How To Play American Roulette
Walking up to a roulette table for the first time can feel a little confusing, particularly with the American wheel and its extra green space. Taking a moment to understand how the table is laid out and how a round runs can make everything easier to follow.
You may be wondering what the numbers and colours stand for, how different bets work, and how to get involved without feeling unsure. This blog post explains the basics in a clear, straightforward way, helping you understand what’s happening.
By the end, you’ll have a good idea of what to expect and how a game unfolds, whether you choose to watch, place a bet, or simply learn the fundamentals.
What Is American Roulette?
American Roulette is a casino game played with a spinning wheel and a small white ball. The wheel has 38 pockets: numbers 1 to 36, plus a single zero (0) and a double zero (00). The numbers are red or black, while both zero pockets are green.
The matching table layout shows all numbers and sections where bets can be placed. Each position corresponds to a defined wager with a known payout, so once you recognise the sections, the table becomes easier to understand.
Each spin, the croupier launches the ball in the opposite direction to the wheel’s spin. When the wheel slows, the ball drops into a pocket, and that result decides the winning number or section. Payouts are then settled according to the bets placed before the “no more bets” signal.
American Roulette: How Does It Work?
American Roulette uses the wheel and a felt layout to organise bets. Players place chips on the table to back either specific numbers or broader groups, with clear minimum and maximum limits guiding stakes.
Inside bets focus on individual numbers or small clusters, while outside bets cover larger sections like red or black, odd or even, dozens, or columns. The more numbers a bet covers, the lower its payout tends to be, and vice versa. This trade-off is central to choosing how you want to play each spin.
Once bets are down, the croupier spins the wheel and releases the ball. When the ball settles in a pocket, the table pays the bets that match that outcome. Single-number bets pay more than even-money bets such as red or black, reflecting their different probabilities.
Losing chips are cleared away before the next spin begins, and the process repeats. Understanding this flow makes the table much easier to follow and helps you place bets within your own limits.
How To Play American Roulette: Rules Explained
A round begins with the betting area open. Players place chips on the numbered grid or the labelled sections around it. Chips can sit:
- directly on a number, or on the line between numbers to cover a split or a small group
- on outside sections for red/black, odd/even, dozens, or columns
Each position on the layout corresponds to a defined bet with its own payout. For example, a straight-up bet on one number typically pays 35 to 1, while even-money bets pay 1 to 1. Table limits set the minimum and maximum stakes, and each player’s chips are usually a different colour so the croupier can tell them apart.
When the croupier signals no more bets, the wheel is spinning, the ball drops, and the result is final for that round. The croupier places a marker on the winning number, pays the winners, removes losing chips, and opens the layout for the next set of bets.
Each spin is independent, so outcomes do not influence what happens next. Past results do not predict future ones, and no pattern can alter the probabilities of the next spin.
What Are The Differences Between American, European and French Roulette?
Before you place your chips, it helps to know how these three popular variants differentiate. Their wheel layouts and rules differ—especially the number of zero pockets and options like la partage and en prison—affecting the house edge, available bets and overall pace. Below is a quick guide to the key distinctions so you can pick the version that best fits your style and bankroll.
Table and Wheel Layout
All three versions use a wheel with numbered pockets, but they are arranged differently. American Roulette has both a single zero (0) and a double zero (00), giving 38 pockets. European and French wheels have only one zero, so they feature 37 pockets.
The betting layouts reflect this. American tables include spaces for zero and double zero. French tables often use French-language labels and include distinct areas for certain bet types, particularly for call bets.
Odds and Payouts
Standard payouts largely match across versions, but the double zero in American Roulette affects the underlying probabilities. A straight-up bet pays 35 to 1 everywhere, yet the chance of hitting a single number is lower on the American wheel because it has more pockets.
French Roulette also features rules like La Partage and En Prison on even-money bets when zero appears. These can return part of a stake or hold it for the next spin, which changes how those particular bets are settled and can reduce expected losses on those bets.
House Edge
The house edge is the casino’s built-in advantage. With its double zero, American Roulette sits at about 5.26%. European Roulette, with a single zero, is roughly 2.70%. In French Roulette, the extra rules on even-money bets can reduce the edge on those wagers to around 1.35%.
These differences shape expectations at the table and are useful to keep in mind before choosing how to bet. Select the version that aligns with how you prefer to play and the rules you understand.
What Is The Best Strategy For American Roulette?
There is no method that can predict where the ball will land. Each spin is random and independent, so staking systems cannot change the probabilities or remove the house edge. No system guarantees a profit.
Some players prefer even-money bets, such as red or black, odd or even, or they might spread chips over several numbers to balance potential returns with coverage. Well-known systems like Martingale or Fibonacci help to manage bankrolls; they do not affect the outcome or the overall edge.
A practical approach is to play at stakes that feel comfortable and understand how each bet pays. Set limits in advance, take breaks, and avoid chasing losses. Keeping play in control helps ensure the experience remains enjoyable and within your budget.
It is important to remember that all outcomes in American Roulette are down to chance, and winning is never guaranteed. Roulette strategies can be used to manage betting amounts; however, they cannot influence outcomes.
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American Roulette FAQs
How Many Numbers on an American Roulette Wheel?
An American Roulette wheel has 38 pockets: 1-36, plus 0 and 00. Of the 1 to 36 numbers, 18 are red, and 18 are black, while the two zero pockets are green. Every spin is independent, with each pocket having an equal chance of the ball landing in it.
The presence of both 0 and 00 adds two outcomes that are neither red/black, odd/even, nor high/low. Compared with single-zero versions, this extra pocket changes the probabilities and increases the house edge.
Why Does American Roulette Have Two Zeros?
The double zero was added to distinguish the game from single-zero versions and to increase the number of possible outcomes. This raises the house edge compared with European and French Roulette.
As a guide, American Roulette typically has a house edge of about 5.26%, compared to around 2.70% on European wheels. This difference particularly affects even-money bets, as 0 and 00 are not covered by those wagers.
How To Win American Roulette?
There is no guaranteed way to win, because each spin is a separate, random event. No staking system can overcome the built-in house edge. Avoid assumptions such as believing a number is “due”; past results do not influence future spins.
Set a budget, keep track of playing time and spending, and never chase losses. Only gamble with money you can afford to lose, and consider using safer gambling tools where available.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins, etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.
