Roulette is universally recognized as one of the most iconic and popular games in casino history.

Choosing the wrong version of roulette is the most common and costly mistake new players make.

The Extra Green Zero

A European roulette wheel features 37 pockets in total: the numbers 1 through 36, plus a single zero (0).

While the payouts remain exactly the same, your odds of hitting a specific number decrease on the American wheel.

• The green zeros represent the house edge
• American roulette includes the 0 and the 00
• European roulette only utilizes the single 0

The Mathematics of the Two Wheels

Conversely, the American wheel's extra double zero pushes the house edge up to a massive 5.26%.

There is absolutely no mathematical justification for ever choosing to play American roulette if European is available.

Lowering the Edge Even Further

The "En Prison" rule "imprisons" your bet for the next spin if the zero hits, giving you a second chance.

This makes French roulette one of the most mathematically favorable table games on the entire casino floor.

The conclusion is incredibly simple: you should always seek out and exclusively play European or French roulette.