American roulette ranks as one of the two most popular variations of this classic game of chance, alongside European roulette. This variation enjoys great popularity among players residing in the United States, but it is also played by fans of the game from other parts of the world. The American variant follows the same rules as its European counterpart, apart from a few minor deviations.
Due to its immense popularity among American players, most of the well-known online casino operators in the industry have included American roulette in their gaming collections. Read on to find out more about this roulette variant, its table layout, house edge, and the types of bets that can be placed.
The American Roulette Wheel and Table Layout
The most substantial difference between American and European roulette lies in the number of pockets on the wheel. While European roulette wheels have only 37 pockets, including the 0, this is not the case when it comes to American roulette, where the wheel has a total of 38 pockets. Numbers 1 through 36 are coloured either black or red, while the two zero pockets, marked with 0 and 00, are coloured in green.
There is a deliberate randomisation between the numbers on the wheel and those on the betting layout. The numbers alternate so that black numbers are always opposite red numbers. Each red number is always followed by a black number. The double-zero pocket is positioned between two red numbers, while the single zero is located between two black numbers.
After careful examination of the wheel, players may be left with the impression there is a slightly higher average of red numbers around the double-zero pocket as opposed to a higher average of black numbers around the single-zero one. This difference, however, is quite insignificant. In addition, the numbered pockets alternate pairs of even numbers with pairs of odd numbers.
As far as the table layout is concerned, the only difference between the American and the European variations of the game is that on the American layout there is one additional betting box to represent the double-zero pocket on the wheel. As French bets like Orphelins and Voisins du Zero are not allowed, there is no section on the American table layout where these exotic bets can be placed.
House Edge in American Roulette
Many seasoned players steer clear of engaging in the American variation of the game because the house has a greater advantage over them on double-zero wheels. In European roulette, the house advantage is estimated to be 2.70%. This house edge can be reduced further if the La Partage rule applies to the table. This rule states that if the ball ends up in the zero pocket, players who have made even-money bets will have half of their original wagers returned. Thus, the house edge drops even lower to 1.35% when the La Partage rule applies.
Needless to say, this is not the case in American roulette with its double-zero wheel. First of all, the La Partage rule does not apply here, yet the chances of the ball landing in a zero pocket are slightly higher because of the additional 00 pocket. It is precisely that extra zero pocket that gives the house a whopping edge of 5.26% in a game of American roulette. If the ball lands in one of the two zero pockets, all even-money bets lose, which, needless to say, works to players’ disadvantage. Moreover, if you place the so-called Five-Number bet, which is specific to the American variant of the game, the house edge increases even further to 7.89%.
Although some players overlook the difference in the advantage the house gains in American and European roulette, they should remember that this dissimilarity will make a difference as far as their bankroll is concerned.
To be more precise, gambling enthusiasts who consistently bet on double-zero roulette variants will pay the house £0.053 for every £1 they wager. To get a better idea of the impact of the house edge, players should be aware that with single-zero roulette variants, the casino will collect £0.027 for every £1 they put on the line.
Another thing fans of the double-zero roulette variants need to know is that some brick-and-mortar casinos, predominantly those in Atlantic City, give players the opportunity to surrender. In practice, the way in which this rule functions is much the same as the La Partage rule because, once again, the house edge is reduced to 2.63%.
Some less experienced players might not have paid attention to this detail, but the position of the roulette wheel is not the same in the single-zero and double-zero roulette variants. As far as American roulette is concerned, gambling enthusiasts will most often notice that the roulette wheel is positioned at the end of the table, which need not be the case with French roulette.
| American Roulette House Edge and Payout | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bet Type | Bet Payout | Bet Probability | House Edge |
| Straight | 35/1 | 2.63% | 5.26% |
| Split | 17/1 | 5.26% | 5.26% |
| Street | 11/1 | 7.89% | 5.26% |
| Square or Corner | 8/1 | 10.53% | 5.26% |
| Five Line | 6/1 | 13.16% | 7.89% |
| Six Line | 5/1 | 15.79% | 5.26% |
| Column | 2/1 | 31.58% | 5.26% |
| Dozen | 2/1 | 31.58% | 5.26% |
| Red / Black | 1/1 | 46.37% | 5.26% |
| Odd / Even | 1/1 | 46.37% | 5.26% |
| High / Low | 1/1 | 46.37% | 5.26% |
Types of Bets in American Roulette
The types of bets one can place in American roulette are roughly the same as with the single-zero variants, apart from the aforementioned French bets – Orphelins, Voisins du Zero, and Tiers du Cylindre. The bet types that can be placed while playing American roulette can be subdivided into two major categories – inside and outside bets. As mentioned above, the Five-Number bet is exclusive to the American variation and is not accepted in European or French roulette.
Another vital thing to remember is that the odds of winning are not the same in the European and American roulette variants, owing to the presence of the additional zero pocket.
Odds and Probabilities
Low Limits Roulette
High Stakes Roulette
American Roulette
European Roulette
Outside Bets
Outside bets are very popular among inexperienced players because their chances of winning are higher. Players can place a Red/Black bet, in which case they are wagering that the next number to come up will be of their chosen colour.
Another popular option is the Odd/Even bet, where players wager that the ball will land on either an even or an odd number.
It is also possible to make a High/Low bet – in this instance, you are betting that the winning number will be within a specific range. In roulette, numbers 1 through 18 are known as “low” numbers while those from 19 to 36 are called “high” numbers.
These three subtypes of outside bets are often called even-money bets because they pay out 1 to 1.
Since the 36 numbers on the table layout can be divided into three dozens (1 through 12, 13 through 24, and 25 through 36), players can also make a Dozen bet, where the winning number should be in their chosen dozen. Dozen bets have a slightly higher payout of 2 to 1.
The Column bet is yet another option for those who wish to play it safe. It covers an entire column of numbers and is placed within one of the three “2-1” boxes on the layout. Winning Column bets also pay out 2 to 1.
Inside Bets
Inside bets are more popular among seasoned roulette players because they are riskier. One such wager is the Straight-Up bet, where players bet on a single number. If your chosen number is spun, you will be paid out at the rate of 35 to 1. This means that for every chip gambling enthusiasts have put on the line, they will receive 35 chips, and they will also keep the staked amount.
With Split bets, players bet on two numbers that are positioned next to each other on the table layout. The chips are typically placed on the line that separates the two numbers. If the ball lands on one of the numbers, your payout will be 17 to 1.
The Street bet involves any three consecutive numbers that are positioned in a row on the layout, for example numbers 7, 8 and 9. The chips for this type of wager are placed on the outside line of the row on which the player wants to bet. If one of the three numbers is spun, the player is paid out at a rate of 11 to 1.
Then again, it is possible to place a Corner (also called Square) bet, in which case you are betting on four numbers that meet at one corner, like 16, 17, 19 and 20. The chips are placed on the common corner of the four numbers, hence the name Corner bet. It has a payout of 8 to 1.
With the Six-Line bet, players are betting that one of six numbers in two adjacent rows will be spun. An example of one such bet would be wagering on 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. If you wish to make a Six-Line bet, you place the chips on the outside line between the two rows. Provided that one of your six numbers wins, the payout will be 6 to 1.
There is one subtype of inside bet which is exclusive to American roulette – the Five-Number bet, also referred to as the Basket bet. The numbers this bet covers are 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3 specifically, and it is placed on the outer corner shared by numbers 0 and 1, and 00 and 3. However, it is worth mentioning that players are generally advised to steer clear of this type of bet because it has an even higher house advantage of 7.89%. The Five-Number bet is not to be confused with the Four-Number bet in European roulette, which covers 0, 1, 2 and 3, but offers much more advantageous odds.
Why are Five-Number bets best avoided? The answer is simple – the probability of winning with this wager is 5 in 38, or 13.2%, but if one of the five numbers comes up you will only be paid at a rate of 6 to 1.
How to Play American Roulette Online
Some players might be much more comfortable with betting on American roulette over the Internet for the simple reason that they will not need to rush when making their wagers. There is no denying that one of the biggest advantages of playing roulette from the comfort of your surroundings is that you can adjust the speed at which the game is played according to your preferences and, of course, your skills and knowledge of the game.
Since roulette and its double-zero variant are so hugely popular among gambling aficionados, it makes sense that the creators of casino content give their best to satisfy this inexorable demand, which has resulted in the creation of tons of enthralling and intriguing games.
In spite of the fact that each gaming studio endeavours to create roulette games that are out of the ordinary by implementing different special features or adding twists to the gameplay, the steps casino enthusiasts need to follow while playing are virtually the same. The objective of the game also remains the same, as all players need to do is attempt to predict what the next winning number will be.
No matter which double-zero roulette game gambling enthusiasts have chosen, to start playing they will be required to settle on one of the chip denominations that can usually be seen right below the betting layout.
The next decision should be about the number or combination of numbers on which you prefer to place your wager. Depending on your preferences, you will need to move chips of the preferred value to the appropriate area on the betting layout that matches the bet type you want to use. It is important to note that you do not necessarily have to make a single stake at a time; if you prefer, you can bet on multiple numbers or groups of numbers.
One of the best things about playing roulette on your desktop or portable device is that you can easily adjust the size of your wager and even remove it from the table. Depending on the variant players have picked, they might be permitted to repeat the wager they made in the previous round and, sometimes, even to save the wagers they have already placed, together with the staked amounts, so that they can bet the same way whenever they decide to do so.
As soon as you have made sure that your wager is by the book, you just need to hit the spin button. When the white ball lands in one of the pockets, your wager will be settled, and if it is a winning one, you will be awarded the corresponding payoff. If your pick was not correct, however, the staked amount will be collected by the casino, and if you prefer, you can take another shot.
What is important to note is that, depending on the game they are playing, once wagers are settled, players might see that their chips remain on the table. So, if you do not want to opt for the same wager type or bet amount, make sure that you adjust your next stake according to your preferences.
Popular American Roulette Variations
In spite of the fact that the house enjoys a significantly larger advantage in this roulette variant, American roulette is immensely popular among gambling enthusiasts. Finding a double-zero roulette variant that appeals to you is unlikely to prove a challenge, as the diversity of such games is nearly endless. In fact, most software developers have incorporated several double-zero roulette variants, which undoubtedly results in an enormous profusion of options to pick and choose from.
Premium American Roulette by Playtech
Playtech’s Premium American Roulette is an option that is worth considering next time you are looking for a roulette game to play, as it intrigues players with its top-notch graphics that can make you forget you are betting over your phone or computer.
The developers from Playtech have done a particularly good job while designing the roulette wheel and the betting layout, as this is done with attention to the minutest details.
While revelling in this game, roulette mavens are offered a customisable experience as they are enabled to change the colour of the felt, switch the direction in which the wheel is spun, and alter the angle at which they view the table.
In terms of additional features, avid casino fans can take advantage of statistics and keep track of their betting history. The game is also equipped with a special feature that allows players to save up to four of their favourite wager types, which is likely to make for an even more thrilling and hassle-free roulette-betting experience.
Gambling enthusiasts are unlikely to run into any issues while placing their wagers, as the betting opportunities Playtech’s rendition of American roulette provides remain unchanged when compared to all other American-style roulette games.
American Roulette by NetEnt
Another double-zero roulette variant that caused a stir among gambling enthusiasts is NetEnt’s American Roulette. Offering exceptionally clear graphics, the game can bring the ambience of the casino floor to your home. The voice announcements and the interactive design of the game are likely to guarantee that players will enjoy themselves even more.
Furthermore, it can fulfil the needs and preferences of all types of players, regardless of their bankroll, as the smallest chip denomination is £0.10, while the largest is £5,000.
This American-style roulette variant allows players to double the staked amount with a single click or to repeat the wager they made during the previous spin of the wheel with the same ease. In terms of the game settings, roulette lovers will quickly notice that they are pretty much the standard ones, as they are enabled to opt for a quick spin or have their wagers adjusted automatically.
The extra features players might find particularly useful include statistics and betting history. Once again, if they feel like it, gambling enthusiasts might wish to seize the opportunity to save the bets they prefer to stick to so that they can opt for them at the click of a button.
American Roulette by Microgaming
Roulette lovers who are looking to enjoy a truly realistic gaming experience while playing online should consider giving Microgaming’s American Roulette a try. Its animations and graphics are exceptionally easy on the eye, which might grab the attention of players right from the start.
This roulette variant stands out with its robust design that guarantees smooth gameplay at all times. Players who are more confident in their skills might wish to give this roulette variant a try in expert mode. The available chip denominations should meet the requirements of all players, no matter their bankroll, as they start from £1 and can reach up to £2,000.
The button that gives players access to the statistics will allow them to inspect information from the previous 100 spins of the wheel, including the hot and cold numbers; odd and even numbers; the hit frequency of the first 12, second 12 and third 12, and so on.
While playing this roulette variant, gambling aficionados will have the opportunity to remain abreast of the winning numbers from the previous spins, to double their wager, and create a list of their favourite bets with just a few taps or clicks.
Live American Roulette
If live-dealer roulette games intrigue you more, you might be pleased with the options that are on offer. Software providers the likes of NetEnt and Evolution Gaming have seen to it that there is something for lovers of such games, as they have added several double-zero games to their repertoire.
Other creators of casino content, such as Playtech and Visionary iGaming, also have much to offer fans of American roulette.