American Roulette

American Roulette is a classic casino table game where you bet on where a ball will land on a spinning wheel. It plays like roulette you may already know—place chips on a betting layout, the dealer spins, the ball drops, and payouts are based on what you correctly predicted.

What makes American Roulette stand out from other variants is simple but huge for the odds: it has two green pockets, 0 and 00. That extra green slot changes the math, the house edge, and the long-term cost of playing.

From Europe to America: How Roulette Changed Along the Way

Roulette traces back to Europe, where the game grew into a major casino staple—especially in France and later across the continent. Early versions eventually standardized into the single-zero format that most people now associate with European Roulette.

When roulette arrived in the United States, casinos adopted a wheel that included both 0 and 00, creating what we now call American Roulette. That added pocket made payouts easier for casinos to sustain while keeping the gameplay familiar, quick, and easy to follow.

Inside the American Roulette Wheel Layout: 38 Pockets, One Extra Edge

An American Roulette wheel has 38 total pockets:

• Numbers 1–36
• Single zero (0)
• Double zero (00)

Numbers 1–36 are colored red or black in an alternating pattern (with a few sequencing quirks depending on the wheel order). The 0 and 00 are green, and those green pockets are the reason American Roulette has a higher house edge than single-zero variants.

The American Roulette Table Layout: Where Every Chip Tells a Story

The betting table is a grid designed to cover every kind of wager—from pinpoint number calls to wide coverage bets.

You’ll see:

• A main grid with 1–36 , arranged in rows and columns (three columns running down the layout).
• Special betting areas for outside bets , like red/black, odd/even, and high/low.
• Sections for dozens (1–12, 13–24, 25–36) and columns (2:1 bets) .

Players place chips directly on the areas that match their chosen bet type: on a single number, between numbers, at a corner intersection, or on broad outside sections.

How to Play American Roulette: A Quick Walkthrough

American Roulette is easy to learn in minutes:

1. Choose your chip value (tables have minimums and maximums).
2. Place your bets by putting chips on the exact betting areas you want.
3. The dealer spins the wheel and releases the ball .
4. The ball slows and lands in a numbered pocket (red, black, or green).
5. Winning bets are paid based on the payout rules for that bet type, and losing chips are collected.

That’s it—no hands to memorize, no complex decision trees, just your picks versus the wheel.

Inside Bets vs Outside Bets: Pick Your Risk Level

American Roulette betting is usually grouped into inside and outside bets. Inside bets target specific numbers or small clusters (higher variance). Outside bets cover larger groups (more frequent hits, smaller payouts).

Inside Bets: High Potential, Narrow Coverage

Inside bets are placed on the numbered grid and pay more because they cover fewer outcomes.

Straight Up: One number. Place your chip directly on a single number. Split: Two adjacent numbers. Place your chip on the line between them. Street: Three numbers in a row. Place your chip at the end of a row. Corner: Four numbers that meet at an intersection. Place your chip on the corner point. Six Line: Six numbers (two adjacent streets). Place your chip on the line between two rows.

Outside Bets: Broader Coverage, Steadier Results

Outside bets sit around the main grid and cover larger sets of numbers.

Red or Black: Bet the winning number’s color. Odd or Even: Bet whether the result is odd or even (1–36 only). High or Low: Bet 1–18 (low) or 19–36 (high). Dozens: Bet 1–12, 13–24, or 25–36. Columns: Bet on one of the three vertical columns (each has 12 numbers).

Outside bets don’t pay as much, but they can help beginners keep swings smaller while they learn the flow of the game.

American Roulette Payout Table: Know What Each Win Pays

Here are the standard payouts you’ll see most often:

Payouts are generally consistent across casinos, though table rules and side bets (online especially) can vary.

The House Edge in American Roulette: Why 0 and 00 Matter

American Roulette has a 5.26% house edge. That edge is driven by the double zero (00)—an extra outcome that doesn’t improve player payouts, but does reduce the true probability of winning any given bet.

For comparison, European Roulette (single zero only) sits around 2.7% house edge, nearly half. If you’re choosing a variant based purely on long-term value, that difference is meaningful.

Smart American Roulette Strategy Tips (Beginner-Friendly)

Roulette outcomes are random, but you can still play with more control:

• Understand the odds before betting. Bigger payouts come with lower hit rates.
• Use outside bets for lower risk. Red/black, odd/even, and high/low can soften bankroll swings.
• Manage your bankroll carefully. Set a session budget and a stop point—win or lose.
• Avoid “guaranteed win” systems. Progressions can grow bets quickly and hit table limits or bankroll caps.
• Remember it’s chance-based. No pattern, timing method, or wheel-watching can reliably overcome the built-in edge online.

American Roulette vs European Roulette: The Key Differences That Change Everything

The games look similar, but a few details separate them:

• Number of pockets: American has 38 (0 and 00); European has 37 (0 only).
• House edge: American is 5.26% ; European is about 2.7% .
• Where it’s most common: American Roulette is more common in US-facing casinos , while European Roulette dominates many European markets .

Online American Roulette vs Live Dealer: Two Ways to Play

Online American Roulette usually comes in two formats:

RNG (Random Number Generator) roulette: The outcome is generated by certified software. It’s quick, smooth, and ideal for rapid sessions, autoplay options, and easy bet sizing.

Live dealer roulette: A real dealer spins a physical wheel in a studio, streamed to your device. You place bets digitally while watching the spin happen in real time—great if you want real-table pacing and interaction.

Top Software Providers Powering American Roulette Online

When you play online, the provider behind the game matters for stability, presentation, and rule options. Some of the biggest names offering American Roulette titles include Evolution, Playtech, Pragmatic Play Live, NetEnt, and Ezugi.

Mobile American Roulette: Full Wheel Action in Your Pocket

Most modern American Roulette games are optimized for smartphones and tablets, with touch-friendly chip placement, clean layouts, and smooth streaming for live tables. Whether you’re on iOS or Android, you can typically switch from desktop to mobile without relearning the interface—just log in and play.

Responsible Gambling: Keep It Fun and In Your Control

Set limits before you start—deposit limits, loss limits, or time reminders can help keep sessions enjoyable. Roulette is best played as entertainment, not as a way to chase losses or solve financial pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions