American Roulette

American Roulette is the version of roulette most commonly associated with US casinos. It follows the same basic idea as other roulette games: players place bets on a numbered layout, the dealer spins the wheel, and a ball lands in one pocket to decide the winning result.

What makes American Roulette different is one crucial detail: the wheel has two green pockets, 0 and 00. That extra double-zero pocket changes the odds, raises the house edge, and makes American Roulette distinct from European Roulette and French Roulette.

From Europe to the US: How Roulette Took Shape

Roulette began in Europe, with roots tracing back to 18th-century France. Over time, the game became a casino staple thanks to its simple rules, fast pace, and wide mix of betting options.

After roulette reached the United States, casinos adapted the wheel by adding the 00 pocket. This change created the American version of the game. While the basic gameplay stayed the same, the added pocket increased the casino advantage, and that version became a standard in many land-based US casinos.

Inside the American Roulette Wheel

The American Roulette wheel has 38 total pockets. Those pockets include numbers 1 through 36, plus a single zero (0) and a double zero (00).

The numbered pockets from 1 to 36 are colored red and black in alternating fashion. The 0 and 00 pockets are green, which helps them stand out from the rest of the wheel. Because there are two green pockets instead of one, players have slightly lower odds of winning compared with European Roulette.

That 38-pocket layout is the defining feature of American Roulette, and it is the reason the game carries a higher house edge than single-zero roulette.

Breaking Down the American Roulette Table Layout

The American Roulette table features a betting grid that mirrors the wheel’s possible outcomes. The numbers 1 through 36 are arranged in rows and columns, with separate spaces for 0 and 00.

Players place chips directly on specific numbers or on lines and boxes that cover groups of numbers. Bets can also be placed on larger outside sections, such as red or black, odd or even, and high or low. The layout is designed so players can make both precise wagers and broader bets in the same round.

In both online and land-based settings, the dealer or game interface clearly shows where each bet goes, which makes the game fairly easy to learn.

How to Play American Roulette

Types of American Roulette Bets

American Roulette bets are divided into two main categories: inside bets and outside bets. Inside bets cover specific numbers or small groups of numbers, while outside bets cover broader sections of the table.

Inside Bets: Higher Risk, Bigger Payouts

Inside bets are placed in the numbered section of the table. These bets offer larger payouts because they cover fewer outcomes.

A Straight Up bet covers just 1 number and pays 35:1.

A Split bet covers 2 adjacent numbers and pays 17:1.

A Street bet covers 3 numbers in a single row and pays 11:1.

A Corner bet covers 4 numbers that meet at one corner and pays 8:1.

A Six Line bet covers 6 numbers across two adjacent rows and pays 5:1.

These wagers are popular with players who want a chance at bigger returns, but they also lose more often because they cover fewer pockets.

Outside Bets: Simpler Choices and Lower Variance

Outside bets cover larger groups of numbers and usually pay less, but they hit more often than inside bets.

A Red or Black bet covers 18 numbers and pays 1:1.

An Odd or Even bet also covers 18 numbers and pays 1:1.

A High or Low bet covers 18 numbers as well. Low includes 1 through 18, while High includes 19 through 36. These bets pay 1:1.

A Dozens bet covers 12 numbers and pays 2:1. Players can bet on 1–12, 13–24, or 25–36.

A Columns bet covers 12 numbers in one vertical column and also pays 2:1.

Because the 0 and 00 are not included in these even-money bets, they are part of what gives the house its built-in edge.

American Roulette Payout Table at a Glance

These are the standard payouts found in most real-money and social roulette games.

The House Edge: Why American Roulette Costs More to Play

American Roulette has a house edge of 5.26%. That figure comes directly from the extra 00 pocket on the wheel.

In European Roulette, there are 37 pockets, with only one green zero. That lowers the house edge to about 2.70%. In practical terms, American Roulette gives the casino nearly double the edge found in European Roulette.

That does not mean American Roulette is unfair. It simply means the math is less favorable to the player over the long run.

American Roulette Strategy Tips

The best way to approach American Roulette is to understand that it is a game of chance. No strategy can remove the house edge or guarantee profits.

It helps to learn the odds and payouts before placing bets. Outside bets such as red/black or odd/even are often better for beginners because they are simple and come with lower variance than single-number wagers.

Bankroll management also matters. Set a budget before you play, stick to bet sizes you can afford, and avoid chasing losses. Betting systems like Martingale may sound appealing, but they do not beat the math of the wheel and can drain a bankroll quickly.

If you want to compare roulette with other table games like blackjack and live dealer casino games that involve more decision-making, they can offer useful context.

American Roulette vs European Roulette: The Key Differences

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

That one extra pocket, the 00, raises the house edge in American Roulette from 2.70% to 5.26%. Everything else starts from that math difference.

American Roulette is more common in traditional US casinos, while European Roulette is often found in European gaming venues and many online casinos. For players focused on better odds, European Roulette is usually the stronger option.

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

Players today can choose between standard online American Roulette and live dealer American Roulette. Standard online roulette uses a random number generator, or RNG, to determine results.

Live dealer roulette is streamed from a real studio with a human dealer spinning a physical wheel in real time. That format offers a more social and realistic casino feel, while RNG roulette is usually faster and more convenient for quick sessions.

Many legal casino platforms now offer both formats, giving players flexibility based on pace, budget, and playing style.

Best Software Providers for American Roulette

Several major gaming developers offer American Roulette titles for online casinos in the US-facing market. Evolution is especially well known for live dealer roulette, while Playtech and Pragmatic Play Live also provide polished live versions.

NetEnt has long been a recognized name for RNG casino games, including roulette. Ezugi is another established provider in the live dealer space, often featured on casino platforms that focus on table game variety.

The provider can affect game presentation, streaming quality, side bet options, and mobile performance, but the core rules of American Roulette remain the same.

Mobile American Roulette Keeps the Action in Your Pocket

American Roulette games are widely optimized for smartphones and tablets. Whether you play through a mobile browser or a casino app, the wheel, betting grid, and chip controls are typically built to fit smaller screens without becoming difficult to use.

This makes it easy to play from home or while on the go, as long as online gambling is legal in your state and you meet the minimum age requirement.

Responsible Gambling Reminder

Roulette should be treated as entertainment, not as a way to make money. Set spending and time limits before you play, and take breaks if the session stops being fun.

If gambling begins to feel difficult to control, support is available through trusted organizations such as the National Council on Problem Gambling.

American Roulette FAQ

American Roulette remains one of the most recognizable casino table games in the US. Its simple rules make it easy to learn, but the extra 00 pocket is a major factor every player should understand before putting money on the table.