American Roulette

American Roulette is the version of roulette most people picture in land-based casinos across the United States. It’s played on a wheel with 38 pockets, and the big “tell” is right on the felt and the wheel: two green pockets, 0 and 00. That extra green slot is the main reason American Roulette plays a little tougher than other variants, even though the rules feel almost identical.

American Roulette, Explained in Plain English

Roulette is a simple cycle: you place chips on a layout, the dealer spins a wheel, a ball drops into a numbered pocket, and bets that match the result get paid. American Roulette uses the same core idea as European and French roulette, but the wheel includes both 0 and 00, which changes the math behind every bet.

Where Roulette Came From and How the American Wheel Changed

Roulette traces back to Europe, where the game developed into a single-zero format that spread through French casinos. Once roulette made its way to the United States, casinos adopted a wheel with an additional green pocket, 00. The rules didn’t need to change, but the extra pocket gave the house a bigger built-in advantage, which is why American Roulette became its own distinct variant.

The American Roulette Wheel Layout: Why 38 Pockets Matter

An American wheel has 38 pockets total:

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

The numbers 1-36 are colored red or black, and the colors alternate in a pattern around the wheel (not in simple numeric order). The 0 and 00 pockets are green, and they’re the reason American Roulette has a higher house edge than single-zero roulette.

The Table Layout: How the Betting Grid Really Works

The table is basically a map of all the outcomes you can bet on. The center grid shows numbers 1-36 arranged in three vertical columns and twelve horizontal rows. Around that grid are larger betting areas for “outside bets” like red or black, odd or even, and high or low.

When you place chips:

• Putting a chip directly on a number is a straight-up bet.
• Putting a chip on a line between numbers creates split-style bets.
• Placing chips in the outside sections covers bigger groups of numbers at lower payouts.

In online roulette, you usually click the betting areas instead of physically stacking chips, but the logic is the same.

How to Play American Roulette in 5 Steps

1. Choose your chip value (this sets what each chip you place is worth).
2. Place your bets on the table before the betting window closes.
3. The dealer spins the wheel and releases the ball (or the RNG generates a result in digital versions).
4. The ball lands in a numbered pocket (including 0 or 00).
5. Winning bets are paid based on the standard payout rules for that bet type.

Inside Bets: Higher Payouts, Narrower Coverage

Inside bets sit on the numbered grid and usually cover fewer outcomes, which is why they pay more when they hit.

Straight Up A bet on a single number (including 0 or 00). It’s the classic “hit one number” wager.

Split A bet covering two adjacent numbers by placing the chip on the border between them.

Street A bet covering three numbers in a row (for example, 1-2-3) by placing the chip at the end of that row.

Corner A bet covering four numbers that meet at a corner (like 8-9-11-12) by placing the chip at the intersection.

Six Line A bet covering two neighboring streets (six numbers total) by placing the chip on the line between the two rows.

Outside Bets: Simpler Choices With Smaller Swings

Outside bets cover larger groups of numbers, so you’ll hit more often, but the payouts are lower.

Red or Black Covers all red numbers or all black numbers (18 numbers each). Zeros are neither red nor black.

Odd or Even Covers 18 odd numbers or 18 even numbers. Again, 0 and 00 don’t count.

High or Low Low covers 1-18, and high covers 19-36.

Dozens Covers 12 numbers at a time: 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36.

Columns Covers one vertical column of 12 numbers on the grid.

American Roulette Payout Table (Typical)

Here’s how payouts usually work in American Roulette:

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

“Typical payout” means the standard roulette pay table you’ll see in most casinos and online games. Variations exist, but they’re not the norm for American Roulette.

The House Edge: The Real Cost of the Double Zero

American Roulette’s house edge is 5.26%. The reason is simple: you’re betting against 38 pockets, but most payouts are based on a model that would be friendlier with fewer pockets.

For context, European Roulette uses a single-zero wheel with 37 pockets and has a lower house edge of about 2.70%. That difference is why many players prefer European roulette when it’s available.

Strategy Tips That Actually Help (Without Promising Miracles)

Roulette is a game of chance, and no betting pattern changes that. Still, a few habits can make your sessions feel more controlled.

Know what your bet covers Outside bets hit more often, but they’re still even-money style bets that lose when 0 or 00 lands.

Start with outside bets if you’re learning Red/black, odd/even, and high/low are easy to track, and they help you get comfortable with the flow of the game.

Set a bankroll and stick to it Decide what you’re willing to spend before you place the first chip, and set a stopping point for both wins and losses.

Be skeptical of “guaranteed” betting systems Systems like Martingale can look convincing on paper, but they don’t remove the house edge, and they can run into table limits fast.

American Roulette vs European Roulette: The Quick Comparison

The gameplay is nearly identical, but the wheel changes everything.

Pockets American roulette has 38 pockets (0 and 00). European roulette has 37 pockets (0 only).

House edge American roulette sits at 5.26%, while European roulette is about 2.70%.

Where you’ll see it American roulette is common in casinos across the United States. European roulette shows up more often in Europe and in many online casino lobbies.

Online American Roulette vs Live Dealer Roulette: Two Very Different Feels

Online American Roulette usually comes in two formats.

RNG roulette The result is generated by software, and rounds move quickly. This format is great if you like fast betting and minimal downtime.

Live dealer roulette A real dealer spins a physical wheel on camera, streamed from a studio. Bets are still placed digitally, but the pace and atmosphere feel closer to a casino table.

Software Providers Known for Roulette Tables

A lot of roulette quality comes down to who built the game and whether you’re playing RNG or live dealer. Developers commonly associated with roulette titles include Evolution, Playtech, Pragmatic Play Live, NetEnt, and Ezugi.

If you’re comparing where to play, it can help to check which studios a casino carries. For example, Spinita Casino lists both Evolution Gaming and Playtech in its software lineup, which often signals a strong mix of live dealer and classic table content. If you want to see how that broader catalog is put together, the details are covered on the Spinita Casino page.

Mobile American Roulette: Built for Phones and Tablets

Most modern roulette games are designed to scale to smaller screens, which matters more than people expect. On mobile, the key differences are usually practical ones: larger bet zones, swipe-friendly table navigation, and quick chip selection so you’re not mis-tapping corners and splits.

A Quick Responsible Gambling Reminder

Roulette is unpredictable by design. It helps to set time and spending limits, take breaks, and treat every session as entertainment, not income. If you feel yourself chasing losses or playing past your comfort zone, pause and use the responsible-play tools your casino offers.

Frequently Asked Questions About American Roulette