The wheel you choose sets the price of every spin. European roulette costs 2.70% of turnover, American costs 5.26%, and French roulette cuts even-money bets to 1.35%. Identical payouts, different pocket counts — this page shows where each number comes from and how to pick tables online.
The three wheels
| | European | American | French |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pockets | 37 (0) | 38 (0, 00) | 37 (0) |
| House edge | 2.70% | 5.26% | 2.70%; 1.35% on even-money |
| Special rules | — | — | La partage (half back on zero) |
| Cost per $100 wagered | $2.70 | $5.26 | $1.35–2.70 |
Where the numbers come from
Payouts on all three wheels assume 36 numbers. Each zero is a pocket the payout table ignores.
If you want the math: European straight-up: win 1/37, paid 36 total → return 36/37 = 97.30%, edge 2.70%. American: win 1/38, same payout → return 36/38 = 94.74%, edge 5.26%. The second zero doubles the shortfall on every bet on the layout. French la partage: even-money bets lose only half on zero, so the expected loss halves — (1/37 × 0.5) ≈ 1.35%.
Why American wheels still exist
Tradition and inattention. The American layout dominates US land casinos and travels with the brand into some online lobbies. Nothing about the game compensates for the second zero — same payouts, same bets, double the edge. Online, where both versions sit in the same lobby a click apart, choosing American roulette is paying $2.56 extra per $100 for an identical product.
The five-number bet (0-00-1-2-3, American only) deserves its own mention: 7.89% edge, the single worst standard bet in roulette.
Finding the right table online
1. Lobby search "European" or "French." Naming is reliable: regulators and studios require accurate wheel labelling.
2. Check the info panel for la partage or "en prison" on French tables — that rule is the 1.35%.
3. Auto-roulette variants (no croupier, real wheel) are almost always single-zero — usually the cheapest live option at low minimums.
4. Ignore table skins. "Speed", "Immersive", "VIP" change pace and limits, not the math, provided the zero count is the same.
Our casino reviews note which wheel variants each operator spreads, including whether French rules are available.
FAQ
Is European roulette better than American?
Yes, strictly: half the house edge for the same payouts. There is almost no scenario where the American wheel is the better choice. The exception is a table offering surrender on even-money bets, which cuts the American edge on those bets to 2.63% — marginally below European's 2.70%. It is rare online.
What is la partage?
A French-table rule: even-money bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low) return half their stake when zero hits. It halves the edge on those bets to 1.35% — the best standard offer in roulette.
Are payouts different between the wheels?
No — that is the point. Identical payouts against more pockets is precisely how the American wheel charges double.
What is en prison?
A la partage variant: instead of half back, the stake is held ("imprisoned") for the next spin and returned in full if it wins. Mathematically similar to la partage; either marking identifies a French-rules table.
Why do casinos offer both versions online?
Because both get played. The lobby carries what players open; the operator earns more from the American wheel on identical liquidity.