Last updated: July 6, 2026 · By Mikkel Hansen
Quick Answer
- European pockets
- 37 (single zero)
- American pockets
- 38 (0 and 00)
- Hit rate (European)
- 32 ÷ 37 = 86.48%
- Hit rate (American)
- 32 ÷ 38 = 84.21%
- House edge
- ~2.70% vs ~5.26%
- Verdict
- European roulette is better suited
The Romanovsky Roulette System is usually described as a European roulette strategy. This page explains why the wheel you choose matters so much.
European Roulette Wheel
The European wheel has 37 pockets: numbers 1–36 plus a single zero. Fewer pockets and one zero mean a lower house edge and a higher hit rate for any coverage-based system.
American Roulette Wheel
The American wheel has 38 pockets because it adds a double zero (00) alongside the single zero. American roulette has 00, which is the whole reason its odds are worse.
Single Zero vs Double Zero
The 00 pocket does not add a covered number for a 32-number layout - it adds another way to lose, lowering the hit rate and raising the edge.
32/37 vs 32/38 Comparison
Covering 32 numbers on 37 pockets gives 86.48%. The same coverage on 38 pockets gives 32 ÷ 38 = 84.21%. The detailed probabilities are set out under Romanovsky odds on European roulette.
Hit Probability Table
| Roulette Type | Total Pockets | Coverage | Hit Probability | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European | 37 | 32 | 86.48% | ~2.70% |
| American | 38 | 32 | 84.21% | ~5.26% |
House Edge Difference
European roulette has a lower house edge than American roulette - roughly 2.70% versus 5.26%. Romanovsky does not change either number; it only decides how your stake is spread across the wheel.
Why American Roulette Makes the System Worse
The extra 00 means more losing outcomes and a higher edge, so covered-number wins are diluted further and danger-number losses arrive slightly more often. This compounds the American roulette risk already inherent in the system.
Practical Table Selection
Where both are offered, the single-zero European table is the better choice for this system. The exact placement is unchanged - see the Romanovsky bet layout - but the odds behind it are more favourable. Combine table choice with disciplined bankroll management. More questions are answered under Romanovsky on American roulette.
FAQ
Is Romanovsky better on European or American roulette?
European. It has 37 pockets and a lower house edge, giving 32-number coverage an 86.48% hit rate versus 84.21% on American.
Why does American roulette make the system worse?
The 00 pocket makes 38 total, so the hit rate falls to 84.21% and the house edge roughly doubles to about 5.26%.
What is the house edge difference?
About 2.70% on European versus 5.26% on American. Romanovsky changes neither.