A Guide to Playing American Roulette

Frank Scoblete
Updated 4 February 2025
Senior Content Editor

Reasons to play American Roulette for Free

Doing something fun at no cost is something that everyone enjoys, and the same goes for spinning the roulette wheel. Playing the free version of American roulette can be done with ease and with no effect on any plans you have to play the game for real money.

Playing free American roulette allows players to hone their skills without having to worry about taking any risks. Small bets or large bets can be made with no consequences.

When it comes to roulette, some best practices and strategies help you sway the odds in your favor. Make sure that you know how to use these strategies and tips before betting out of pocket on a real money version at your selected online casino.

Introduction: American Roulette

When it comes to choosing a real money online casinos to play American Roulette in the United States, there are a plethora of possibilities to consider. There are several distinct variants of the game, but none is more well-known than the American version. Roulette is a rather straightforward game, but there are a few guidelines and rules to follow before getting started.

Our team of experts here at CasinoTop has created a helpful guide that includes American Roulette instructions and rules along with a comprehensive list of the best online casinos to play at. We aim to provide you with the best advantage or edge and advice so you can confidently spin the next American roulette wheel you come across. Whether it is a free version or if you are ready to risk real money for real money rewards.

Playing American Roulette

Familiarize yourself with the appearance of an American Roulette table so that the instructions will make more sense when you learn more about the regulations. The double zero on the table distinguishes American Roulette from its other variants, raising the house edge to 5.26%, the most of any of them. Let's get started.

1

Know the Layout

So, after taking a careful look at the table, you've discovered the following. In most cases, you'll be facing the side of the table that has the "odd" and "even" parts. The game's main colors are red and black, and the numbers on the table are numbered from 1 to 36. The other color, green, indicates the leftmost zero and double zero. The latter

2

Place Your Bet

Select the casino chips you want to wager with at the bottom of the screen. It symbolizes the amount of money you wish to wager. There are a variety of bets available for the columns labeled with 12 numbers, with a payoff ratio of 2 to 1. A 1 to 1 payout applies to outside bets that do not form lines or patterns. You have a 35 to 1 chance of winning if you bet on a single number on the table, so you'll need a lot of luck.

Here is a full list of bet types to choose from:

  • Red or Black
    Payout – 1:1
    When you bet on a specific colour, either red or black
  • High Denomination/Number
    Payout – 1:1
    Betting on the numbers 19-36
  • Low Denomination/Number
    Payout – 1:1
    Betting on the numbers 1-18
  • Dozen
    Payout – 2:1
    Betting on 12 numbers in different positions
  • Column
    Payout – 2:1
    Betting on 12 numbers horizontally on the table
  • Line
    Payout – 5:1
    Betting on a total of 6 numbers covering 2 rows
  • Basket
    Payout – 6:1
    Betting on zero, double zero, 1, 2, and 3
  • Corners
    Payout – 8:1
    Betting on 4 numbers on the table
  • Street
    Payout – 11:1
    Betting on 3 numbers in a row
  • Split
    Payout – 17:1
    Betting on 2 number in no particular orde
  • Straight/Straight Up
    Payout – 35:1
    Betting on a single lucky number
3

Spin The Roulette Wheel

When playing American Roulette online, you can take your time to check if the bets you've placed on the table are to your liking. So, when you're ready, spin the wheel and see if your wager was successful. You won’t feel the rush you would feel at a land-based casino where there could be more than one player at the roulette table.

4

Collect Winnings

Many players examine the game's history to see how and what has previously been won, as well as to spot any trends. This isn't much assistance with the actual gaming because it's completely random. It does, however, provide players with more confidence and control. There are no physical steps involved in claiming your prize; the monies are directly transferred to your account. If you don't win, the amount you bet depending on your odds will be deducted from your account balance.

Special Rules For American Roulette

The two most significant differences in American Roulette are intertwined. The house edge grows when a double zero is added to the table. The house edge for European Roulette is nearly twice as big as the house edge for French Roulette, at 5.26%.

Roulette players who play frequently aim to avoid the relatively high house edge. Even though adding any number to the table will somewhat alter the odds, it is unlikely to have a significant impact unless the ball hits the double zero. So, on an American Roulette table, as well as other variations, you have a good chance of winning regardless of the variant you choose.

American Roulette Player Odds

When it comes to different types of roulette, the player odds are altered. There are varied odds of winning when putting a specific bet, which will define how much luck you truly need while spinning the wheel. We've already discussed what players might expect when receiving a payout based on the sort of bet they made. Based on the type of bet, here is a list of player odds:

Bet Type Player Odds
Red or Black47.4%
High or Low Denomination/Number47.4%
Dozen31.6%
Column31.6%
Corners10.5%
Street7.9%
Split5.3%
Straight/Straight Up2.6%

Main Differences Between the Variants of Roulette

We now understand the basic distinctions between American Roulette and the other varieties, but are there any other features that set American Roulette apart from European, French, Mini and other roulette variants?

Roulette game feature European American French Mini 3D
Pockets3738371337
DoubleNoYesNoNoNo
Highest payout35 to 135 to 135 to 111 to 135 to 1
Lowest Payout1 to 11 to 11 to 11 to 11 to 1
La PartageSometimesNoYesNoNo
En PrisonSometimesYesYesNoNo
Live DealerYesYesNoNoNo
Free PlayYesYesYesYesYes
House Edge2.7%5.26%1.35%3.85%2.7%

The Best Roulette Tips

There is no way to forecast a winning conclusion in this game, as there is in all casino games. However, there are some excellent roulette methods that you may employ to improve your chances of winning. Here are some excellent roulette tips. It will give you more information on how to improve your skills and your roulette game.

Mini Roulette

A simplified version of the game with only 12 numbers on the table and one zero. Taking the worry out of picking a number from a list of 36.

3D Roulette

Playtech created and uses another version of European Roulette. Designed to provide a little additional entertainment value to the experience. With sharper graphics and a more visually pleasing gaming experience.

French Roulette

New players love this variant because the house edge is set at a low 1.35% which is the main difference for French Roulette compared to any other variant of the game.

European Roulette

Coming in with a house edge of 2.7%, the table is set up with only one zero and no double zero in sight.

Mobile American Roulette

Consider the size of the roulette table, then consider how reducing it will affect the game's playability. It may be tough to imagine, but that does not rule out the possibility. American roulette is accessible at online casinos in the US, and you may play it on your smartphone or tablet wherever you are.

It can be tough to choose and place bets on the roulette table in some situations, especially if the game hasn't been updated recently. Given the current demand for online gaming, numerous software companies have stepped up their game to provide the finest possible experience in the palm of the player’s hand.

While playing American Roulette on a mobile device is doable, it may not be as enjoyable or visually appealing as playing on a laptop or desktop computer. With that said, as long as you've mentally prepared for it, playing roulette on the go shouldn't be a problem. At any time, you can play American Roulette on your mobile device using the website’s mobile casino app or directly from your mobile browser.

American Roulette Playing Tips

Many online casino players prefer American Roulette because it provides a greater challenge for skilled gamers. While it may first deter newcomers, it is something that players may grow accustomed to. When playing American Roulette online, there are a few things to keep in mind. We want you to have the best gaming experience, so take note of the following:

Free American Roulette should be played often

There are numerous free American Roulette games available from various software companies. Practice free games as much as possible before betting real money. With our tips and free American Roulette practice, you should soon have the confidence and experience to wager real money.

Be Aware of the house edge

While betting on single numbers will result in a greater reward, it will also require a lot of luck. When playing a game with a bigger house edge, such as American Roulette, it is best to spread your bets on even/odd or black/red. This gives you more opportunities to win smaller amounts, but an overall large winning pot.

Practice Various Strategies

When playing American Roulette, you can use a variety of techniques. You must keep in mind, however, that none of these guarantees victory. To mention a few, the Martingale System, Labouchere System, Fibonacci Roulette System, Paroli System, Andrucci System, and D'Alembert System should all be researched and tried.

Watch for patterns

It's always a good idea to look at how the game is going and see if any trends can assist you and decide how to wager. There are no sure ways to forecast the outcome based on any streaks or patterns, just as there are no sure ways to predict the outcome based on the strategy. It is all based on luck and the random number generators make sure of that.

Remember that luck plays a big role whenever you play American Roulette. Even with the higher house edge, players still stand a chance to win just like any other form of roulette. If you are lucky enough, even with the house edge from American Roulette, when you win, your win can be more lucrative than any other form of roulette. The rules aren’t really that different when compared to other roulette variants, so if you are confident playing one of these then American Roulette won’t be any trouble for you.

Related Player Guides for Roulette

Our team of experts here at CasinoTop have spent a great deal of time putting together informative and helpful guides just for you. Playing roulette can be difficult to understand at first so we do our best to make your roulette journey an easy one. Check out our roulette guides below that are specifically designed to do just that.

American Roulette FAQs

American Roulette is among the most popular roulette variants at land-based casinos and with its popularity increasing at online casinos as well. We have put together a comprehensive list of the most commonly asked questions. These are questions that have been asked by beginners and expert roulette players alike. We have done our best to answer these questions as thoroughly as possible.

No. The rules for all roulette variants remain the same. The double zero found on an American Roulette table increases the house edge, which is the main difference between this variant and others.

The short answer is no. Roulette is still purely a game of chance, but techniques and strategies can help you gain confidence as a player and decide how to bet to increase your chances of winning. There are always random number generators at online casinos to keep the games fair and land-based casinos depend on random chance.

French roulette is by far the roulette variant that has the lowest house edge, so players will flock to the games where they have the advantage. The payout percentage is also higher, so it's likely that players win more often when it comes to French roulette.

Yes! You will have your pick from a huge selection of roulette variants developed by a range of different software developers. You can take your time and practice any strategies you have learned without betting any real money or registering an online casino account.

Yes. When you choose an online casino that offers American Roulette that is known to be a reputable website, then you shouldn’t have any trouble accessing the game on a range of different mobile devices. You can access American Roulette through a mobile casino app or even play the game directly from your device’s internet browser with ease.

Tons of online casinos offer real-money and free American Roulette games. However, if you are looking for the best of the best then take a look at the online casinos we recommend. You will find that the best quality American Roulette games can be found on these websites.

No. American roulette is just a version of roulette and you can find many other versions out there. The different variants will also have different tables and different house edges depending on which variant you choose. You will find games such as French, European, Mini, 3D roulette and more.

Senior Content Editor
Frank Scoblete is a casino gaming expert with 35 books, over 6,000 articles, and extensive media experience, including consulting for films, TV, and hosting radio shows. He has also organized gaming festivals across the US and Canada, cementing his status as a leading authority in the field.
Reza Shojaei Photo
Fact-checked by Reza Shojaei
Editor-in-chief

This page has been reviewed by Reza Shojaei, a pioneer in iGaming with over 15 years of experience. As the founder of CasinoTop.com and Value Marketing, he specializes in market analysis, player safety, and regulatory compliance. Reza’s collaborations with top operators and regulators reflect his commitment to fairness and innovation in online gambling.

CasinoTop.com is world’s trusted and independent resource to online casino. Established in 1998, we remain true to our goal of helping our readers find the best online casino information on the internet.

Casinotop.com

support@casinotop.com

Copyright © casinotop.com 1998 - 2025. All rights reserved.
chevron-down linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram