Roulette is one of the most popular casino games of all time – that’s just a fact. Whenever you visit a casino, there is a good chance the roulette table will be packed with players. There is a good reason for that, as it’s an exciting game where you can have fun and win big. However, when it comes to playing, you have a few choices to make – mainly American or European. The differences between the two games all down comes to zeros, but as you dig deeper you might find that you are worse off playing one over the other.

More Zeros in Play

You read that right, there are more pockets on an American roulette wheel. That’s bad news for players as it pushes the house edge to 5.26%. While this might not seem like a huge figure, on European roulette the house edge is only 2.70% – more than half as much as the American version of the game. This is due to the fact that an American roulette wheel has two zeros. One is a single zero and the other is double zero. This does provide better returns should you guess the correct number, but it’s less worth it in the long run and could impact your overall game plan.

American Drops the En Prison Rule

If you place an even money bet and the ball lands in the 0 pocket on a European roulette game, you are entitled to another spin under the En Prison rule. However, in American roulette this luxury is taken away. With the En Prison rule, it drops the house edge down to a tiny 1.35%.

Say Hello to Five Number Bets

American roulette does have one advantage – you can place a five-number bet. This is where you place bets on 1, 2, 3, 0, and 00. You can’t play this type of bet on a European table, as the 00 doesn’t exist. The house edge on this bet is a whopping 7.9%, but it pays out at a bumper 6:1.

Even though you can place this bet, it must be said that it’s one of the riskiest bets you can make in roulette – but the payoff is certainly worth it if you win.

Which Table is Best?

That all depends on the individual player. If you like to take bigger risks in the hope of greater rewards, then American roulette is probably best game for you. If you want to keep things simple and bump up your chances of a win with less risk attached, then stick to European roulette. Weigh up the odds, house edge, and your bankroll – never overspend chasing a win.

Speed Roulette is European

For those players looking to get through spins quickly, speed roulette from Evolution Gaming uses an European wheel When this game is in full flow you might win more bets, but you can also chase the ultimate payout with a five-number bet. The same goes for the live roulette from the Royal Casino in Denmark. Both of these tables use European wheels, so take note before you jump in and start placing your bet.

Don’t forget, every time you place a roulette bet at BitStarz Casino, you will be entered into our Table Wars promotion. The more bets you place, the more points you rack up, and the higher up the leaderboard you’ll climb. Finish towards the top and win your share of a €1,000 prize every week. Head on down to your favorite roulette table and spin the wheel today – as big wins are waiting!