American Roulette

American Roulette is one of the most iconic casino table games, built around a simple idea: predict where the ball will land, place your chips, and get paid based on the odds of your bet. It looks similar to other roulette variants at first glance, but one detail changes everything—the American wheel includes two green pockets: 0 and 00. That extra green slot increases the house edge and makes American Roulette play a little tougher than its European cousin.

Roulette’s European Roots—and How the American Version Took Shape

Roulette traces its origins back to Europe, where early wheel-and-ball games evolved into a recognizable format in France during the 18th century. As roulette traveled across borders and eventually reached the United States, casinos adapted it—most notably by adding the double zero (00). The result was American Roulette: the same core game, but with an additional house-friendly pocket that changed the math and became the standard layout in many US casinos.

American Roulette Wheel Layout: 38 Pockets, More Outcomes

The American Roulette wheel has 38 pockets total, made up of:

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

Numbers 1–36 are split between red and black, arranged in a pattern designed to balance high/low and odd/even distribution around the wheel. The 0 and 00 pockets are green, and those two green slots are the headline difference that sets American Roulette apart from European Roulette (which has only a single green 0).

American Roulette Table Layout: Where Your Chips Decide the Action

The table layout is a betting grid that lets you wager on anything from a single number to broad ranges like red/black or high/low. You place chips directly on the felt in specific areas:

Inside bets sit on the numbered grid, where chip placement targets exact numbers or tight number groupings. Outside bets are placed on the larger marked sections around the grid—these cover bigger sets of outcomes and usually pay less, but hit more often. Once bets are down, the dealer confirms “no more bets,” spins, and the results determine which chip positions win.

How to Play American Roulette: From Chip to Payout in Minutes

Bet Types That Matter in American Roulette (And What They Pay)

American Roulette betting breaks into two main categories: inside bets (higher payouts, lower hit rate) and outside bets (lower payouts, higher hit rate).

Inside Bets: Bigger Payout Potential on Smaller Targets

Inside bets focus on specific numbers or small clusters:

A Straight Up bet is placed on a single number and offers the biggest standard payout. A Split covers two adjacent numbers by placing your chip on the line between them. A Street covers three numbers in a row by placing your chip at the edge of that row. A Corner covers four numbers by placing a chip at the intersection where four numbers meet. A Six Line covers six numbers across two adjacent rows by placing the chip at the outer edge where those rows meet.

These bets can pay sharply when they land, but they’ll miss more often—so they’re best used with clear bankroll control.

Outside Bets: More Frequent Hits With Simpler Choices

Outside bets cover larger groups of numbers:

Red or Black bets pay if the ball lands on your chosen color. Odd or Even wins if the result matches the number’s parity. High or Low (1–18 vs 19–36) is a classic even-money option. Dozens cover 12-number blocks (1–12, 13–24, 25–36). Columns cover one of the three vertical columns of 12 numbers on the grid.

Outside bets tend to keep the action steady, which is why many beginners start here.

American Roulette Payout Table: Quick Reference for Common Bets

Here’s the standard payout structure most casinos use:

Payouts are typically shown as “to 1,” meaning you also get your original stake back on top of the winnings.

House Edge in American Roulette: Why the Double Zero Changes the Math

American Roulette carries a 5.26% house edge, and it’s driven by the extra green pocket (00). With 38 total outcomes, your chances of hitting many bets drop slightly compared to wheels with fewer pockets.

For comparison, European Roulette (37 pockets, only a single 0) has a house edge of about 2.7%. Over time, that difference matters—especially if you play long sessions or place higher-volume bets.

Strategy Tips That Actually Help New Players

The biggest edge you can give yourself is understanding what roulette is: a game of chance. No betting pattern changes the underlying odds, so your goal is to play smarter, not “solve” the wheel.

Know the odds and payouts before placing chips, especially on inside bets where variance swings quickly. If you want a steadier ride, lean on outside bets like red/black or high/low, since they land more often (even though the green 0 and 00 still break ties). Set a bankroll and a stop point—decide in advance what you’re comfortable losing and what profit is worth cashing out. Be skeptical of systems that promise guaranteed wins; they can increase bet sizes fast and push you into bigger losses when a streak runs cold.

American Roulette vs European Roulette: The Key Differences Players Feel

The differences are simple, but meaningful:

American Roulette has 38 pockets (0 and 00), while European has 37 (only 0). That makes American Roulette’s house edge higher. In terms of where you’ll find them, American Roulette is more common in many US casinos, while European Roulette is widely found across European casinos and often preferred by players chasing lower edge conditions.

Online American Roulette vs Live Dealer Roulette: Two Ways to Play

Online American Roulette usually comes in two formats. RNG roulette uses a certified random number generator to produce outcomes instantly—great for quick sessions and rapid betting. Live dealer roulette streams a real wheel from a studio with a human dealer calling the action, giving you the pace, visuals, and table vibe of a casino floor from your screen.

Best Software Providers for American Roulette

If you’re choosing where to play, the game provider matters for interface quality, streaming stability, and game variety. Major names that regularly offer American Roulette titles include Evolution, Playtech, Pragmatic Play Live, NetEnt, and Ezugi.

Mobile American Roulette: Smooth Play on Phones and Tablets

American Roulette is widely optimized for mobile, with touch-friendly betting grids, easy chip adjustments, and clean layouts that work well on smaller screens. Whether you’re playing RNG or live dealer, most modern games are built to run smoothly on both smartphones and tablets without sacrificing the core table experience.

Responsible Gambling: Keep It Fun, Keep It Controlled

Set limits before you play—deposit limits, time limits, and loss limits help keep roulette entertaining instead of stressful. If you’re chasing losses or playing beyond your comfort zone, take a break and reset your plan.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)