European vs American vs French Roulette: House Edge Compared
All three roulette variants look similar at a glance — a spinning wheel, a betting layout, chips on numbers. The difference that actually matters is how many zeros are on the wheel, and one specific French rule that cuts the house edge on even-money bets nearly in half.
Written and fact-checked by the Gamblingcore editorial team. We keep this content independent of any single operator’s marketing claims — see our disclosure policy for how the site is funded.
The Core Difference: Zeros on the Wheel
| Variant | Wheel pockets | Zeros | House edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| European | 37 (0–36) | 1 (single zero) | 2.70% |
| American | 38 (0–36, plus 00) | 2 (single and double zero) | 5.26% |
| French | 37 (0–36) | 1 (single zero) | 2.70% overall, 1.35% on even-money bets with La Partage |
Every bet in roulette pays out as if there were no zero at all — a straight-up bet on a single number pays 35 to 1, which would be a fair (zero-edge) payout on a wheel with exactly 36 numbers. The zero (and the American double zero) exists purely to give the house its edge: it’s a number that isn’t red or black, isn’t odd or even, and isn’t high or low, so every even-money bet loses when it comes up.
Why American Roulette Has Almost Double the House Edge
American roulette adds a second zero (00) without changing any payouts. That single extra pocket nearly doubles the house’s edge, from 2.70% to 5.26% — making American roulette one of the worst-value bets on a standard casino floor, table games included. If you have a choice between American and European wheels at the same casino, European is mathematically better in every respect, with no offsetting advantage to the American version.
French Roulette and La Partage: Cutting the Edge in Half
French roulette uses the same single-zero wheel as European roulette, so its baseline house edge is identical at 2.70%. What sets it apart is a rule called La Partage (“the sharing”), which applies specifically to even-money bets: red/black, odd/even, and high/low (1–18 / 19–36).
Under La Partage, if the ball lands on zero, you don’t lose your entire even-money bet — you get half of it back. This single rule cuts the house edge on those specific bets from 2.70% down to 1.35%, making French roulette with La Partage the best-value version of roulette available anywhere, for the bets it covers.
A related rule, En Prison, works slightly differently at some tables: instead of returning half your stake immediately, your bet is “imprisoned” for one more spin. If it wins on that next spin, you get your full original stake back (not a payout, just your money returned); if it loses, you lose the whole stake. Mathematically, En Prison produces the same 1.35% house edge as La Partage on even-money bets, just via a different mechanic.
Neither La Partage nor En Prison applies to inside bets (straight-up numbers, splits, corners, etc.) — those remain at the standard 2.70% house edge on a single-zero wheel.
Side-by-Side Comparison
European
Single zero, 2.70% house edge across all bets. The standard, widely available baseline — a solid default when French isn't offered.
American
Double zero, 5.26% house edge. Avoid it when a European or French wheel is available at the same site.
French
Single zero plus La Partage/En Prison. 1.35% on even-money bets — the best value in roulette, though inside bets stay at 2.70%.
What This Means for Your Bankroll
The difference compounds over volume. On $10,000 in total even-money bets over a long session, the theoretical loss looks roughly like this:
| Variant | Theoretical loss on $10,000 wagered |
|---|---|
| American | ~$526 |
| European | ~$270 |
| French (La Partage, even-money bets) | ~$135 |
These are long-run averages, not predictions for any single session — roulette outcomes are independent and random spin to spin, and short-term results can and do vary sharply from the theoretical average in either direction. No betting system, including staking patterns like Martingale, changes these underlying percentages; see why the Martingale system fails for why progressive betting doesn’t beat a fixed house edge.
How to Tell Which Variant You’re Playing
Check the game’s information screen before you bet — reputable online casinos label the variant clearly (European, American, French), and licensed operators publish the RTP, which you can convert directly: RTP = 100% − house edge. If a game simply says “Roulette” with no further detail, count the pockets: 37 is European or French, 38 is American. If it’s a 37-pocket wheel with distinctly labeled La Partage or En Prison rules on the felt or in the rules screen, it’s French.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which roulette variant has the lowest house edge?
- French roulette with La Partage, at 1.35% on even-money bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low). Its inside bets and all bets in European roulette sit at 2.70%; American roulette is 5.26% across the board.
- Why does American roulette have a worse house edge?
- It adds a second zero pocket (00) without changing any payouts, which nearly doubles the house's mathematical edge from 2.70% to 5.26%.
- Does La Partage apply to every roulette bet?
- No, only to even-money bets — red/black, odd/even, and high/low. Inside bets like straight-up numbers still carry the standard 2.70% house edge.
Need help? UK: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133 · US: 1-800-MY-RESET · More support options →