Understanding the American Roulette Wheel Layout
If you're new to roulette, the easiest way to identify an American roulette wheel is by its number of pockets. It features 38 pockets in total: numbers 1 through 36, a single zero (0), and a double zero (00). The European version, by contrast, only has 37 pockets because it lacks the double zero.
This double-zero pocket is the critical difference, as it's the primary reason for the game's higher house edge. Both the '0' and '00' pockets are colored green, while the remaining numbers are evenly split between red and black.
The sequence of numbers on the American wheel is unique and doesn't follow a simple arithmetic pattern, ensuring randomness. The clockwise sequence from the zero is: 0, 28, 9, 26, 30, 11, 7, 20, 32, 17, 5, 22, 34, 15, 3, 24, 36, 13, 1, 00, 27, 10, 25, 29, 12, 8, 19, 31, 18, 6, 21, 33, 16, 4, 23, 35, 14, 2.
While this sequence seems confusing, it doesn't affect the odds, as the ball has an equal chance of landing in any of the 38 pockets. Another visual cue is that the numbers on an American wheel face outwards, towards the players, unlike the inward-facing numbers on a European wheel.
The American Roulette Table Layout and Bets
Once you understand the wheel, the next step is learning the roulette table layout. The American and European betting boards are nearly identical, with the only significant difference being the added spot for the double zero (00) bet.
Bets are divided into two main categories: inside and outside bets. Here’s a breakdown of your options.
Inside Bets
Inside bets are placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers. They offer higher payouts but have lower winning probabilities, making them riskier.
- Straight Up: A bet on a single number, including 0 or 00. Place your chip directly on the number.
- Split: A bet on two adjacent numbers. Place your chip on the line separating them.
- Street: A bet on three numbers in a horizontal row. Place your chip at the end of the row.
- Corner: A bet covering four numbers that form a square on the board. Place the chip where the four corners meet.
- Five-Number Bet: Unique to American roulette, this bet covers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. It's also known as a 'basket bet'.
- Line Bet: A bet on six numbers across two adjacent rows. Place the chip on the border between the two rows.
Outside Bets
Outside bets cover larger groups of numbers, offering lower payouts but better odds of winning. They are ideal for beginners.
- Columns: A bet on one of the three vertical columns of twelve numbers.
- Dozens: A bet on one of three groups of twelve numbers (1-12, 13-24, or 25-36).
- Red/Black: A bet on whether the winning number will be red or black.
- Odd/Even: A bet on whether the winning number will be odd or even.
- Low/High: A bet on whether the number will be in the low range (1-18) or the high range (19-36).
Important: If the ball lands on 0 or 00, all outside bets lose. This is what creates the house advantage.
American Roulette House Edge and Payouts
The most significant drawback of American roulette is its house edge. Due to the extra double-zero pocket, the roulette house edge is 5.26%. For comparison, European roulette has a house edge of just 2.70%. This effectively means the casino has double the advantage over the player in the American version.
Despite the different odds, the payouts for winning bets are identical to European roulette. Here is a summary of the American roulette odds and payouts:
| Type of Bet | Payout | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| High/Low | 1 to 1 | 47.4% |
| Odd/Even | 1 to 1 | 47.4% |
| Red/Black | 1 to 1 | 47.4% |
| Dozens | 2 to 1 | 31.6% |
| Columns | 2 to 1 | 31.6% |
| Line Bet | 5 to 1 | 15.8% |
| Five-Number Bet | 6 to 1 | 13.2% |
| Corner Bet | 8 to 1 | 10.5% |
| Street Bet | 11 to 1 | 7.9% |
| Split Bet | 17 to 1 | 5.3% |
| Straight Up | 35 to 1 | 2.6% |
How to Play American Roulette: A Step-by-Step Guide
Playing American roulette is straightforward. Casinos often use different colored chips for each player to avoid confusion at the table.
- Place Your Bets: The round begins with players placing their chips on the desired spots on the betting board.
- The Spin: The dealer spins the wheel in one direction and drops the ball in the opposite direction. You can continue to place or change bets during this time.
- No More Bets: After a few moments, the dealer will announce, "No more bets." All betting for the round must stop.
- The Outcome: Once the ball settles into a pocket, the dealer announces the winning number and places a marker on it on the board.
- Payouts: The dealer clears all losing bets from the table and then pays the winners. Once all payouts are complete, the marker is removed, and a new round begins.
Is American Roulette the Right Game for You?
Now that you know the ins and outs of the American roulette wheel, you can decide if it's the right game for you. While it's a game of pure luck with no strategy to guarantee wins, you can manage your bankroll with betting systems like the Martingale or D'Alembert.
If you enjoy a classic casino experience and don't mind the higher house edge, American roulette is an excellent and exciting choice. However, if your goal is to maximize your winning potential and get the best value, the lower house edge of European roulette makes it the statistically superior option.
