American Roulette

American Roulette is the version of roulette most people picture in classic United States casino movies - a fast, simple wheel game where you’re betting on where the ball will land. It looks a lot like European Roulette at first glance, but one detail changes the math in a meaningful way: American Roulette has two green pockets, 0 and 00.

That extra 00 slot is the headline difference versus other roulette variants. It slightly lowers the chance of hitting any particular bet, which is why American Roulette carries a higher built-in house edge than European Roulette.

Roulette’s Origin Story - From Europe to the United States

Roulette traces back to Europe, where the game’s core idea - a numbered wheel, a rolling ball, and a layout of bets that range from “one number” to “half the board” - took shape and spread through casinos.

After roulette made its way to the United States, the wheel evolved into the American Roulette format players know today. The defining change was adding the double zero (00), creating a 38-pocket wheel and shifting the odds compared to the European-style wheel.

The American Roulette Wheel Layout - 38 Pockets, Including 0 and 00

The American Roulette wheel has 38 total pockets:

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

Numbers 1 through 36 are split between red and black, arranged in an alternating pattern (with a few intentional breaks in that pattern depending on the wheel). The 0 and 00 pockets are green, and they’re the reason American Roulette plays “tighter” than the European version.

The American Roulette Table Layout - How the Betting Grid Really Works

The felt layout is basically a betting menu. The main grid includes numbers 1 through 36 in rows and columns, and that’s where inside bets happen - you place chips directly on a number or on the lines between numbers to cover small groups.

Outside-bet sections sit around the grid and cover larger categories like red or black, odd or even, high or low, dozens (1-12, 13-24, 25-36), and columns. Where you place the chip matters: on a square is one number, on a line is a split, on a corner is four numbers, and so on.

How to Play American Roulette - A Simple Step-by-Step Walkthrough

American Roulette is quick once you know the flow:

1. Choose your chip value at the table (online, you’ll pick a 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 payout table, and losing bets are collected.

Each spin is independent. The wheel doesn’t “remember” what happened last time, even when the results feel streaky.

Inside Bets Explained - Higher Payouts, Lower Hit Rate

Inside bets cover specific numbers or tight clusters. They’re popular because payouts are higher, but you’ll hit them less often.

• Straight Up (1 number) - chip placed directly on a single number.
• Split (2 numbers) - chip on the line between two adjacent numbers.
• Street (3 numbers) - chip at the end of a row covering three numbers.
• Corner (4 numbers) - chip on the intersection where four numbers meet.
• Six Line (6 numbers) - chip on the line between two adjacent rows (covers six numbers total).

Inside bets are where roulette feels most dramatic - but they also bring bigger swings to your bankroll.

Outside Bets Explained - The “Steadier” Side of the Layout

Outside bets cover larger groups, so they land more frequently but pay less.

• Red or Black - 18 numbers.
• Odd or Even - 18 numbers.
• High or Low - 18 numbers (1-18 or 19-36).
• Dozens - 12 numbers (1-12, 13-24, 25-36).
• Columns - 12 numbers (one of the three vertical columns on the grid).

Outside bets don’t remove the house edge, but they can reduce volatility compared to playing mostly straight ups and splits.

American Roulette Payout Table - What Each Bet Typically Pays

Here’s the standard payout schedule used in American Roulette:

• Straight Up: 1 number, 35: 1 payout. Example: Bet $5 on 17, win $175 (plus your $5 back).
• Split: 2 numbers, 17: 1 payout. Example: Bet $5 on 17-20 split, win $85 (plus $5 back).
• Street: 3 numbers, 11: 1 payout. Example: Bet $5 on 1-2-3, win $55 (plus $5 back).
• Corner: 4 numbers, 8: 1 payout. Example: Bet $5 on 19-20-22-23, win $40 (plus $5 back).
• Six Line: 6 numbers, 5: 1 payout. Example: Bet $5 on 25-30, win $25 (plus $5 back).
• Dozens / Columns: 12 numbers, 2: 1 payout. Example: Bet $5 on 1st dozen, win $10 (plus $5 back).
• Red/Black, Odd/Even, High/Low: 18 numbers, 1: 1 payout. Example: Bet $5 on red, win $5 (plus $5 back).

Payouts are fixed, so the main choice is how much coverage you want per spin.

The Real Cost of the Double Zero - American Roulette House Edge

American Roulette has a 5.26% house edge. That figure comes directly from the 0 and 00 pockets, which add two outcomes that are not included in most outside-bet categories (like red/black or odd/even).

European Roulette uses a single-zero wheel (37 pockets), which drops the house edge to about 2.70%. If you’ve ever wondered why European Roulette is often recommended for value, that’s the reason - the payouts stay the same, but there’s one fewer green pocket working against you.

Practical Strategy Tips That Actually Help (Without the Myths)

A few habits go a lot further than chasing “secret systems”:

Know what you’re buying with each bet. A straight up pays more because it’s hard to hit; outside bets hit more often because they cover more numbers.

Use outside bets to keep swings smaller. Red/black, odd/even, and high/low won’t beat the math, but they can make your session feel less like all-or-nothing.

Set a bankroll plan before you spin. Decide what you’re comfortable spending, pick a base bet size, and avoid creeping your wager up just to “get even.”

Skip any system that claims guaranteed wins. Martingale-style progressions can run into table limits fast, and a short losing streak can get expensive.

Roulette is a game of chance. Strategy can manage risk and pacing, not change the underlying odds.

American Roulette vs European Roulette - The Differences That Matter

The two games feel similar, but they’re not equal:

American Roulette:

• 38 pockets (1-36, 0, 00)
• 5.26% house edge
• Common in United States casinos and many online lobbies labeled “American”

European Roulette:

• 37 pockets (1-36, 0)
• 2.70% house edge
• More common in European casinos and often highlighted online for lower edge

If your main goal is a lower house edge, European Roulette is the better pick. If you’re playing for the classic United States-style layout and pacing, American Roulette is the familiar standard.

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

Online roulette usually comes in two formats.

RNG (random number generator) American Roulette is software-driven. Spins resolve quickly, and features like autoplay, statistics panels, and flexible bet limits are common.

Live dealer roulette is streamed from a studio (or casino floor), with a real wheel and a dealer calling bets. It’s slower, more social, and closer to the land-based rhythm, but it can have higher table minimums depending on the provider and casino.

Best Software Providers for American Roulette - Who Builds the Popular Tables

A lot of the American Roulette you see online comes from a short list of well-known studios. The biggest names include Evolution, Playtech, Pragmatic Play Live, NetEnt, and Ezugi.

Casino libraries can vary by operator. For example, some sites lean heavily into a single ecosystem - Orion Bet lists Real Time Gaming software, which is useful to know when you’re comparing roulette presentation, bet limits, and side-bet styling across platforms. If you’re researching where to play, the details on each casino’s game catalog and banking options can help narrow it down - the Orion Bet review is one place to start.

Mobile American Roulette - Built for Phones and Tablets

Most American Roulette games today are designed to scale down cleanly to smaller screens. On mobile, you’ll typically see simplified chip controls, a toggle to open and close the betting grid, and clearer zoom on the last-number results so you don’t lose track of the action.

One practical tip: mobile roulette plays faster than many people expect, so it helps to slow down your pace and keep your bet sizing consistent, especially during longer sessions.

Responsible Gambling Reminder - Keep the Session in Check

Roulette should stay in the entertainment lane. Set a budget you can afford to lose, take breaks, and consider using tools like deposit limits, time-outs, or self-exclusion when they’re available through your casino or payment provider. If gambling stops feeling fun, it’s a good moment to pause and reach out for support.

Frequently Asked Questions About American Roulette