American Roulette

American Roulette is the iconic U.S. version of roulette—bigger wheel, extra green pocket, and a slightly tougher challenge that changes the math on every spin. If you’ve seen roulette in movies or on a casino floor, this is often the format: players bet on the table, the dealer spins the wheel, and the ball decides which number takes the win.

What separates it from other roulette variants comes down to one high-impact detail: American Roulette has two green pockets—0 and 00. That extra green slot is the key difference that affects odds, payouts, and the house edge.

American Roulette, Explained in Plain English

American Roulette is a table-and-wheel game where you place bets on where a ball will land on a spinning wheel. You can wager on a single number, small number groups, or bigger categories like red/black or odd/even. The excitement comes from how many ways you can bet—and how quickly results land.

Compared with European Roulette (which has only one green zero), American Roulette’s extra 00 slightly reduces players’ chances of hitting most bets, even though the payout structure looks the same.

The European Roots: How Roulette Reached the U.S.

Roulette’s origins trace back to Europe, where the game evolved into the single-zero format most closely associated with classic European casinos. As roulette traveled and took hold in the United States, the wheel design shifted into the American version—most notably with the addition of the double zero (00).

That adjustment helped casinos increase their advantage while keeping the same familiar betting layout and payouts players already understood. The result: American Roulette became a mainstay across U.S. casino floors and later transitioned smoothly into online and live-dealer studios.

Inside the Wheel: American Roulette Layout at a Glance

The American Roulette wheel contains 38 pockets total:

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

Numbers 1–36 alternate red and black, while 0 and 00 are green. Those two green pockets are the “extra” outcomes that make American Roulette distinct—and they’re also why the house edge is higher than in single-zero games.

The Table Grid: Where Your Chips Actually Go

The American Roulette table layout is a betting grid that mirrors the numbers and groups you can wager on. Players place chips directly on the felt in specific areas depending on the bet:

Inside bets are made on the numbered grid (the 1–36 section), where you can place chips on a single number or on the lines between numbers to cover multiple outcomes.

Outside bets are made on the larger marked sections around the grid—like red/black, odd/even, 1–18/19–36, dozens, and columns—designed for broader coverage and more frequent hits.

How to Play American Roulette in 5 Simple Moves

Bet Smarter: The Main Types of American Roulette Bets

American Roulette bets fall into two big categories: inside and outside. Inside bets offer bigger payouts but hit less often; outside bets hit more often but pay less.

Inside Bets: Big Payout Potential on Tight Coverage

Inside bets focus on specific numbers or small clusters:

Straight Up: Bet on one number (including 0 or 00). Typical payout: 35:1. Split: Bet on two adjacent numbers by placing a chip on the line between them. Typical payout: 17:1. Street: Bet on a row of three numbers by placing a chip at the outer edge of the row. Typical payout: 11:1. Corner: Bet on four numbers that meet at a corner intersection. Typical payout: 8:1. Six Line: Bet on six numbers across two adjacent rows. Typical payout: 5:1.

Outside Bets: More Coverage, More Frequent Wins

Outside bets cover larger groups and are often where beginners start:

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

American Roulette Payout Table (Quick Reference)

The Real Cost of the 00: House Edge in American Roulette

American Roulette has a house edge of 5.26%, and it’s driven by the extra green pocket (00). With 38 total outcomes, most bets give the casino a bigger long-term advantage than single-zero roulette.

For comparison, European Roulette (37 pockets, only a single 0) has a house edge of about 2.7%. That difference adds up over time, especially if you play long sessions or bet larger amounts.

Practical American Roulette Strategy Tips (No Myths, Just Useful Moves)

Roulette is a game of chance—there’s no system that guarantees profit. What you can do is play cleaner and avoid common mistakes.

Start by understanding what each bet really offers: higher payouts generally mean lower hit rates. If you’re new, outside bets like red/black or odd/even can help you stay in action longer with less variance.

Bankroll management matters more than most players expect. Decide your budget before you start, size your bets consistently, and don’t chase losses with bigger and bigger wagers.

Most importantly, be skeptical of “guaranteed” roulette systems. They can create short-term streaks, but they don’t change the house edge—and table limits eventually block endless doubling strategies.

American Roulette vs European Roulette: The Differences That Matter

The game looks similar, but the numbers underneath are not.

American Roulette has 38 pockets (0 and 00), while European Roulette has 37 pockets (only 0). That creates a higher house edge (5.26% vs ~2.7%) in the American version.

In terms of popularity, American Roulette is a staple in U.S. casinos, while European Roulette is more common across European casino floors and many online lobbies. If you want a deeper breakdown, see our guide to European Roulette.

Online American Roulette vs Live Dealer Tables

Online American Roulette typically comes in two formats:

RNG (random number generator) roulette plays instantly and uses certified software to generate outcomes quickly—ideal if you like rapid spins and low waiting time.

Live dealer roulette streams real dealers from professional studios, with a physical wheel and real ball. It’s a strong pick if you want the casino atmosphere, real-time interaction, and a more authentic table pace. You can compare formats and rules across our Roulette hub.

Top Game Studios Powering American Roulette Online

If you’re choosing where to play, the provider behind the game can influence visuals, features, UI smoothness, and live production quality. Major developers known for American Roulette titles include Evolution, Playtech, Pragmatic Play Live, NetEnt, and Ezugi.

Mobile American Roulette: Spin Anywhere

Modern American Roulette games are built to run smoothly on smartphones and tablets, with touch-friendly betting grids and quick chip controls. Whether you prefer RNG spins during a short break or live dealer sessions on Wi‑Fi, mobile optimization makes it easy to keep the action consistent across devices.

Responsible Gambling: Keep It Fun and In Control

Set limits before you play—time, budget, or both—and stick to them. Roulette should feel exciting, not stressful. If you’re not enjoying the session, that’s a strong signal to take a break or stop.

American Roulette FAQ

American Roulette keeps every spin simple—pick your bet, watch the wheel, and see where the ball drops—while the 0 and 00 add an extra layer of challenge that makes each win feel earned.