroll.
Walk into a typical Las Vegas casino today and you may see three different roulette wheels side by side. They look almost identical. The felt is green, the ball is white, the wheel spins. But the number of green pockets — zero pockets — separates a reasonable game from a poor one from a genuinely bad one. This article breaks down exactly what each variant costs you, why American roulette exists at all, and what the rare La Partage rule does to the math in your favor.
The Three Wheels at a Glance
| Variant | Pockets | House Edge | Cost per $1,000 wagered |
|---|---|---|---|
| European (single-zero) | 37 | 2.70% | ~$27 |
| American (double-zero) | 38 | 5.26% | ~$53 |
| Triple-zero | 39 | 7.69% | ~$77 |
The pattern is simple: add a zero pocket, raise the house edge, roughly double or triple your long-run cost. Every bet on an American wheel costs you nearly twice what the same bet costs on a European wheel. Triple-zero costs nearly three times as much.
European Roulette: The Baseline
European roulette uses a wheel with 37 pockets numbered 0 through 36. There is exactly one green pocket. The house edge on every standard bet — straight-up numbers, splits, streets, corners, columns, dozens, and even-money bets like red/black — is 2.70%.
Here is where that 2.70% comes from. Bet $1 on a single number. If you win, the casino pays 35:1 — you receive $35 in profit plus your $1 stake back, for $36 returned on a $37-to-1 true-odds game. You are paid as though there are 35 other numbers, not 36. That one missing unit of value, divided across 37 equally likely outcomes, produces the 2.70% edge. It applies uniformly across every bet on the board, which is unusual — most casino games have bets that range from reasonable to atrocious. European roulette is consistent.
For a deeper look at the underlying math, see how to play roulette or the roulette betting patterns guide.
American Roulette: The Extra 00
American roulette adds a second green pocket: the double-zero (00). The wheel now has 38 pockets. Payouts do not change — a winning number still pays 35:1. But the true odds are now 37-to-1, not 35-to-1. The casino collects on two green pockets instead of one, and the house edge nearly doubles to 5.26%.
That translates directly into cost. On $1,000 in total wagers, you expect to lose about $53 on an American wheel versus $27 on a European wheel. Play for two hours at 40 spins per hour at $10 per spin — that is $800 in action — and the expected loss gap is roughly $34 between the two wheels. Not catastrophic for a single session, but it compounds across every visit.
One exception exists on the American wheel and it makes things worse, not better: the five-number bet covering 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. This is the only bet on a standard roulette layout with its own edge, a punishing 7.89%. Avoid it. Every other bet on the American wheel sits at 5.26%, but this one is worse. See roulette’s five-number worst bet for the full breakdown.
Triple-Zero: Just Walk Away
Triple-zero roulette adds a third green pocket — often branded as a special symbol or the casino’s logo — bringing the total to 39 pockets. The house edge rises to 7.69%, and the cost per $1,000 wagered climbs to roughly $77. This variant has become increasingly common on Las Vegas Strip casino floors, frequently positioned at lower minimum-bet tables to attract players who focus on the entry cost rather than the edge.
There is no mathematical reason to prefer triple-zero over a single- or double-zero wheel. If you find yourself at a triple-zero table, the correct move is to find a different game.
La Partage: When European Gets Even Better
Some European wheels — more common in France and at higher-limit tables online — offer a rule called La Partage (French for “the sharing”). Under this rule, if the ball lands on 0 and you had an even-money bet placed (red/black, odd/even, high/low), the casino returns half your stake. You do not lose the full bet.
The effect on the house edge is significant. La Partage cuts the edge on even-money bets from 2.70% down to 1.35% — among the best edges you will find on any table game without special strategy. If you play primarily even-money bets and a La Partage wheel is available, it is almost always your best roulette option.
A closely related rule, En Prison, works similarly: instead of returning half your stake immediately, the bet is “imprisoned” for the next spin. If your even-money bet then wins, you recover the full stake. Mathematically the expected value is identical to La Partage — both reduce the edge to 1.35% on even-money bets.
Why Does American Roulette Still Exist?
European roulette reached the United States in the early 1800s, but American casino operators added the double-zero to increase house revenue. The game spread, became entrenched, and casinos have kept it ever since for a straightforward reason: players play it. The wheels are full. As long as players sit down without asking about the edge, there is no market pressure to replace a 5.26% game with a 2.70% one.
This is worth internalizing. The American wheel is not a trap designed to trick sophisticated players — it is a product that persists because most players do not compare house edges before they sit down. You are now one of the players who does.
The Practical Rule
Always look for the single-zero wheel. In many U.S. casinos, European wheels exist but are tucked into high-limit rooms or less visible areas. Ask. If single-zero is not available and you want to play roulette anyway, inside bets (straight-up numbers, splits, corners) are no worse on an American wheel than outside bets — the edge is 5.26% across the board. The choice between inside and outside bets affects variance, not the house edge. For more on that distinction, see inside vs. outside bets explained.
If the casino offers only triple-zero, consider switching to a different game entirely. Baccarat’s Banker bet at 1.06% edge or blackjack with basic strategy at roughly 0.5% both represent meaningfully better value.
Frequently Asked
Does it matter which number I bet on a European wheel versus an American wheel?
No. The house edge of 2.70% (European) or 5.26% (American) applies equally to every standard bet on the board. A straight-up number bet, a red/black bet, and a column bet all carry the same edge on a given wheel. The variant of the wheel matters; the specific bet selection does not change that edge.
Can I find single-zero roulette in Las Vegas?
Yes, though it takes some searching. Many Strip properties offer European wheels in high-limit rooms, and some casinos have added single-zero wheels to their main floor in recent years. Downtown Las Vegas casinos and locals casinos are also worth checking. Always ask before sitting down.
Is La Partage available online?
Yes. Many online casinos and live-dealer platforms offer European roulette with La Partage, sometimes labeled “French Roulette.” The 1.35% edge on even-money bets makes it worth seeking out specifically. Check the game rules tab before playing.
What is the five-number bet and why is it singled out as uniquely bad?
On an American wheel, you can place a single bet covering 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3 simultaneously. This bet pays 6:1 but covers 5 of 38 pockets, giving a house edge of 7.89% — higher than every other standard roulette bet. It is the one spot where American roulette’s internal consistency breaks down in the casino’s favor. Skip it. See roulette’s five-number worst bet for the full math.
Sources & Further Reading
- Wizard of Odds — Roulette House Edge by Bet — independent verification of all edge figures cited here
- American vs. European Roulette — LearnTheOdds deep-dive comparison
- House Edge by Game — LearnTheOdds — how roulette compares across the full casino floor
Educational explanation only. No real-money gambling happens on LearnTheOdds.
Responsible gambling: Play for entertainment, not income — the math favors the house over time. Set limits, never chase losses, and if it stops being fun, take a break. 21+. Need help? Call 1-800-MY-RESET (1800myreset.org).