If you are going to test Martingale, the wheel you choose changes the structural cost of every spin. This page ranks the three common variants for even-money systems, and you can plug any of them into the Martingale roulette calculator to see the effect.
House Edge Comparison
| Variant | Pockets | Even-Money House Edge |
|---|---|---|
| French (La Partage) | 37 | ~1.35% |
| European | 37 | 2.70% |
| American | 38 | 5.26% |
Win and Loss Probability Comparison
European and French wheels both win on 18 of 37 pockets (about 48.6%) and lose on 19 of 37 (about 51.35%). American drops to 18 of 38 wins (about 47.4%) and 20 of 38 losses (about 52.63%). French roulette shares European odds but softens the zero outcome through La Partage.
Zero Treatment
How each variant treats the zero is the whole story. American has two green pockets and no relief. European has one green pocket and no relief. French has one green pocket plus La Partage, which returns half your even-money stake when zero lands, as explained on the French roulette Martingale page.
La Partage and En Prison
These French rules are the only mechanisms among the common variants that give anything back on a zero. They apply solely to even-money bets, which is exactly what Martingale uses, so their benefit lands precisely where the system needs it.
Single Zero vs Double Zero
The single biggest lever is whether the wheel has one green pocket or two. A double zero nearly doubles the edge, which is why the American wheel is the worst choice and the single-zero European wheel is clearly better.
Best Practical Choice for Testing
For even-money Martingale testing the order is clear: French roulette with La Partage first, European roulette second, American roulette last. Choosing the lowest-edge wheel means your simulation reflects the gentlest realistic conditions. Even then, the game remains negative expected value, deep streaks still break the progression, and no variant turns Martingale into a winning long-term system. Pick the best wheel to test honestly, not to beat the house.