Roulette: European or American?

Roulette. The social experience, the clatter of the little white ball as it bounces into the slot, the bated breath waiting to see the outcome, the frenzy to place a new bet after a loss, the euphoric high when your number hits and pay off big. Few casino games offer more entertainment for your buck than that spinning wheel.

US Roulette
Roulette comes in two major varieties, European Roulette and American. “What’s this?” you might ask. Wasn’t the game invented in Europe, so therefore isn’t European Roulette a bit redundant? Well, there are two major variants of the game, one common to Europe, and one common to America, so we will call it European Roulette just to differentiate.

What is the big difference between the two then? Well, nothing. A double helping of nothing. Double zero. A European Roulette wheel only has one house number, while an American wheel doubles the house edge by having not only the zero, but also a double zero as well. And that difference is staggering in practice.

Without any house number or numbers, roulette would be a dead even game, with neither the house nor the players winning in the long run. If you know of such a casino, please let me know; I want to play there. To experience the entertainment with no real risk would be great.

However, any gambling enthusiast knows the house does not like such games, so we live in a world where a zero or double zero leaves stunned players watching as all their chips are swept away.

So, how can we get the fun without the big downside? We can’t, but there are a few things that can help us out. First, only play on European Roulette wheels. A European wheel gives the house an edge of 2.70%, while its bastard cousin the American wheel affords the house a whopping 5.26%

That means that in the American version, over the course of time the odds will stabilize in favor of the house, and the casino will collect 5.3 cents of every dollar wagered as pure profit, never to be seen by players again. This is not to say it is not a game to indulge in. Luck is still a factor, and you can easily go on profitable runs before the odds seal your fate and the house´s profits. And by playing European Roulette, you increase your chance of seeing that run while your bankroll is still intact.