American Roulette: A Beginner’s Guide
American Roulette is a popular casino game devised from standard roulette that has been enjoyed by players for many years. This variation has established itself as one of the most beloved and widely played casino games on the planet.
In this guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about American Roulette, including the rules, strategies, and tips for success. Let’s get started!
Basics of American Roulette
The objective of American Roulette is to correctly predict which slot the ball will land in. Players can make a variety of bets, each with its own payout odds.
The American Roulette Wheel
The American Roulette wheel consists of 38 numbered slots, including numbers 1 to 36, a single zero (0), and a double zero (00). The slots are coloured red and black, except for the 0 and 00, which are green.
The numbers on the wheel are arranged in a specific order, with the numbers 1 to 36 alternating between red and black. The double and single zero are located at opposite ends of the wheel.
The main difference between American and European Roulette is the number of slots on the wheel. European Roulette has 37 slots, including a single zero (0), while American Roulette has 38 slots, including a single zero (0) and a double zero (00).
Due to this, you might sometimes hear American roulette referred to as double zero roulette.
Betting System and Payouts
There are two main bets that you will typically find in American Roulette: inside bets and outside bets.
Inside Bets
Inside bets in roulette are wagers placed on specific numbers or combinations of numbers within the main betting area of the table.
These bets typically offer higher payouts but have lower odds of winning, due to the fact they carry some heavy risk with them.
| Bet | Description | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Single | This bet covers a single number | 35-1 |
| Split | This bet covers any two adjacent numbers on the grid | 17-1 |
| Street | This bet covers a row of three numbers | 11-1 |
| Corner | This bet covers a ‘square’ of four numbers | 8-1 |
| Six Line | This bet covers two consecutive rows | 5-1 |
| Top Line | This bet covers the numbers; 0, 00, 1, 2, & 3 | 6-1 |
Outside Bets
Outside Bets are more low-risk, low-reward bets which usually cover a large amount of numbers on which the ball may land.
| Bet | Description | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Column Bet | This bet covers a column of 12 numbers | 2-1 |
| Dozen Bet | This bet covers 12 consecutive numbers | 2-1 |
| Odd/Even | These bets cover any number that is odd/even | 1-1 |
| Red/Black | These bets cover any colour that is picked | 1-1 |
| 1-18/19-36 | This bet incorporates all of the numbers in the selected range | 1-1 |
How to Play American Roulette: Step-by-Step
When playing a game of roulette, this is the typical order of proceedings that you will come across in roulette games.
- Place Your Bets: When you begin playing roulette, “Place your bets” is a common prompt given by the dealer in a game of roulette, inviting players to make their wagers on the table layout. The betting options are divided into two main categories: outside and inside bets. Players can place their chips on the designated areas of the table, indicating which numbers or groups of numbers they are betting on.
- The Spin: Once all the bets have been placed, the dealer will then spin the wheel, while making sure to toss the ball in the opposite direction in which the wheel is spinning. The ball eventually loses momentum and falls into one of the numbered slots on the wheel, determining the winning number for that round.
- The Ball Landing: Players must wait for the ball to come to a complete stop before the dealer announces the winning number and pays out any winning bets. American roulette odds are generally calculated on the likelihood of the player’s bet occurring, therefore generally inside bets will pay more as they carry more risk, and vice versa.
- The Verdict: If the ball lands on a slot that matches a player’s bet, they win according to the payout odds of that particular bet. If the ball lands on a slot that does not match any of the players’ bets, the dealer collects the losing wagers and the next round begins with a new prompt to place bets.
Different Roulette Strategies
There are a ton of different roulette strategies that players can use in American Roulette, including the Martingale System, the Reverse Martingale System, and other betting systems.
One of the most popular roulette strategies used in American Roulette is the Martingale system. This system involves doubling your bet after every loss, with the hope that you will eventually win and make up for your losses.
Another popular system is the Fibonacci system, which is based on the Fibonacci sequence and involves increasing your bet based on a specific pattern. Other systems include the Labouchere system and the D’Alembert system.
If you’d like to find out more about roulette strategies, we’ve written a roulette strategies guide for you to dive deeper and sharpen your knowledge.
American Roulette Variations
Due to its enormous popularity over the years, there have naturally developed some variations on respective American roulette wheels.
Double Ball Roulette
Double Ball Roulette is a variation of American Roulette that was introduced in 2014. As the name suggests, instead of using the classic one ball, you’ll find yourself dealing with two, which makes for a more exciting and unpredictable game.
The odds of winning are also slightly different in this game, as you must correctly predict both balls’ landing positions.
Read more about Doube Ball Roulette in our dedicated guide.
Triple Zero Roulette
Triple Zero Roulette is another variation of American Roulette that was introduced in recent years. As the name suggests, this game has three zeros instead of two, which naturally brings a higher house edge and makes it more challenging to win.
This variation is not as popular as the traditional game, but it can still be found in some casinos today if you look hard enough.
Mini Roulette
Mini Roulette is a smaller version of American Roulette that is played with only 13 numbers instead of 38.
This variation has a lower house edge and can be a good option for beginners who want to learn the game without risking too much real money first.
Find out more about Mini Roulette in our dedicated guide.
Tips for Playing American Roulette
When playing American Roulette at a casino, there are several tips you can follow to increase your chances of winning.
💡 Play Tables with Low Minimum Bets
Playing at a table with a low minimum bet is a good strategy for several reasons. First, it allows you to play for longer, since you won’t run out of money as quickly. This increases your chances of winning, since the longer you play, the more opportunities you have to hit a winning streak.
Second, it helps you manage your bankroll. If you’re playing at a table with a high minimum bet, you may be tempted to bet more than you can afford, which can quickly lead to losses. By playing at a table with a low minimum bet, you can stick to your budget and avoid losing more than you can afford.
💡 Bet on Outside Bets
Outside bets, such as red or black, have a higher chance of winning than inside bets, such as individual numbers. This is because outside bets cover more numbers on the roulette table.
For example, if you bet on red or black, you have a 48.6% chance of winning, since there are 18 red and 18 black numbers on the table (plus the green 0 and 00, which don’t count for either colour).
In contrast, if you bet on a single number, you have a 2.7% chance of winning. While the payout for a single number is higher than for an outside bet, the odds of winning are much lower.
💡 Gamble Responsibly
Responsible gaming is a crucial rule for any type of gambling. Chasing your losses means trying to win back money you’ve lost by betting more money. This is a dangerous strategy since it can quickly lead to even bigger losses.
Instead, it’s important to accept that you may not always win and to stick to your budget. Set a limit for how much you’re willing to lose and stick to it, even if you’re on a losing streak.
Remember, gambling should always be a form of entertainment, not a way to make a quick fortune.
History of American Roulette
The origins of American Roulette can be traced back to France in the 18th century.
The roulette game was brought to the United States in the 19th century and became very popular, especially in Las Vegas.
As a result, roulette games firmly painted themselves into the cultural tapestry of casinos all throughout the world, becoming one of the most instantly recognisable casino iconographies there is.
Since the inception of online casinos, the roulette wheel made its way into the digital space too, with countless casinos offering the chance to play American roulette online.
Where to Play American Roulette
Now that you know all the basics of American Roulette, along with some strategies, you should test out your new skills at the best roulette sites in NZ.
American Roulette FAQ
How Is American Roulette Different from European and French Roulette?
The main difference between American and French roulette is the number of pockets on the wheel. American roulette has 38 pockets, including a single zero and a double zero, while French roulette has 37 pockets, including a single zero.
Additionally, the layout of the betting table and the available betting options differ slightly between the two versions.
Can you play American Roulette for free?
Absolutely, free roulette is easy to find! In fact, when playing American roulette online, it's quite easy to find free games where you get familiar with the roulette table layout and hone your roulette strategies.
An American roulette simulator is easy to find online, with many casinos today having the option to try before you buy.
Is American or European Roulette superior?
In terms of player odds, European roulette is generally considered better than American roulette. This is because European roulette has 37 pockets, including a single zero, while American roulette has 38 pockets, including a single zero and a double zero.
This means that the presence of the double zero in American roulette gives the casino's advantage a slightly higher edge, resulting in a lower player payout percentage compared to European roulette.
Of course, this doesn't mean that both disciplines of roulette can't be enjoyed equally
Noah is the senior content editor at CasinoCrawlers and a writer with many iGaming articles under his portfolio. Therefore, he is skilled at writing bonus guidelines, gambling strategies, and casino reviews. During his spare time, he enjoys playing Call of Duty and is a huge rugby fan.
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