- House Edge by Roulette Variant
- Inside Bet Probabilities: European Roulette
- Outside Bet Probabilities: European Roulette
- La Partage and En Prison Explained
- Recent Big Wins on Roulette
- Where to Play Roulette
- Roulette Variants
- The Single Biggest Mistake Playing American Roulette
- Responsible Gambling
- FAQs
391998 6613 0
380911 6613 0
80184 6613 0
100342 6613 0
126628 6613 0
119963 6613 0
TL;DR
- American roulette costs $25.60 more per $1,000 wagered than European. Same casino. Worse game.
- French roulette with La Partage drops to 1.35% on even-money bets.
- The house edge is identical across every inside bet on a European wheel. Variance is the only difference.
$25.60. That is the additional expected loss on every $1,000 wagered when you choose American roulette over European. European runs 2.70%. American runs 5.26%. The double zero is worth precisely that difference to the house. Most casinos charge the same minimum bet at both tables. American roulette is a worse game. Do not play it if European is available.
French roulette with La Partage drops to 1.35% on even-money bets, one of the best-value games in any casino catalogue.
2.70%
European roulette house edge. American is 5.26%. French (La Partage, even-money) is 1.35%.
House Edge by Roulette Variant
| Variant | Zeros | House edge | RTP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French Roulette (La Partage, even-money bets) | Single zero | 1.35% | 98.65% | La Partage applies only to even-money bets |
| French Roulette (La Partage, other bets) | Single zero | 2.70% | 97.30% | Other bets do not benefit from La Partage |
| French Roulette (En Prison, even-money bets) | Single zero | 1.35% | 98.65% | En Prison is mathematically equivalent to La Partage |
| European Roulette | Single zero | 2.70% | 97.30% | Single zero, standard payouts |
| American Roulette | Double zero (0 + 00) | 5.26% | 94.74% | Both zeros lose on all outside and inside bets |
| American Roulette (Five-number bet: 0, 00, 1, 2, 3) | Double zero | 7.89% | 92.11% | Worst single bet in standard roulette |
Dollar cost comparison per $1,000 wagered:
- French (La Partage, even-money): $13.50 expected loss
- European: $27.00 expected loss
- American: $52.60 expected loss
- American (five-number bet): $78.90 expected loss
Inside Bet Probabilities: European Roulette
| Bet type | Numbers covered | Probability | Payout | House edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight up | 1 | 1/37 = 2.703% | 35:01:00 | 2.70% |
| Split | 2 | 2/37 = 5.405% | 17:01 | 2.70% |
| Street | 3 | 3/37 = 8.108% | 11:01 | 2.70% |
| Corner | 4 | 4/37 = 10.811% | 08:01 | 2.70% |
| Six-line | 6 | 6/37 = 16.216% | 05:01 | 2.70% |
The house edge is identical across every inside bet in European roulette. The straight-up bet and the six-line carry the same 2.70% disadvantage. What changes is variance: the straight-up delivers a 35:1 payout infrequently; the six-line delivers 5:1 more often. Choose based on the session variance you want.
Outside Bet Probabilities: European Roulette
| Bet type | Numbers covered | Probability | Payout | House edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red / Black | 18 | 18/37 = 48.649% | 01:01 | 2.70% |
| Odd / Even | 18 | 18/37 = 48.649% | 01:01 | 2.70% |
| High / Low (1-18 / 19-36) | 18 | 18/37 = 48.649% | 01:01 | 2.70% |
| Dozens | 12 | 12/37 = 32.432% | 02:01 | 2.70% |
| Columns | 12 | 12/37 = 32.432% | 02:01 | 2.70% |
The single zero generates the house edge on even-money bets. Of 37 outcomes, 18 win on Red, 18 win on Black, and 1 (zero) loses for both. The 18/37 probability (48.649%) rather than 18/36 (50%) creates the 2.70% edge. In American roulette, two zeros bring winning probability to 18/38 (47.368%), hence 5.26%.
La Partage and En Prison Explained
La Partage
When the ball lands on zero with an even-money bet placed, La Partage returns half your stake. The house takes only half the loss on a zero outcome.
Mathematically: (1/37) x 0.5 = 0.01351, or 1.35% house edge. Without La Partage: (1/37) x 1 = 2.70%.
La Partage applies only to even-money outside bets. A player betting Red and Dozens simultaneously pays 1.35% on the Red portion and 2.70% on the Dozens portion. This is not a technicality. It is a meaningful difference on significant session volume.
En Prison
En Prison is mathematically equivalent to La Partage but presented differently. When zero hits, the even-money bet is "imprisoned" and remains for the next spin. A win returns the stake in full (no winnings). A loss takes the stake. If zero hits again, the bet may remain imprisoned. Over many spins, EV converges to the same 1.35% house edge as La Partage.
Recent Big Wins on Roulette
Recent roulette wins are logged on a dedicated Big Wins page and updated as operator-confirmed payouts arrive. The feed lists player handle, game title, stake, multiplier and casino.
Where to Play Roulette
- Stake.com, NEWBONUS, European and French (La Partage) live roulette; table minimums from $0.10 to $5,000.
- BC.Game, NEWBONUS, Strong Evolution live roulette catalogue including Immersive Roulette and French La Partage tables.
- Shuffle, MAXBONUS, Clean live dealer interface; La Partage available via Evolution tables.
- Roobet, MAXBONUS, Full Evolution roulette suite including Lightning Roulette and Immersive.
- Duelbits, maxbonus, Daily rakeback partially offsets house edge on regular roulette; Evolution and Pragmatic Live tables.
- Gamdom, HUGESTAKES, 15% instant rakeback is the most effective house-edge offset for regular roulette players.
- Rainbet, MAXBET, Standard Evolution roulette suite; 100% welcome match.
- Duel.com, NEWBONUS, Growing live dealer section; welcome rakeback for regular players.
- Thrill.com, NEWBONUS, Deposit match with Evolution roulette catalogue; Eternal Duel originals as session alternative.
- 1xbet, NEWBONUS, Enormous live roulette selection including multiple European and French tables.
- Mostbet, HUGE, Pragmatic Live and Evolution roulette; solid for restricted markets.
Roulette Variants
Lightning Roulette (Evolution)
European single-zero wheel with 1-5 "lucky numbers" per spin at multiplied payouts of 50x-500x. The base payout for non-lightning numbers is reduced from 35:1 to 29:1 to fund the multiplier. Overall RTP: approximately 97.10%, slightly worse than European at 97.30%. Lightning Roulette is an entertainment product built on the European wheel, not a lower-edge game.
Double Ball Roulette (Evolution)
Two balls shot simultaneously. Inside bets pay at higher multiples (single number, both balls: 1,300:1). House edge approximately 2.70%, identical to European. No EV advantage over standard European.
Speed Roulette
Identical maths to European or American depending on which wheel is used. Reduced betting time doubles hourly exposure at the same house edge. Worse for bankroll management.
Auto-Roulette (RNG)
Certified random number generator rather than a physical wheel. RTP and house edge set by the operator and disclosed in the game info panel. RNG roulette at crypto casinos with La Partage can match the 1.35% house edge of the live version.
The Single Biggest Mistake Playing American Roulette
Choosing American roulette when European is available at the same casino is avoidable in two seconds. The double zero adds a second house-capturing pocket without adding any player-side payout.
Every bet carries 5.26% versus 2.70%. Over $1,000 wagered, European costs $27.00 in expectation. American costs $52.60. A $25.60 penalty for choosing the wrong variant of the same game. No compensating advantage exists on the American wheel.
Always click European or French first.
Responsible Gambling
All roulette variants run at a negative expected value, including French roulette with La Partage. The lower house edge extends a session at the same stake but does not produce a player advantage. Set a session budget and a stop-loss before you sit down.
If gambling is causing harm:
- GambleAware.org (UK and international)
- GamCare.org.uk: 0808 8020 133 (UK)
- BeGambleAware.org
- Gamblinghelponline.org.au (Australia)
- 1-800-GAMBLER (US)
18+ only. 21+ at Stake.us and Shuffle.us. T&Cs apply on all welcome offers.
FAQs
Does a Martingale system work on roulette?
No. The Martingale doubles your bet after every loss. Starting at $1 and losing ten consecutive Red bets (probability: 1 in 1,024, which arrives regularly over a long session) requires a $1,024 bet on spin eleven to recover $1 profit. Most tables cap at $500-$1,000. The 2.70% house edge applies to every spin regardless of bet size. The Martingale concentrates the eventual ruin into large single events.
What is the best roulette bet?
The best bet by house edge is any even-money bet on a French roulette table with La Partage: 1.35%. There is no inside bet with a lower house edge than 2.70% on a standard European wheel.
Is live dealer roulette different from RNG roulette mathematically?
The house edge on a live dealer European wheel and an RNG European game should be identical at 2.70%. Live tables run fewer decisions per hour, meaning less hourly exposure. For players who want to extend session time per dollar, live is marginally better.
What does the five-number bet pay, and why should I never make it?
The five-number bet on American roulette covers 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3, paying 6:1 on a 5/38 = 13.16% probability. A fair 6:1 on those odds would carry zero house edge; the actual payout creates a 7.89% house edge, the worst standard bet in roulette.
