Roulette is one of the most iconic games in any casino, online or in person. If you’ve paid attention to different wheels, you’ll have noticed some have a single zero (0) while others include both zero and double zero (00).
Those extra green pockets do more than change the wheel’s appearance; they alter probabilities, payouts and certain bets. This guide explains the mechanics and payouts for both versions so you can understand how the small differences affect play.
Curious about how the extra zero changes the numbers and your choices at the table? The next section lays out the core distinction and what it means for gameplay.
What Is the Difference Between 0 and 00 Roulette?
The key difference is simply the number of green zero pockets. Single zero roulette (commonly called European or French roulette) has one green 0, giving the wheel 37 pockets in total: numbers 1–36 plus 0. Double zero roulette (American roulette) adds a 00 pocket, so the wheel has 38 pockets: 1–36, 0 and 00.
That single extra pocket changes the math behind every wager. Although straight-up and other payouts remain the same between versions, the chance of any particular number winning is reduced on the double zero wheel because there’s one more possible outcome. The extra pocket also appears on the betting layout as an additional box for 00 and affects split and combination bets that include the zeros. Expect a slightly different feel from the table and wheel as a result, and read on to see how those differences reshape the house edge.
How Do Roulette Wheels With 0 and 00 Affect Gameplay?
The presence of one or two zero pockets changes how likely different bets are to win, which in turn affects the house edge and some special rules. Whether you choose a single or double zero wheel, the variation shows up most plainly in the percentages behind common wagers and in a few table-specific rules that can alter the effective house advantage.
House Edge Comparison: 0 vs 00
The house edge is the mathematical advantage the casino retains over the long run, and it depends on how many zero pockets are on the wheel. With a single zero wheel the house edge is about 2.7%. Add a double zero and that edge rises to approximately 5.26%.
This increase comes from the extra possible outcome the double zero introduces. Although payouts for individual bets stay the same across both versions, the probability of winning those bets is lower when an additional losing pocket exists. The practical effect is that the same bet returns the same nominal amount when it wins, but wins occur less often on the double zero wheel.
These differences also set the scene for how table layouts and special rules can slightly shift outcomes, which is what the next section explains.
Table Layout and Wheel Design Differences
Table and wheel designs reflect whether a game is single or double zero. European and French layouts show one green 0 and arrange numbers 1–36 in alternating red and black. American layouts include an extra box for 00 on the betting grid and the wheel itself contains the extra green pocket.
Some single zero games offer additional rules that affect certain bets, such as La Partage or En Prison, where a portion of an even-money bet can be returned or held if the ball lands on zero. These rules reduce the effective house edge on even-money wagers, but they are not standard on double zero tables. Where the wheel design and table differ, so do small strategic considerations about which bets carry better long-term value.
Understanding Roulette Payouts
Knowing standard payouts helps set realistic expectations for winnings on different bet types. Below are clear explanations of the common inside and outside bets and what they pay when they win. Make sensible choices and set personal limits before you begin.
Inside Bets and Their Payouts
Inside bets target specific numbers or small groups on the main grid and generally offer higher payouts because they cover fewer outcomes. A straight-up bet on a single number pays 35 to 1. A split bet covering two adjacent numbers pays 17 to 1. A street bet, which covers three numbers in a row, pays 11 to 1. A corner (square) bet covering four numbers pays 8 to 1, and a line or six-line bet covering six numbers pays 5 to 1.
There is one additional inside bet specific to double zero wheels: the top line, which covers 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3 and typically pays 6 to 1. That wager does not exist on single zero tables, so inside-bet options are slightly broader on American wheels.
Outside Bets and Their Payouts
Outside bets cover larger groups of numbers with lower payouts but higher probability of winning. Bets on red or black, odd or even, or high (19–36) and low (1–18) each pay 1 to 1. Dozen bets, which cover groups of 12 numbers, and column bets, which also cover 12 numbers, pay 2 to 1.
Because zero pockets are neither red nor black, odd nor even, nor high nor low, those outside bets lose when the ball lands on any green pocket, which is why their win probability is slightly under 50% and varies between single and double zero wheels.
How Do 0 and 00 Change Your Odds?
Each zero pocket removes that outcome from the common outside categories, so adding a second zero lowers the probability of winning most bets. On a single zero wheel there are 37 possible outcomes; on a double zero wheel there are 38. A straight-up bet is therefore 1 in 37 on a single zero wheel and 1 in 38 on a double zero wheel. For even-money bets the difference is between 18/37 and 18/38 respectively.
Those fractions are the straightforward expression of how wheel structure affects odds: the more pockets, the lower the chance any particular bet succeeds. This mathematical effect is what makes choosing the wheel variant—the table with different pockets and rules—a meaningful decision for anyone thinking about risk and reward at the table.
If you want to compare how certain bets behave under different table rules, the next section looks at how popular each variant is where you might be playing, which can influence availability and game choice.
Which Roulette Variant Is More Popular in the UK?
Single zero roulette is the standard offering across most UK venues and online sites, making it the most familiar choice for British players. Double zero roulette is less common here and tends to appear mainly where international games are offered.
Because single zero tables are more widely available, players in the UK typically encounter the lower house edge and, in some cases, additional rules that can be favourable for even-money wagers. Choice often comes down to venue and personal preference, but the availability of single zero games makes it easier for players to select that variant when they prefer the slightly better mathematical position.
Common Misconceptions About 0 and 00 in Roulette
A few misunderstandings circulate about the zeros and how they affect play. One is the idea that zeros can be predicted or avoided by choosing certain numbers or patterns; in practice outcomes are determined by the wheel’s structure and the relative frequencies of pockets, so predictions of specific numbers are not supported by the game’s design. Another is the belief that betting systems can overcome the built-in house edge; no wagering strategy changes the underlying probabilities created by the wheel.
It is also sometimes thought that only even-money bets are affected by zero pockets. In truth, all bets are influenced because zero pockets remove outcomes from the groups covered by many wagers. Being clear about these facts helps set realistic expectations and keeps the focus on making informed choices while playing.
Understanding the distinction between single and double zero wheels, the payout structure and the way probabilities shift provides a complete picture of how roulette works. Armed with that knowledge, you can choose the table that suits your preferences and play within personal limits, treating the game as entertainment and stopping when it no longer is.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.