American Roulette

American Roulette is one of the most recognizable table games in casinos, built around a simple idea: predict where the ball will land and get paid based on the odds. What sets it apart from other roulette variants is the wheel itself - American Roulette includes two green pockets, 0 and 00, which changes both the payouts math and the house advantage.

American Roulette, Explained in Plain English

American Roulette plays like other roulette games: you place chips on a betting layout, the wheel spins, the ball drops into a pocket, and winning bets are paid. The big difference is the extra green pocket (00). With both 0 and 00 on the wheel, there are more ways for the house to win when players bet on common even-money options like red/black or odd/even.

Roulette’s European Roots - And How America Put Its Own Spin on It

Roulette traces back to Europe, where versions of the wheel evolved over time into what most players now recognize as European Roulette (with a single 0). When the game made its way to the United States, the wheel design changed. The double zero (00) became part of the standard American layout, creating the modern American Roulette format found across many US-facing casinos and online lobbies.

The American Roulette Wheel Layout: 38 Pockets, More Outcomes

The American Roulette wheel has 38 pockets total. That includes numbers 1 through 36, plus a single zero (0) and a double zero (00). The 1-36 numbers are split between red and black in an alternating pattern (with a specific arrangement unique to roulette wheels), while 0 and 00 are green.

Those two green pockets matter. They don’t just “add variety” - they directly increase the house edge, especially on bets that otherwise feel close to 50-50.

The American Roulette Table Layout: Where Every Chip Position Counts

The roulette table layout is a betting grid that mirrors the numbers and groups you can bet on. The main grid shows 1-36 in rows and columns, with 0 and 00 placed separately. Players place chips directly on the areas that match their intended bet: on a single number for a straight-up bet, on a line between two numbers for a split, or on larger marked areas for outside bets like red/black, dozens, or columns.

Where your chip lands determines exactly what you’re betting - so precision matters, especially for multi-number inside bets.

How to Play American Roulette: From Chip to Payout

A round of American Roulette follows an easy flow:

First, choose your chip value. Next, place your bets on the table before betting closes. The dealer spins the wheel and releases the ball in the opposite direction. After a few seconds, the ball settles into a numbered pocket. If your bet covers that result, you get paid according to the payout rules for that bet type.

American Roulette Bets That Shape Your Whole Session

Roulette betting is usually split into two categories: inside bets (higher risk, higher payouts) and outside bets (broader coverage, lower payouts).

Inside Bets: Bigger Swings, Bigger Potential Returns

Inside bets are placed on specific numbers or tight number groups on the main grid.

Straight Up covers 1 number and pays 35: 1. Split covers 2 adjacent numbers and pays 17: 1. Street covers 3 numbers in a row and pays 11: 1. Corner covers 4 numbers that meet at one corner and pays 8: 1. Six Line covers 6 numbers across two adjacent rows and pays 5: 1.

Inside bets can generate dramatic wins quickly, but you’ll miss more often because you’re covering fewer outcomes.

Outside Bets: Wider Coverage, Steadier Action

Outside bets cover larger sets of numbers, so you hit more frequently, but the payouts are smaller.

Red or Black covers 18 numbers and pays 1: 1. Odd or Even covers 18 numbers and pays 1: 1. High or Low (1-18 or 19-36) covers 18 numbers and pays 1: 1. Dozens (1-12, 13-24, 25-36) cover 12 numbers and pay 2: 1. Columns (betting one vertical column of 12 numbers) also cover 12 numbers and pay 2: 1.

Outside bets are popular for beginners because you get more “live” spins where your bet has a chance.

American Roulette Payout Table: The Quick Reference You’ll Actually Use

Here’s the standard payout structure used in American Roulette:

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

These payouts are designed so the house keeps an edge over time - especially because of the 0 and 00.

The House Edge in American Roulette: Why 0 and 00 Change Everything

American Roulette’s house edge is 5.26%. That edge exists because the wheel has 38 pockets, and the presence of both 0 and 00 increases the chance that even-money bets lose.

By comparison, European Roulette (with a single 0 and 37 pockets) has a house edge of about 2.7%. Same basic game, very different long-term cost per wager.

Smart American Roulette Tips That Help Beginners Play Cleaner

Knowing what you’re buying into makes roulette more enjoyable and less frustrating. Start by understanding the odds behind each bet - high payouts come with lower hit rates. If you want steadier sessions, lean on outside bets like red/black, odd/even, or high/low, then mix in selective inside bets when you’re comfortable with the variance.

Bankroll management matters more than any “system.” Set a budget, size your bets so you can handle cold streaks, and avoid any strategy that promises guaranteed wins - roulette is a game of chance, and no pattern can force the next result.

American Roulette vs European Roulette: The Differences That Actually Matter

American Roulette has 38 pockets because it includes both 0 and 00. European Roulette has 37 pockets with only a single 0. That single change cuts the house edge nearly in half in the European version.

In terms of popularity, American Roulette is strongly associated with US casinos and many US-focused online platforms, while European Roulette is more common across European casinos and international lobbies.

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

Online American Roulette typically comes in two formats. RNG roulette uses a certified random number generator to produce outcomes instantly, making it a great choice if you want speed and flexible stakes. Live dealer roulette streams a real wheel from a studio, with a human dealer calling bets and spinning in real time, giving you a more authentic table feel from your phone or laptop.

Best Software Providers for American Roulette Games

If you’re shopping for quality roulette, several developers consistently deliver strong roulette products across both RNG and live formats. Evolution, Playtech, Pragmatic Play Live, NetEnt, and Ezugi are widely recognized for polished interfaces, stable streaming, and a range of table limits suited to casual play or higher stakes.

Mobile American Roulette: Built for Phones and Tablets

Modern American Roulette games are designed to run smoothly on smartphones and tablets, with responsive betting grids, quick chip selection, and clean zoom-friendly layouts. Whether you prefer RNG spins on a break or a live dealer session at night, mobile play makes it easy to stay in control of your pace and stakes.

Casino Spotlight: Where to Play American Roulette Online Right Now

For players who want American Roulette with flexible banking options, two casinos worth a look are Wicked Plays Casino and Rapter Casino.

Wicked Plays Casino features Real Time Gaming titles and a welcome offer worth noting: a 300% bonus up to $1,000 with code WICKED (minimum deposit $25, 40x playthrough). It also supports a wide range of funding methods, including crypto options alongside Visa, MasterCard, and PayPal.

Rapter Casino combines casino play with a sportsbook and offers a large multi-deposit welcome package: 400% up to €6,000 (minimum deposit €20, 20x playthrough, divided across the first five deposits). With broad provider coverage, it’s a strong option if you like variety beyond roulette tables.

Bonus terms can change, so always review the current conditions before you deposit to keep your plan tight.

Responsible Gambling: Keep It Fun, Keep It Controlled

Roulette is most enjoyable when you set limits before you play. Decide your budget, choose a session length, and never chase losses. If it stops feeling entertaining, it’s time to pause and reset.

FAQ: American Roulette Answers Players Look Up Most