American Roulette

American Roulette is the version of roulette most people picture when they think of casinos in the United States: a spinning wheel, a bouncing ball, and a table full of quick decisions. It plays fast, it’s easy to learn, and it has one important twist that changes the math of every bet - the wheel has two green pockets, 0 and 00.

That extra green pocket is the key difference between American Roulette and other roulette variants. It slightly lowers your chances of hitting any particular outcome, which is why American Roulette comes with a higher house edge than European Roulette.

Where Roulette Came From (and How the American Wheel Changed)

Roulette’s roots trace back to Europe, where early versions of the game developed around the same basic idea: a numbered wheel, a ball, and fixed payouts. Over time, the format standardized in casinos, with the European layout becoming the best-known classic model.

When roulette made its way to the United States, casinos popularized a wheel with an additional green pocket. That double zero (00) is what defines American Roulette today, and it’s the reason the game’s odds differ from European Roulette even when the bets look identical on the felt.

The American Roulette Wheel, Explained in Plain English

An American Roulette wheel has 38 pockets total:

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

Numbers 1 through 36 are split between red and black pockets, arranged in an alternating pattern around the wheel (though not in simple numerical order). The 0 and 00 pockets are green, and they’re the only green slots on the wheel - which makes them easy to spot and central to how the house advantage is created.

How the American Roulette Table Layout Really Works

The roulette table is basically a betting map. The main grid shows numbers 1-36 in three columns, and around that grid are larger “outside” betting areas that cover broader outcomes, like red or black and odd or even.

Chips are placed directly on the area that matches the bet:

• On a single number to bet that exact number
• On a line between numbers to cover multiple outcomes
• On outside sections to cover groups (like a dozen or a color)

In most online roulette games, you’re placing digital chips, but the logic is the same - you’re selecting the exact portion of the layout that corresponds to your bet type.

How to Play American Roulette Step by Step

American Roulette looks busy, but the flow is simple:

1. Choose your chip value (how much each chip is worth).
2. Place one or more bets on the table before betting closes.
3. The dealer spins the wheel and releases the ball (or the game animates this step in online RNG roulette).
4. The ball lands in a numbered pocket.
5. Winning bets are paid based on the payout table, and losing chips are cleared.

That’s it. Every round is independent, and previous spins don’t change what happens next.

Inside Bets: Higher Payouts, Tighter Targets

Inside bets are placed on specific numbers or small clusters of numbers on the main grid. They usually pay more because they’re harder to hit.

Straight Up A bet on a single number (including 0 or 00). This is the highest-paying standard bet, but it’s also the least likely to land.

Split A bet covering two adjacent numbers by placing a chip on the line between them.

Street A bet on a full row of three numbers by placing a chip at the outer edge of that row.

Corner A bet on four numbers that meet at a corner intersection.

Six Line A bet on two neighboring rows (six numbers total), placed on the line between those rows.

Outside Bets: More Coverage, Smaller Swings

Outside bets sit around the number grid and cover larger groups. They don’t pay as much, but they tend to smooth out bankroll swings compared to inside bets.

Red or Black You’re betting on the color of the winning number (0 and 00 are neither, so those spins lose).

Odd or Even Covers all odd or all even numbers from 1-36. Again, 0 and 00 don’t count.

High or Low Low is 1-18, and high is 19-36. The green pockets don’t belong to either group.

Dozens Bet on 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36.

Columns Bet on one of the three vertical columns that run down the number grid.

The American Roulette Payout Table (Quick Reference)

Here are the typical payouts you’ll see in American Roulette:

• 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 are standard roulette payouts across most casinos and online tables. The key thing to remember is that payouts don’t increase to “compensate” for the extra 00 pocket, which is why the house edge is higher than on European Roulette.

The Real Cost of the Double Zero: House Edge Math

American Roulette has a house edge of 5.26%. That advantage comes from the 38-pocket wheel - especially the extra green 00 slot - which slightly reduces the true probability of winning compared to what the payouts imply.

European Roulette uses a 37-pocket wheel (single zero only), which drops the house edge to about 2.7%. The bets may look identical, but the wheel changes the long-term return.

Smart Strategy Tips That Actually Help (Without the Myths)

Roulette doesn’t have a skill element that changes the odds, but you can still make choices that fit your risk tolerance.

Know what each bet really means A straight-up bet can pay 35: 1, but it hits far less often than a red/black bet. Match your bet style to how much volatility you’re comfortable with.

Use outside bets when you want lower variance Red/black, odd/even, and high/low cover 18 numbers, so you’ll usually see more frequent hits (with smaller payouts).

Set a bankroll plan before you start Decide what you’re willing to spend for the session, and keep stakes consistent. Roulette’s pace makes it easy to bet more than intended.

Avoid “guaranteed win” systems Progression systems can create the illusion of control, but the wheel has no memory, and table limits (plus real bankroll limits) can break those systems fast.

Roulette is still a game of chance No pattern, previous result, or “hot number” changes the probability of the next spin.

American Roulette vs European Roulette: The Differences That Matter

The two games share the same core rules, but these differences affect your experience and your expected return:

• Number of pockets: American Roulette has 38 (0 and 00). European Roulette has 37 (0 only).
• House edge: 5.26% for American Roulette vs about 2.7% for European Roulette.
• Where you’ll see them: American Roulette is common in United States casinos, while European Roulette is more common in many European casinos and also popular online.

If your main goal is a lower house edge, European Roulette is usually the better pick when it’s available.

Online American Roulette vs Live Dealer Tables: Two Very Different Feels

Online American Roulette typically comes in two formats:

RNG roulette The outcome is generated by a random number generator. It’s fast, consistent, and often includes features like auto-play or quick re-bet options depending on the game.

Live dealer roulette A real wheel is spun in a studio, streamed to your device. You place digital bets, but the result comes from an actual physical spin, which many players prefer for the pace and presentation.

If you’re comparing roulette libraries at different sites, it helps to check whether they offer both formats. Casinos with deep live catalogs often highlight studios from developers like Evolution Gaming, and you’ll also see roulette options alongside other table games at places such as PandiBet Casino.

Providers Known for American Roulette Tables

A lot of American Roulette games come from a handful of major studios that build both RNG and live dealer titles. Names that show up often include Evolution, Playtech, Pragmatic Play Live, NetEnt, and Ezugi.

Even when two games share the same rules and payouts, the experience can feel different depending on the provider - camera angles and table limits in live roulette, or UI speed and side features in RNG versions.

Mobile American Roulette: What to Expect on a Phone

Most online American Roulette titles are built to run on smartphones and tablets, with the betting grid adapted for smaller screens. Common mobile-friendly touches include zoomable layouts, tap-to-place chips, and re-bet buttons that reduce misclicks on faster rounds.

A quick check before playing on mobile: make sure you can clearly see the difference between 0 and 00 on the layout, since that’s the single detail that separates American Roulette odds from other versions.

Keep It Fun: A Quick Responsible Gambling Reminder

Roulette is entertainment, not a way to make money. Setting a budget, taking breaks, and sticking to time and spending limits can keep the game enjoyable. If you ever feel like play is becoming stressful rather than fun, it’s worth stepping away and using support tools such as limits or self-exclusion where available.

American Roulette FAQ