Roulette Variations Compared: European, American, French and More
Not all roulette is equal. The number of zeros and the specific rules change the house edge dramatically. Here is how the main variations compare and which give players the best deal.
- Lowest edge: French La Partage
- Highest edge: American / mini
- Format: live vs RNG
The best roulette variation for players is French roulette with La Partage (about 1.35% on even-money bets), followed by European (2.70%). American roulette (5.26%) and mini roulette (often higher) are worse because of extra zeros or fewer numbers. Live dealer and RNG roulette are formats, not rule changes - what matters is still how many zeros the wheel has and whether player-friendly rules apply.
House edge at a glance
| Variation | Zeros | House edge | Player impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| French (La Partage) | 1 | ~1.35% even-money | Best for even-money players |
| European | 1 | 2.70% | Strong all-round choice |
| American | 2 | 5.26% | Avoid where possible |
| Mini roulette | 1 (of 13) | ~7.69% | Fewer numbers, higher edge |
| Multi-wheel | varies | per-wheel edge x bets | More action, more exposure |
European roulette
One zero, 37 pockets, 2.70% edge. The standard against which others are judged and widely available online and offline.
American roulette
Adds 00 for 38 pockets and a 5.26% edge - almost double European. Common in the US; best avoided when a single-zero table exists.
French roulette
The European wheel plus the La Partage (and sometimes En Prison) rule, which returns half your even-money stake when zero lands, cutting the even-money edge to about 1.35% - the best deal in the game.
Mini roulette
A small wheel of 12 numbers plus a single zero. The zero is proportionally larger, pushing the edge up to roughly 7.69%, though some versions return part of even-money bets on zero.
Multi-wheel roulette
One layout, several wheels spun at once. You bet across multiple wheels per round, multiplying both action and total exposure to the edge.
Live roulette vs RNG roulette
Live roulette streams a real dealer and physical wheel; RNG roulette uses a random number generator. Neither changes the odds - the edge depends on the wheel rules. Choose by preference for pace and atmosphere, then check the zero count.
Which should you play?
Prefer French (La Partage) for even-money play, European otherwise. Avoid American and mini roulette when better tables are available. Confirm the edge for any variation in the odds calculator.
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Frequently Asked Questions
French roulette with La Partage (about 1.35% even-money), then European (2.70%). Avoid American (5.26%) and mini roulette.
European. One zero gives a 2.70% edge versus American's two zeros and 5.26%.
No. Live and RNG are formats; the edge depends on the wheel's zeros and rules, not the delivery method.
With only 12 numbers plus a zero, the single zero is proportionally larger, pushing the house edge to about 7.69%.
One layout spun across several wheels at once, multiplying both your action and your total exposure to the house edge.