American Roulette

American Roulette is one of the most iconic casino games in the world, and for good reason. It's fast, exciting, and easy to understand — even if you've never placed a bet before. Whether you're stepping up to a felt table in Las Vegas or loading up a game on your phone, the fundamentals stay the same: pick your numbers, place your chips, and watch the wheel spin.

What sets American Roulette apart from other versions of the game is a single structural detail that carries a big impact. The wheel features two green pockets — a single zero (0) and a double zero (00) — giving it 38 pockets in total. That extra green space changes the odds, the house edge, and the overall feel of the game compared to its European counterpart.

The Origins of Roulette and How It Became "American"

Roulette has its roots in 17th-century France. The name itself translates to "little wheel," and the game is often credited to mathematician Blaise Pascal, who was experimenting with perpetual motion machines. By the late 1700s, roulette had become a fixture in Parisian casinos, featuring both a zero and a double-zero pocket.

When the game crossed the Atlantic in the 19th century, American gambling houses kept that original two-zero format. Meanwhile, European casinos eventually moved to a single-zero wheel to attract more players with better odds. The result? Two distinct versions of roulette — one that became the standard in Europe, and one that took hold across American casino floors.

Inside the American Roulette Wheel

The American Roulette wheel contains 38 pockets: numbers 1 through 36, a single zero (0), and a double zero (00). The numbered pockets alternate between red and black, while the two zero pockets are green.

The numbers are not arranged in sequential order around the wheel. Instead, they're placed in a specific pattern designed to balance high and low numbers, odd and even numbers, and red and black colors as evenly as possible across the wheel's surface. This layout is intentional — it adds to the randomness of each spin and ensures no section of the wheel is numerically "heavier" than another.

How the Betting Table Is Laid Out

The American Roulette table features a numbered grid that mirrors the wheel's pockets. Players place their chips directly on this grid to make their bets before the wheel is spun.

The layout is divided into two main areas. The inner portion of the grid — called the "inside" — covers individual numbers and small groupings. The outer edges of the grid — called the "outside" — offer broader betting categories like colors, odd/even, and number ranges. Understanding this layout is the first step to placing smart bets.

How to Play American Roulette Step by Step

Playing American Roulette is straightforward, even for first-timers. Here's how a typical round works:

First, select your chip value. Most tables offer a range of denominations, so you can bet as little or as much as you're comfortable with. Next, place your chips on the betting area of your choice — a specific number, a color, a range, or any other available option.

Once all bets are placed, the dealer (or the game software, if you're playing online) spins the wheel and releases the ball in the opposite direction. The ball eventually loses momentum and settles into one of the 38 numbered pockets. If your bet covers that number, you win and receive a payout based on the type of bet you placed. If not, the house collects your chips and the next round begins.

Inside Bets Explained

Inside bets are placed on specific numbers or tight groupings within the numbered grid. They carry higher risk but come with significantly larger payouts.

A "Straight Up" bet covers a single number and pays 35:1 — the highest payout on the table. A "Split" bet covers two adjacent numbers and pays 17:1. A "Street" bet covers a full row of three numbers and pays 11:1. A "Corner" bet covers a block of four numbers and pays 8:1. Finally, a "Six Line" bet covers two adjacent rows of three numbers each — six numbers total — and pays 5:1.

Outside Bets Explained

Outside bets cover larger portions of the wheel and are generally the safer choice for beginners. The tradeoff is that the payouts are lower.

"Red or Black" and "Odd or Even" both cover 18 numbers and pay 1:1 — essentially even money. "High or Low" works the same way, covering either 1–18 or 19–36, also at 1:1. "Dozens" splits the numbers into three groups of 12 (1–12, 13–24, 25–36) and pays 2:1. "Columns" also covers 12 numbers arranged in one of the three vertical columns on the grid and pays 2:1 as well.

It's worth noting that zero and double zero are not included in any outside bet. If the ball lands on either green pocket, all outside bets lose — which is a key factor in the house edge.

American Roulette Payout Table

The House Edge and Why It Matters

American Roulette carries a house edge of 5.26%. That figure comes directly from the presence of the double zero. With 38 pockets on the wheel but payouts calculated as if there were only 36, the casino holds a mathematical advantage on every spin.

To put that in perspective, European Roulette — which uses a single-zero wheel with 37 pockets — has a house edge of just 2.70%. Over time, that difference adds up. If you're playing purely for value, European Roulette offers better long-term odds. That said, American Roulette remains enormously popular, especially in United States casinos, and the gameplay experience is just as thrilling regardless of which version you choose.

Smart Strategy Tips for American Roulette Players

Roulette is a game of pure chance. No system, pattern, or betting strategy can change the outcome of any individual spin — the ball lands where it lands. What good strategy can do is help you manage your money and enjoy the game longer.

Start by understanding the odds for each bet type before you place a single chip. Outside bets like red/black or odd/even give you close to a 47% chance of winning on any given spin, making them a solid choice if you want to stretch your bankroll. Inside bets are exciting and pay well, but they hit far less frequently.

Set a budget before you sit down and stick to it. Decide in advance how much you're comfortable losing, and don't chase losses by increasing your bets after a bad run. You may have heard of systems like the Martingale — where you double your bet after each loss — but no betting system can overcome the house edge over time. Treat roulette as entertainment, not a guaranteed income stream.

American Roulette vs. European Roulette: Key Differences

The most obvious difference between the two versions is the wheel. American Roulette has 38 pockets (0, 00, and 1–36), while European Roulette has 37 (0 and 1–36). That one extra pocket doubles the house's advantage, pushing it from 2.70% to 5.26%.

In terms of popularity, American Roulette dominates casino floors across the United States, while European Roulette is the standard in most international and online casinos. If you're playing online and have access to both versions, European Roulette is the mathematically smarter pick — but American Roulette has its own appeal, particularly for players who enjoy the faster pace and the classic Las Vegas atmosphere it brings to the table.

RNG Roulette vs. Live Dealer Roulette Online

When you play American Roulette online, you'll typically have two options: RNG (Random Number Generator) games and live dealer tables.

RNG roulette uses software to simulate the wheel spin, making it fast, convenient, and available 24/7. It's a great choice when you want to play at your own pace without any waiting. Live dealer roulette, on the other hand, streams real-time gameplay from a professional studio, with a human dealer spinning an actual wheel. You can watch every spin happen live, chat with the dealer, and experience something much closer to a real casino environment — all from your couch.

Both formats are legitimate and fair, provided you're playing at a licensed, regulated online casino.

The Best Software Providers for American Roulette

The quality of your online roulette experience depends heavily on who built the game. Several industry-leading developers consistently deliver top-tier American Roulette titles.

Evolution is widely considered the gold standard for live dealer roulette, offering polished, high-definition streams with professional dealers. Playtech also provides excellent live and RNG roulette games with smooth interfaces and reliable performance. Pragmatic Play Live has made a strong impression with its immersive live tables, while NetEnt is known for its clean, well-designed RNG roulette software. Ezugi rounds out the list with a solid selection of live dealer options, particularly popular among players who prefer a more intimate table atmosphere.

Playing American Roulette on Mobile

You don't need to be sitting at a desktop to enjoy American Roulette. The vast majority of online casino games — including both RNG and live dealer roulette — are fully optimized for smartphones and tablets.

Whether you're on an iPhone, an Android device, or a tablet, the experience is smooth and responsive. Most online casinos don't even require a separate app download; the games run directly through your mobile browser. You get the full betting grid, real-time dealer streams, and all the same features you'd find on a desktop — just in the palm of your hand.

Play Responsibly Every Time You Spin

Roulette is meant to be fun, and keeping it that way starts with setting limits before you play. Decide on a session budget, choose a table that fits your bankroll, and never bet more than you can afford to lose.

Most licensed online casinos offer responsible gambling tools like deposit limits, session time reminders, cooling-off periods, and self-exclusion options. If you ever feel like your gambling is becoming a problem, reach out to resources like the National Council on Problem Gambling (ncpgambling.org) or call the confidential helpline at 1-800-522-4700. Playing smart means playing safe.

Frequently Asked Questions About American Roulette