American Roulette
American Roulette is the most widely recognized version of the game in North America, prominent in Las Vegas and across the United States. While visually similar to its European counterpart, the inclusion of a crucial extra pocket—the double zero (00)—fundamentally alters the game's mathematics. This distinctive feature means American Roulette carries a fixed and significantly higher house edge of 5.26% on nearly all bets, making it the mathematically least favorable choice among the primary roulette variants. This comprehensive guide will meticulously detail the unique aspects of the American Roulette rules, break down the increased house edge, analyze the specific betting layout and payouts, and provide an informed American Roulette strategy for players who choose this high-volatility version of the popular casino game. Understanding the impact of the double-zero wheel is the absolute first step for any intelligent betting strategy.
The Defining Feature: The Double-Zero Wheel
The presence of the double-zero wheel is the single most important factor differentiating American Roulette from both European and French versions, and it is the direct source of the higher house edge.
Wheel Composition
The American Roulette wheel features a total of 38 pockets:
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Numbers 1 through 36: Alternating red and black.
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Single Zero (0): Colored green.
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Double Zero (00): Also colored green.
The Fixed House Edge of 5.26%
The additional double zero (00) pocket increases the total number of outcomes from 37 (in European Roulette) to 38. Since the payouts remain based on a 36-number system, the casino’s advantage is nearly doubled.
The house edge in American Roulette is calculated as the probability of the ball landing on either the single zero or the double zero (2 chances) divided by the total possible outcomes (38).
Therefore, the fixed house edge on almost all wagers in American Roulette is 5.26%. This high edge is why American Roulette is considered a high-risk game, suitable for players focused on entertainment and the chance of a big win, rather than optimizing Return to Player (RTP).
American Roulette Rules and Betting Options
The American Roulette rules are straightforward, adhering to the basic premise of betting on where the ball will land. The American Roulette table layout accommodates two major categories of bets, inside bets and outside bets, just like the European version, but with one unique bet exception.
Inside Bets: High Payouts, Low Odds
Inside bets are placed on the numbered grid and offer high payouts corresponding to low odds of winning. The 5.26% house edge applies uniformly to all these wagers.
| Bet Type | Pockets Covered | Payout Odds | Probability (Approx.) |
| Straight Up | 1 number (including 0 or 00) | 35 to 1 | 2.63% (1/38) |
| Split | 2 adjacent numbers | 17 to 1 | 5.26% (2/38) |
| Street | 3 numbers in a row | 11 to 1 | 7.89% (3/38) |
| Corner (Square) | 4 numbers in a square | 8 to 1 | 10.53% (4/38) |
| Six Line (Double Street) | 6 numbers across two rows | 5 to 1 | 15.79% (6/38) |
Outside Bets: Lower Payouts, Higher Odds
Outside bets cover large groups of numbers and provide a higher probability of success at a reduced payout of 2:1 or 1:1. These bets are often the focus of most standard betting strategy systems.
| Bet Type | Pockets Covered | Payout Odds | Probability (Approx.) |
| Columns | 12 numbers | 2 to 1 | 31.58% (12/38) |
| Dozens | 12 numbers (1-12, 13-24, 25-36) | 2 to 1 | 31.58% (12/38) |
| Even Money Bets | 18 numbers (Red/Black, Odd/Even, High/Low) | 1 to 1 (Even Money) | 47.37% (18/38) |
The Unique Basket Bet (Five-Number Bet)
The Basket Bet is unique to the American Roulette table and is the only bet on the entire layout where the house edge is higher than the standard 5.26%.
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Numbers Covered: It covers five numbers: 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3.
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Payout: 6 to 1.
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House Edge: This bet results in a 7.89% house edge due to the disproportionate payout versus the odds. This wager should be strictly avoided by any player looking to maximize their RTP.
American Roulette Strategy: Managing the High House Edge
Given the high 5.26% house edge, the goal of any informed American Roulette strategy is not to overcome the casino's advantage—which is mathematically impossible—but rather to manage the high variance and reduce the rate of loss.
Prioritize Outside Bets for Longevity
For prolonged play and responsible bankroll management, players should focus on the outside bets, specifically the even-money bets (Red/Black, Odd/Even).
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Highest Probability: With a 47.37% probability of winning, these bets offer the best chance for short-term success, allowing the player to sustain their bankroll through longer sessions.
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Low Volatility: The 1:1 payout keeps variance low, which is crucial when playing against the steep 5.26% house edge.
Avoiding the Basket Bet
The most crucial rule in American Roulette strategy is to never place the Basket Bet. The increased house edge of 7.89% makes it significantly worse than any other wager on the table, guaranteeing the fastest possible depletion of your funds.
The Ineffectiveness of Betting Systems
The popularity of the American Roulette table in casinos often leads players to try systems like the Martingale, D’Alembert, or Fibonacci. However, the high 5.26% house edge makes these systems even more futile than on the European wheel.
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Accelerated Losses: The higher edge guarantees that over time, the player will lose money much faster, quickly hitting table limits or exhausting their bankroll when trying to implement any progression strategy.
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Random Number Generator (RNG): In online casino versions, the RNG ensures that past results cannot predict future outcomes, invalidating all pattern-based betting strategy systems.
The Mathematical Cost of the Double Zero
The difference between the European Roulette house edge (2.70%) and the American Roulette house edge (5.26%) represents a significant difference in the Return to Player (RTP).
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RTP Comparison: A game with a 2.70% edge has an RTP of 97.30%. A game with a 5.26% edge has an RTP of 94.74%.
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Cost Per Bet: For every $100 wagered over time, the player expects to lose $5.26 on the American wheel, compared to only $2.70 on the European wheel. This means players at the American Roulette table are paying nearly twice the price for the same experience, which is why experts always advise seeking out the single-zero wheel variant whenever possible.
The American Roulette Table in an Online Casino Environment
In the digital world, the choice between roulette variants is straightforward. Reputable online casino platforms clearly label their tables. When playing online roulette, always verify that the table has a single zero if you are looking for the best odds.
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RNG Certification: Online roulette relies on the Random Number Generator (RNG) for fairness. Players should always ensure the online casino is regulated and audited by independent bodies (like eCOGRA) to guarantee the RNG is functioning correctly and the payouts adhere to the stated rules.
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Live Dealer Options: Many online bookmakers offer live American Roulette dealer games, replicating the physical casino atmosphere. While engaging, the underlying mathematics—the double-zero wheel and the 5.26% edge—remain constant.
For players who specifically enjoy the American Roulette format or are constrained by regional availability (such as in Las Vegas), embracing the high-risk, high-volatility nature of the game and implementing strict bankroll management are the only paths to a responsible and enjoyable casino game experience.
FAQ
The American Roulette house edge is a fixed 5.26% on nearly all bets. It is high because the wheel has 38 pockets (1-36, 0, and 00), but the payouts are still based on a 36-number system, giving the casino a much larger mathematical advantage.
The single bet with the highest house edge is the Basket Bet (covering 0, 00, 1, 2, 3). Due to its disproportionate payout of 6 to 1, this specific bet carries a significantly worse house edge of 7.89%.
The American Roulette wheel has a total of 38 pockets: the numbers 1 through 36, the single zero (0), and the double zero (00).
No, the Martingale Strategy is strongly discouraged on the American Roulette table. The high 5.26% house edge accelerates the rate of loss, making it much more likely that the player will hit the table limit or exhaust their bankroll quickly compared to playing on a European wheel.
The most responsible American Roulette strategy is rigorous bankroll management, strict adherence to loss limits, and prioritizing outside bets (specifically even-money bets) for their high probability (47.37%) to maximize longevity against the steep house edge.
The American Roulette table layout is distinct because it must accommodate both the single zero (0) and the double zero (00). These two green pockets are placed at the top of the numbered betting grid and are adjacent to the 1, 2, and 3, which enables the unique, high-edge Basket Bet.
The standard Return to Player (RTP) for American Roulette is approximately 94.74%, which is directly derived from its fixed house edge of 5.26% (100% - 5.26% = 94.74%). This is significantly lower than the 97.30% RTP of European Roulette.
The payouts for a Straight Up bet are identical in both variants (35 to 1). However, the odds of winning are lower in American Roulette (1/38) because of the extra double zero (00), meaning the payout is not mathematically proportional to the actual odds, which is the source of the high house edge.
In a physical casino, particularly in Las Vegas, American Roulette is often the default or sole offering because the higher 5.26% house edge generates significantly more revenue for the casino. It is a business decision based on maximizing profit from a popular casino game.
A player seeking a big win should use a high-volatility American Roulette strategy that focuses on inside bets, particularly the Straight Up bet (35:1 payout). However, they must be acutely aware that the high 5.26% house edge increases the risk associated with this strategy.
