Gaming & VFX

The Triple Zero Roulette: Extra Zeros, Extra Risk

— Triple zero roulette raises the house edge to 7.69%, making it one of the worst-value bets on the casino floor.
By Emily WilsonPUBLISHED: June 26, 12:53UPDATED: June 26, 13:14 1440
Triple zero roulette wheel close-up with 0, 00, 000 pockets

The Triple Zero Wheel Is a Casino Trap!

Roulette’s New Enemy

The introduction of the third green zero—"000"—on the roulette wheel is, on the surface, simply a variation, but it profoundly affects player odds, paybacks, and strategy. This manual examines the mechanisms of triple zero roulette, compares it to other rims, and provides critical analysis for risk-sensitive play.

Understanding the Triple Zero Roulette Wheel

A triple-zero roulette wheel expands upon traditional wheels with an extra pocket:

  • European wheel: 37 pockets (0–36)
  • American wheel: 38 pockets (+00)
  • Triple zero wheel: 39 pockets (+000)

All three zeros, 0, 00, and 000, are placed side by side, creating a large green space that strongly benefits odds at the casino. All the straight-up numbers now carry a chance of 1/39 (~2.56%), compared to 1/37 (~2.70%) or 1/38 (~2.63%) on regular wheels.

Triple Zero Roulette House Advantage

The key difference with extra zeros is the jump in the house edge:

  • European wheel: 2.70%
  • American (double zero): 5.26%
  • Triple zero: 7.69% on most bets

That places triple zero roulette among the least favorable options for players. Even consistent outside bets, like red/black or odd/even, shift from ~48.6% win probability in European roulette to ~46.2%, with the house absorbing the rest.

Payouts on the Triple-Zero Wheel

Payout structures stay the same across variants:

  • Straight-up: 35:1
  • Split: 17:1
  • Street: 11:1
  • Corner: 8:1
  • Line: 5:1
  • Dozens/columns: 2:1

However, because the wheel now has 39 slots, the setup breaks true odds. Your expected return is lowered to about 92.31%, compared to 94.74% for double-zero roulette.

A unique additional bet—Zero Bet—lets you cover all zero pockets (0, 00, 000) at once. It pays 11:1 but doesn’t alter the expected value; the house edge still sits at 7.69%.

Key Differences: Double Zero vs. Triple Zero Roulette Payouts

The major differences are:

  1. Pocket count: 38 vs. 39
  2. House edge: 5.26% vs. 7.69%
  3. Bet odds unchanged: payouts stay the same
  4. Player win probabilities drop across all bet types

Triple zero is simply an even worse deal for players, offering the same excitement with significantly worse odds.

Does Triple Zero Roulette Pay More?

Payouts remain identical to other roulette wheels, but the chances of winning go down:

  • Straight-up win chance decreases by ~5% compared to double-zero
  • Outside bets similarly lose probability

So while paying the same, winners are rarer, and the overall expected return is lower.

Impact On Common Bets

House edge and payout consistency apply across all bets:

Bet Type

European

American

Triple-Zero

Straight-up

2.70%

5.26%

7.69%

Even-money

2.70%

5.26%

7.69%

Because payouts don’t change while odds fall, every standard bet becomes riskier, with a larger share kept by the house.

Origins: Who Invented Triple Zero Roulette?

There’s no single inventor credited; it emerged when casinos in Las Vegas sought novelty and higher margins. The Venetian launched a version called “Sands Roulette” in 2016, adding 000 to a standard wheel. The variant isn’t tied to European tradition—it’s purely a US or tourist-market innovation.

Strategy Implications

  • Avoid it unless novelty is a priority
  • Never chase multiple-zero variants: house edge stacks rapidly
  • Casual players should prefer the European wheel (1 zero) for the best odds
  • A single odd-even bet is still worse than a slot machine with 5% RTP

Keep in mind: moving from one zero to two increases the edge modestly. Three zeros are a leap into poor-value territory.

Final Take

The triple zero roulette wheel offers a fresh-looking twist, but players are effectively giving up an extra 2.4% of their bet to the house compared to classic American roulette, and nearly 5% more than European roulette. Unless the payoff for bravado outweighs the math, it’s a steep price for mere novelty.

For those curious about which numbers land most often on classic wheels, check out the data-driven overview of what number hits the most in roulette.

FAQs

Who Invented Triple Zero Roulette?

No individual inventor is known. The Venetian Casino introduced a triple-zero variant, but it's a marketing-driven adaptation rather than a historical evolution.

What Is the Difference Between Double Zero and Triple Zero Roulette?

Double zero has two green slots (0 and 00); triple zero adds a third (000), increasing total pockets to 39 and the house edge to 7.69%.

Does Triple Zero Roulette Pay More?

Payouts remain the same, but your odds of winning drop. That makes each bet less valuable, even if nominal returns remain unchanged.

How Does the Triple Zero Roulette Affect the Odds of Common Bets?

Anything from straight-up to odd/even carries a 7.69% house edge, higher than any single or double-zero variant.

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Emily Wilson

Emily Wilson is a content strategist and writer with a passion for digital storytelling. She has a background in journalism and has worked with various media outlets, covering topics ranging from lifestyle to technology. When she’s not writing, Emily enjoys hiking, photography, and exploring new coffee shops.

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