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Roulette is visually appealing, socially engaging, and one of the simplest casino games to learn. It's also one of the worst from a mathematical standpoint — American roulette's double zero gives the house a 5.26% edge. Here's how to play it the right way.
American vs. European Roulette
American roulette wheels have both 0 and 00 — 38 pockets, house edge 5.26%. European wheels have only a single 0 — 37 pockets, house edge 2.7%. European roulette is significantly better mathematically. In Las Vegas, European tables are at Bellagio, Aria, and Wynn. Always play single zero when available.
The Best Bets
- Even money bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low) — 5.26% house edge, best odds available at most tables
- Column bets (pays 2:1) — Same edge, larger variance
- Straight up (single number, pays 35:1) — Most exciting but same house edge applies
What to Avoid
- The Five Number Bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3) — 7.89% house edge, the worst bet on the American table
- Triple zero roulette (7.69% edge) — Appearing at some properties, avoid entirely