American Roulette

American Roulette remains one of the most played casino classics in the United States—and for good reason. It’s simple to learn, easy to jump into, and every spin delivers a clean, high-stakes moment where anything can happen. What sets it apart from other roulette variants is one crucial detail: the wheel has two green pockets—0 and 00—which changes the odds, the house edge, and the long-term value of every bet you place.

American Roulette, Explained in Plain English

American Roulette is a wheel-and-ball table game where you place chips on a betting grid, the dealer spins the wheel, and the ball drops into a numbered pocket. If your bet matches the result (or covers it), you get paid based on the wager type.

The defining difference is the double zero (00). Most other common versions—especially European Roulette—use only a single 0. That extra green pocket makes American Roulette more volatile and increases the casino advantage.

Roulette’s European Roots—and How the American Wheel Changed the Game

Roulette began in Europe centuries ago, evolving from earlier wheel-based games and gaining popularity in French casinos. As the game spread and crossed the Atlantic, US gambling houses adopted it and gradually standardized the wheel into the version most associated with American casinos today.

The big shift came with the addition (and normalization) of the 00 pocket, which increased the number of total outcomes and pushed the house edge higher. Over time, that layout became the signature American format—now widely available both in land-based casinos and online.

American Roulette Wheel Layout: 38 Pockets, More Outcomes

The American Roulette wheel contains 38 pockets total, made up of numbers 1–36 (alternating red and black), 0 (green), and 00 (green).

The numbers 1–36 are arranged in a fixed order around the wheel. Red and black alternate frequently (though not perfectly one-after-the-other all the way around), creating the familiar color pattern players bet on. The 0 and 00 pockets are green, and they’re the reason American Roulette plays differently than single-zero variants.

American Roulette Table Layout: Where Your Chips Actually Go

The betting layout is a grid that mirrors the number set and groups you can wager on. The center area contains 1–36 in rows and columns, where you can place “inside” bets on exact numbers or small clusters. Surrounding areas offer “outside” bets, letting you cover larger groups like red/black or dozens.

Your chip placement matters: on a single square hits one number, while chips placed on lines or intersections represent multi-number bets. Once betting closes, the spin decides everything.

How to Play American Roulette: Spin-to-Payout in 5 Steps

Step 1: Choose your chip value
Choose your chip value at the table (or set it in the online interface).
Step 2: Place your bets
Place your bets on the layout before the dealer calls betting closed.
Step 3: Dealer spins the wheel
The dealer spins the wheel and releases the ball in the opposite direction.
Step 4: Ball lands
The ball settles into a numbered pocket (red, black, or green 0/00).
Step 5: Winning bets paid
Winning bets are paid based on the payout schedule for that bet type.

American Roulette Bets That Keep Every Spin Interesting

American Roulette is all about choosing how much coverage you want. More coverage typically means lower payouts, while tighter bets can deliver bigger returns.

Inside Bets: Bigger Payouts, Smaller Coverage

Inside bets target specific numbers or small groups:

Straight Up: One specific number. Typical payout: 35:1 Split: Two adjacent numbers (chip on the line between them). Typical payout: 17:1 Street: Three numbers in a row (end of a row). Typical payout: 11:1 Corner: Four numbers meeting at a corner intersection. Typical payout: 8:1 Six Line: Six numbers across two adjacent rows (chip on the outer line between them). Typical payout: 5:1

Outside Bets: More Coverage, Smoother Swings

Outside bets cover larger groups, often chosen by beginners for steadier results:

Red or Black: 18 numbers. Typical payout: 1:1 Odd or Even: 18 numbers. Typical payout: 1:1 High or Low (1–18 / 19–36): 18 numbers. Typical payout: 1:1 Dozens (1–12 / 13–24 / 25–36): 12 numbers. Typical payout: 2:1 Columns: 12 numbers. Typical payout: 2:1

American Roulette Payout Table: Quick Reference Before You Bet

Bet Type	Numbers Covered	Typical Payout
Straight Up	1	35:1
Split	2	17:1
Street	3	11:1
Corner	4	8:1
Six Line	6	5:1
Dozens / Columns	12	2:1
Red/Black, Odd/Even, High/Low	18	1:1

House Edge in American Roulette: The 00 Changes Everything

American Roulette has a house edge of 5.26%. That edge comes directly from having two green pockets (0 and 00), which increases the total possible outcomes to 38 while keeping payouts aligned with a 36-number base.

By comparison, European Roulette (with only a single 0) has a house edge of about 2.7%, making it noticeably better value over the long run.

Smart American Roulette Tips: Play Cleaner, Last Longer

Knowing what you’re buying with each bet is the real advantage—because roulette doesn’t reward “patterns,” it rewards good decision-making around risk.

Understand the odds before you place chips, especially on higher-volatility inside bets. If you want steadier swings, lean on outside bets like red/black or dozens and treat bigger-payout bets as occasional shots, not a full-time plan. Set a bankroll limit and decide your session budget upfront so you’re not reacting emotionally to streaks. Most importantly, avoid betting systems that claim guaranteed profit—roulette outcomes are independent, and no progression system flips the math.

Roulette is a game of chance. Your best move is controlling pace, stake size, and expectations.

American Roulette vs European Roulette: The Real Differences That Matter

The two versions look similar, but they don’t play the same long-term.

American Roulette has 38 pockets (0 and 00), while European Roulette has 37 pockets (single 0). That extra pocket is why American Roulette carries the higher 5.26% house edge versus ~2.7% for European.

In terms of availability, American Roulette is a staple in US casinos, while European Roulette is more common across European venues and is often highlighted online for its better odds.

Online American Roulette vs Live Dealer Roulette: Pick Your Style

Online American Roulette usually comes in two formats. RNG (random number generator) roulette is software-driven, fast to load, and great for quick sessions and flexible betting speeds. Live dealer roulette streams from real studios with real wheels and dealers, giving you the authentic table feel with chat, table limits, and the pacing of a real game.

If you want to compare more roulette formats and features, visit our roulette page.

Best Software Providers for American Roulette Games

If you’re choosing where to play, the provider behind the game matters—especially for stream quality, UI clarity, and side-feature polish. Top studios offering American Roulette titles include Evolution, Playtech, Pragmatic Play Live, NetEnt, and Ezugi.

Mobile American Roulette: Spin Anywhere, Any Time

American Roulette is fully optimized for modern mobile play, with layouts designed to fit smartphone and tablet screens without making betting feel cramped. Expect smooth chip controls, quick bet re-placements, and clean visibility of the grid—whether you’re playing RNG or live dealer tables.

Responsible Gambling: Keep It Fun and Controlled

Set limits before you play—time, budget, and loss caps—and stick to them. If the game stops feeling entertaining, take a break. Roulette is best when it’s treated as paid entertainment, not a way to chase money.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

American Roulette is a roulette variant with 38 pockets: numbers 1–36 plus 0 and 00. You bet on where the ball will land and get paid based on the type of wager you place.

The key difference is the wheel: American Roulette has 0 and 00, while European Roulette has only a single 0. That changes the odds and increases the American version’s house edge.

Because the double zero (00) adds an extra losing outcome for most bets, raising the house edge to 5.26%.

In terms of lower variance, many players prefer outside bets like red/black, odd/even, or high/low. They don’t change the house edge, but they typically produce smoother bankroll swings.

Yes. Many online casinos offer American Roulette in both RNG and live dealer formats for real-money play, depending on your location and eligibility.

American Roulette is fair when offered by licensed operators using audited RNGs or regulated live dealer studios. The game is designed with a known house edge, so fairness comes from transparent rules and properly regulated outcomes.

Neither—both 0 and 00 are green, and they are the pockets that make American Roulette different from single-zero variants.

The payout table is typically the same, but European Roulette offers better odds overall due to having fewer pockets and a lower house edge—so the value per bet is usually stronger on the European wheel.

Get Your Bonuses