American Roulette

American Roulette brings the classic spinning wheel to a table with 38 pockets and a wide range of betting options. Its defining feature is the pair of green pockets: 0 and 00. That extra pocket gives the house a larger mathematical edge than in European Roulette, so knowing the layout and odds can help you make informed choices.

How American Roulette Began

Roulette developed in Europe, with early versions appearing in France during the 18th century. The game crossed the Atlantic and evolved in the United States. American casinos added a double-zero pocket, creating the wheel used in American Roulette today.

American Roulette Wheel Layout

An American Roulette wheel has 38 pockets:

• Numbers 1 through 36
• One green 0 pocket
• One green 00 pocket

The numbered pockets alternate between red and black around the wheel. Both zero pockets are green and count separately from the numbered betting groups. That 00 is more than an extra landing spot - it changes the odds on most bets.

American Roulette Table Layout

The betting area has a grid for numbers 1 through 36, arranged in three columns, with spaces for 0 and 00 nearby. Outside the number grid are larger betting areas for options such as red or black, odd or even, high or low, dozens, and columns.

Players select a chip value and place chips on the relevant area. A chip placed inside the grid covers one or several numbers, depending on its position. A chip placed outside the grid covers a broader group. The dealer closes betting before spinning the wheel and releasing the ball.

How to Play American Roulette

1. Choose a chip value.
2. Place one or more bets on the table.
3. The dealer spins the wheel and releases the ball.
4. The ball settles into a numbered pocket.
5. Bets matching the result are paid according to the table’s payout rules.

Check the game’s posted minimum and maximum bets before playing. Online versions typically show the available chip values and betting limits on screen.

American Roulette Bets and Payouts

Inside bets cover individual numbers or small groups. They offer larger payouts when they win, but hit less often. Outside bets cover bigger groups and generally pay less.

• 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 or Columns cover 12 numbers and pay 2: 1
• Red/Black, Odd/Even, High/Low cover 18 numbers and pay 1: 1

Payouts are shown as net winnings. For example, a 35: 1 straight-up win earns 35 units for every unit wagered, plus the original stake.

Inside Bets

• Straight Up: Place a chip on one number. It pays 35: 1.
• Split: Place a chip on the line between two adjoining numbers. It pays 17: 1.
• Street: Cover a row of three numbers by placing a chip on the row’s outer edge. It pays 11: 1.
• Corner: Place a chip at the meeting point of four numbers. It pays 8: 1.
• Six Line: Cover two adjoining rows, or six numbers, with a chip at their shared edge. It pays 5: 1.

Outside Bets

• Red or Black: Covers 18 numbered pockets of one color and pays 1: 1.
• Odd or Even: Covers the corresponding 18 numbered pockets and pays 1: 1.
• High or Low: Covers 1-18 or 19-36 and pays 1: 1.
• Dozens: Covers 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36 and pays 2: 1.
• Columns: Covers one vertical group of 12 numbers and pays 2: 1.

The 0 and 00 are not red or black, odd or even, high or low, or part of a dozen or column. If either zero lands, these even-money and group bets normally lose.

House Edge: The Cost of the Double Zero

The American Roulette house edge is about 5.26% on standard bets. The figure comes from the 38 pockets: a typical even-money bet covers 18 numbers, leaving 20 outcomes that do not win it. European Roulette has one green zero and 37 pockets, producing a standard house edge of about 2.70%.

The edge is a long-run average, not a prediction of what will happen in a short session. Any individual spin can produce a win or loss.

Practical Strategy Tips for Beginners

• Know the odds: Larger payouts usually come with lower chances of hitting. Review the payout table before placing chips.
• Consider outside bets: They cover more numbers than inside bets, although the zero pockets still create a house edge.
• Set a bankroll limit: Decide how much you are comfortable spending and how long you plan to play. Avoid chasing losses.
• Treat betting systems with caution: Progression systems and number patterns cannot guarantee a win or change the game’s underlying odds.

Roulette is a game of chance. Each spin is independent, and past results do not make a number more or less likely to appear next.

American Roulette vs. European Roulette

The clearest difference is the wheel: American Roulette has 38 pockets, including 0 and 00, while European Roulette typically has 37, including a single 0. That additional pocket raises the American game’s standard house edge to about 5.26%, compared with roughly 2.70% for European Roulette.

American Roulette is widely associated with casinos in the United States. European Roulette is common in European casinos and is also available online. The table rules and payouts are often similar, but check the game details because individual versions can have different features.

Online American Roulette: RNG and Live Dealer Options

Online casinos commonly offer two formats. RNG Roulette uses a random number generator to determine each result, with the wheel and ball represented digitally. Live Dealer Roulette streams a real wheel from a studio, with a dealer handling the game and results shown in real time.

Game availability, table limits, payment options, and legal access depend on the casino and your location. For example, Wintino Casino lists a welcome offer of 125% up to €888 plus 250 free spins, while Winzter Casino lists 450% up to €3,000, divided across the first three deposits. These are casino welcome promotions, not roulette-specific offers; review eligibility, wagering requirements, game restrictions, and local availability before depositing.

Software Providers and Mobile Play

Roulette titles are available from established gaming studios, including Evolution, Playtech, Pragmatic Play Live, NetEnt, and Ezugi. The exact selection varies by casino, so check its game lobby for American Roulette and confirm whether a title is RNG-based or live dealer.

Many online versions are designed for smartphones and tablets, with touch-friendly betting areas and layouts that adjust to smaller screens. Before playing on mobile, make sure the table is readable and that you can review your stake and selected bets clearly.

Play Responsibly

Set time and spending limits before you play, and stick to them. Only wager money you can afford to lose. Take a break if the game stops feeling enjoyable, and seek support if gambling is causing stress or financial problems.

American Roulette FAQs