American Roulette
American Roulette is the standard form of roulette in Las Vegas and most North American casinos. It differs from European Roulette by featuring two green zero pockets — 0 and 00 — giving the wheel 38 total pockets rather than 37. This seemingly small difference doubles the house advantage on most bets to 5.26%, making American Roulette significantly less favourable than its European counterpart. Despite this, American Roulette remains extremely popular due to its faster pace, higher energy environment, and the distinctly American casino floor culture associated with it.
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The rules are largely identical to European Roulette, with the addition of the 00 pocket and a unique five-number bet (Basket or Top Line) covering 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. Straight Up: 35:1. Split: 17:1. Street: 11:1. Corner: 8:1. Line: 5:1. Five-Number (Basket): 6:1 — this is the worst bet on the table, carrying a house edge of 7.89%. Dozen: 2:1. Column: 2:1. Even-money bets (Red/Black, Odd/Even, High/Low): 1:1. When 0 or 00 hits, all outside bets lose (unlike European rules in some casinos). American Roulette wheels spin counter-clockwise while the ball spins clockwise, and the layout includes both 0 and 00 at the top of the betting grid.
Basic Strategy
If possible, always choose European Roulette over American Roulette — the house edge is literally half (2.70% vs 5.26%). If you must play American Roulette, stick to outside even-money bets and avoid the Five-Number Basket bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3) at all costs due to its 7.89% house edge. No betting system — Martingale, Fibonacci, D'Alembert — can overcome the mathematical disadvantage, as each spin is independent. Set a hard loss limit before sitting down and walk away when it is reached. For high-frequency play, the difference in house edge between American and European versions will materially impact your session bankroll over time.
At a Glance
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Bets, Payouts & Odds
| Bet Type | Payout | Win Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Straight Up (1 number) | 35:1 | 2.63% |
| Split (2 numbers) | 17:1 | 5.26% |
| Street (3 numbers) | 11:1 | 7.89% |
| Corner (4 numbers) | 8:1 | 10.53% |
| Five-Number (0,00,1,2,3) | 6:1 | 13.16% |
| Six Line (6 numbers) | 5:1 | 15.79% |
| Column (12 numbers) | 2:1 | 31.58% |
| Dozen (12 numbers) | 2:1 | 31.58% |
| Red / Black (18 numbers) | 1:1 | 47.37% |
| Odd / Even (18 numbers) | 1:1 | 47.37% |
| High / Low (18 numbers) | 1:1 | 47.37% |
European vs American vs French
| Variant | House Edge | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| European | 2.70% | 37 pockets with a single green zero. The standard wheel in Macau and most of Europe. |
| American | 5.26% | Adds a second 00 pocket (38 total), which nearly doubles the house edge. Avoid where possible. |
| French | 1.35% | Same single-zero wheel, but La Partage and En Prison apply to even-money bets by default. |
The American Roulette Wheel
The American wheel holds 38 pockets — 0, 00, and 1 through 36 — one more than the European wheel because of the extra double-zero pocket. Both zeros are coloured green; the remaining 36 numbers split evenly into 18 red and 18 black.
The pocket order also differs from the European wheel. Reading clockwise it runs 0, 28, 9, 26, 30, 11, 7, 20, 32, 17, 5, 22, 34, 15, 3, 24, 36, 13, 1, 00, 27, 10, 25, 29, 12, 8, 19, 31, 18, 6, 21, 33, 16, 4, 23, 35, 14, 2. Notice how 0 and 00 sit directly opposite each other, dividing the wheel into two mirrored halves.
House Edge: Why the Double Zero Costs You
Every payout on an American table is calculated as if the wheel had 36 pockets, but the wheel actually has 38. Those two extra green pockets — 0 and 00 — are where the casino's advantage lives. The result is a house edge of 5.26% on almost every bet, nearly double the 2.70% of single-zero European Roulette.
That gap matters over time. On even-money bets you win 18 times out of 38 rather than 18 out of 37, so the same €10 stake bleeds value roughly twice as fast as it would on a European wheel. If a single-zero table is available, it is always the better choice.
The Five-Number Bet — The One to Avoid
American Roulette has one bet that exists nowhere on the European wheel: the five-number bet covering 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3. It pays 6:1, and at first glance it looks like just another inside bet.
It is not. Because of the way the payout rounds against the true odds, the five-number bet carries a house edge of about 7.89% — higher than the 5.26% on every other bet at the table. It is the single worst wager in American Roulette. Skip it entirely and spread the same chips across a corner or line bet instead.
Inside Bets vs Outside Bets
Inside bets sit on the numbered grid: straight-up on one number (35:1), splits on two (17:1), streets on three (11:1), corners on four (8:1) and six-lines on six (5:1). They pay more but hit less often — a straight-up number lands only about once every 38 spins.
Outside bets sit around the grid: red/black, odd/even and high/low each pay 1:1 and win just under half the time, while columns and dozens pay 2:1 and cover twelve numbers. On the American wheel none of these lowers the 5.26% edge — there is no La Partage rule — so outside bets simply trade excitement for steadier, slower swings.
American vs European: Always Prefer Single Zero
The rules, bet types and payouts of American and European Roulette are almost identical. The only meaningful difference is that single green 00 pocket — and it doubles the cost of playing. On a $100 night of even-money bets you would expect to lose about $2.70 on a European wheel versus about $5.26 on an American one.
There is no strategy, betting system or lucky streak that closes that gap; it is baked into the wheel. If both are on the floor, or both are in the lobby of an online casino, the single-zero European (or better still, French) table is the smarter seat every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the house edge in American Roulette?
American Roulette has a house edge of 5.26% on almost every bet, because the wheel has two green pockets (0 and 00) for 38 total. That is nearly double the 2.70% edge of single-zero European Roulette.
What is the difference between American and European Roulette?
American Roulette has 38 pockets including both 0 and 00, while European Roulette has 37 with a single 0. That extra pocket raises the house edge from 2.70% to 5.26%, so European is the better game for players.
Why should I avoid the five-number bet?
The five-number bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3) pays 6:1 but carries a house edge of about 7.89% — higher than the 5.26% on every other American bet. It is the worst wager on the table and is best skipped entirely.
What are the odds of hitting a single number in American Roulette?
On a 38-pocket American wheel, a straight-up number wins with probability 1 in 38, or about 2.63% per spin. It pays 35:1, and the shortfall versus the true 37:1 odds is the casino's edge.
Why does American Roulette have a 00?
The double-zero wheel is the historic American design; the extra green pocket increases the casino's advantage. European and French wheels dropped the 00 long ago, which is why they offer better odds.
What is the best bet in American Roulette?
No bet lowers the 5.26% edge, so there is no mathematically 'best' bet — only the worst one to avoid (the five-number bet). Outside even-money bets give the steadiest, longest play; the real winning move is choosing a single-zero table instead.
Can you win consistently at American Roulette?
No. Every spin is independent and the 5.26% house edge applies to each bet, so no betting system can overcome it in the long run. You can win in the short term through variance, but not consistently over time.
Is this American Roulette game free to play?
Yes. This American Roulette game runs free in your browser with no signup and no download. Use it to practise the bets and see the double-zero wheel in action with no real money at stake.
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