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

Knowing which wheel to choose is the single most important decision a roulette player will ever make.

Understanding the Wheel Layouts

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.

• The payouts for hitting a single number are exactly the same (35 to 1) on both wheels
• Because the payouts are identical but the American wheel has an extra number, your odds of winning decrease
• You are taking on more risk for the exact same potential reward when playing the American version

Why French Roulette is Even Better

Certain high-end European tables utilize the ‘La Partage’ rule, which further reduces the house advantage.

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.

By simply choosing the European wheel, you instantly double your expected mathematical longevity at the casino.