American Roulette

American Roulette is one of the most recognizable casino table games in the United States, built around a spinning wheel, a bouncing ball, and a wide menu of bets that range from simple even-money picks to high-paying number shots. It’s easy to learn, quick to play, and packed with betting variety.

The key difference from other roulette variants is straightforward and important: American Roulette features two green pockets—0 and 00—and that extra pocket changes the math behind every spin.

From Europe to the U.S.: How Roulette Changed on Arrival

Roulette traces its roots to Europe, where early versions gained popularity in French casinos and evolved into what many players recognize today as European Roulette. When the game crossed the Atlantic and spread through American gambling halls, operators introduced a variation to the wheel that included an additional green slot—00—creating the American layout.

That one adjustment helped casinos increase their advantage while keeping the core gameplay identical: place your bets, watch the wheel spin, and see where the ball settles.

The American Roulette Wheel Layout: 38 Pockets, More Outcomes

An American Roulette wheel has 38 pockets total:

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

Numbers 1 through 36 are split between red and black pockets, arranged so colors alternate frequently around the wheel (not perfectly in numeric order). The 0 and 00 pockets are green, and they’re the reason American Roulette plays differently from European Roulette in terms of house edge.

The American Roulette Table Layout: Where Every Bet Lives

The table shows a betting grid that matches the number set and the major group bets. The main grid contains 1–36 arranged in rows and columns, with 0 and 00 placed at the top. Players place chips directly on the areas that match the bet they want—on a single number, a line between numbers, a block covering multiple numbers, or the outside sections for broader outcomes like red/black or dozens.

Because chips sit right on the felt, it’s visual and intuitive: where your chips land is what you’re betting.

How to Play American Roulette: Spin-to-Payout in 5 Simple Moves

If you want to see the full selection of wheel games and variants, you can also browse our roulette hub for related options.

Bet Types That Drive the Action in American Roulette

American Roulette bets fall into two main categories: inside bets (tighter number coverage, bigger payouts) and outside bets (broader coverage, lower payouts).

Inside Bets: Bigger Payouts for Precision Picks

Inside bets are placed on specific numbers or small clusters on the inner grid.

Straight Up: Bet on a single number (including 0 or 00). If it hits, it pays big. Split: Bet on two adjacent numbers by placing a chip on the line between them. Street: Bet on a row of three numbers by placing a chip at the row’s edge. Corner: Bet on four numbers by placing a chip at the intersection where four numbers meet. Six Line: Bet on six numbers by placing a chip where two neighboring streets meet.

These bets are popular when you’re chasing higher returns, but remember: covering fewer numbers means you’ll hit less often.

Outside Bets: More Coverage, Smoother Swings

Outside bets cover larger sections of the layout and usually pay even money or 2:1.

Red or Black: Bet the winning number color (excluding green). Odd or Even: Bet whether the number is odd or even (excluding green). High or Low: Bet 1–18 (low) or 19–36 (high). Dozens: Bet 1–12, 13–24, or 25–36. Columns: Bet one of the three vertical columns of 12 numbers.

Outside bets are often the go-to for newer players because they’re easier to track and tend to create steadier bankroll movement.

American Roulette Payout Table: What Each Win Typically Pays

Below are the standard payouts you’ll see at most tables (online and land-based):

Payouts are typically quoted as “to 1,” meaning a 35:1 straight-up win returns 35 units of profit plus your original stake.

House Edge in American Roulette: Why 00 Matters

American Roulette has a house edge of 5.26%, and it comes directly from the extra green pocket. With 38 total outcomes and the same payout structure as roulette variants with fewer pockets, the presence of 00 increases the casino’s mathematical advantage.

For comparison, European Roulette (with only a single 0 and 37 pockets total) has a house edge of about 2.7%. The gameplay looks similar, but the long-term cost of play is higher on the American wheel.

Smart American Roulette Strategy Tips (Beginner-Friendly)

Roulette is a game of chance, but how you bet can still shape your experience.

Understanding the odds before you place chips is the quickest way to avoid frustration—especially on inside bets that can miss repeatedly before a hit. If you want lower volatility, outside bets like red/black or high/low can help your bankroll last longer while you learn the table rhythm.

Bankroll management matters more than any pattern: decide your session budget, keep your bet sizing consistent, and take breaks when you’re up or down. And be cautious with betting systems that claim guaranteed results—no progression can remove the house edge, and swings can escalate quickly.

American Roulette vs European Roulette: The Differences That Change the Math

The core experience—wheel, ball, bets, payouts—stays familiar, but three differences stand out:

American Roulette has 38 pockets (includes 0 and 00), while European Roulette has 37 pockets (only 0). That extra pocket is why American Roulette carries a higher house edge (5.26%) versus European Roulette (~2.7%). In terms of real-world presence, American Roulette is more common in U.S. casinos, while European Roulette is more widely seen across European casinos and many international online lobbies.

Online American Roulette vs Live Dealer Roulette: Two Ways to Play

Online American Roulette usually comes in two formats. RNG (Random Number Generator) roulette runs instantly, with outcomes generated by certified software—ideal if you like quick betting, rapid rounds, and flexible stakes.

Live dealer roulette streams from professional studios (or casinos), with a real wheel, real ball, and a host running the game. It’s the closest online match to a casino floor, with the added convenience of playing from anywhere. If you want that real-table atmosphere, you can start with a live option here: live roulette.

Best Software Providers Powering American Roulette

If you’re choosing where to play, the developer behind the table can shape everything from camera angles to UI speed and side features. Some of the best-known providers offering American Roulette titles include Evolution, Playtech, Pragmatic Play Live, NetEnt, and Ezugi.

Mobile American Roulette: Built for Phones and Tablets

Modern American Roulette games are designed to run smoothly on smartphones and tablets, with tap-friendly betting grids, clear chip controls, and portrait or landscape layouts depending on the game. Whether you prefer RNG speed or a live studio feed, mobile play makes it easy to jump into a few spins without being tied to a desktop.

Responsible Gambling: Keep It Fun and In Control

Set a budget before you play, stick to it, and treat roulette as entertainment—not a way to recover losses. Time limits and deposit limits can be a smart move, especially during longer sessions.

American Roulette FAQ: Quick Answers Before You Place Your First Bet

American Roulette stays popular because it’s simple to grasp, offers tons of bet choices, and keeps every spin suspenseful—just remember the 0 and 00 change the odds, so playing smart and setting limits goes a long way.