The main American-versus-European roulette difference is the extra zero. With the same 35:1 straight-number payout, a 37-pocket single-zero wheel has a lower mathematical house edge than a 38-pocket double-zero wheel. Check the actual wheel, payout, zero rules and total wager before playing; a lower percentage does not make a larger bet cheaper.
| Wheel configuration | Pockets | House edge on a 35:1 straight-number bet | Theoretical loss per $1,000 wagered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single zero: 1–36 and 0 | 37 | 1/37 = 2.70% | $27.03 |
| Double zero: 1–36, 0 and 00 | 38 | 2/38 = 5.26% | $52.63 |
| Three-zero configuration: 1–36, 0, 00 and 000 | 39 | 3/39 = 7.69% | $76.92 |
These calculations assume equally likely pockets, the stated payout and no special zero-return rule. They describe long-run expected loss on total wagers, not a predicted result from a $1,000 bankroll. Rebetting the same money adds to total wagers.
Why the additional zero changes the calculation
MGM’s GameSense roulette guide lists a straight-number win at 35:1, meaning 35 units of profit plus the winning stake returned. On a single-zero wheel, a one-unit number bet wins 35 units in one of 37 equally likely outcomes and loses one unit in the other 36. The average net result is (35 − 36) ÷ 37 = −1/37.
A double-zero wheel adds another losing pocket without increasing that payout. The equivalent calculation is (35 − 37) ÷ 38 = −2/38. Count every zero on the actual layout rather than assuming any table without a European label must have exactly two zeros.
Not every bet on the same wheel has the same edge
For an equal-stake comparison, the roulette-bet house-edge and payout guide works through a five-number basket versus five straight wagers covering the same pockets. It distinguishes the amount returned from net profit and explains why win frequency alone does not measure the cost of a bet.
GameSense lists the five-number top-line bet covering 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3 at 6:1. On a 38-pocket wheel, that means five winning outcomes earning six units each and 33 losing outcomes: (5 × 6 − 33) ÷ 38 = −3/38, or a 7.89% house edge. The standard 5.26% figure should not be applied to that bet.
Side bets, bonus features and changed payouts need their own rules. Red/black is not a 50/50 chance on a normal wheel: green zero pockets are additional outcomes. Previous results do not make the next independent spin due to land on a particular color.
Single zero does not automatically mean French zero rules
BetMGM’s roulette-format explainer distinguishes ordinary European roulette from French-style zero treatments. If a specific single-zero game applies La Partage to an even-money bet, returning half the stake when zero lands, its defined expected loss is 0.5 ÷ 37 = 1.35%. That rule does not improve every wager on the layout.
En Prison holds an eligible bet for later settlement under the game’s conditions. Ask how subsequent zeros and release of the stake are handled. Do not assume either rule is present at a Las Vegas table, or rely on an old account of a named dealer offering it.
Compare the wager size as well as the percentage
Hypothetical comparison over 100 spins: one $50 straight-number bet per spin on single zero creates $5,000 in wagers and about $135.14 theoretical loss. One $15 straight-number bet per spin on double zero creates $1,500 in wagers and about $78.95 theoretical loss. The lower-edge wheel in this example still involves more money at risk and a larger expected loss because the bets are larger.
These are invented stakes and a fixed spin count, not current minimums or a promise your budget will last that long. Check the actual table minimum and total wager, and keep within your gambling loss limit. Skipping a game is an option when the qualifying wager does not fit.
Where to start checking in Las Vegas
Plaza’s current table-games page advertises single-zero roulette downtown. That directly contradicts a blanket claim that downtown has only American wheels. A website listing does not confirm an open table, exact minimum or special zero rule at your arrival time; contact the property and inspect the game.
Our single-zero roulette guide covers that venue check in more detail. The Martingale explanation shows why doubling cannot guarantee a profit, and the ATM-fee guide helps count withdrawal costs separately. No wheel choice or betting sequence guarantees a winning visit.
Primary operator and GameSense sources checked October 16, 2026. Percentages and monetary examples are calculations under the stated rules; no live table minimum or playing-time guarantee is made.
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