American Roulette

American Roulette is the version of roulette most people picture in casinos across the United States: a spinning wheel, a bouncing ball, and a table full of quick decisions. It plays fast, it’s easy to follow once you know the betting grid, and it has one key rule twist that affects everything else - two green pockets on the wheel, 0 and 00.

That extra green pocket is the big reason American Roulette has a higher house edge than other roulette variants, even though the bets and payouts look almost identical at first glance.

American Roulette, Explained in Plain English (And What Makes It Different)

American Roulette is a wheel-and-ball casino game where you bet on where the ball will land after the dealer spins the wheel. You can bet on a single number, a small group of numbers, or broad categories like red or black.

The headline difference versus European Roulette is simple: American Roulette includes both 0 and 00. European Roulette has only a single 0. That small change adds more losing outcomes for most bets, which increases the casino’s built-in advantage.

The Real Origin Story: How Roulette Traveled From Europe to the United States

Roulette traces its roots to Europe, where different wheel games and betting layouts gradually blended into what players now recognize as roulette. As the game spread, the wheel design wasn’t fully standardized everywhere, and casinos experimented with formats that made sense for their markets.

Once roulette reached the United States, the double zero (00) wheel became common. Over time, that “American wheel” stuck and turned into the default roulette setup in many United States casinos, especially in traditional brick-and-mortar rooms.

Inside the American Roulette Wheel Layout (38 Pockets Total)

An American Roulette wheel has 38 pockets:

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

The numbers 1-36 are split between red and black pockets, arranged in an alternating pattern that helps keep the layout visually balanced. The 0 and 00 pockets are green, and they’re the only green spaces on the wheel.

That green pair is more than decoration - it’s what nudges the odds away from the player compared to single-zero roulette.

How the American Roulette Table Layout Works (And Where Bets Actually Go)

The table is basically a map of the possible outcomes. The center grid shows numbers 1-36 arranged in three columns and twelve rows. Around that grid are the “outside” betting areas - spots for red/black, odd/even, high/low, dozens, and columns.

Players place chips directly on the felt to show exactly what they’re betting:

• On a number for a straight-up bet
• On a line between numbers for a split
• On the edge of a row for a street
• In the corners where four numbers meet for a corner bet
• On labeled boxes for outside bets like “RED” or “1st 12”

In online roulette, you do the same thing with taps or clicks, but the betting logic mirrors the physical table.

How to Play American Roulette Step by Step

The flow of the game is consistent whether you’re playing online or at a live table:

1. Choose your chip value.
2. Place one or more bets on the table before the betting window closes.
3. The dealer spins the wheel and releases the ball.
4. The ball lands in a numbered pocket.
5. Winning bets are paid based on the payout table, and losing bets are cleared.

If you’re new, it’s normal to start with one outside bet (like red) plus a small inside bet (like a straight-up) just to see how payouts feel.

The Bets That Matter: Inside Bets vs Outside Bets in American Roulette

Roulette betting is usually grouped into two categories - inside bets (tight coverage, bigger payouts) and outside bets (broader coverage, smaller payouts).

Inside Bets (Specific Numbers and Small Groups)

Inside bets go on the numbered grid itself:

• Straight Up (1 number) - typically pays 35: 1
• Split (2 numbers) - typically pays 17: 1
• Street (3 numbers in a row) - typically pays 11: 1
• Corner (4 numbers) - typically pays 8: 1
• Six Line (6 numbers across two rows) - typically pays 5: 1

These bets can swing quickly because you’re covering fewer outcomes, but they’re also the ones players chase when they want bigger single-hit returns.

Outside Bets (Broader Coverage, Smaller Payouts)

Outside bets sit on the labeled areas around the grid:

• Red or Black (18 numbers) - typically pays 1: 1
• Odd or Even (18 numbers) - typically pays 1: 1
• High (19-36) or Low (1-18) (18 numbers) - typically pays 1: 1
• Dozens (1-12, 13-24, 25-36) (12 numbers) - typically pays 2: 1
• Columns (12 numbers) - typically pays 2: 1

Outside bets don’t change the house edge, but they do change variance - you’ll generally hit more often, just for smaller payouts.

American Roulette Payout Table (Quick Reference)

Here’s the standard payout structure you’ll see at most tables:

• 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

Note: Payouts are “to 1” and usually don’t include your original stake in the quoted ratio (the stake is returned separately on a win).

The Math Behind the House Edge (And Why It’s 5.26%)

American Roulette has a house edge of 5.26%. The reason is the double zero: there are 38 total pockets, but most common bets still pay as if there were 36 plus a single zero.

A basic example helps. A red bet covers 18 pockets, but there are 20 non-red pockets (18 black numbers plus 0 and 00). Because the payout is 1: 1, those two green pockets tilt the long-run result toward the house.

For comparison, European Roulette (single zero, 37 pockets) has a house edge of about 2.7%. Same general bets, different wheel math.

Strategy Tips That Actually Help (Without Fake “Systems”)

Roulette is a game of chance. No betting pattern changes the built-in edge, but smart habits can make your sessions more controlled.

Start with these basics:

• Know what each bet covers before placing chips - especially inside bets that can look similar on the felt.
• Use outside bets when you want lower volatility. You’ll usually see more wins, even though the long-term edge stays the same.
• Set a bankroll and a stopping point ahead of time. Roulette can move quickly, particularly online.
• Be skeptical of “guaranteed win” systems. Progressions can ramp up bet sizes fast, and there’s no pattern that forces the wheel to “catch up.”

American Roulette vs European Roulette: The Differences That Change the Odds

American and European Roulette look like close cousins, but three points matter:

• Number of pockets: American has 38 (0 and 00); European has 37 (0 only).
• House edge: 5.26% in American Roulette versus about 2.7% in European Roulette.
• Where you’ll see it: the American wheel is more common in casinos across the United States, while the single-zero wheel is often associated with European rooms and many online lobbies.

If you have a choice between the two, the single-zero wheel is typically the better deal mathematically.

Online American Roulette vs Live Dealer Roulette: What Changes at Home

Online American Roulette generally comes in two formats:

RNG roulette uses a random number generator to determine outcomes, with animations to show the spin. It’s fast, consistent, and usually offers flexible bet limits.

Live dealer roulette streams a real wheel from a studio, with a human dealer calling the action. You still place bets digitally, but the outcome comes from the physical spin, which many players prefer for pacing and atmosphere.

Software Providers Known for Roulette Tables

A lot of roulette quality comes down to the developer - interface clarity, table limits, live streaming reliability, and camera angles all vary.

Well-known names in online roulette include Evolution, Playtech, Pragmatic Play Live, NetEnt, and Ezugi. You’ll see several of these providers listed across major online casino lobbies, including platforms such as Mexiwin Casino, Blingi Casino, and Regal Casino, depending on what’s available in your region and account.

Mobile American Roulette: Built for Taps, Not Mouse Clicks

Most modern American Roulette games are optimized for smartphones and tablets, with larger betting areas, pinch-to-zoom table views, and quick-chip controls. Live dealer versions tend to be heavier on data usage, so a stable connection matters more there than it does for RNG tables.

If you play on mobile, it’s worth checking whether the interface lets you confirm bets easily before the spin - mis-taps are the most common beginner mistake.

A Quick Responsible Gambling Reminder

Roulette is unpredictable by design, and the fastest way to enjoy it long-term is to treat it as paid entertainment, not income. Set limits that fit your budget, take breaks, and use any time-out or self-exclusion tools available if play stops feeling fun or controlled.

Frequently Asked Questions