American roulette is among the table games that enjoy the greatest popularity in casinos throughout the United States. The game tends to become more popular at casinos in Asia and the United Kingdom but is somehow avoided by players in Europe, as their focus is primarily on the European version of roulette.
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The American roulette wheel has 38 divisions including numbers from 1 to 36, 0 and 00. Numbers from 1 to 36 are alternately colored red and black, while the single zero and the double zero are marked in green.
The main objective, which any player pursues, is to predict which numbered pocket the roulette ball is going to settle into. In order to do that, all players make bets on a particular number, after which the dealer turns the roulette wheel in one direction and spins the roulette ball in the opposite. Once the ball finds its way into the pocket with that particular number, the respective players get paid.
On a fair double-zero wheel, each of the 38 pockets has probability 1/38 on each spin. The arrangement of numbers alone does not establish that a wheel is fair.
Basic Rules in American Roulette
In the game of American-style roulette different chips are usually used in comparison with other table games at casinos. All players, after selecting a roulette table to play at, need to exchange either regular casino chips or cash with the dealer. Every player will receive chips of a different color, which is usually done in order to avoid confusion when payouts are made.
Once all players have received their chips, they are allowed to begin placing bets. These bets are usually made on the roulette table, where all the different betting options are visualized.
Players may put their chips either on a single bet or on a combination of bets. Next, the dealer will spin the roulette wheel. It is important to note that bets can be placed, moderated and removed even after the wheel is spun, but not after the dealer cuts off betting by calling out ”no more bets”. After this call from the dealer, players are not allowed to alter bets.
Once the ball settles, the dealer announces and marks the winning number, collects losing bets and pays winners. Wait for settlement and the next betting window before placing or changing chips.
Types of American Roulette Bets
The betting layout of the roulette table has two sections consisting of individual numbers and group bets. The inside bets are made on a single number, adjacent numbers, or small groups of numbers, while the outside bets encompass larger groups of numbers. Let’s review inside and outside bets in American roulette.
Roulette Surrender Rule
Tips for Beginners in Roulette
Biased Wheels/Wheelhead Speed
Bouncing/Switching/Aiming/Speed
American Roulette
Inside bets
1. Straight-Up Bet: It is placed on any single number, including “0” and “00”, and directly on the number. Its payout is 35 to 1.
2. Split Bet: It features two adjacent numbers and is placed on the line between these numbers, including ”0” and ”00”. Its payout is 17 to 1.
3. Street Bet: It features all three numbers in a row and is placed on the line at the end of the row. There are other options for its placement as well and it can include 0, 1, 2; 0, 00, 2; 00, 2, 3. Its payout is 11 to 1.
4. Corner Bet: It features a group of four numbers and is placed at the corner where these four numbers touch. Its payout is 8 to 1.
5. Five Bet: It features 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3 and is placed at the corner by 0 and 1. Its payout is 6 to 1.
6. Line Bet: It features six numbers (or two rows of three numbers) and is placed at the end of two rows, on the border between them. Its payout is 5 to 1.
Outside bets
1. Column Bet: It features an entire column and is placed on the ”2-1” box at the end of a column. Its payout is 2 to 1.
2. Dozen Bet: It features a group of 12 numbers and can be placed on the ”1st 12” box (1 to 12), the ”2nd 12” box (13 to 24), or the ”3rd 12” box (25 to 36). Its payout is 2 to 1.
3. Bet on Color: It features all of the red numbers or all of the black numbers on the layout and is placed on the ”Red” box (all red numbers) or the ”Black” box (all black numbers). Its payout is 1 to 1.
4. Bet on Odd/Even: It features all even numbers or all odd numbers on the layout and is placed on the ”Even” box (all even numbers) or the ”Odd” box (all odd numbers). Its payout is 1 to 1.
5. Bet on Low/High: It features all low numbers or all high numbers and is placed on the ”Low” box (numbers 1 to 18) or the ”High” box (numbers 19 to 36). Its payout is 1 to 1.
Under ordinary American roulette rules, 0 and 00 lose on all outside bets. Some tables offer surrender on eligible even-money bets, returning half the stake on either zero. This is optional and does not cover columns or dozens.
Special side bets, where available, have separate rules and payouts. Do not assume they are standard American roulette bets.
FAQs
Standard American double-zero roulette has a 5.26% house edge. The five-number bet on 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3 has a higher 7.89% edge. An optional half-back surrender rule reduces the edge to 2.63% on eligible even-money bets only. These are expected percentages of total wagers, not guaranteed session losses.
RNG roulette uses software-generated outcomes, while live and land-based roulette use a physical wheel. A fair game gives each of the 38 pockets an equal chance on each independent spin. Check the operator’s licensing and testing information; the label American roulette alone does not guarantee fairness.
Some offers allow roulette and others exclude it or count its wagers at a reduced rate. Check eligibility, wagering contribution, maximum stakes, expiry and withdrawal conditions in the current terms. A promotional balance is not necessarily withdrawable cash.
No staking progression overcomes the house edge of a fair roulette game. Comparing rules can reduce expected losses, while affordable money and time limits control exposure. Chasing a target or a losing streak does not improve the next spin’s odds.
Check the casino’s current game and promotion terms rather than assuming a universal policy on Martingale. Regardless of permission, doubling after losses can quickly exceed your budget or the table maximum and does not remove the house edge.
Some RNG roulette games offer demo play, subject to the provider, operator, location and account requirements. Check the specific game. Demo results are not evidence that a strategy will be profitable with real money.
Among standard double-zero bets, the five-number bet on 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3 has the highest house edge at 7.89%, compared with 5.26% for ordinary standard bets. Special side bets can have different edges, so check their rules separately.
Live roulette generally requires real stakes to place a bet, although an operator may allow you to watch without betting. This is a product rule, not a universal shortage of seats. Demo availability varies; RNG versions may offer free practice.
There is no single current minimum for Las Vegas roulette. Limits vary by casino, table, wheel type, date and time. Check the posted sign or ask the venue directly, including whether the minimum is per bet or spread across inside bets.
Many providers offer mobile roulette, but compatibility depends on the game, operator, device and browser. Check the specific title and available controls; performance is not guaranteed on every phone or tablet.
Further reading: Gambling Commission guidance on rules and payouts.
