Roulette House Edge Calculator
Calculate the house edge and expected loss for roulette
Formula:House Edge = Zero Pockets / Total Pockets
Roulette Settings
Configure your game type
House Edge Analysis
Expected cost of playing
House Edge
2.70%
Player Return: 97.30%
Per Spin
-$1
Per Hour
-$27
4-Hour Session
-$108
Wheel Comparison (Same Betting)
French (LP)
1.35%-$14/hr
European
2.7%-$27/hr
American
5.26%-$53/hr
Common Scenarios
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Quick Answer
Key concepts at a glance
European roulette has 2.70% house edge, American has 5.26%. At $25/spin for 100 spins/hour, you expect to lose $67.50/hour (European) vs $131.50/hour (American). That's nearly double! The five-number bet on American wheels is the worst bet in roulette at 7.89% edge. Always choose European wheels when available.
Key Facts About House Edge
Important information
- European single-zero wheel: 2.70% house edge (1/37)
- American double-zero wheel: 5.26% house edge (2/38)
- The five-number bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3) has 7.89% edge - avoid it
- En prison rule reduces edge to 1.35% on even-money bets
- At $100/spin, European loses $2.70 on average vs $5.26 American
- French roulette with la partage has the best odds at 1.35%
- No betting system can overcome the mathematical house edge
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about roulette house edge
What is the house edge in roulette?
House edge is the casino's mathematical advantage. In European roulette, the single zero gives a 2.70% edge (1/37). In American roulette, the double zero increases it to 5.26% (2/38). This means for every $100 you bet, you expect to lose $2.70 (European) or $5.26 (American) on average.
Why is American roulette worse than European?
American wheels have an extra pocket (00) that doesn't change the payouts. A straight bet still pays 35:1, but now covers 1/38 instead of 1/37. This extra zero nearly doubles the house edge from 2.70% to 5.26%. Over thousands of spins, this difference adds up significantly.
What is en prison and la partage?
These are special rules on some European tables. La partage returns half your even-money bet when zero hits. En prison holds your even-money bet for another spin. Both reduce the house edge on red/black, odd/even, high/low bets to just 1.35% - the best odds in roulette.
Do all bets have the same house edge?
On European wheels, yes - all bets have 2.70% edge. On American wheels, all bets have 5.26% edge EXCEPT the five-number bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3) which has 7.89% edge. This is the worst bet in roulette and should always be avoided.
How this works
Calculations follow the published mathematics of the game — combinatorics for cards, probability theory for dice, and expected-value accounting for wagers. Results are verified against independent references (primarily Wizard of Odds). No calculation here is an opinion or recommendation; it is arithmetic applied to the rules of the game.
What this tool can’t do
When to consult a professional
This tool computes probability and expected value. It is not a betting system and cannot predict the outcome of any individual wager. If gambling is causing problems for you or someone you know, call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER.
Sources
- [1]Wizard of Odds — Michael Shackleford, ASAIndustrywizardofodds.comAccessed Apr 21, 2026
Actuary; widely cited casino-game probability reference. Used for house-edge and EV verification.
- [2]National Council on Problem GamblingOfficial sourcencpgambling.orgAccessed Apr 21, 2026
Responsible-gambling guidance and 1-800-GAMBLER helpline.
Joseph OrdunaFounder & Software Engineer
Full-stack software engineer specializing in embedded systems, web architecture, and AI/ML. Founder of Practical Web Tools. Built the gesture-controlled drone IP acquired by KD Interactive (Aura Drone, sold on Amazon).