American Roulette

American Roulette is the version of roulette most people picture in United States casinos - fast spins, a familiar betting grid, and a wheel that includes both 0 and 00. That last detail is the big one. Compared with European Roulette (which has only a single 0), American Roulette adds a second green pocket, 00, which changes the math in the house’s favor.

American Roulette, explained in plain terms

Roulette is a number-and-color game built around a spinning wheel and a small ball. You place bets on where you think the ball will land, the dealer spins the wheel, and payouts depend on how specific your bet was.

American Roulette differs from other common variants mainly because of the two green pockets - 0 and 00. That extra pocket is why American Roulette has a higher house edge than European Roulette, even though the rest of the gameplay feels very similar.

The surprisingly European roots of roulette

Roulette’s story starts in Europe, where early wheel games and number betting evolved into what players now recognize as roulette. As the game made its way to the United States, casinos adopted a wheel that included a double zero, creating the American Roulette format.

That small change helped operators increase the built-in advantage without changing how the game looks or feels at the table - most bets still work the same way, but the odds shift slightly against the player.

Inside the American Roulette wheel layout (38 pockets)

An American Roulette wheel has 38 pockets total:

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

The numbers 1-36 are split between red and black, and they alternate in a pattern around the wheel (not in simple numerical order). The 0 and 00 pockets are green, which is why you’ll often hear them called “the green zeros.”

How the American Roulette table layout works

The table is where roulette looks more complicated than it really is. The betting grid is basically a map of possible outcomes, letting you wager on one number, a small cluster of numbers, or broad categories like red/black.

You place chips directly on the area that represents your bet:

• On a single number for a straight-up bet
• On a line between numbers for splits
• On larger marked sections for outside bets (such as dozens, columns, or even-money bets)

In live games, the dealer will usually ask you to keep bets within the betting area and may call out “no more bets” right before the ball settles.

How to play American Roulette step by step

Here’s the basic flow of a round:

1. Choose your chip value (or select a chip denomination online).
2. Place your bets on the table layout before the betting window closes.
3. The dealer spins the wheel and releases the ball in the opposite direction.
4. The ball drops and lands in a numbered pocket (red, black, or green).
5. Winning bets are paid based on the standard payout rules for that bet type.

That’s it - no decision-making after bets are placed, which is why roulette is best viewed as a game of chance rather than a skill game.

Inside bets: higher payouts, tighter targets

Inside bets are placed on specific numbers or small groups on the numbered grid. They’re popular because the payouts are larger, but you’re covering fewer outcomes.

• Straight Up - one exact number
• Split - two adjacent numbers (chip on the line between them)
• Street - three numbers in a row (chip at the end of the row)
• Corner - four numbers that form a block (chip on the intersection)
• Six Line - six numbers across two adjacent rows (chip on the outside line between rows)

Outside bets: simpler, steadier outcomes

Outside bets cover larger groups of numbers, so they tend to hit more often than inside bets - but the payouts are smaller.

Common outside bets include:

• Red or Black - 18 numbers
• Odd or Even - 18 numbers
• High or Low - 18 numbers (1-18 vs 19-36)
• Dozens - 12 numbers (1-12, 13-24, 25-36)
• Columns - 12 numbers (one of the three vertical columns)

Outside bets are often where beginners start because the win conditions are easy to understand at a glance.

American Roulette payout table (quick reference)

Payouts are typically expressed as “to 1” (for example, 35: 1). Here’s the standard structure:

• Straight Up covers 1 number and pays 35: 1
• Split covers 2 numbers and pays 17: 1
• Street covers 3 numbers and pays 11: 1
• Corner covers 4 numbers and pays 8: 1
• Six Line covers 6 numbers and pays 5: 1
• Dozens / Columns cover 12 numbers and pay 2: 1
• Red/Black, Odd/Even, High/Low cover 18 numbers and pay 1: 1

If you’re playing online, the paytable is usually listed in the game info menu - worth checking if a site offers any rule tweaks.

Why the house edge is 5.26% in American Roulette

American Roulette’s house edge is 5.26%. The reason is simple: the wheel has 38 pockets, but most payouts are based on odds closer to a 36-number game. The 0 and 00 create two extra losing outcomes for many popular bets (like red/black), which is what pushes the edge upward.

For comparison, European Roulette uses a 37-pocket wheel (1-36 plus a single 0), which brings the house edge down to about 2.7%. The gameplay rhythm is similar, but the long-term cost of play is lower on the European wheel.

Strategy tips that actually help (without magical thinking)

Roulette doesn’t have a skill-based way to “solve” the wheel, but you can make choices that fit your goals and risk tolerance.

Understand the odds before betting. A straight-up number looks tempting because of the 35: 1 payout, but it won’t hit often. Outside bets land more frequently, even though the payout is smaller.

Use outside bets for lower swing. Bets like red/black or high/low won’t remove the house edge, but they can help your bankroll last longer compared with repeated single-number shots.

Manage your bankroll like it matters. Set a session budget, pick a base bet size you can repeat comfortably, and decide ahead of time what a reasonable stopping point looks like.

Skip any system that promises guaranteed wins. Martingale-style progressions (doubling after losses) can run into table limits or your budget quickly. Roulette is random - no pattern is “due.”

American Roulette vs European Roulette: the differences that matter

The two games look almost identical until you focus on the wheel.

American Roulette:

• 38 pockets (includes 0 and 00)
• 5.26% house edge
• Common in United States casinos

European Roulette:

• 37 pockets (single 0 only)
• About 2.7% house edge
• More common in European casinos and many online lobbies

If you have a choice and you’re purely optimizing value, European Roulette usually offers better long-term odds. If your goal is the classic United States casino format, American Roulette is the familiar pick.

Online American Roulette vs live dealer roulette: what changes at home

Online roulette generally comes in two styles.

RNG roulette is software-based, with outcomes generated by a random number generator. It’s fast, consistent, and great for quick sessions because there’s no waiting for a live spin cycle.

Live dealer roulette streams a real wheel from a studio. You’ll see the dealer, the wheel, and the ball, and you can often chat during the game. It moves at a steadier pace, which some players prefer because it feels closer to a physical casino table.

The software studios most associated with roulette tables

A lot of recognizable roulette titles come from a handful of major developers, including Evolution, Playtech, Pragmatic Play Live, NetEnt, and Ezugi. In practice, the provider influences things like table limits, side bets, camera angles (for live games), and how cleanly the table UI works on mobile.

If you’re comparing online casinos by software, it’s worth checking their provider list and then searching the lobby for “American Roulette” specifically - not every roulette table uses the double-zero wheel.

Where to play American Roulette online (and what to check first)

Casino lobbies don’t always label roulette clearly, so confirm the wheel type before you place money on the table. Provider details and the “game rules” panel usually state whether the game is American (0 and 00) or European (single 0).

If you’re browsing platforms, you can also compare each site’s banking and bonus terms before choosing where to play. For example, Wicked Plays Casino lists support through live chat and email, and it runs on Real Time Gaming software, while Slot Heart Casino highlights a long list of game studios, and JackpotVibe Casino includes major live-casino names like Evolution Gaming among its providers.

Mobile American Roulette: what to expect on phones and tablets

Most modern roulette games are built to scale down cleanly, since the main challenge is fitting the betting grid onto a smaller screen. Mobile versions typically rely on tap-to-place chips, quick-bet shortcuts for common outside bets, and zoom or swipe controls for inside-bet precision.

Before settling into longer sessions, check that you can easily adjust chip sizes, clear bets, and view the payout rules without squinting or hunting through menus.

A quick responsible gambling reminder

Roulette is entertainment, not a way to make money. Set a budget you can afford to lose, take breaks, and use site tools like limits or time-outs when they’re available. If gambling stops feeling fun, it’s a good time to step away and seek support.

American Roulette FAQ