American Roulette

Walk into any US casino, and you'll probably see American roulette. It's also everywhere online. You'll recognize it by the wheel: 38 pockets total, with numbers 1 through 36, plus a 0 and 00 sitting there in green.

That double zero is what separates American roulette from its European cousin, and it affects every bet you place. Here's how the game works, what different bets pay, and which mistakes you can skip right from the start.

What is American roulette?

American roulette is a casino table game where players bet on which numbered pocket a small ball will land in after a wheel spins. Those pockets alternate between red and black, except for the two green zeros. That double zero is what makes it "American" and distinguishes it from other roulette variants.

Look, it's not complicated. Put your chips down, the dealer spins, and if the ball lands where you predicted, you get paid. People love roulette because the rules are easy to follow, but you can bet in tons of different ways. Pick one number or just bet on red. Unlike games like blackjack that involve decisions during play, roulette outcomes are purely chance-based once bets are placed.

American roulette vs European roulette

The big difference is one extra pocket. European wheels only have 37 pockets and one zero. American wheels add that second zero, bringing it to 38.

That additional pocket affects the math behind every bet. More pockets mean your odds of hitting any single number get a little worse. The house edge (the casino's advantage) goes up with that extra pocket.

Why would anyone choose American roulette then? Often it's simply what's available. Most US casinos stick with American wheels. Online, you'll usually see both versions available. Some people just like that American tables can move faster.

The American roulette wheel and table layout

First, know what you're looking at. Two parts: the spinning wheel and the felt table where you place bets.

The 38-pocket wheel

The pockets run from 1 to 36, with those two zeros. Numbers flip between red and black as you go around. Both zeros are green.

One detail that surprises new players: the numbers aren't arranged in order. They're mixed up to keep things balanced. High numbers face low numbers. Odds sit next to evens. This layout prevents any section of the wheel from being "luckier" than another.

The betting table

The felt layout is where chips go. The numbers sit in a grid: three columns, twelve rows. Both zeros go at the top.

Outside that grid, there's room for other bets. That's where you bet on things like red or black, odd or even, high or low. Once you know where chips go, it's pretty straightforward.

How to play American roulette

Every round works the same way. Once you recognize the rhythm, everything moves quickly.

1. Place your bets

You get some time before the spin to put your chips down. You can make several bets at once and spread chips around however you want. Put your chips on the spot that matches your bet.

2. The dealer spins the wheel

The dealer spins the wheel one way and sends the ball the other direction. At some point, they'll call out "no more bets," and the betting window closes. From here, you watch and wait.

3. The ball lands

The wheel slows down, the ball bounces around, and eventually it lands. The dealer drops a marker (called a dolly) on the winning number.

4. Payouts are made

Winners get paid based on what they bet. Losing chips get swept away. Dealer takes the marker off, and you start fresh. This all takes maybe a minute or two.

Types of bets in American roulette

Bets break down into two types: inside and outside. The type you pick changes how often you win and how much you get when you do.

Inside bets

Inside bets cover specific numbers or small groups on the main grid. They pay more but hit less often.

• Straight up: Bet on one number only
• Split: Bet on two numbers that share an edge (chip sits on the line between them)
• Street: Bet on three numbers in a horizontal row
• Corner: Bet on four numbers that meet at one corner
• Five-number bet: Covers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3 (exists only in American roulette)
• Six line: Bet on six numbers spanning two adjacent rows

The five-number bet deserves a quick note. Smart players skip it. The payout doesn't match the actual odds. It's got the worst house edge on the whole table.

Outside bets

Outside bets cover bigger groups. They're around the edges of the grid. They win more frequently but pay smaller amounts.

• Red/Black: Bet on the color of the winning number
• Odd/Even: Bet on whether the result will be odd or even
• High/Low: Bet on numbers 1-18 (low) or 19-36 (high)
• Dozens: Bet on the first twelve (1-12), second twelve (13-24), or third twelve (25-36)
• Columns: Bet on one of the three vertical columns in the grid

Outside bets lose when 0 or 00 hits. Zeros don't count as red, black, odd, even, or anything else.

American roulette payouts and odds

Payouts work the same way across the board. Harder bets? Bigger payouts.

There's always a trade-off. Bet on one number and you get 35 to 1, but you're picking one out of 38 pockets. Red or black covers almost half the wheel, but you only double your money when you win.

House edge in American roulette

The house edge is just the casino's built-in advantage. Here's how it works: payouts act like there are 36 pockets, but there are actually 38.

Consider a straight-up bet. It pays 35 to 1. That'd be fair with 36 pockets. With 38 pockets, the real odds are 37 to 1. That gap is where the casino makes money.

Almost all bets have the same house edge. Except the five-number bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3). That one's worse. This is why experienced players skip it entirely.

American roulette strategy tips

Roulette's pure luck. No betting system changes the math. But a couple smart moves can help you play better.

1. Skip the five-number bet

It's got the worst odds at the table. The payout isn't worth it. No reason to even try it.

2. Start with outside bets

New to the game? Start with outside bets. You'll win more often and won't burn through your money as fast. The trade-off is smaller payouts, but that's reasonable while you're finding your footing.

3. Set a bankroll limit before you play

Figure out your limit before you sit down. The rounds fly by. Without a plan, you'll lose track fast. This isn't superstition; it's basic bankroll management that applies to any casino game.

Common American roulette mistakes to avoid

New players keep making the same mistakes:

• Chasing losses: Doubling bets to recover previous losses rarely works and often accelerates the problem
• Forgetting the zeros: Both 0 and 00 exist on the wheel, and they affect every bet's probability
• Betting without knowing payouts: Understanding what you're risking and what you stand to win matters before chips hit the felt
• Playing the five-number bet: Worth repeating because it's the worst mathematical choice available
• No exit plan: Deciding when to walk away requires planning, not luck