American roulette is a well-liked game available in both online and traditional casinos across the United States. Its roots can be traced back to the 19th century, where it was known as Roly-Poly, Ace of Hearts, and E.O. Eventually, it found its place in America and rapidly gained widespread acclaim.

In previous times, the roulette wheel featured a single zero (0), a double zero (00), and even an American eagle symbol. Gradually, the American eagle symbol vanished, while the double zero endured, distinguishing American roulette from its European counterparts.

In this guide, you will find a detailed analysis of American roulette, encompassing an exploration of its various bets and odds, as well as valuable insights into online platforms where you can indulge in the game.

How to play American roulette

The American roulette wheel has a total of 38 pockets, which include numbers 1-36 in red and black, as well as a zero and a double zero. The main goal of the game is to correctly predict where a small white ball, rotating along the wheel’s edge, will ultimately land, and then place bets accordingly.

Roulette bets can be divided into two categories: inside and outside bets. Inside bets are made within the primary number grid and can involve single numbers, multiple numbers spanning the grid, or number groups comprising two to six numbers. Due to their longer odds, inside bets offer higher payouts.

On the other hand, outside bets are simpler and more inclusive types of wagers. They encompass placing bets on red or black, high or low number categories, or even larger sets of numbers. Although these outside bets offer improved odds, their payouts typically range from 1:1 to 2:1.

Below is a detailed, sequential explanation on how to engage in the game of American roulette:

• Choose between an inside or outside bet to make your bet selection.
• To make a bet, choose the preferred chip value and click on the specified area of the table. You can place multiple bets at the same time without any restrictions.
• To begin, initiate the wheel’s motion. Once your bets are placed, proceed by pressing the Spin button. Consequently, the roulette ball will be thrown onto the wheel in motion.
• Watch what happens. The ball will eventually stop in one of the slots with a number. If it happens to land on the number or color you bet on, you win.
• To collect your winnings, you need to claim the payout. The amount you get for a successful bet varies based on the odds. For instance, if you place a bet on a single number and emerge victorious, you will receive a payout that is 35 times the amount you wagered. Conversely, if you bet on red or black and win, you will receive an equal amount to your wager, commonly referred to as even money (1:1).

In European roulette, the presence of an extra zero in the game results in a higher house edge of 5.70%, since the likelihood of accurately guessing the ball’s final number decreases to 1 in 38, instead of the 1 in 37 odds observed in European roulette. Conversely, European roulette maintains a house edge of 2.70%.

American roulette strategy

American roulette is primarily a game of chance and does not provide a guaranteed way to win. The best approach one can take is to employ betting systems such as Martingale, Fibonacci, and other positive or negative methods. However, these systems can be financially burdensome as they require repeatedly increasing losing bets until a victory is attained. Additionally, there is no definitive evidence to support the long-term effectiveness of these strategies.

Therefore, in order to secure triumph in American roulette, it is essential to make use of diverse side bets and comprehend their probabilities and payouts. Besides the basic bet, American roulette offers more than twenty supplementary betting choices.

Let’s begin by evaluating the most essential internal side wagers.

• In American roulette, there exists a distinctive wager known as the five-number bet, also called “the monster,” “the basket,” or “the beast.” This particular bet involves placing a sum of money on the numbers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. If luck is on your side and the bet is successful, it rewards you at a ratio of 6:1.
• If you wish to place a bet on both numbers, simply position your chips between the two lines on the table. In the event that either of the numbers wins, you will be awarded a payout at a ratio of 17 to 1.
• Placing chips on the outer boundary of three consecutive numbers on a roulette table is known as a street bet.
• Placing a bet on four adjacent numbers is known as a corner bet and can yield a potential payout of 8:1.
• A six-line bet, as the name suggests, consists of six numbers. To place this bet, place your chips where two neighboring rows intersect. If you win, the payout for this bet is 5:1.

You can choose from the following options when it comes to outside bets.

• There are three columns in the betting table layout, each containing its own set of numbers. When chips are placed at the bottom of any of these columns, a 2:1 payout is awarded if the ball lands on any of the numbers within that column.
• By placing a bet on any of the three sets of twelve numbers, which are 1-12, 13-24, and 25-36, you will be participating in the dozens bet. This bet offers a payout ratio of 2:1.
• In the game of high or low, you have the option to place a bet on a number sequence ranging from 1 to 18 (low) or 19 to 36 (high). If your bet is successful, you will receive a payout equal to your original wager.
• The odd or even bet in roulette is considered one of the easiest and simplest bets. You can choose to place your wager on either the odd or even numbers. Furthermore, the payout for this particular bet is a balanced 1:1.
• You are presented with two options: red or black. Alternatively, you can place bets on numbers of either red or black. In such a scenario, the payout is equal to the wagered amount, resulting in a 1:1 ratio.

The combination of the double zero and the distinct number layout on the roulette wheel plays a significant role in the 5.7% house advantage in American roulette. The zero and double zero are positioned directly opposite each other, mirroring the arrangement of consecutive numbers on the wheel. As an example, numbers 3 and 4, as well as 25 and 26, are positioned opposite each other on the wheel.

American roulette features a distinct clockwise pattern that is not found in European roulette. This pattern effectively balances the distribution of red and black numbers, as well as even and odd numbers. Moreover, it consistently alternates between low and high numbers. The strategic placement of the zero and double zero pockets, combined with this pattern, ensures that the outcomes are truly random.

How do American roulette payouts work??

The table below presents a detailed overview of American roulette odds and payouts for each bet, allowing you to identify bets with higher probabilities and make informed decisions.

Wager	American Roulette Odds	Payout
Straight bet	2.63%	35:1
Split bet	5.3%	17:1
Street bet	7.9%	11:1
Corner bet	10.5%	8:1
Five-number bet	13.2%	6:1
Six-line bet	15.8%	5:1
Dozen	31.6%	2:1
Column	31.6%	2:1
Even bets	47.4%	1:1

For players, especially beginners who are just starting to understand the rules of American roulette, outside bets offer the most favorable odds, making them the perfect option.

Where can I play American roulette online?

American roulette, a popular variant available in the majority of online casinos throughout the United States, extends its reach beyond the confines of Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

Individuals who are 21 years old or above and currently living within Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia can register and become players on state-regulated online casinos.

American roulette final thoughts

American roulette has become extremely popular in both online and brick-and-mortar casinos across the United States, thanks to its exciting wheel design that includes a double zero and unique betting options like the exclusive five-number bet.

On the other hand, the inclusion of the double zero on the wheel results in a higher house edge of 5.7%, rendering it as one of the most unfavorable selections in roulette. To enhance their winning prospects or increase their odds, players should contemplate placing outside bets in American roulette, as these offer a 47.4% chance for options like even bets.

American roulette FAQ