Guide To Online American Roulette
American Roulette is the most widely recognisable form of the game, appearing at all the big Las Vegas casinos and featuring in many Hollywood casino films.
In the long-run it is the least profitable format of the game for the players, however it has some interesting features not seen in other forms of roulette. Most online casinos offer American Roulette alongside different forms of roulette, giving players a choice of which variant to play.
If you want to try your hand at American Roulette, why not head to our top recommendation, Slotomania.
American Roulette Rules
- An American Roulette table consists of a wheel with 38 pockets, numbered 1-36, 0 and 00.
- The wheel is spun and a ball sent spinning in the opposite direction, and players can bet on which number - or set of numbers - they believe it will land in.
- Payouts on winning bets are based on American Roulette odds - the more likely the bet is to come in, the lower the payout relative to your stake.
- American Roulette rules are the same as those in other variants, and the differences lie in the numbers on the wheel and the available bets.
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History
While roulette is believed to have originated in France in the late 18th century, the first American Roulette table appeared in the United States a few decades later, possibly being brought over by the French population of New Orleans. The double-zero variant became popular in the US, though American Roulette rules are largely similar to other versions. Early American Roulette odds were stacked against the player more than they are now - the wheels had the numbers 1-28, as well as zero, double-zero and an American Eagle symbol. This was marketed as a symbol of freedom, but smart players quickly realised it was just another way for the house to increase its edge, and American Roulette has existed in its current format since the 19th century.
American Roulette Bets:
The Martingale strategy: This sees roulette players begin by placing the minimum bet on red or black, then doubling the bet next time if they lose.
American Roulette bets are divided into inside bets - based on the numbers on the inside of the roulette table - and outside bets, based on groups of numbers marked out on the outside. Inside bets include bets on one number ('straight up'), two numbers ('split'), three numbers in the same row ('street'), four numbers ('corner') or 'six-line' (two adjacent 'streets'. Outside bets include even-money bets like red or black, odd or even and high or low (1-18 or 19-36), as well as column bets or dozen bets, in which you choose a selection of 12 numbers. There are also two American Roulette bets which not available on other roulette wheels - the zero/double-zero split, and five-number bet, where you bet on the ball landing on 1, 2, 3, zero or double-zero.
American Roulette Odds:
An American Roulette table differs from its European counterpart by virtue of having two zeros rather than just one, which means American Roulette odds give the casino more of an edge - its edge is 5.26%, compared to 2.7% on a single-zero table. Even-money bets pay out 1:1, while you can get 2:1 on columns or dozens, 5:1 on the six-line, 6:1 on the five-number bet, 8:1 on a corner bet, 11:1 on a street bet and 17:1 on a split, all the way up to 35:1 on straight up bets on a single number
See The Action In American Roulette
American Roulette Strategy:
There are many examples of American Roulette strategy, some more popular than others, and the best known of all American Roulette tips is the Martingale strategy. This sees roulette players begin by placing the minimum bet on red or black, then doubling the bet next time if they lose. Some people prefer to modify this popular American Roulette strategy by making the second bet twice the size of the previous losing bet and then adding a single chip on top. There are other more general American Roulette tips, and one which plenty of players like to follow is to use a combination of inside and outside bets. This gives you a chance of a higher payout if your number comes in, while also trying to insure yourself against big losses.
More Roulette Games Guides
Find out how to win at European Roulette.
Learn more about French Roulette with our rules and strategy guide.
Learn how to play Multi Ball Roulette and the strategies of the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How Does American Roulette Work?
American roulette is a simple betting game. You have to guess the number the ball will land on after being spun around a wheel. You can make “inside bets”, which have high odds and payout, but are more unlikely to win. You can bet on a single number, or a small selection of numbers for this. Or you can make “outside bets”, which means a much larger spread of numbers, like “all red” or “all even”. The odds of winning with these numbers are greatly increased, although obviously the payout is reduced.
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Is It Popular?
American roulette is incredibly popular. It’s one of the most played casino games in the world. Thanks partly to its reputation in the movies for being a luxury game and partly because of its phenomenal reputation for its enormous payouts, roulette has never been out of fashion since its inception.
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How Does It Compare To Other Variations?
American roulette does not offer as good a house edge as its European counterparts, however because of this it is much more widely available for players.
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What Are The Odds Like?
American roulette operates under the double zero rule, giving it a 5.6% house edge.
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Can I Use A Roulette System To Play?
A lot of people use roulette systems in order to add structure to their game, improve their payout and increase their bankroll management. We recommend that you read up on the many different systems for roulette and practise them on the free to play games available before committing. Keep a running total of your overall wins and losses, you will usually find your game much improved.
