American Roulette

American Roulette is the version of roulette most closely associated with brick-and-mortar casinos in the United States. It uses the familiar numbered wheel and betting grid, but it’s easier to spot than many people realize because it has two green pockets - 0 and 00. That extra pocket changes the math of the game, nudging the odds further toward the house compared to European Roulette.

American Roulette, Explained in Plain English

At its core, American Roulette is a wheel-and-ball game. You place one or more bets on a layout (the table), the dealer spins the wheel and releases a small ball, and you win if the final pocket matches the bet you made.

The defining detail is the double zero. European Roulette has a single green 0, while American Roulette adds 00. Both are house numbers, meaning they don’t count as red or black, odd or even, or high or low.

The Quick History: From European Origins to the American Wheel

Roulette traces back to Europe, where the modern game took shape around the single-zero wheel. As roulette spread and evolved after arriving in the United States, the double zero was added, creating the 38-pocket wheel now considered “American.”

That change didn’t reinvent the rules, but it did raise the house edge, which is why players who compare variants often start with the wheel itself.

Inside the American Roulette Wheel: The 38-Pocket Layout

An American Roulette wheel has 38 pockets total:

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

Numbers 1 through 36 alternate red and black around the wheel. The 0 and 00 pockets are green, and they sit outside the red-black pattern. Those green pockets are why some bets that feel like “even money” (like red or black) aren’t truly fifty-fifty.

How the American Roulette Table Works (and Why It Looks Complicated)

The table layout is basically a betting grid that lets you bet on exact numbers or groups of numbers.

The main grid includes 1-36 arranged in rows and columns. Around that grid are sections for broader bets like red, black, odd, even, high (19-36), low (1-18), dozens (1-12, 13-24, 25-36), and columns. You place chips directly on the area that matches your bet - on a single number, a line between numbers, or a labeled outside box.

How to Play American Roulette Step by Step

A first round is simple once you know the flow:

1. Choose your chip value at the table (online, you select a chip denomination on-screen).
2. Place your bets on the layout before betting closes.
3. The dealer spins the wheel and releases the ball.
4. The ball drops into a numbered pocket.
5. Winning bets are paid based on the standard payout rules, and losing chips are collected.

Online, the sequence is identical, but the wheel is either simulated (RNG) or handled by a live dealer on video.

The Bets That Matter Most: Inside vs Outside

American Roulette bets fall into two big groups: inside bets (tight coverage, bigger payouts, lower hit rate) and outside bets (wider coverage, smaller payouts, higher hit rate).

Inside Bets (Specific Numbers and Small Groups)

Inside bets sit on the numbered grid.

• Straight Up - one number (including 0 or 00)
• Split - two adjacent numbers (chip placed on the line between them)
• Street - three numbers in a row (chip at the end of the row)
• Corner - four numbers that meet at a corner
• Six Line - six numbers across two adjacent rows

Inside bets are where roulette feels most dramatic because a single outcome can return a larger payout, but it’s also where long dry spells can show up quickly.

Outside Bets (Broader Coverage, Simpler Decisions)

Outside bets sit in the labeled areas surrounding the grid.

• Red or Black - 18 numbers
• Odd or Even - 18 numbers
• High or Low - 18 numbers (19-36 or 1-18)
• Dozens - 12 numbers (1-12, 13-24, 25-36)
• Columns - 12 numbers (betting one full vertical column)

These bets tend to be the default choice for newer players because they win more often than inside bets, even though the payouts are smaller.

American Roulette Payout Table (Typical)

Below are the standard payouts you’ll see in most American Roulette games:

• 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 covers 12 numbers and pays 2: 1
• Columns covers 12 numbers and pays 2: 1
• Red-Black covers 18 numbers and pays 1: 1
• Odd-Even covers 18 numbers and pays 1: 1
• High-Low covers 18 numbers and pays 1: 1

The key thing to remember: payouts don’t change just because the wheel has 00. Instead, the extra green pocket lowers the probability of winning across the board.

The Real Cost of 00: House Edge in American Roulette

American Roulette has a 5.26% house edge. That number comes directly from the wheel having 38 pockets, with two green pockets (0 and 00) that cause many common bets to lose more often than players intuitively expect.

European Roulette, with 37 pockets and only a single 0, typically sits around a 2.70% house edge. Same basic rules, very different long-term math.

Strategy Tips That Actually Help (Without Pretending You Can “Beat” Roulette)

Roulette is a game of chance. No strategy changes which pocket the ball lands in, and no betting pattern removes the house edge. Still, a few practical habits can make sessions feel more controlled:

Understanding the odds matters more than memorizing systems. A straight-up bet pays 35: 1, but the true odds against hitting one number on an American wheel are 37 to 1.

Outside bets are lower variance. They’ll land more frequently than inside bets, which can help you avoid swinging your bankroll too wildly.

Bankroll management is the closest thing roulette has to a “skill.” Decide what you’re comfortable spending before you play, size bets consistently, and step away when you hit your limit.

Be wary of betting systems that promise guaranteed wins. Progressions can create huge bet sizes fast, and the wheel doesn’t “owe” a result because red hit five times in a row.

American Roulette vs European Roulette: The Differences That Change Everything

The two versions look similar at a glance, but a few details decide which one you’ll prefer:

American Roulette has 38 pockets, while European Roulette has 37. The extra 00 is the whole story.

House edge is higher in American Roulette (5.26%) than European Roulette (2.70%), which is why many odds-focused players gravitate to the single-zero wheel.

In the United States, American Roulette is more common in traditional casinos. European Roulette shows up plenty online and in some casino pits, but it’s not always the default in American venues.

Online American Roulette vs Live Dealer: What You’re Really Choosing

Online roulette typically comes in two formats:

RNG roulette uses a random number generator to determine outcomes. It’s fast, consistent, and usually lets you play at your own pace.

Live dealer roulette is streamed from a studio (or sometimes a casino floor), with a real wheel, real ball, and a host managing the table. It’s slower, but you get the cadence and rituals of an actual roulette game, plus limits and table rules displayed on-screen.

Software Developers Known for Great Roulette Games

Game quality can vary by provider - not just in graphics, but also in interface clarity, bet tracking, and live-stream stability. Some of the better-known names for roulette include Evolution, Playtech, Pragmatic Play Live, NetEnt, and Ezugi.

If you’re comparing casinos partly based on game catalogs, it’s worth checking which studios they work with. For example, Windice Casino lists both Evolution Gaming and Playtech in its software lineup, which is a useful clue when you’re hunting specifically for live roulette tables. (More details here: Windice Casino.)

Where to Play American Roulette Online: A Few Casino Notes

American Roulette may appear as an RNG table game, a live dealer table, or both, depending on the site’s providers.

Gold Prize Casino’s library pulls from studios such as SA Gaming and Rival Gaming, and it supports payments like Visa, MasterCard, and Bitcoin. Its welcome offer is listed as a 50% bonus up to $1,000 on a $25 minimum deposit with a 35x multiplier, so reading the bonus terms closely matters before using it on roulette-style games. You can review the full breakdown on the site’s page: Gold Prize Casino.

Oreon Bet Casino is built around Real Time Gaming and lists both cryptocurrency options and PayPal. It also advertises multiple welcome promos, including a 300% offer with a 30x multiplier and a $111 free chip code (“SROYALE”) with a 25x multiplier and a $50 cashout note. Since roulette can be restricted for some bonuses at some casinos, it’s smart to confirm which games contribute before you commit. Details are available here: Oreon Bet Casino.

Mobile American Roulette: What to Expect on Phones and Tablets

Most online American Roulette games are built to run on mobile browsers and apps with tap-friendly betting grids. The practical difference on a smaller screen is pace and precision - outside bets are easier to place quickly, while inside bets can take a steadier finger (especially splits and corners).

Before playing for higher stakes on mobile, it’s worth doing a few low-stakes rounds just to get comfortable with chip placement and bet confirmation.

Responsible Gambling Reminder

Roulette should be treated as entertainment, not a way to make money. Set a budget, keep sessions to a reasonable length, and use limits or time-outs if the casino provides them. If gambling stops feeling fun, stepping away is the right move.

FAQ: American Roulette Questions Players Ask Most