Walk into any online casino and you'll find both European and American roulette side by side. They look almost identical, but one small difference — a single extra pocket — nearly doubles the house edge. Here's what every Irish player needs to know before placing a bet.
🎯 Quick Verdict
European roulette is always the better choice. Its house edge of 2.7% is nearly half that of American roulette (5.26%). With the La Partage rule, it drops to just 1.35% on even-money bets. There is no scenario where American roulette gives you better odds.
The Key Difference: Single Zero vs Double Zero
European roulette has 37 pockets — numbers 1 to 36 plus a single green zero (0). American roulette has 38 pockets — the same 36 numbers plus a single zero (0) and a double zero (00).
That extra pocket matters enormously. Every bet on the table pays out as though those green zeros don't exist. On a straight-up number bet, you're paid 35:1 — but there are 37 (or 38) possible outcomes. The zeros are where the casino makes its money.
With one zero, the casino keeps 1 out of every 37 spins on average. With two zeros, it keeps 2 out of every 38. That's the entire mathematical foundation of why European roulette is superior.
House Edge Breakdown
The house edge tells you the percentage of every bet the casino expects to keep over time. Here's how the two versions compare:
- European Roulette: 2.70% house edge (1/37 = 0.027)
- American Roulette: 5.26% house edge (2/38 = 0.0526)
In practical terms, for every €100 you wager on European roulette, you'll lose €2.70 on average. On American roulette, you'll lose €5.26. Over a session of hundreds of bets, that difference adds up fast.
Full Comparison Table
| Feature | European Roulette | American Roulette |
|---|---|---|
| Pockets | 37 (0–36) | 38 (0, 00, 1–36) |
| Zero Pockets | Single zero (0) | Double zero (0 and 00) |
| House Edge | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| RTP | 97.30% | 94.74% |
| La Partage Available | Yes (1.35% edge on even bets) | No |
| En Prison Available | Yes (some variants) | No |
| Straight-Up Payout | 35:1 | 35:1 |
| Even-Money Payout | 1:1 | 1:1 |
| Five-Number Bet | Not available | Yes (7.89% house edge) |
| Best for Players? | Yes — Always | No |
The La Partage Rule — European Roulette's Secret Weapon
Some European roulette tables offer the La Partage rule. When the ball lands on zero and you've placed an even-money bet (red/black, odd/even, high/low), you get half your stake back instead of losing it all.
This reduces the house edge on even-money bets from 2.70% down to just 1.35% — making it one of the best bets in any casino, right alongside blackjack with basic strategy.
A similar rule called En Prison locks your bet in place for the next spin instead of returning half. The mathematical effect is the same: 1.35% house edge.
American roulette never offers La Partage or En Prison. It's another reason European roulette wins every comparison.
Don't Be Fooled — Payouts Are Identical
Both versions pay exactly the same for every bet type. A straight-up number pays 35:1, a split pays 17:1, a column pays 2:1, and even-money bets pay 1:1. The payouts don't change — but your odds of winning do.
On European roulette, your chance of hitting a single number is 1 in 37 (2.70%). On American, it's 1 in 38 (2.63%). You're paid the same, but you win less often. That's the entire scam of the double zero.
The Worst Bet in Roulette
American roulette has one unique bet: the five-number bet (also called the "basket" or "top line"), covering 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. It pays 6:1 and carries a staggering 7.89% house edge — the worst odds of any standard roulette bet. Never place it.
The Long-Term Cost of Playing American Roulette
Let's put the house edge difference into euros. Imagine you wager €10 per spin and play 100 spins in a session. Here's what the math says over time:
| Scenario | European (2.7%) | American (5.26%) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 spins @ €10 | €27 expected loss | €52.60 expected loss | €25.60 more |
| 500 spins @ €10 | €135 expected loss | €263 expected loss | €128 more |
| 1,000 spins @ €10 | €270 expected loss | €526 expected loss | €256 more |
| 5,000 spins @ €10 | €1,350 expected loss | €2,630 expected loss | €1,280 more |
Over 5,000 spins, you'd lose almost twice as much on American roulette. That's €1,280 you didn't need to give away, simply by choosing the wrong version of the same game.
What About French Roulette?
French roulette is essentially European roulette with the La Partage or En Prison rule built in. The wheel is identical (single zero, 37 pockets), but the table layout uses French terminology: Manque (low), Passe (high), Pair (even), Impair (odd).
The key benefit is the 1.35% house edge on even-money bets — half the standard European edge and a quarter of American roulette's. If you can find a French roulette table, it's the absolute best version to play.
Many online casinos label these as "French Roulette" or "European Roulette with La Partage". In live casino lobbies, look for tables from Evolution or Pragmatic Play that specifically mention La Partage in the table rules.
Popular Roulette Variants Available Online
Beyond the standard versions, you'll find several roulette variants at online casinos. Here's how they compare:
- European Roulette — Single zero. 2.70% house edge. The standard choice.
- French Roulette — Single zero with La Partage. 1.35% on even bets. The best option.
- American Roulette — Double zero. 5.26% house edge. Avoid this.
- Lightning Roulette — European base with random multipliers (50x–500x). Fun, but higher volatility. House edge around 2.70%.
- Immersive Roulette — European roulette with cinematic slow-motion camera replays. Same 2.70% edge.
- Speed Roulette — European roulette with shorter betting windows. Same odds, faster pace.
- Auto Roulette — No human dealer; automated wheel. European rules, 2.70% edge. Runs 24/7.
As long as the variant uses a single-zero wheel, the base house edge remains 2.70%. The extras (multipliers, cameras, speed) change the experience but not the fundamental mathematics.
Which Should You Play in Ireland?
The answer is simple: always choose European roulette. Every reputable online casino available to Irish players offers it, and many have French roulette (European with La Partage) for the lowest possible house edge.
There is genuinely no advantage to playing American roulette. The game exists primarily because it became the standard in Las Vegas. In Europe and Ireland, the single-zero version has always been the norm — and for good reason.
If you're playing live roulette, look for tables explicitly labelled "European" or "French" in the lobby. Most live casino providers from Evolution, Pragmatic Play Live, and Playtech default to European rules, but always confirm before joining a table.
For a deeper dive into roulette strategy and bet types, check our complete roulette guide for Irish players.
📈 Did You Know?
The numbers on a roulette wheel add up to 666 — often called "the Devil's number." Whether European or American, the sum is the same. But only the American version takes a devilishly large bite out of your bankroll. Stick to the single-zero wheel and keep the odds in your favour.
✅ Smart Roulette Tips
- Always select European or French roulette over American
- Look for tables with the La Partage rule for a 1.35% house edge
- Stick to even-money bets (red/black, odd/even) for the most consistent experience
- Set a budget before playing and stick to it
- Avoid the five-number bet on American roulette at all costs
Live Roulette vs RNG Roulette
Regardless of whether you play European or American, you'll also need to choose between live dealer and RNG (software-based) roulette. Here's what matters:
- Live roulette uses a real wheel and real dealer, streamed in HD. You can watch the ball spin in real time. European live tables are widely available, and French roulette with La Partage is offered by Evolution and other major providers.
- RNG roulette uses a random number generator. Results are instant, and you can play at your own pace. Great for practising with free demo mode before wagering real money.
The house edge is identical in both formats — 2.70% for European, 5.26% for American. The choice comes down to whether you prefer the atmosphere of a live table or the speed and convenience of software. For more details, see our live casino vs RNG comparison guide.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even players who know European is better sometimes make these errors:
- Assuming past results matter — Every spin is independent. If red has come up 10 times in a row, the next spin has the same odds as always. There's no "correction" coming.
- Using betting systems as a strategy — The Martingale, Fibonacci, and other systems don't change the house edge. They change the pattern of wins and losses, but the expected loss over time remains the same.
- Ignoring the table rules — Not all European roulette tables are equal. Check whether La Partage is offered. Check the minimum and maximum bets. Check whether the table is genuinely European (single zero) and not a relabelled variant.
- Chasing losses — Roulette should be entertainment with a budget. Set a loss limit before you start and walk away when you reach it.
For responsible gambling tools and support resources, visit our responsible gambling page.