American Roulette

American Roulette is one of the most recognized roulette variants in online casinos, built around the same core idea as its European cousin: predict where the ball will land, place your chips, and get paid based on the odds. The key difference - and the reason American Roulette plays differently - is the wheel: it has two green pockets, 0 and 00, which increases the casino’s advantage.

That extra green slot doesn’t just change the math. It changes the feel of the game, too, because every spin carries slightly longer odds and bigger swings, especially if you chase straight-up number hits.

American Roulette Explained: The Two-Green-Pocket Twist

American Roulette uses a wheel with 38 pockets. Alongside numbers 1-36, you’ll see both 0 and 00 in green. Those two green pockets are the signature feature of the American layout, and they’re what separate it from other roulette variants most players know.

European Roulette, by comparison, uses a single green 0 pocket. That one change has a direct impact on the house edge, which you’ll see later in this guide.

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

Roulette traces its roots back to Europe, where early versions of the wheel evolved into the format that became popular in French casinos. When roulette crossed the Atlantic and landed in the United States, operators introduced the 00 pocket, creating the American wheel.

The result was a game that looked familiar to European players but delivered different long-term odds - and it quickly became the standard layout in many U.S. gambling halls before expanding into today’s online casino libraries.

Wheel Breakdown: What’s on an American Roulette Wheel?

The American Roulette wheel is structured like this:

It has 38 pockets total: numbers 1-36, plus 0 and 00. The numbers 1-36 are split between red and black, arranged so colors alternate around much of the wheel (with the exact sequence fixed by the roulette design). The 0 and 00 pockets are green, and they are not considered red or black.

That green pairing is the entire reason American Roulette carries a higher house edge than single-zero wheels.

Table Layout Revealed: Where Your Chips Actually Go

The American Roulette table is built around a betting grid. Each numbered square corresponds to a number you can bet on, and the grid also includes sections for group bets like dozens, columns, red/black, odd/even, and high/low.

Players place chips directly on the area that matches the bet they want. A chip fully inside a number square is a straight-up bet. A chip on a line between two numbers is a split. A chip at the corner where four numbers meet is a corner bet. The layout is designed so you can quickly mix multiple bet types in the same round.

How to Play American Roulette: A Simple Spin-to-Payout Flow

A round of American Roulette follows a straightforward rhythm:

First, you choose your chip value. Next, you place one or more bets on the table layout before betting closes. The dealer spins the wheel and releases the ball. After the ball drops into a numbered pocket, the winning number and color are announced. Winning bets are then paid according to the payout table, and the next round begins.

Bets That Matter: Inside vs Outside in American Roulette

American Roulette bets are generally grouped into inside bets (tighter targets, bigger payouts) and outside bets (wider coverage, steadier returns).

Inside Bets: Bigger Payouts When You Hit

Inside bets focus on specific numbers or small clusters:

Straight Up covers a single number and pays the most. Split covers two adjacent numbers. Street covers a row of three numbers. Corner covers a block of four numbers. Six Line covers two adjacent rows for a total of six numbers. These bets can deliver standout payouts, but they’ll miss more often because they cover fewer outcomes.

Outside Bets: Broader Coverage and Smoother Swings

Outside bets cover larger groups of numbers:

Red or Black, Odd or Even, and High (19-36) or Low (1-18) each cover 18 numbers. Dozens cover 12 numbers at a time (1-12, 13-24, 25-36). Columns also cover 12 numbers (the vertical columns on the grid). Outside bets are popular for newer players because they hit more frequently, even if the payouts are smaller.

American Roulette Payout Table: Know What You’re Playing For

Here are the typical payouts you’ll see in American Roulette:

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

Payouts are standardized across most roulette games, which means the main difference between variants isn’t what you get paid - it’s how often the wheel gives the casino an extra edge.

The Real Cost of 00: American Roulette House Edge

American Roulette has a house edge of 5.26%. That edge comes directly from the extra green pocket (00), which adds another losing outcome for many common bets.

European Roulette, with only a single 0, sits around 2.7% house edge. Over time, that difference is meaningful - especially for high-volume play or longer sessions.

Strategy Tips That Actually Help (Without Pretending It’s Guaranteed)

Roulette is a game of chance, but smart habits can improve how you experience the swings.

Start by understanding the odds and payouts before you place chips. If you’re learning, outside bets are a lower-variance way to stay in the round longer. Set a bankroll for the session and decide in advance what a “stop point” looks like - both for wins and losses. Be cautious with betting systems that claim guaranteed profit; they can ramp stakes quickly and don’t change the underlying probabilities.

American Roulette vs European Roulette: The Key Differences

The differences are clear once you line them up:

American Roulette has 38 pockets, including 0 and 00, which creates a 5.26% house edge. European Roulette has 37 pockets with only 0, reducing the edge to about 2.7%. American Roulette is more common in many U.S.-facing casino catalogs, while European Roulette is widely seen across European casinos and online lobbies that prioritize lower house advantage.

Online American Roulette vs Live Dealer: Two Ways to Play

Online roulette typically comes in two formats.

RNG American Roulette uses a random number generator to produce results instantly, making it ideal if you want quick rounds and flexible bet sizing. Live dealer American Roulette streams from real studios with professional dealers, physical wheels, and real-time interaction, offering a more authentic casino atmosphere with the convenience of playing from anywhere.

Top Software Providers Powering American Roulette Tables

If you’re looking for high-quality American Roulette online, several major developers are known for strong roulette offerings, smooth interfaces, and reliable live studio production. Key names include Evolution, Playtech, Pragmatic Play Live, NetEnt, and Ezugi.

You’ll see these providers featured across many casino lobbies, including at brands like Spinita Casino, Lucky Coin Casino, and ZunaBet Casino, depending on your region and available tables.

Mobile American Roulette: Spin Anytime, Anywhere

Modern American Roulette games are built for mobile play, with layouts optimized for smaller screens and touch controls that make placing splits, corners, and outside bets feel natural. Whether you prefer RNG tables or live dealers, most versions run smoothly on both smartphones and tablets, letting you keep the action going without being tied to a desktop.

Responsible Gambling: Keep It Fun and Controlled

Set limits before you play - time, budget, or both - and stick to them. Roulette is unpredictable by design, so treat wins as a bonus, not a plan, and never chase losses to “get even.” If it stops being enjoyable, take a break and reset.

American Roulette FAQ