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Lesson 1

Every bet has the same edge

And why European is always better than American

Roulette has no strategy. Every bet — red/black, single number, dozen, — pays out at the same . So the only real decision is which wheel you play. European (single zero) — 2.70% edge 37 pockets: 0, 1–36. Every bet pays slightly less than fair . A straight-up number pays 35:1 when the true are 36:1. American (double zero) — 5.26% edge 38 pockets: 0, 00, 1–36. That extra 00 nearly DOUBLES the . Same payouts, more losing pockets. The sharp move: refuse to play American roulette. Find a casino with European wheels. In an hour of $25 bets at 40 spins per hour, the difference is $26 per hour in extra losses on American — for no benefit. The ONE exception where American is uniquely bad: the "basket" bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3) has a 7.89% edge — the worst roulette bet in the house. Avoid it.

Key points

  • ✓All roulette bets have the same house edge
  • ✓European wheel: 2.70% edge
  • ✓American wheel: 5.26% edge (double zero)
  • ✓Never play American if European is available
  • ✓Never take the American basket bet (7.89%)