The Extra Zero in American Roulette

Roulette, meaning 'little wheel' was originally invented in France. When it moved to America the wheel underwent a slight change of great significance. The American roulette wheel and the French roulette wheel both possess the numbers from zero to thirty five. The difference between the two lies in the fact that while the French wheel has only one 'house number' (the zero), the American roulette wheel has two (a zero and a double zero). Usually (unless imprisonment rules are used) this means that all high, low, even, odd, red and black bets are lost. This difference means that the house advantage in roulette of the American casinos is greater than their French casino counterparts.

The House Advantage in Roulette

While it may not seem like much, this difference of a single number on the roulette wheel actually doubles the house advantage (a wheel without any zeroes at all would be statistically fair). There is a style of roulette where the house advantage is even lower. With this method, when the ball lands on one of the house numbers, the even bets are 'imprisoned' and remain for another round. This lowers the house advantage for even bets significantly.

Roulette Strategies: Play French Roulette

Strategies that are relevant for both types of roulette are the classic statistical strategies. These statistical strategies are often thoroughly discussed in various roulette sites. It is probably worth play testing such strategies before committing any money to mathematical theories. What does not work is betting on the zeroes in the hopes of gaining the house advantage. Although these numbers are responsible for the house advantage, betting on them does not confer any mystical statistical advantage on the player. Finally, since minimizing the house advantage is important for the player, it is usually best for the player to play using a French roulette wheel. If the option of imprisonment is employed than there is a clear gambling advantage for the player of betting on the even numbers