American Roulette

American Roulette is the version of roulette most associated with brick-and-mortar casinos in the United States. It plays like classic roulette - you place chips on a betting layout, a dealer spins a wheel, and a ball settles into a numbered pocket - but the math changes in one important way.

The defining difference is the wheel itself: American Roulette has two green pockets, 0 and 00. That extra pocket is why American Roulette pays the same “casino-standard” payouts as other roulette variants, yet gives the house a larger long-term advantage.

American Roulette in Plain English: What It Is (and What Makes It Different)

Roulette is a wheel-and-ball game built around predicting where the ball will land. Every spin is independent, and each pocket has a fixed probability on a properly functioning wheel.

American Roulette stands apart because it includes both 0 and 00 in addition to 1-36. European Roulette, by comparison, uses a single 0. That single design choice changes the odds of every bet you place.

The Short History of Roulette - From Europe to the United States

Most histories trace roulette’s roots to Europe, where the game developed into the single-zero format that became standard in many European casinos. When roulette crossed the Atlantic and gained traction in the United States, the wheel commonly evolved into the double-zero version.

That American-style wheel (with 0 and 00) is the format you’ll see in many United States casinos and in plenty of online roulette lobbies labeled “American Roulette.”

American Roulette Wheel Layout: 38 Pockets and Two Greens

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 pockets, arranged in a non-sequential order around the wheel. The 0 and 00 pockets are green, and they are the reason the game’s house edge increases compared to single-zero roulette.

American Roulette Table Layout: How the Betting Grid Works

The table layout looks like a numbered grid plus several outside-bet boxes. The 1-36 numbers are arranged in three columns and twelve rows.

Chips are placed directly:

• On a single number (for a straight-up bet)
• On lines between numbers (to cover two numbers with a split)
• On corners where four numbers meet
• On broader labeled areas for outside bets (like Red, Black, Odd, Even, 1-18, and 19-36)

In most casinos, you can place multiple bets at once by spreading chips across the layout, combining low-volatility outside bets with a few higher-payout inside bets.

How to Play American Roulette: Step by Step

Here’s the basic flow of a round:

1. Choose your chip value (table limits determine the minimum and maximum).
2. Place one or more bets on the felt layout before the dealer closes betting.
3. The dealer spins the wheel and releases the ball in the opposite direction.
4. The ball drops and lands in a numbered pocket.
5. Winning bets are paid based on the payout table, and losing chips are collected.

The key thing to remember: the wheel result is a single pocket, but your bet can cover one number or many. Covering more numbers increases your chance to win, but the payout drops accordingly.

Inside Bets Explained: Higher Payouts, Lower Hit Rates

Inside bets are placed on specific numbers or small groups. They can pay a lot, but they also miss more often.

Straight Up covers 1 number. You place your chip directly on a number, including 0 or 00 where allowed by the layout.

Split covers 2 numbers. Place a chip on the line between two adjacent numbers.

Street covers 3 numbers. Place a chip at the end of a row of three.

Corner covers 4 numbers. Place a chip on the intersection where four numbers meet.

Six Line covers 6 numbers. Place a chip on the line between two adjacent streets (two rows of three).

Outside Bets Explained: Simpler Choices and Smaller Swings

Outside bets cover larger groups and are often where beginners start because results feel less volatile.

Red or Black covers 18 numbers (not including 0 and 00).

Odd or Even covers 18 numbers (again, 0 and 00 are neither).

High or Low covers 1-18 or 19-36, each covering 18 numbers.

Dozens cover 12 numbers: 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36.

Columns cover 12 numbers by betting on one of the three vertical columns on the grid.

Outside bets win more frequently than inside bets, but the payouts are smaller because you’re covering more of the wheel.

American Roulette Payout Table (Typical Casino Payouts)

Payouts are usually consistent across casinos, and they’re expressed as “to 1” (your winnings), with your original stake returned as well.

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

These payouts are the reason roulette “feels” intuitive - higher coverage equals lower payout - but the extra 00 pocket shifts the true odds against the player.

The Math Behind It: House Edge in American Roulette

American Roulette has a house edge of 5.26%. The double zero is the entire story here: you’re adding a second green pocket that almost never helps a player unless they specifically bet 0 or 00.

For comparison, European Roulette (single zero) has a house edge of about 2.7%. That’s why players who care about the long-term cost of play often prefer European Roulette when it’s available.

Strategy Tips That Actually Help Beginners (Without the Myths)

A few habits can improve decision-making even though roulette remains a game of chance:

Understand the odds before betting. A straight-up bet can pay 35: 1, but on an American wheel it only hits 1 time out of 38 on average.

Use outside bets for lower risk. Red/Black, Odd/Even, and High/Low won’t remove the house edge, but they can reduce bankroll swings compared to frequent straight-up bets.

Manage your bankroll deliberately. Decide what you’re comfortable spending, keep bets consistent, and avoid “chasing” losses after a cold streak.

Avoid systems that promise guaranteed wins. Martingale-style progressions can grow bet sizes quickly and run into table limits or bankroll limits. No betting pattern changes the underlying probabilities.

American Roulette vs European Roulette: The Differences That Matter

The games look similar, but three differences change the experience:

Pockets: American Roulette has 38 pockets (0 and 00). European Roulette has 37 pockets (single 0).

House edge: 5.26% for American Roulette versus about 2.7% for European Roulette, assuming standard rules.

Where you’ll see it: American Roulette is common across casinos in the United States, while single-zero roulette is more typical in many European casino settings and some online lobbies.

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

Online American Roulette usually comes in two formats.

RNG roulette uses a random number generator to simulate the wheel outcome. It’s fast, consistent, and often includes features like repeat-bet buttons and detailed bet histories.

Live dealer roulette is streamed from real studios, with a human dealer, a physical wheel, and real-time betting windows. It plays slower than RNG roulette, but many players prefer seeing the spin happen on camera and interacting through live chat where offered.

Best Software Providers for American Roulette

A lot of reputable game studios publish American Roulette or American-style live roulette tables. Names you’ll commonly see in casino lobbies include Evolution, Playtech, Pragmatic Play Live, NetEnt, and Ezugi.

Game presentation varies by provider - camera angles, table limits, and side-bet options can be very different - even when the wheel rules stay the same.

Mobile American Roulette: Built for Phones and Tablets

Most online roulette games now scale to smaller screens, with bet placement handled through tap-friendly layouts and quick chip selectors. On mobile, the biggest difference is pace and visibility - inside bets like splits and corners can take a little more precision than outside bets, especially on smaller phones.

If you’re comparing casino lobbies, it also helps to check whether the roulette table you want is available in both browser play and any dedicated app the operator uses.

A Quick Note on Playing American Roulette at Online Casinos

American Roulette can show up at traditional online casinos and may be offered alongside a larger table-game section. For example, Liberty Cash Spins Casino lists multiple software sources (Arrow’s Edge, Dragon Gaming, and Wager Gaming Technology), while Brionis Casino’s catalog highlights a long roster of mainstream providers and also runs tournaments, which can matter if you like competitive leaderboards. If you’re researching platforms, you can read more on the internal reviews for Liberty Cash Spins Casino and Brionis Casino.

Before you play anywhere, take a minute to confirm table limits, available roulette variants (American vs European), and any bonus terms that affect table games.

Responsible Gambling Reminder

Roulette is entertainment, not a way to make money. Set a budget, keep sessions time-boxed, and step away if the game stops being fun. If a casino offers limit tools, cool-off periods, or self-exclusion, they’re worth using when you need them.

Frequently Asked Questions About American Roulette

What is American Roulette?

American Roulette is a roulette variant played on a 38-pocket wheel featuring numbers 1-36 plus two green pockets: 0 and 00.

What is the difference between American and European Roulette?

European Roulette has a 37-pocket wheel with a single 0. American Roulette adds the 00 pocket, creating 38 pockets total and increasing the house edge.

Why does American Roulette have a higher house edge?

The extra 00 pocket lowers the probability of winning on standard bets without increasing payouts, producing a 5.26% house edge.

What is the best bet in American Roulette?

Outside bets like Red/Black, Odd/Even, and High/Low have the highest hit rates because they cover 18 numbers, but they still carry the same house edge overall.

Can you play American Roulette online for real money?

Yes. Many online casinos offer American Roulette in RNG and live dealer formats, depending on the operator and game providers available in your state.

Is American Roulette fair?

On a properly functioning wheel (or properly implemented RNG), outcomes are random and each pocket has the expected probability. The game is designed with a built-in house edge, so “fair” doesn’t mean equal odds.

Does 0 or 00 count as odd, even, red, or black?

No. Both 0 and 00 are green and typically cause outside bets like Odd/Even and Red/Black to lose unless you placed a specific bet covering 0 or 00.

Can betting systems beat American Roulette?

No betting system can change the underlying probabilities. Some systems can change how your bankroll swings, but they can’t eliminate the house edge or guarantee a profit.