There are three ‘main’ roulette variants that you will find in almost any casino: American roulette, European roulette, and French roulette. They all share many similarities, but they also have some subtle differences as well – especially Ameriška Ruleta and its unique wheel.
All of the classic variants use a roulette wheel with 36 numbers from 1 to 36, colored in red in black, but there are some differences in the amount of green pockets. Namely, the American roulette variant has two zero pockets – which alters the gameplay slightly, increases the house edge, and unlocks a new bet. But there are other distinctions that differentiate it from European roulette, and we’ll explain them all here.
A Brief History and Explanation of Ameriška Ruleta
The game that we now know and call Ameriška Ruleta was first invented in the United States in the mid-1800s. It was brought to the new continent by French immigrants, who brought roulette with them, and the game soon became popular in American casinos. The first roulette wheels were had been set up on American casino floors by 1843, but the operators soon realized that they weren’t too happy with the existing house edge with just one zero pocket.
They were thinking of ways how to increase their profits, and added another green pocket. You see, the early American roulette wheels had just one zero, like European roulette, but more and more operators started adding the 00 pocket – which changed everything.
With the addition of the 00, the wheel now had 38 pockets in total, with 0 and 00 alongside the standard numbers from 0 and 00. This is why this version is also called double zero roulette.
The change might seem small at first glance, but adding that extra pocket alters the odds significantly, and raises the house edge to 5.26% for the American variant. This difference might not mean much if you are a casual player, but if you play often, it might make a difference. Still, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the American version is worse than the European one, especially if the special Surrender rule is in place – which returns half of the wager back if the ball lands on one of the zeroes (with even-money bets only).
American vs European Roulette: Key Differences
Now, let’s see how Ameriška Ruleta stacks up against its European cousin regarding the gameplay, RTP, payouts, and roulette odds.
- The Roulette Wheel: The American roulette has a wheel with 38 pockets, while the European one has a wheel with 37 pockets (and only one zero). Besides this difference, the sequence of the numbers is different. The idea behind the original European wheel has been to alter the numbers between odds and evens, and highs and lows (they are already altered by color). With the addition of the double-zero, the sequence of the American roulette wheel had to be changed so the two green pockets are on opposite sides.
- The Payouts: Every bet in roulette has a specific payout. For example, straight-up bets pay out 35:1, while Dozens and Columns pay out 2:1. All the even-money bets pay out 1:1. The American and European variants don’t differ when it comes to payouts – every bet pays out the same in both variants.
- The House Edge: The more zeroes a roulette wheel has – the higher the house edge is. It’s generally considered that the green pockets represent the house edge. With two green pockets, the house edge in American roulette is higher at 5.26%. European roulette has a house edge of 2.70%, which is exactly half of the American roulette house edge, because it has half as many zeroes.
- The RTP: The Return to Player ratio is directly proportional to the house edge. Thus, American roulette has an RTP of 94.74%, while European roulette has an RTP of 97.30%.
- Table Layout: The table layout is slightly different. The bets are the same (with the addition of the Basket Bet in American roulette), but the arrangement is slightly different.
- Different Rules: The gameplay is largely the same, but there might be some rule differences, depending on the game. For example, some Ameriška Ruleta games feature the Surrender rule, which acts like a safety net if the ball lands on one of the zeroes. French roulette, which uses the European roulette wheel, sometimes features the En Prison or La Partage rules, which also increase the odds for players.
Why You Should Consider Double Zero Roulette
Despite the slightly higher house edge when compared to the European variant, there are plenty of reasons why you should give the American roulette variant a try. It’s a fast-paced game, and the altered RTP won’t matter much in the short run. Also, if the Surrender rule is in place, the difference in house edge in comparison to European roulette will be negligible.
What’s more, many Las Vegas casinos now offer Triple-Zero Roulette. The game’s odds shift even further against the player with three zeroes, so the roulette odds in the American version are much better than those in modern triple-zero games – so if you have the option, stick with American roulette.
