American Roulette

American Roulette is the US version of roulette found in many land-based casinos and online casino lobbies. It follows the same basic idea as other roulette games: players place bets on where a 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 math of the game in a meaningful way. It gives the casino a higher built-in advantage than European Roulette, which uses only a single zero. If you are comparing roulette options at an online casino, this is one of the first details worth checking.

From European Origins to a US Casino Staple

Roulette began in Europe, with the modern game taking shape in France during the 18th century. Over time, it spread across the continent and became one of the most recognizable casino table games in the world.

When roulette reached the United States in the 19th century, operators made changes that helped increase the house advantage. The most important update was the addition of the double-zero pocket. That version became known as American Roulette, and it remains a common choice in many US casinos today.

The Wheel Design That Changes the Odds

The American Roulette wheel has 38 total pockets. Those pockets include numbers 1 through 36, plus a single zero, and a double zero.

The numbered pockets alternate between red and black, while 0 and 00 are green. This color pattern helps define many of the most common bets, such as red or black, odd or even, and high or low.

Because there are 38 pockets instead of 37, your chances of hitting any specific number are slightly lower than they are in European Roulette. That one extra pocket is the reason the house edge jumps to 5.26%.

How the American Roulette Table Works

The table layout is a betting grid that matches the wheel’s numbers and offers several additional betting sections. Numbers 1 through 36 are arranged in rows, and separate spaces appear for 0 and 00.

Players place chips directly on numbers or on the lines between numbers to make inside bets. They can also place chips in marked outside betting areas for broader wagers like red/black, odd/even, dozens, and columns.

This setup gives roulette its wide mix of risk levels. You can chase a high payout with a single-number bet or play a lower-risk option that covers a bigger chunk of the board.

How to Play American Roulette Without Confusion

Playing American Roulette is simple, even for beginners. First, you choose the chip value you want to use at the table. In casinos, roulette chips are often color-coded so the dealer can keep each player’s bets separate.

Next, you place your chips on the betting areas that match your selections. You can combine multiple bets on the same spin if you want.

After betting closes, the dealer spins the wheel in one direction and sends the ball around the track in the other direction. Once the ball loses speed, it drops into one of the 38 pockets.

If your bet matches the result, the dealer pays you according to the payout schedule. If not, the chips are collected, and a new round begins.

Inside Bets With Bigger Payout Potential

Inside bets are placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers on the grid. These bets offer larger payouts, but they hit less often.

A Straight Up bet covers one number and pays 35:1. This is the classic high-risk roulette bet.

A Split bet covers two adjacent numbers and pays 17:1. You place your chip on the line between them.

A Street covers three numbers in a row and pays 11:1. It is placed at the outer edge of a row.

A Corner covers four numbers that meet at one point and pays 8:1. You place the chip where the four numbers connect.

A Six Line covers two adjacent rows, or six numbers total, and pays 5:1. This bet is placed on the line at the end of the two rows.

Outside Bets That Offer Simpler Odds

Outside bets cover larger groups of numbers. They pay less than inside bets, but they land more often and are usually easier for beginners to follow.

Red or Black covers 18 numbers and pays 1:1. Odd or Even also covers 18 numbers and pays 1:1.

High or Low covers 18 numbers as well. Low means 1 through 18, while High means 19 through 36, and both pay 1:1.

Dozens cover 12 numbers each. You can bet on 1–12, 13–24, or 25–36, and the payout is 2:1.

Columns also cover 12 numbers and pay 2:1. These are based on the vertical columns on the betting layout.

American Roulette Payout Table at a Glance

These are the standard payouts used in most American Roulette games, whether you are playing at a casino floor table or online.

The House Edge You Need to Know

The house edge in American Roulette is 5.26%. That number comes directly from the two green pockets, 0 and 00.

On even-money bets like red/black or odd/even, players are not given “true odds” for the actual probability of winning. The casino keeps a small mathematical edge on every wager over time, and in American Roulette that edge is larger than in many other roulette versions.

For comparison, European Roulette has a house edge of 2.70% because it uses only one green zero pocket. That makes European Roulette the better option for players who want more favorable odds.

Smart American Roulette Tips for Beginners

The first smart move is understanding the odds before you place a bet. A bigger payout may look attractive, but it usually comes with a lower chance of winning.

Many new players prefer outside bets because they are lower risk and easier to track over a session. You will not hit massive payouts as often, but your bankroll may last longer.

Bankroll management matters, too. Set a budget before you play, decide how much you are comfortable losing, and avoid raising your stakes just to recover losses.

It is also important to ignore betting systems that claim to guarantee profits. No strategy can remove the house edge or predict where the ball will land. Roulette is a game of chance, not a beatable pattern game.

American Roulette vs European Roulette: The Key Split

The biggest difference between American Roulette and European Roulette is the number of pockets on the wheel. American Roulette has 38 pockets, while European Roulette has 37.

American Roulette includes both 0 and 00, while European Roulette has only a single 0. That difference pushes the house edge to 5.26% in American Roulette, compared with 2.70% in European Roulette.

In terms of popularity, American Roulette has long been common in US casinos, while European Roulette is more widely associated with casinos across Europe. That said, many US online operators now offer both options, giving players more flexibility than ever.

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

If you want speed and convenience, standard online American Roulette uses a random number generator, or RNG, to determine results. These games move quickly, work well for solo play, and are usually available at a wide range of stakes.

Live dealer American Roulette is streamed from a real studio with a human dealer spinning an actual wheel. It creates a more authentic table-game feel and often includes chat features, multiple camera angles, and polished studio presentation.

The better choice depends on what matters most to you. RNG tables are fast and practical, while live dealer games feel closer to being on a casino floor. Players who enjoy table action similar to live dealer casino games often prefer the live format.

Top Software Providers Behind American Roulette Games

Several major developers offer American Roulette to US-facing operators. Evolution is one of the biggest names in live dealer gaming and has become a go-to provider for streamed roulette tables.

Playtech also offers strong roulette options, especially for operators with broad table-game menus. Pragmatic Play Live has expanded its live casino footprint and now features roulette titles with modern studio production.

NetEnt is well known for RNG casino games and has produced polished digital table games for years. Ezugi, which is now part of Evolution, remains another recognizable name in live casino content.

Mobile American Roulette Keeps the Action in Your Pocket

American Roulette games are built to run smoothly on smartphones and tablets. Whether you play through a casino app or a mobile browser, the controls are usually streamlined for smaller screens.

Most mobile versions include the same betting options, payouts, and features you would find on desktop. Live dealer games are also widely optimized for mobile, making it easy to place a few spins wherever you have a solid internet connection.

A Quick Reminder About Responsible Play

Roulette should be treated as entertainment, not a way to make money. Set deposit limits, session limits, and time limits before you start playing.

If the game stops being fun, take a break. Responsible gambling tools are available at many regulated sites, including self-exclusion, cooling-off periods, and account limits.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

American Roulette remains one of the most familiar casino games in the United States because it is easy to learn, fast to play, and available in both online and live dealer formats. Just remember the key detail before you bet: the 0 and 00 make a real difference, and understanding that edge can help you make smarter decisions at the table.