American Roulette Explained- Understand the Rules, Odds, Payouts, and Unique Bets
🎡 What Is American Roulette?
American Roulette is a popular variant of the traditional roulette game. Its standout feature? A green 0 and an additional green 00. This makes it unique from its European and French counterparts, which only feature a single green 0.
That extra pocket may seem minor, but it increases the total slots on the wheel to 38 — reducing the RTP and raising the house edge.
📊 House Edge & RTP Comparison
- American Roulette: 5.26% house edge
- European Roulette: 2.70% house edge
- French Roulette: 1.35% house edge (with La Partage / En Prison)
📉 Over the long term, players lose ~$5.26 per $100 bet on American Roulette — nearly double the European variant. That said, gameplay experience can still be enjoyable and varied.
🧠 Is It Worth Playing?
While the math is against players in American Roulette, it’s still a fan-favorite in the US and Canada. If you’re playing for short-term entertainment or bonus wagering, it may still be worthwhile. But long-term strategy seekers should lean toward French or European variants.
🎯 Unique Bets in American Roulette
The roulette wheel layout includes 0 and 00 placed opposite each other. One key difference is the infamous 5-number bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3), which has a 7.9% house edge — the worst in the game.
⚠️ Avoid the 5-number bet! Despite a 6:1 payout, the edge is nearly 8% — significantly reducing your value.
💸 Payout Table: American Roulette Odds
| Bet Type | Payout |
|---|---|
| Straight Up (Single Number) | 35:1 |
| Split Bet | 17:1 |
| Street Bet | 11:1 |
| Corner Bet | 8:1 |
| Basket (0-00-1-2-3) | 6:1 |
| Line Bet | 5:1 |
| Dozens / Columns | 2:1 |
| Even/Odd, Red/Black, 1-18/19-36 | 1:1 |
🧪 Can You Predict the Wheel?
Over the years, players have speculated about ways to beat the roulette wheel. In theory, it’s possible — but only with data and equipment that are out of reach for everyday players. You’d need to measure the exact moment the dealer releases the ball, the speed of the spin, the angle, friction, wear-and-tear on the frets, and other factors. Even professional physicists would struggle to model the result reliably.
This isn’t meant to discourage you — just to clarify that roulette is a game of chance, not calculation. That’s part of what makes it so exciting.
💼 Bankroll Tips for American Roulette
Before diving in, make sure your bankroll matches the betting limits at the table. If you’re using strategies like Martingale or Reverse Martingale, be realistic: they can fall apart quickly if your budget can’t handle a losing streak or if the table has low max limits. American Roulette can be a fun ride, but pacing your bets is key to lasting enjoyment.
📝 Final Thoughts
American Roulette may not be the most favorable version in terms of odds, but it offers unique features, faster gameplay, and exciting betting combinations. If you understand the risks and play responsibly, it can still be a rewarding experience.
🎰 Want to try American Roulette? Check out our list of top-rated online casinos that offer live and RNG roulette tables.
