Thanks to an extra green double zero pocket giving the house higher odds, American roulette tends to get overlooked by savvy players in favor of its European cousin. But omitting American roulette’s faster pace and unique bet types means missing out on some exciting gameplay twists. Read on to learn American roulette table rules, tips, bets, odds, and top online casino sites to play at.
American Roulette Wheel and Table Layout
The game functions fundamentally like European roulette but with a couple key differences:
- 38 numbered slots (1-36, plus 0 and 00)
- Higher 5.26% house edge
- Extra “00” bet option
- Two-tone slotted wheel (red, black, and green)
Understanding the slightly different American wheel configuration and betting area expands the types of wagers available to players.
Making Bets on the American Roulette Table
While inside and outside bet types similar to European roulette remain, the double zero wheel adds expanded wagering possibilities:
Inside bets:
- Single numbers (Straight Up)
- Two adjoining numbers (Split)
- Three numbers in a row (Street)
- Four numbers (Corner)
- First five numbers (Top Line)
Outside bets:
- Red, Black, Even, Odd, Low (1-18), High (19-36)
- Dozens – 1st 12, 2nd 12, 3rd 12
- Columns – 12 numbers in each vertical column
The double zero even enables a special “00” bet with a 35:1 payout but tough 8:1 house edge.
American Roulette Odds, Probability, and Payouts
With 38 numbered slots, the probability of winning bets changes:
| Bet Type | Probability | Payout |
| Straight Up | 2.63% | 35:1 |
| Split | 5.26% | 17:1 |
Understanding the win odds and potential rewards on types of bets informs American roulette strategy.
Top Tips for Beating American Roulette
- Leverage the Five Numbers bet’s 6:1 payout
- Place outside even money bets to start
- Learn to predict wheel bias over time
- Use the La Partage rule to protect even bets
- Practice for free first to hone strategy
Following these tips helps overcome the higher house edge in American roulette.
Where to Play American Roulette Online
Our top sites for real money American roulette include:
- BetMGM (live dealer available)
- Caesars Casino
- Golden Nugget (plays like physical casino)
- BetRivers (great for slots too)
- DraftKings (fantastic mobile app)
Take advantage of generous signup bonuses before placing real cash bets.
Give American Roulette a Spin
While the extra pocket might scare away some advantage players, taking the time to learn American roulette rules and betting possibilities allows discovering fun gameplay twists and winning opportunities not possible in European roulette. So give this faster variation of a classic casino game a chance!