Zero on roulette

The Roulette Wheel: Main Component of the Game

It is impossible to talk about the zero bet in roulette without first discussing the main element of the game, which is the wheel. This is because every bet in the game is dependent on this wheel. Without a doubt, the wheel is the most important component of this classic table game.

There are two main parts of the roulette wheel. These are the numbers and the colours. The typical wheel comprises 37 (European wheel) or 38 (American wheel) numbered pockets, depending on the variant. There are 3 colours on the wheel: red, black, and green. The zero, which can be single or double, is usually the only pocket in green on the roulette wheel. The wheel pockets 1–36 are divided into 3 columns of 12 numbers each.

The numbers aren't arranged on the wheel in sequential order. This is to ensure that the outcome of the wheel is as random as possible. Other components of the game include the table, which is the betting layout where you can place a bet. And the ball, which is used to determine the outcome.

Single zero roulette

Single-zero is also known as European roulette. It is the first type that was created, and as such, there are a lot of other roulette variants that are based on this type. The house edge is reduced, and there are a lot of bet options in the European variant. Let's look at some key aspects of this as related to the zero in roulette.

European Roulette Wheel

The European roulette wheel is divided into 37 numbers. There is only one zero, which is in green; 18 pockets are red, and the remaining 18 are black. When the wheel is spun in one direction, the ball is spun in the opposite direction on the wheel. The pocket where the ball lands is the winning number. Typically, on the European wheel, the single zero (0) pocket lies between black 26 and red 32.

Betting on Zero in European Roulette

The number zero on the European roulette wheel is the only number that ensures the house can make some gains on bets. If there's no zero, it will mean that every bet placed on even bets will have a 50:50 payout. However, this isn't the case. The bet on green zero on the European variant has a 1 in 37 chance of occurring, and this brings the house edge to 2.63%, which is lower than that in the American variant.

Other Variants that Use the European Roulette Wheel

The most popular variant that is based on the European variant is French roulette. Both the French and European variants are played with a single zero pocket. The probability of correctly predicting the single green zero is also 1 in 37. However, the house edge in the French version of this casino game is reduced to 1.35%.

The main reason why this is different is because of the La Partage and En Prison rules. Apart from this, French roulette is played in the same way as the European. Almost all other popular variants offered by software providers in online casinos are based on the European one. Examples include the multi-wheel, mini and pinbal versions of the game.

Double zero roulette

The Double-zero variant is also known as American roulette. Even though the European version is the oldest and most popular variant, American roulette is the next most popular variant. As a matter of fact, several games are based on American roulette. The house edge in the American variant is higher than that in European one.

American Roulette Wheel

The only difference between the American and the classic wheel is the number of zero pockets. So, there are 3 columns with 12 random numbers each. However, there is a single green zero (0) and a double zero green (00), which is the second green pocket of the American wheel. Because of this, the total number of pockets when playing American roulette is 38. This is higher than the total number of pickets in the European version. Typically, on the American wheel, the (0) pocket lies between 28 black and 2, while the double zero (00) pocket lies between 27 red and 1 red.

Betting on Zero in American Roulette

Because of the American roulette double zero pockets, the house advantage is increased. The probability of a bet on zero playing is 1 in 38, and this increases the house edge to 5.26%. Because the American version has an increased house advantage, more often than not, it is the variant that you'll find at a land-based casino. Smarter players tend to avoid playing the American game and instead play on the European wheel.

Popular Types of Zero Bet in Roulette

Different bets involve zero when you play roulette. It is important to say that not every variant of the game will allow you to place all the bets. Each bet type has its own probability of winning and a different payout. This is why it is important to read the rules of the particular roulette table where you decide to play at. Software providers determine the types of bets that can be placed in the game variant.

Zero Bet (Single Number Bet)

The zero bet is the most popular direct bet involving the zero green pocket or pockets. The payout of this bet is the same as the payout when you place a single-number bet. In French and European roulette, the probability is 1 in 37. While in the American bet, it is 1 in 38. In the American version, you place single bets on the ball landing in the 0 or 00 pocket. It has the highest payout in the game.

Voisins du Zero Bet (Neighbours of Zero Bet)

Voisins du Zero bet is a bet placed on numbers that are close to the zero pocket of the roulette wheel. This bet is on 17 numbers in total, including the 0 or 00 pocket itself. On a classic European wheel, the numbers are 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, and 25. The payout odds for this bet are usually not very high, but they are higher than those for outside bets.

Jeu Zero Bet (Zero Game)

The Jeu Zero bet is similar to the Voisins du Zero bet. It is a bet on numbers around the green zero in roulette. However, in this bet type, there are only 7 numbers, as opposed to 17 in Voisins du Zero bets. The payout odds are also higher than those of the Voisins du Zero bet. The Jeu Zero bet covers the following pockets on a standard roulette wheel: 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, and 15. Typically, there are 4 numbers from the left of 0 and 2 from the right.

Special Rules in French Roulette InvolvingNumber Zero on the Roulette Wheel

Normally, when you play roulette at online casinos, it is very likely that you'll lose money any time the ball falls into the zero pocket. The French game has some rules that can help mitigate these losses. They are La Partage and En Prison rules. However, some variants of American Roulette allow the La Partage rule.

La Partage Rule

This is a special rule in roulette that returns half of your original bet when the ball lands in the 0 pocket. Normally, even money bets result in a loss when the ball lands in the green zero. However, in this special bet, you lose only half your stake. The bets that players can place and get half back using the La Partage rule are red, black, even, odd, high, or low outcomes. This rule makes the French or its variants very appealing to players, as it reduces the number of losing bets that players have.

En Prison Rule

En Prison can sometimes be mistaken for La Partage, but they are two different rules in the game. Even though they might have some similarities, they are different. The similarity between the two is that both bets do not allow you to lose all the money that you have wagered. While the former returns half your stake to you, En Prison allows the house to hold your bet for the next spin. In this case, the player has a lower chance of winning since there is no guarantee that they'll win on the next spin of the roulette wheel.

Roulette Zero Tips

In the game of roulette, your chances of hitting 0 are very slim, as this betting option has one of the highest odds in the game. We generally would not advise that you place too many bets on zero unless you are a high roller. You also need to understand that roulette is a game of chance, and as such, the tips that we provide here will not guarantee that you'll always win. Let's look at some tips that will improve your chances.

Bet on La Partage Roulette

The first thing that you can do that may improve your chances when betting on green zero is to choose games with La Partage. This is because even when you lose, you will get some of your money back.

Avoid the American Roulette Wheel if Possible

American roulette has the highest house edge among all the popular variants. Because of this, we believe that it is self-sabotaging to play on an American table. Play other variants that have only one single green zero pocket. You should only play the American when other options are unavailable.

Place Bets on French or European Roulette

If you have the option of betting on French or European roulette at an online casino, always go for it. They have more betting options, and above all, the house advantage is reduced. To maximize your gaming experience, you should play the French variant.

Don't Wager Too Much Money on Green Zero

We must reiterate that bets placed on green zero have the same probability of winning as all other single-number bets. Your chances of winning are meagre. Wagering too much money on this bet option would see you use up your bankroll in no time.

Roulette without zero

The no-zero roulette game is by far the best when it comes to the odds of winning. The payouts for individual number bets remain at 35:1, but the overall odds of the game change drastically. With American and European roulette offering a house edge of 5.26% and 2.63%, respectively, the no zero version has a 0% house edge. This provides you with true odds while playing the game.

The appeal of this game comes from the many winning streaks that can be enjoyed. While this has not been a popular version in the past years, it is now emerging in many online casinos. In 2025, it is expected to be the most-played version of roulette in the world.

Unfortunately, some casinos will refrain from offering it because of the low house edge. They are in business to make a profit, not give their money away.

Choosing the best game

It can be easy to get caught up in the action and thrills of playing roulette, but the zero does play an important role. Whenever possible, try to find a no zero game, but if you can't, choose French or European Roulette. The American version should be the last choice, and many will avoid it completely when it is offered at an online casino. You will want to play the game that has the lowest house edge and the truest odds, so pay attention to the zero spaces that are in use.

Online roulette is not a difficult game to learn, but don't make the mistake of overlooking the importance of the green zero and how it will affect overall payouts if you play the game for any length of time.

Zero on Roulette: Frequently Asked Questions