What is American Roulette and How Does it Differ from other Roulette Games?
As its eponymous name indicates, American Roulette is a unique variant. Unlike European Roulette or French Roulette with a single green 0, American Roulette features a green 0 and a green 00 as well. This subtle difference has dramatic implications on the RTP, house edge, and range of betting options available to players. Casinofy pulls back the layers on American Roulette to introduce players to the unique rules of the game, betting combinations, payout potential, and design specs that make this game enticing to players.
From a cursory perspective, the most glaring difference between the European and French Roulette variants and American Roulette is the inclusion of the 00 in the latter game. Traditional roulette games feature 37 numbers, including 0 and numbers 1-36. A rudimentary calculation of individual number odds reveals that European and French Roulette variants have a payout potential of 1/37, or 2.70% per number. That means there are 36 potential mismatches and 1 potential match on every spin of the roulette wheel with single numbers.
With American Roulette, the following numbers exist: 0, 00, and 1-36. Added together, there are 38 numbers on the American Roulette wheel with an individual number payout potential of 1/38, or 2.63%. While seemingly insignificant, the inclusion of the extra number has far-reaching implications on the overall game payout percentages. For example, French Roulette has the lowest house edge at just 1.35% when two unique rules are in effect – En Prison and La Partage. European Roulette has a low house edge of just 2.70%, but American Roulette has a house edge of 5.26%. This makes it the least attractive – in terms of house edge and RTP – roulette games for players.
Is It Worthwhile Playing American Roulette?
From a numbers perspective, the odds are certainly against you in American Roulette. Casinofy recommends that players focus on casino games with a relatively low house edge as a matter of course. For example, if you’re going to play roulette over the long term, it’s probably best to play French Roulette or European Roulette over American Roulette. However, over the short term there is very little discernible difference between the games. Any number can come up at any time in roulette. There is no pattern, trend, or strategy that can predict the outcome of the next spin with any accuracy whatsoever.
In fact, scientists, mathematicians, and gaming experts agree that the only possible way to determine the outcome of a spin would be to calculate the exact point at which the Roulette croupier releases the ball on the roulette wheel, the velocity of the roulette wheel moving in a counter-clockwise direction to the ball, the friction generated between the the ball and the roulette track, the height of the roulette frets on the track, and any possible deterioration thereof, et cetera. These calculations are well beyond the scope of all roulette players, and are certainly not worthy of consideration.
The game is enticing enough for players by dint of the fact that it is American Roulette – the roulette game of choice for US and Canadian players. European Roulette and French Roulette are enjoyed across Europe and the Americas, for various reasons too. Provided players understand the rules of American Roulette, and the unique betting options that are available in this game, it can be an exciting, and a potentially rewarding game to play. Over the long term, you can expect to lose $5.26 for every $100 that you bet, compared to just $2.70 for every $100 that you bet on European Roulette, or potentially as low as $1.35 for every $100 that you bet on French Roulette.
What Unique Bets are Available in American Roulette?
For starters, the roulette betting track features a green 0 and a green 00. These numbers are located on opposite ends of the roulette wheel, with 0 flanked by 2 and 28 and 00 flanked by 1 and 20. What’s interesting about the layout of the roulette wheel is that numbers are opposite one another, and they alternate in colour. Even numbers are not red or black – they can be either. Odd numbers are not red or black – they can be either on the roulette wheel.
To get started, players must place a bet that meets the table minimum bet, but doesn’t exceed the table maximum. This is important for several reasons – your bankroll must dovetail with your betting system. It is impossible to apply the Martingale strategy, or the Reverse Martingale strategy if your bankroll doesn’t permit and if the table minimum/maximum requirements are too great. It’s worth pointing out that even though American Roulette has a greater house edge, you still get 35:1 on individual numbers that come good. However, the additional 00 makes the world of difference since you should be getting 38:1 on an individual number, but you are only getting a payout of 35:1!
American Roulette Bets and Odds:
- Straight Up Bets – 35:1
- Split Bets – 17:1
- Street Bets – 11:1
- Corner Bets – 8:1
- Basket Bets – 6:1
- Line Bets – 5:1
- Column Bets – 2:1
- Dozen Bets – 2:1
- Low Number Bets – 1:1
- High Number Bets – 1:1
- Red or Black Bets 1:1
A set of rules applies to American Roulette, and not any other roulette variant. These include the rules for placing a bet on 0, 00, 1, 2, 3. This 5-number bet is the only such bet that is available in all roulette games. You cannot place this bet on European Roulette tables, or on French Roulette tables, because there is no 00. This roulette bet has a house edge of 7.9% – it’s the highest house edge on the table in any roulette game. The payout is 6:1, and it’s certainly not profitable with that type of house edge.
This introductory guide to American Roulette is designed to provide players with deeper insights into the betting options available in American Roulette, the house edge, the return to player, and the table layout. American Roulette certainly has its merits, but detractors will point to its unfavorable payouts, given the disparity between true odds and actual casino payouts.
