European vs. American Roulette: A Historical Perspective on Their Differences

Roulette has always been one of the most played games on the casino floor, but did you know that there are different variations of the game that directly affect your winning potential?

That’s right, although they look very similar and to the beginner’s eye is almost impossible to tell the difference, there are different roulette versions and rules that change the house edge (the percentage that on average the house will take).

One of the main rivals are the European and American Roulette. Since we live in the era of online gambling, there are tons of different variations of the game online, but these two are often the most picked choices.

But which roulette is better, European or American? Well, let’s dive into the story of both versions and find out more about their house edge, special rules, and odds.

The Birth of Roulette

Not many people know that roulette actually comes from France. Yes, the game was created in the 17th century by mathematician Blaise Pascal. Now, you understand why Roulette is always based on math. This wasn’t an instant hit worldwide. In fact, roulette became popular in French casinos in the 18th century, and the first roulette game featured a wheel with 36 numbers and a single zero. Remember, the zero, which is the most important part of the different versions of roulette we have nowadays.

But why a single zero? The game featured a single zero as a casino innovation which was designed to give the house a small edge while still making the game popular among players. In other words, roulette was a game that gave frequent winnings to players, but the house still made some money.
The original French roulette laid the foundation for what we now call European Roulette.

The American Spin

But why an American version of roulette? Well, since the casino industry was booming in the states, and casino owners were…let’s say greedy, they decided to tweak the game for one single reason – to increase their profits.

In other words, the game that was once created to lure people into the casino with a low house edge has now shifted its favor towards the casino. So, what’s changed with American Roulette? Well, they’ve decided to introduce another number double zero (00) on the wheel. Although the difference might not look major, especially for beginners, it significantly impacts the house edge or RTP. In other words, people have lower odds of picking the right number, therefore the chance of winning some money is also lower.
While European roulette wheels have 37 pockets (0 to 36), American roulette has 38 pockets (0, 00, and 1 to 36). This rather simple addition changed the entire game’s dynamic, which eventually created two different versions of the game that are played on a massive scale.

That’s why it is always important to choose the best real money roulette apps before engaging in a gambling session. After all, it directly affects your winnings.

The Key Differences Between European and American Roulette

While the extra zero is the most obvious distinction, there are several other differences between these two variants. Let’s break it down:

  1. House Edge
    European Roulette: With its single zero, the house edge stands at a player-friendly 2.7%.
    American Roulette: The addition of the double zero increases the house edge to 5.26%. Ouch.
    This may not seem like a big deal at first glance, but over time, that difference can take a significant chunk out of a player’s bankroll.
  2. The Layout
    The betting layout in European and American roulette is nearly identical, except for one key detail: the presence of the double zero on American wheels.
    The numbers are also arranged differently around the wheel in each version, but this doesn’t affect gameplay much—unless you’re superstitious about where your lucky numbers fall.
  3. The “En Prison” and “La Partage” Rules
    These player-friendly rules are found exclusively in European Roulette:
    En Prison: If you make an even-money bet and the ball lands on zero, your wager is “imprisoned” for the next spin instead of being lost outright. If you win on the next spin, you get your bet back.
    La Partage: Similar to En Prison, but instead of holding your bet for the next spin, you immediately get half of your wager back.
    These rules lower the house edge even further for even-money bets, making European Roulette the preferred choice for savvy players.

Which One Should You Play?

So, what’s the better option? If you have a choice, European Roulette wins hands down. Its lower house edge and favorable rules make it the smarter pick for anyone looking to maximize their chances of winning.
But let’s be honest: gambling is as much about entertainment as it is about strategy. If you’re playing for fun and American Roulette is the only option available, go for it. Just be mindful of the odds and adjust your expectations accordingly

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