American Roulette

American Roulette is one of the most recognizable casino table games in the US. It follows the same basic format as other roulette versions - players place bets, the dealer spins the wheel, and the ball lands in a pocket - but one feature changes the math in a big way. American Roulette uses two green pockets, 0 and 00, instead of just one zero.

That extra green pocket gives the casino a bigger built-in advantage than European Roulette. For players, that means it is important to understand the layout, payouts, and odds before putting money on the table or loading up an online game.

What Makes American Roulette Different

At a glance, American Roulette looks similar to European Roulette. Both versions use numbered pockets, red and black colors, and the same core betting options. The biggest difference is simple but important: American Roulette has both a single zero and a double zero.

Because of that added 00 pocket, American Roulette has 38 total spaces on the wheel instead of 37. This changes the probability of every standard bet and pushes the house edge to 5.26%. By comparison, European Roulette has a 2.7% house edge, which is one reason many strategy-minded players prefer it.

American Roulette remains a staple in many US casinos, though, and it is still one of the easiest table games for beginners to learn.

Roulette’s European Roots and American Twist

Roulette began in Europe, with early forms of the game appearing in France during the 18th century. The word “roulette” means “little wheel” in French, which fits the game’s signature spinning wheel.

As roulette spread, different versions developed. When the game reached the United States in the 19th century, operators introduced the double zero to increase the house advantage. That version became known as American Roulette and eventually became standard in many brick-and-mortar casinos across the country.

Today, both European and American Roulette are widely available online, including at crypto-friendly brands such as Jackoro Casino and multi-provider platforms like Tikal Casino.

Inside the American Roulette Wheel

The American Roulette wheel has 38 pockets in total. These include numbers 1 through 36, plus a single zero and a double zero.

The numbered pockets from 1 to 36 are colored red or black in alternating fashion. The 0 and 00 pockets are green, which makes them stand out from the rest of the wheel and gives the game its extra twist compared with European Roulette.

This 38-pocket structure is the defining feature of American Roulette. Every bet on the table is tied back to those possible outcomes.

How the American Roulette Table Works

The table layout is a betting grid that mirrors the wheel’s number options and adds areas for broader outside bets. The numbers 1 through 36 are arranged in rows, with spaces for 0 and 00 at the top of the grid.

Players place chips directly on the layout depending on the type of wager they want to make. A chip placed on a single number is a straight-up bet. A chip set across a line between two numbers is a split. Chips can also be placed on sections labeled red, black, odd, even, 1-18, 19-36, dozens, or columns.

Once betting closes, no more wagers can be added until the next spin.

How to Play American Roulette in a Few Easy Steps

Playing American Roulette is straightforward, even if you have never sat at the table before. First, you choose your chip value. In a live casino, roulette chips are usually assigned a value based on the table minimum and your buy-in. Online, the stake is shown directly on screen.

Next, you place your bets on the table layout. You can make one bet or combine several bets on the same spin.

After the betting window closes, the dealer spins the wheel in one direction and releases the ball in the opposite direction. The ball bounces around the wheel before dropping into one of the 38 pockets.

If the result matches your bet, the casino pays according to the standard roulette payout table. Losing bets are cleared, and the next round begins.

The Most Important American Roulette Bets

American Roulette bets are usually split into two categories: inside bets and outside bets. Inside bets offer larger payouts, but they cover fewer numbers. Outside bets cover more outcomes, but they pay less.

Inside Bets With Bigger Payouts

Inside bets are placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers on the betting grid.

A straight-up bet covers one number and pays 35: 1. This is the highest standard payout in American Roulette, but it also has the lowest chance of winning.

A split bet covers two adjacent numbers and pays 17: 1. This wager is made by placing your chip on the line between the numbers.

A street bet covers three numbers in a horizontal row and pays 11: 1. It is a common choice for players who want more coverage than a straight-up bet without dropping too far in payout.

A corner bet covers four numbers that meet at one point on the grid and pays 8: 1. It balances risk and reward better than narrower inside bets.

A six-line bet covers six numbers across two adjacent rows and pays 5: 1. It gives wider coverage while still sitting in the inside-bet category.

Outside Bets With Simpler Odds

Outside bets are placed on broader sections of the table and are popular with beginners because they are easier to understand.

Red or black covers all red numbers or all black numbers and pays 1: 1. Odd or even works the same way, covering 18 numbers and paying 1: 1. High or low also pays 1: 1, with low covering 1-18 and high covering 19-36.

Dozens cover 12 numbers at a time. You can bet on 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36, and the payout is 2: 1.

Columns also cover 12 numbers each and pay 2: 1. These wagers are placed on one of the three vertical columns on the betting grid.

American Roulette Payout Table at a Glance

• 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 or Black: 18 numbers, 1: 1 payout
• Odd or Even: 18 numbers, 1: 1 payout
• High or Low: 18 numbers, 1: 1 payout

These are the standard payouts used in most online and live American Roulette games.

The House Edge You Need to Know

The house edge in American Roulette is 5.26%. That figure comes directly from the presence of both 0 and 00 on a wheel with 38 total pockets.

For example, a straight-up bet pays 35: 1, but the true odds of hitting one number on a 38-pocket wheel are 37: 1 against. That gap between true odds and payout is where the house edge comes from.

European Roulette has only one zero and 37 pockets total, so its house edge is lower at 2.7%. That difference may not seem huge on one spin, but over time it matters.

Smart American Roulette Tips for Beginners

The best starting point is understanding the odds behind each bet. Bigger payouts can look attractive, but they come with lower hit rates.

Outside bets are often a better fit for new players because they cover more numbers and produce steadier results over short sessions. They do not remove the house edge, but they can reduce volatility.

Bankroll management matters, too. Set a budget before you play, stick to it, and avoid chasing losses after a bad run.

It is also worth ignoring betting systems that claim to beat roulette. No strategy can remove the house edge or guarantee profit because roulette is a game of chance and each spin is independent.

American Roulette vs European Roulette

The main difference between American Roulette and European Roulette is the number of pockets. American Roulette has 38 pockets, including 0 and 00. European Roulette has 37 pockets, with only a single zero.

That one extra pocket raises the house edge in American Roulette to 5.26%, while European Roulette sits at 2.7%. From a value standpoint, European Roulette is generally the better option for players.

Still, American Roulette remains more familiar in many US casinos. If you play in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, or many online casino lobbies built for American players, you are likely to see the double-zero version featured heavily.

Online American Roulette or Live Dealer Action

Players today can choose between RNG American Roulette and live dealer American Roulette. RNG games use software to generate random results, making them fast, convenient, and easy to play on demand.

Live dealer roulette streams real tables from studio setups, with human dealers handling the action in real time. That format offers a more traditional casino feel and often includes chat features, multiple camera angles, and a stronger social element.

Both options can be found at online casinos serving US players, and the better choice usually comes down to whether you prefer speed or a more table-like atmosphere.

Top Software Providers Behind American Roulette

Several major developers power American Roulette online. Evolution is a market leader in live dealer roulette and offers polished studio-based tables.

Playtech and Pragmatic Play Live are also major names in live casino gaming, with strong roulette portfolios aimed at international and US-facing audiences. NetEnt has long been known for polished RNG table games, while Ezugi remains a familiar name in live dealer roulette.

The exact provider lineup depends on the casino. For example, Jackoro Casino lists Real Time Gaming, while Tikal Casino features a broader game catalog that includes Playtech, NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, and other major studios.

Mobile American Roulette on the Go

Modern American Roulette games are built for mobile play. Whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, or tablet, most casino sites now offer browser-based or app-friendly roulette that adjusts to smaller screens.

That means you can place inside and outside bets, watch live dealer streams, and manage your bankroll from almost anywhere with a stable internet connection. Touchscreen betting also makes the game especially easy to navigate on mobile devices.

A Quick Responsible Gambling Reminder

Roulette should be treated as paid entertainment, not a way to make money. Set limits on your spending, session length, and losses before you play.

If the game stops being fun, take a break. Staying in control is more important than any single spin.

American Roulette FAQ

American Roulette stays popular because it is easy to understand, quick to play, and widely available across US casinos and online platforms. The key is knowing how the double zero affects the odds, choosing bets that fit your budget, and playing with clear limits in mind.