Roulette is one of the most iconic and visually thrilling games available on any casino floor.

The variation you decide to play has a massive impact on your mathematical chances of walking away a winner.

The Green Zero: The House’s Secret Weapon

The European roulette wheel features 37 slots in total: numbers 1 through 36, plus a single green zero.

That extra double zero on the American wheel might look harmless, but it drastically increases the operator’s profit margin.

• European roulette has a house edge of 2.70%, which is relatively standard for a table game
• American roulette has a house edge of 5.26%, making it one of the worst bets on the entire floor
• Always check the wheel before placing a chip to see how many green slots exist

Advanced European Roulette Rules

In addition to the better wheel layout, some European (often called French) tables offer incredibly favorable special rules.

The ‘En Prison’ rule allows your even-money bet to remain ‘in prison’ for the next spin if a zero hits, giving you a second chance.

There is absolutely no strategic reason to ever play the double-zero variation if a single-zero table is available.