Roulette is one of the most iconic and visually thrilling games available on any casino floor.
Knowing which wheel to choose is the single most important decision a roulette player will ever make.
Understanding the Wheel Layouts
A standard European wheel contains only one green slot (the 0), giving the house its mathematical advantage.
Conversely, the American layout adds an extra green slot—the double zero—significantly altering the math of the game.
- The payouts for hitting a single number are exactly the same (35 to 1) on both wheels
- Because the payouts are identical but the American wheel has an extra number, your odds of winning decrease
- You are taking on more risk for the exact same potential reward when playing the American version
The ‘En Prison’ and ‘La Partage’ Rules
In addition to the better wheel layout, some European (often called French) tables offer incredibly favorable special rules.
These rules effectively cut the house edge in half again, dropping it to a phenomenally low 1.35% on outside bets.
| Game Type | Special Rules? | House Edge (Even-Money Bets) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard European | No | 2.70% |
| French (La Partage) | Yes (Half-back on Zero) | 1.35% |
By simply choosing the European wheel, you instantly double your expected mathematical longevity at the casino.