What Is the Difference in One Sentence?
European roulette (single-zero) uses 37 pockets: 0 plus 1–36. American roulette (double-zero) uses 38 pockets: 0, 00 and 1–36. With the usual payouts kept the same, that extra green pocket nearly doubles the standard house edge from about 2.70% to about 5.26%.
That comparison is a long-run cost difference, not a promise that single-zero sessions will finish ahead. Roulette still favours the house on every common bet.
Midas55 lists roulette among its live casino games on the main website. Table selection and settlement happen on midas55.com. This article explains how to recognise the wheel type and why the zero count matters before you stake MYR.
Wheel Layout: 37 Pockets vs 38 Pockets
Independent probability references such as Wizard of Odds roulette basics describe the wheels as follows:
| Feature | European (single zero) | American (double zero) |
|---|---|---|
| Pockets | 37 (0 + 1–36) | 38 (0 + 00 + 1–36) |
| Extra house pocket | One green zero | Two green zeros |
| Common straight-up payout | 35 to 1 | 35 to 1 |
| Common even-money payout (red/black, odd/even, 1–18 / 19–36) | 1 to 1 | 1 to 1 |
| Standard house edge on those common bets | 1/37 ≈ 2.70% | 2/38 ≈ 5.26% |
The payout labels look familiar on both layouts. The expected cost changes because the ball has one more losing pocket on the American wheel while those payouts stay the same.
Why the Same Payout Is Not the Same Bet
Take a straight-up number bet that pays 35 to 1:
- European: one winning pocket out of 37. Win probability = 1/37. House edge = 1/37 ≈ 2.70%.
- American: one winning pocket out of 38. Win probability = 1/38. House edge = 2/38 ≈ 5.26%.
Even-money outside bets follow the same pattern. On a European wheel, 18 red pockets out of 37 gives 18/37 ≈ 48.65% chance to win a red bet (ignoring other colours). On an American wheel, 18 red pockets out of 38 gives 18/38 ≈ 47.37%. Zero and double-zero are neither red nor black, so they are losing outcomes for those outside bets unless a special table rule says otherwise.
American Five-Number (Basket) Bet
Wizard of Odds notes that the American five-number combination covering 0-00-1-2-3 carries a higher house edge of about 7.89% when it pays 6 to 1. That bet does not exist in the same form on a single-zero layout. If you see a five-number top-line bet, you are on a double-zero table.
RM Examples of Expected Cost (Not Forecasts)
House edge applies to total amount wagered over a huge number of spins. Short sessions can finish far above or below these figures.
| Wheel | Standard house edge | Expected house share of RM1,000 wagered |
|---|---|---|
| European single zero | 2.70% | About RM27 |
| American double zero | 5.26% | About RM53 |
Another way to see the gap: if you plan RM10 per spin for 100 spins, total stakes = RM1,000. The long-run model still points to roughly twice the expected cost on the double-zero wheel under standard payouts. Raising stakes after losses does not improve those percentages.
Betting systems that double after a loss do not remove the zero pockets. Encyclopedia Britannica and Wizard of Odds both note that progressive systems cannot overcome the house advantage created by 0 or 0/00.
French / La Partage Notes (Do Not Assume They Apply)
Some single-zero tables add rules such as la partage or en prison on even-money bets when zero appears, which can reduce the even-money house edge further. Those rules are product-specific. Do not assume a table labelled “European” includes them.
Triple-zero and other multi-zero wheels also exist in some markets and carry higher edges. Always trust the wheel and paytable you can see in the game client.
Checklist Before You Bet Roulette on Midas55
- Open Midas55 live casino and select a roulette table.
- Confirm whether the wheel shows one zero or 0 and 00 in the rules panel or on the wheel graphic.
- Check straight-up and even-money payouts, and whether any short-pay or special zero rule is listed.
- Note minimum and maximum stakes in MYR.
- Set a session budget before the first spin.
If a promotion is active, confirm whether roulette contributes to turnover. Use the Midas55 bonuses guide and our turnover calculation article before you claim an offer aimed at other games. For another live-table payout check, see our baccarat commission vs no-commission guide.
European vs American Roulette FAQ
Is European roulette a way to make money?
No. A lower house edge means a lower long-run expected cost than double-zero roulette under otherwise similar payouts. It does not create a positive expectation for the player.
Do red/black bets become 50/50 on a European wheel?
No. The single zero is still neither red nor black, so even-money outside bets are not true coin flips.
Can the table name alone confirm the edge?
Not always. Confirm the visible zero count and the paytable. Short pays on electronic or RNG roulette can raise the edge even on a familiar-looking layout.
Where do I open roulette on Midas55?
Use live casino on the main site after you log in. Guides stay on midas55.net; bets are placed on midas55.com.
Sources and Checks
- Wizard of Odds — Roulette Basics (European 1/37 ≈ 2.70%; American 2/38 ≈ 5.26%; five-number bet ≈ 7.89%; French/la partage notes): page reviewed 30 October 2026.
- Midas55 live-casino product area referenced from this site’s current configuration pointing to midas55.com/casino. No table-by-table Midas55 wheel inventory is published here; each live table’s wheel and paytable are authoritative.