American roulette: Rules and how to play

19.08.2026Types of roulette
American roulette: Rules and how to play
In short

How American roulette differs from European: the presence of a double zero (00), 38 sectors and how this affects the odds and payouts. We break down the rules, bet types and features of the game.

American roulette is a variety of its European counterparts. It appeared in New Orleans in 1800, thanks to French emigrants, however in the USA the game did not gain great popularity. The distinctive feature of the rules is the presence of a double zero. Its main fans are gamblers from EU countries, Russia, Belarus and other former Soviet republics.

Features of American roulette

The layout is similar to the European one. The wheel is divided into 38 cells (red and black sectors, 36 digits and two zeros: 0 and 00). The player's task is to guess which sector the ball will land in. Predicting the movement is almost impossible, everything depends on luck. The American version is considered less profitable.

As a rule, it has its hidden features:

  • there is no verbal announcement of bets ;
  • the ability to bet on five numbers (0, 00, 1, 2, 3; 6:1);
  • simple rules that are easy to get used to;
  • more options for strategies.

For all American versions there are unified rules . They may differ slightly from the European system, however the basic principles do not change.

Before each round, bets are placed. The chips are positioned on the layout, and when the roulette starts spinning, bets are no longer accepted. The ball is launched in the opposite direction to the spin of the roulette (similar to the European version). In an offline casino, as a rule, the croupier announces the start of the round with the phrase: "bets are placed", and in the online version the ball is launched after pressing a button.

When the ball settles in a slot, the winning number is announced. The lucky ones take the money , or the whole amount goes to the bank.

In American roulette there is its own system.

Name Bet Description Options Payout ratio
Inside Bets - - -
Straight Up On specific numbers. Specifying a particular number (0-36, or any zero). - 35:1
Split Bet Double number. Two numbers that are next to each other on the layout. The win counts if at least one number matched. 57 17:1
Street Bet Street (triple number). Three numbers in a row. 12 11:1
Corner Bet Corner (four numbers) Four adjacent numbers in any order. 22 8:1
Five Number Bet Five numbers together. Chips are placed on numbers that cover five adjacent values. 1 6:1
Line Bet Six numbers. Coverage of two rows. 11 5:1
Outside Bets - - - -
Column Bet Column. Each column has 12 numbers. Both zeros do not fall under the category. 3 2:1
Dozen Bet Dozen. - 3 2:1
Red or Black Red / Black. Chips are placed either on black or on red. - 1:1
High or Low A specific group of numbers. 19-36 are considered low. 1-18 are considered high. - 1:1

The main currency in American online roulette is the ruble or the dollar ; to play fully, you should familiarise yourself with the nuances, since in different versions the game rules may differ. Also, a zero coming up on outside bets becomes a loss.

American roulette: Rules and how to play

Playing a real American version of roulette is just as interesting as the classic. It has its own strategy , hidden features and a financial limit. However, its main feature is simplicity and accessibility. Any user will be able to discover the merits of the game , both in a land-based casino and in the online format.

Frequently asked questions

How does American roulette differ from European?

American roulette has two zeros (0 and 00) and 38 sectors instead of 37. Because of the extra sector, the house edge is higher - about 5.26%.

How does the double zero affect the odds?

The double zero adds one more losing outcome for the player on even-money bets. This nearly doubles the house edge compared with European.

Is it worth playing American roulette?

If you have a choice, European roulette is more favourable due to the lower house edge. American is chosen mainly for specific tables or the interface.

Do payouts change in American roulette?

The payout for a straight bet on a number is the same (35 to 1), but the chance of hitting is lower because of the 38 sectors. That is why the average return to player is smaller.

Reviews

★★★★★4.8out of 5 · 4 reviews
Martin★★★★★19.08.2026

The article helped me understand why the European version is better. Thanks for the clarity.

Roman★★★★★20.08.2026

Good breakdown of rules and bets. The double zero and payouts part is clear.

roulette_joe★★★★★22.08.2026

Didn't know American roulette has two zeros and that it changes the odds a lot. Useful.

Eugene★★★★☆24.08.2026

Clearly explained the difference between European and American. Now I choose consciously.

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