Why wheel choice matters more than staking “systems”
American roulette adds a double-zero pocket to the wheel, while European roulette uses a single zero. That one extra green pocket doesn’t change posted payouts—but it does change your probability of winning, which is why the American wheel carries a house edge of 5.26% versus 2.70% on a standard European wheel.
The essential differences at a glance
- Pockets
American: 0 and 00; European: 0 only. Same payout table on both, different odds. - House edge
American: 5.26% on most bets; European: 2.70% on most bets. - The notorious five-number bet (American only)
Betting 0-00-1-2-3 carries a much worse 7.89% edge—best avoided. - French rules that help on single-zero tables
La partage and en prison reduce the edge on even-money bets to an effective 1.35% when zero hits. - Atlantic City wrinkle on double-zero tables
Some New Jersey rules allow half-back on even-money bets when 0 or 00 lands, cutting those specific bets to ~2.63% while other bets remain American-rate.
Payouts don’t change—but probabilities do
Standard payouts are 35:1 for a straight, 17:1 split, 11:1 street, 8:1 corner, 5:1 six-line, 2:1 dozens/columns, and 1:1 even-money bets. These are the same on both wheels; the extra 00 simply dilutes your hit rate on American layouts.
French rules: when single-zero gets even friendlier
If your European or French table offers la partage or en prison, even-money bets get protection when zero hits. With la partage you lose only half; with en prison your stake is held for the next spin. Either way, the effective edge on those even-money wagers drops to 1.35%. Always check the table info panel because availability varies.
Special case: why some American tables aren’t always worse
In Atlantic City, regulators allow casinos the option to return half of an even-money bet when 0 or 00 lands on double-zero wheels. If the property uses that option, those even-money bets run at about a 2.63% edge—still higher than la partage single-zero, but better than the usual American 5.26%. Other bet types remain at standard American edges.
Fairness on crypto roulette: what to look for
- Certified RNG (digital roulette)
Reputable online casinos submit their RNGs to accredited labs such as eCOGRA for unpredictability and ongoing compliance testing—this addresses integrity, not the house edge. - Provably fair variants (some crypto casinos)
Many crypto titles publish a server-seed hash up front and later reveal the server seed, which you can combine with your client seed and a nonce to reproduce the spin—verifying the outcome wasn’t altered post-bet. - On-chain VRF (decentralized games)
A smaller segment uses Chainlink VRF to publish randomness with a cryptographic proof that smart contracts verify on-chain before use.
Bitcoin and Lightning: funding speed vs odds
Bitcoin’s base-layer confirmations average roughly every ten minutes, so last-minute deposits can be delayed. Lightning Network, when supported, enables near-instant, low-fee BTC transfers via off-chain payment channels—handy for topping up, but it doesn’t change roulette math.
So…which wheel is better for Bitcoin bettors?
- If you have a choice, pick European (single-zero). Over time, 2.70% beats 5.26%. With la partage/en prison, even-money bets improve to an effective 1.35% when zero hits.
- If only American is available, avoid the five-number 0-00-1-2-3 bet and favor tables that clearly advertise the half-back rule on even-money wagers.
- Your payment rail doesn’t affect odds. Use Lightning for speed or pre-fund on-chain; then focus on rules, not staking systems.
Quick beginner checklist
- Prefer single-zero wheels; verify la partage/en prison on the info panel.
- Check American tables for half-back on even-money bets; if offered, note that only those wagers improve to ~2.63%.
- Avoid the American five-number bet (7.89% edge).
- For digital roulette, look for an RNG certificate; in crypto-native titles, learn how to verify provably fair seeds.
- Plan BTC deposits: base-layer confirmations vs Lightning’s speed.
FAQ
Does European roulette always pay more than American?
Payout ratios are identical; European simply removes the 00, improving your hit probabilities and cutting the house edge to 2.70% from 5.26%.
Is la partage the same as en prison?
Both protect even-money bets when zero appears on single-zero wheels; either rule yields about a 1.35% edge on those specific bets. La partage returns half immediately; en prison holds your stake for one spin.
Are there any “good” American tables?
Some New Jersey double-zero games give half-back on even-money bets when 0/00 hits, improving those wagers to ~2.63%—but other bets remain at standard American edges.
Does Bitcoin or Lightning change the house edge?
No. They change funding speed and fees, not probabilities or payouts. Use Lightning for quick top-ups if the casino supports it.
What’s the worst common roulette bet?
On American wheels, the five-number 0-00-1-2-3 bet, which carries a 7.89% edge.
