American Roulette

American Roulette is the version of roulette most commonly linked with US casinos. It follows the same basic idea as other roulette games: players place bets on where a small ball will land after the dealer spins the wheel. The biggest difference is easy to spot: American Roulette has two green pockets, 0 and 00.

That extra green pocket changes the odds, the house edge, and the overall player experience. If you have played European Roulette before, American Roulette will look familiar, but the double zero makes it a different game from a math standpoint.

From Europe to the US: How American Roulette Took Shape

Roulette began in Europe, with early versions of the game appearing in France in the 18th century. Over time, the wheel developed into the single-zero format that became standard in many European casinos.

When roulette made its way to the United States, casinos adopted a modified version with both a 0 and a 00 pocket. That change increased the house advantage and became the defining feature of American Roulette. Today, it remains a staple in many land-based casinos and online casino lobbies serving US players.

The Wheel That Changes Everything: American Roulette Layout

The American Roulette wheel has 38 pockets in total. Those pockets include numbers 1 through 36, along with a single zero (0) and a double zero (00).

The numbered pockets from 1 to 36 are split between red and black, while the 0 and 00 pockets are green. The red and black numbers alternate around the wheel, but the number order is not sequential. That layout is designed to balance the spread of high and low, odd and even numbers around the wheel.

Because American Roulette has 38 pockets instead of 37, the odds are slightly less favorable to the player than in European Roulette. That single extra pocket is the reason the game has a higher house edge.

How the Table Works: Betting Areas Made Simple

The American Roulette table has a betting grid that mirrors the numbered pockets on the wheel. Players place chips on specific parts of the layout depending on the type of bet they want to make.

You can place chips directly on a single number, on the line between two numbers, on the corner where four numbers meet, or on larger outside betting areas like red/black, odd/even, and dozens. The position of your chip tells the dealer exactly what you are betting on.

In most casinos, roulette chips are color-coded so each player can keep track of their own wagers. Before betting starts, you choose a chip denomination, and each of your chips is then worth that set amount for the round.

How to Play American Roulette in 5 Easy Steps

Playing American Roulette is straightforward, even for beginners. First, you choose your chip value at the table.

Next, you place your bets on the layout before the dealer closes betting. Once betting ends, the dealer spins the wheel in one direction and sends the ball around the track in the opposite direction.

The ball eventually drops and lands in one numbered pocket, or in 0 or 00. After that, the dealer announces the winning result, and all winning bets are paid based on the standard roulette payout table.

Inside Bets That Can Deliver Bigger Payouts

Inside bets are placed on individual numbers or small groups of numbers on the main grid. These bets offer higher payouts, but they win less often.

A Straight Up bet covers 1 number and typically pays 35:1. If you place a chip directly on the number 17, for example, you win only if the ball lands on 17.

A Split bet covers 2 adjacent numbers and pays 17:1. You make it by placing your chip on the line between two numbers, such as 17 and 20.

A Street covers 3 numbers in a single row and pays 11:1. A Corner covers 4 numbers that meet at one point on the layout and pays 8:1. A Six Line covers 6 numbers across two adjacent rows and pays 5:1.

Outside Bets That Win More Often

Outside bets cover larger sections of the table, so they hit more often than inside bets. The tradeoff is lower payouts.

Red or Black, Odd or Even, and High or Low each cover 18 numbers and usually pay 1:1. High means 19 through 36, while Low means 1 through 18.

Dozens and Columns each cover 12 numbers and pay 2:1. A Dozen bet is placed on either 1–12, 13–24, or 25–36. A Column bet covers one of the three vertical columns on the betting layout.

American Roulette Payout Table at a Glance

Here is the standard payout table for American Roulette:

These payouts are standard in both retail and online versions of the game. Even when the payouts look generous, the double zero still gives the casino its long-term advantage.

The Hidden Math: Why the House Edge Is 5.26%

American Roulette has a house edge of 5.26%. That figure comes from the 38-pocket wheel and the fact that payouts are based on odds that are slightly lower than true mathematical odds.

For example, a straight-up bet wins if 1 out of 38 pockets hits, but it pays 35:1 instead of 37:1. That gap creates the casino’s edge across all standard bets.

By comparison, European Roulette has only 37 pockets because it uses a single zero. That lowers the house edge to about 2.70%, which is one reason many players prefer it when available.

Smart American Roulette Tips for New Players

The first thing to know is that roulette is a game of chance. No strategy can remove the house edge or guarantee results over time.

It helps to understand the odds before placing any bet. Outside bets like red/black or odd/even can be useful for beginners because they win more often, even though they pay less.

Bankroll management matters just as much as bet selection. Set a spending limit before you play, use bet sizes that fit your bankroll, and avoid chasing losses after a bad run.

It is also smart to be skeptical of betting systems that promise sure wins. Popular methods like Martingale or Fibonacci may sound organized, but they do not change the math of the wheel.

American Roulette vs European Roulette: The Key Differences That Matter

The biggest difference is the number of pockets. American Roulette has 38 pockets, including 0 and 00, while European Roulette has 37 pockets with only a single zero.

That extra pocket raises the house edge in American Roulette to 5.26%, compared with 2.70% in European Roulette. Over time, that difference can have a real impact on expected returns.

American Roulette is more common in US casinos, while European Roulette is more widely seen in Europe and often in online casinos that offer multiple roulette variants. If you want the lower house edge, European Roulette is usually the better option. If you want the version most associated with classic US casino floors, American Roulette is the familiar choice.

Online American Roulette or Live Dealer: Which Version Fits You?

Online American Roulette usually comes in two main formats. The first is RNG roulette, where outcomes are generated by certified random number software.

The second is live dealer roulette, where a real dealer spins a physical wheel in a studio and the action is streamed in real time. Live dealer games can feel closer to the experience of playing at a casino table, while RNG versions are often faster and easier for quick sessions.

Many players enjoy switching between both depending on their mood, budget, and pace of play. If you like social interaction and a more authentic setup, live dealer roulette may be the better fit. If you want speed and convenience, standard online roulette often makes more sense.

Top Developers Behind American Roulette Games

Several major software providers offer American Roulette titles for US-facing online casino platforms. Evolution is one of the best-known names, especially for live dealer roulette.

Playtech and Pragmatic Play Live also produce widely used live roulette tables. NetEnt has long been known for RNG casino games, including roulette, while Ezugi remains a recognized live dealer provider in many regulated markets.

Game quality can vary by provider, especially when it comes to camera angles, side bets, interface design, and mobile performance. That is why many players compare studios before choosing where to play live dealer casino games.

Mobile American Roulette for Play on the Go

American Roulette is widely available on smartphones and tablets. Most modern casino sites and apps optimize their roulette games for iPhone, Android devices, and mobile browsers.

That means you can place inside and outside bets, watch live dealer streams, and manage your bankroll from almost anywhere with a stable connection. Mobile play is especially common for RNG roulette, but live dealer tables now work smoothly on many devices as well.

Play Responsibly and Set Limits Early

Roulette is meant to be entertainment, not a way to make guaranteed money. Before you play, decide how much time and money you are comfortable spending.

Using deposit limits, session reminders, and loss limits can help keep the game fun. If gambling stops feeling enjoyable, taking a break is the right move.

Frequently Asked Questions