American Roulette: All You Need to Know
Welcome to our comprehensive guide to American Roulette, one of the most popular casino games in the world. Whether you're a seasoned gambler or a beginner looking to try your luck, American Roulette is a thrilling and exciting game that offers endless possibilities for fun and excitement. In this guide, we'll take you through everything you need to know about American Roulette, including the rules, strategies, and tips for success. So grab a seat at the table, place your bets, and let's get started!
American Roulette is a popular casino game that has been enjoyed by players for many years, and unsurprisingly, American Roulette has established itself as one of the most beloved and widely played casino games on the planet. You can play American roulette online or in person at any roulette table around the world, from Macau to Vegas.
It's simple rules and exciting gameplay make it a favourite among gamblers of all levels. The game is simple to play, yet it offers a lot of excitement and the possibility of big wins.
After this guide, we're sure you'll feel ready to crush it at the next spin. Let's go!
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.
Understanding 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.
Rules 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.
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.
The Stages of American Roulette
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, which we went over in the previous section. 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 it carries 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.
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.
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.
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
This 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.
Tips for Online Roulette
While they are essentially the same game, when playing online roulette here are a couple more tips that you can follow to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
Play At Reputable Casinos
When it comes to online gambling, it's crucial to play at a reputable online casino with a good reputation. There are many online casinos out there, but not all of them have the best intentions for the punter.
You want to make sure you're playing at a casino that is licensed and regulated, with a good track record of fair play and timely payouts, such as the online casinos listed on our site.
Know the Roulette Wheel
Before you hit the spin button, it's important to read the rules and terms of roulette and familiarise yourself with the wheel. This will help you understand how the game works and what you need to do to win.
It will also help you understand any special features or bonuses that are available, as well as the payout structure. Reading the rules and terms of the game can help you avoid making mistakes or misunderstanding how the game works and ending up in a sticky situation.
Frequently Asked Questions on American Roulette
You may still have a few pressing questions at the end of this guide, so here are some of the most commonly asked questions about American roulette.
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.
Is There Free American Roulette?
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 Adams has been working as a Senior Editor at Casinocrawlers.com since 2022. Here, he has gained first-hand experience with the iGaming industry and how he can help readers find top NZ casinos. Previously, Noah held positio... Read more about the author