The Roulette Wheel: 37 vs 38 Pockets
Before you place a single chip, you need to understand the structural difference between the two wheels. European roulette has 37 pockets: numbers 1-36 plus a single zero (0). American roulette has 38 pockets: the same 1-36, a single zero (0), and an additional double zero (00). This single extra pocket changes the house edge dramatically. The European game offers a house edge of 2.70%, while the American version increases that to 5.26% on most bets. For a practical player, this means that over 100 spins, you statistically lose about $2.70 for every $100 wagered in European, versus $5.26 in American. The practical takeaway: if you see a European wheel, play it. If you see an American wheel, you are fighting a tougher math problem.
Step-by-Step Gameplay at the Table
Here is a direct walkthrough of the process, assuming you are playing at Gangbob or a comparable live casino platform. First, select your table. European tables are usually marked “single zero” or “French” (though French rules may include La Partage, which returns half your even-money bet on a zero — check the table rules). American tables are marked “double zero.” Second, place your bets: inside bets (straight, split, street) and outside bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low, dozens, columns). On an American wheel, there is also a five-number bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3) which carries a staggering 7.89% house edge — never play it. Third, spin the wheel. The dealer will spin and place the ball. In a live dealer game, you typically have 15-20 seconds to place bets before the spin locks. Fourth, see the result. The dealer will announce the winning number, and payouts are standard: straight-up pays 35:1, split 17:1, street 11:1, corner 8:1, six-line 5:1, column/dozen 2:1, and even-money bets 1:1. The only difference in payout is that on an American wheel, the 0 and 00 are both green and, if hit, you lose all outside bets except those placed on the specific zero(s).
Bankroll Strategy and Bet Timing
Most players lose because of poor money management, not because of the wheel offset. Here is a concrete method. Divide your session bankroll into 40 units. If you have $200, that is $5 per unit. For European roulette, stick to even-money outside bets (red/black, odd/even) for 60% of your session. This preserves your bankroll and gives you near 50/50 odds (minus the 2.70% house edge). For the remaining 40% of your session, you can attack with inside numbers. A common tactic is the “neighbor bet” on the European wheel: covering the number and two numbers on each side (five chips total) — this costs 5 units and pays 35:1 if your center number hits. Do not play this on an American wheel because the double zero breaks the physical sequence. Also, set a win goal: 20% profit above your starting bankroll. If you reach it, walk away. Set a loss limit: 50% of your bankroll. Walk away if you hit it. These hard limits are how you last longer than the house edge.
House Edge Comparison Table
The following table shows the exact payouts and house edge percentages for each bet type. Memorize the European column — it is your reference for making profitable decisions. The American column shows why you should avoid that wheel.
| Bet Type | European Payout | American Payout | European House Edge | American House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight (1 number) | 35:1 | 35:1 | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Split (2 numbers) | 17:1 | 17:1 | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Street (3 numbers) | 11:1 | 11:1 | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Corner (4 numbers) | 8:1 | 8:1 | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Six-line (6 numbers) | 5:1 | 5:1 | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Column/Dozen (12 numbers) | 2:1 | 2:1 | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Even-money (Red/Black, Odd/Even, High/Low) | 1:1 | 1:1 | 2.70% (or 1.35% with La Partage) | 5.26% (or 2.63% with Surrender) |
| Five-number (0, 00, 1, 2, 3) — American only | N/A | 6:1 | N/A | 7.89% |
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Here are the typical mistakes players make and how to fix them. Problem 1: Confusing the “0” and “00” payout. On an American wheel, if you bet straight-up on 0 and 00 hits, you lose. On a European wheel, there is no 00, so this is not an issue. Problem 2: Late betting. In live dealer games, once the ball is released, betting is locked. You cannot add a chip after the ball slows down. Solution: place all bets 5 seconds before the spin. Problem 3: Miscalculating payouts on corner bets. A corner bet (four numbers) pays 8:1. If you bet $5, you get $40 plus your original $5 back. Many players accidentally expect 10:1. Problem 4: Buying chips with the wrong table minimum. At many Gangbob casino live tables, the minimum is $10, but the player bankroll may only be $100 — that is only 10 units. That is too little for a session. Solution: either find a table with a $5 minimum or increase your bankroll to $200. Problem 5: Not understanding the “en prison” rule on European even-money bets. In some European tables, if zero hits, your bet is “imprisoned” — it stays for the next spin. If the next spin wins, you get your bet back without profit. This effectively halves the house edge on even-money bets, making it 1.35%. Always confirm if the table uses “La Partage” or “En Prison” — they are different rules.
Session Checklist for Players
- Always play European roulette with La Partage if available — it reduces the house edge to 1.35% on even-money bets.
- Never touch the five-number bet on an American wheel — it is the worst bet in roulette.
- Set a bankroll of 40 units and a profit goal of +20% before you sit down.
- Confirm the table minimum and your unit size before buying in — do not play a $10 minimum table with a $100 bankroll for a long session.
- Bet on even-money outside bets for the first half of your session to build stability, then use inside neighbor bets only when you have a surplus of at least 10 units.
- Remember that a European wheel has 37 pockets, and the house edge is 2.70% — you are spotting the 47% chance of winning any even-money bet (plus the 1.35% La Partage reduction).
- If you ever see a wheel with both 0 and 00, your best move is to find a different table — the math is stacked against you by an extra 2.56%.