American Roulette

American Roulette is the version of roulette most people picture in land-based casinos across the United States. It uses the same core idea as any roulette game - a spinning wheel, a bouncing ball, and players predicting where the ball will land - but it has a built-in twist that changes the math: two green pockets, 0 and 00.

That extra 00 is the whole story. It adds one more losing number to many common bets, which is why American Roulette typically costs more to play over time than European Roulette.

American Roulette, Explained in Plain English

At its simplest, American Roulette is a numbers game with 38 possible outcomes. You place one or more bets on the table layout, the dealer spins the wheel and releases the ball, and then the ball settles into a numbered pocket. If your bet covers that pocket (or matches its color or range), you get paid based on the bet type.

The key difference from other popular roulette variants is the wheel itself: American Roulette includes both 0 and 00, while European Roulette uses a single zero.

A Quick History: How Roulette Reached the United States

Roulette traces its roots back to Europe, where early versions of the game developed over centuries and eventually standardized into what many players now recognize as European Roulette.

When roulette spread to the United States, operators and venues adopted a wheel with an added double zero. That change increased the house advantage and helped shape the version that became common in American casinos, especially in places where roulette was offered alongside other table games.

Wheel Breakdown: Why American Roulette Has 38 Pockets

The American Roulette wheel has:

• 38 total pockets
• Numbers 1-36
• A single zero (0)
• A double zero (00)

Numbers 1-36 are split between red and black pockets in an alternating pattern (with a few sequence quirks depending on the wheel order). The two zero pockets are green, and they don’t count as red, black, odd, even, high, or low, which is exactly why they matter so much for odds.

Table Layout: Where Bets Actually Go

The felt layout looks busy at first, but it’s basically two betting zones:

The “inside” grid is the rectangular block with numbers 1-36. This is where you place chips directly on a number (or on lines between numbers) for tighter, higher-paying bets.

The “outside” area surrounds the grid and is for broader bets like red or black, odd or even, high or low, dozens (1-12, 13-24, 25-36), and columns. Chips are placed inside boxes or on marked areas to show exactly what you’re betting on. In online roulette, you’ll typically tap or click the betting area instead of placing physical chips.

How to Play American Roulette Step by Step

A first-time round is more straightforward than it looks:

1. Choose your chip value (online, you set the chip denomination).
2. Place your bets on the table layout before betting closes.
3. The dealer spins the wheel and releases the ball (online RNG versions simulate this).
4. The ball lands in a numbered pocket.
5. Winning bets are paid based on the payout for that bet type, and losing chips are cleared.

After that, a new round begins, and you can change your bet sizes and bet types whenever you want.

Inside Bets: Higher Payouts, Narrower Coverage

Inside bets focus on specific numbers or small clusters. They can pay well, but you’re covering fewer outcomes, so wins tend to be less frequent.

Straight Up A bet on a single number. Place the chip directly on that number.

Split A bet on two adjacent numbers. Place the chip on the line between them.

Street A bet on three numbers in a row (like 1-2-3). Place the chip on the outer edge of that row.

Corner A bet on four numbers that meet at a corner (like 8-9-11-12). Place the chip where the four numbers touch.

Six Line A bet on six numbers across two adjacent rows (like 1-2-3-4-5-6). Place the chip on the line between the two rows.

Outside Bets: Lower Volatility, Smaller Payouts

Outside bets cover larger sections of the table. They usually pay less, but they hit more often, which is why many beginners start here.

Red or Black You’re betting on the color of the winning number (zeros are neither).

Odd or Even You’re betting that the result will be an odd or even number (again, zeros lose).

High or Low Low is 1-18, high is 19-36.

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

Columns Bet on one of the three vertical columns in the number grid.

American Roulette Payout Table (Typical)

Payouts below are the standard “to 1” payouts you’ll see in most American Roulette games:

• Straight Up: 1 number, 35: 1 payout
• Split: 2 numbers, 17: 1 payout
• Street: 3 numbers, 11: 1 payout
• Corner: 4 numbers, 8: 1 payout
• Six Line: 6 numbers, 5: 1 payout
• Dozens: 12 numbers, 2: 1 payout
• Columns: 12 numbers, 2: 1 payout
• Red-Black: 18 numbers, 1: 1 payout
• Odd-Even: 18 numbers, 1: 1 payout
• High-Low: 18 numbers, 1: 1 payout

Those payouts are the reason the zeros create an edge. On a red-black bet, you’re getting even money, but you’re not actually facing a clean fifty-fifty outcome because 0 and 00 sit outside the red-black categories.

The Math That Matters: 5.26% House Edge

American Roulette has a house edge of 5.26%. The double zero is the culprit - it increases the total outcomes from 37 to 38 while the payouts stay the same.

For comparison, European Roulette usually has a 2.7% house edge because it has only one green pocket (0). That difference adds up over time, especially if roulette is a regular game for you.

Smart Strategy Tips That Don’t Pretend Roulette Is Beat-able

Roulette is a game of chance. No pattern or “hot number” changes the underlying probabilities, even if a streak feels meaningful in the moment.

A few practical habits can still make your sessions more controlled:

Understand the odds before betting Inside bets can be fun, but they swing more. If you’re surprised by how fast your balance moves, that’s usually why.

Use outside bets for lower risk Even-money bets and 2: 1 bets generally keep bankroll swings smaller than single-number hunting.

Manage your bankroll deliberately Decide your session budget and a stopping point (both for losses and wins) before the wheel starts spinning.

Be skeptical of betting systems Progression systems can create the illusion of control, but they can’t guarantee a win, and they can push you into bigger bets than you planned.

American Roulette vs European Roulette: What Really Changes?

The games look similar, but the wheel design creates meaningful differences.

Number of pockets American Roulette has 38 pockets (0 and 00). European Roulette has 37 pockets (single 0).

House edge American Roulette sits at 5.26%. European Roulette is typically 2.7%.

Where you’ll see them American Roulette is more common in casinos across the United States, while European Roulette is a standard option in many European markets and is widely available online as well.

Online American Roulette vs Live Dealer: Two Very Different Feels

Online roulette usually comes in two formats:

RNG American Roulette The result is generated by a random number generator. It plays fast, works well on mobile, and is great for quick sessions or testing different bet types without waiting for a dealer.

Live dealer American Roulette A real wheel is spun by a human dealer in a streamed studio. Bets are placed digitally, but the pace, table chatter, and camera angles make it closer to a casino floor experience.

Roulette Software Names to Know

If you’re browsing online casinos and comparing roulette lobbies, certain providers show up again and again in American Roulette and live dealer roulette categories, including Evolution, Playtech, Pragmatic Play Live, NetEnt, and Ezugi.

Game availability depends on the casino’s software lineup. For example, Jackoro Casino runs on Real Time Gaming, while Rollchain Casino lists a broader group of slot-focused developers, which can influence what roulette variants appear in each lobby. If you’re comparing platforms, it’s worth checking the game catalog and rules page directly - you can also start with the site reviews for Jackoro Casino and Rollchain Casino.

Mobile American Roulette: What to Expect on Phones and Tablets

Most online American Roulette games are built to run in a mobile browser or through a dedicated app interface, with tap-friendly betting areas and quick chip selection. The main trade-off on smaller screens is visibility - inside bets can feel cramped until you get used to zoom controls or landscape mode.

If you plan to play mostly on a phone, it helps to stick to a handful of bet types you recognize instantly, especially during faster RNG rounds.

Responsible Gambling Reminder

Roulette is entertainment, not a way to earn money. Set a budget you can afford to lose, take breaks, and use limits or self-exclusion tools when they’re available. If gambling stops feeling fun, it’s a good time to pause and reassess.

American Roulette Questions Answered