Short answer – The double zeros featured in a typical American Roulette game do not increase your chances of winning; rather, they reduce them, and here’s how.
There are many variations of roulette worldwide, none more popular than the American Roulette and the European Roulette. These two games have similar playing concepts where you have a ‘small’ roulette wheel with numbers ranging from 0 to 36 labelled on this wheel with fairly small ‘pockets’ that can hold a pea-sized ball once the wheel is spun and comes to a stop.
However, American roulette has 38 numbers, which include numbers listed from 0 to 36 and a further double zero, whereas European roulette has 37 numbers, including 0 to 36. This small difference plays a massive role in determining your odds of winning on given wagers, whether you’re playing roulette online or in person at the casino table.
In this article, we’ll look at both of these options, their strategies and which one you choose to increase your odds of winning.
Player Strategies – Does European Roulette Hold the Upper Hand?
When making comparisons between European and American Roulette, it would be best to think of your strategies, including the numbers and probabilities, of how they might play out.
As they say, numbers don’t lie. The total number of pockets on a roulette wheel plays a significant role in determining the probabilities of a winning bet. European Roulette has a house edge of just 2.7%, while American Roulette has a 5.26% house edge. This represents a hefty difference that bears weight on your bets and winnings.
This means starting with European Roulette increases your odds of winning compared to American Roulette.
This is further confirmed by a 47.4% chance of winning odd-even bets on American Roulette, while European Roulette has a higher chance of winning, with the odds standing at 48.6%. This might not sound like a lot, but it stacks up when compounded when you play over time.
One common misconception among players is that the double zero barely affects winning probabilities. But in reality, the double zero alters the odds of every bet you place.
Choosing the Better Bet – Why European Roulette Dominates Online Play
If you want to play roulette and win, your odds are better placed with going with the European Roulette because this gives you a better chance of winning while lowering the edge for the house.
So, to answer the question, the double zeros featured in American Roulette mean reduced odds of winning because introducing these zeroes swings the pendulum in the house’s favor while reducing yours.
Now that you know, check out our other post detailing how and where you can find no-deposit casino bonus codes to enhance your online playing experience.
