How to play American Roulette

Since 00 American Roulette is a trendy game in US casinos, but in Europe, it is almost exclusively an online casino game. The fact that it has one more number than French or European roulette makes winning more difficult. Although roulette was born in France, it didn’t take long to cross the pond and establish itself as one of the most popular gambling games in America. However, the game’s evolution has led to what has become the most distinctive feature of American roulette: the 00. This double-zero square is exclusive to this version of roulette, which increases the banker’s advantage. It is a top-rated roulette game in the US, while in Europe, its presence is almost limited to online casinos.

The main features of American roulette

We have a roulette wheel with 38 numbers (1 to 36 red and black, 0 and 00 green), but their arrangement is radically different from that in French or European roulette. Thus, 0 and 00 are opposite each other on the cylinder, 1 is opposite 2, 3 is opposite 4, and so on, and the reds are opposite the blacks. This arrangement also means that an even number faces an odd number. American Roulette is played standing up, so the table is higher than in French Roulette – which is played sitting down – but both the table and the tablecloth are smaller.

American Roulette is played on the same cloth as European Roulette, with single bets on one side of the table. This arrangement of red/black, even/odd and flop/pass bets is due to the fact that the croupier occupies the other side of the table. It should also be noted that American roulette uses colored chips, each of which identifies a player, which can also make a difference. Finally, it is worth noting that the RTP of American roulette is 94.75%, which is slightly lower than its French and European counterparts.

American roulette rules

The mechanism of American roulette is very simple: the player must guess where the metal ball that the croupier will throw will land, for which he can make various types of bets either on a specific number or on a series of numbers. If the ball falls on that number or the circumstances on which the player has bet (for example, an even number) are fulfilled, the bet will be a winning bet; if not, the bet will be lost. If we place one bet and the ball lands on 0 or 00, the bet loses. This is an advantage that the casino has, a disadvantage for the player compared to other types of roulette, but it is a characteristic element of American roulette. This rule applies in US casinos, although it should be noted that it is possible to find some online casinos that offer the possibility of partially refunding the bet to the player. In any case, this is the casino's own decision, far from the spirit of American roulette.

Where to play American roulette

If you want to play American roulette at a land-based casino, you will most likely have to travel to the United States, as French and European roulette are the most popular games on the market. However, American roulette is common at online casinos, so simply go to the roulette section of your favorite casino or online gambling hall and check for American roulette. Apart from regular American roulette, there are other types of roulette such as premium American roulette, gold roulette, multiplayer roulette, etc., games with more prizes, higher betting limits, etc. It is very important not to confuse American roulette with the misnamed "American roulette with one 0", which is nothing but European roulette. An American roulette wheel always has 38 numbers including 00, anything else is not an American roulette wheel.

Differences between American Roulette and French and European Roulette

Of course, the big difference between American roulette and French and European roulette is that American roulette has another number, 00, which affects many other aspects of the game. For example, the RTP of American roulette is lower, as is the arrangement of numbers on the roulette wheel, where consecutive numbers line up face to face, as opposed to the somewhat more randomized arrangement of numbers in European and French roulette. Since there is another number, the fabric is also different. However, it is worth noting that the only difference between the American and European roulette table is the presence of 00, while in the case of French roulette there are more differences. For example, the American roulette table only allows outside bets on one side, while the French roulette table allows outside bets on both sides. Finally, American roulette has a higher pace of play than its French or European counterparts.

Types of bets in American roulette

Generally, the bets - and their payouts - in American roulette are similar to those in European and French roulette. Thus, we see a full bet (paid 35 to 1), where we bet on one number; a fractional bet or con (17 to 1), in which two numbers are covered; a straight or cross bet (11 to 1), which covers three consecutive numbers on the table; a corner or square bet (8 to 1), which covers four numbers that share a common top on the table) or a six of a kind (5 to 1), which covers six numbers of two adjacent lines. We can also bet on columns or dozens (2 to 1) covering 12 numbers, or we can make simple bets (2 to 1), bets on red/black, even/odd, or slip/pass, with which we cover 18 numbers, half of those on the table, not counting 0 and 00. However, there is an exclusive bet in American roulette that we do not find in other types of roulette because of the exclusive presence of 00: the first five (8 to 1), which covers the numbers 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3.

Strategies and tips for playing American roulette

Is there a reliable strategy or trick to play American roulette and win? The answer is no, since it is a game of chance. In the French and European versions of the game, a strategy that is almost always successful is to keep our bets simple, but the presence of 00 in American roulette and the lack of the In Prison and Le Partage rules makes it somewhat less effective. Something similar can be said for strategies such as Martingale - doubling your bet after a loss - or D'Alembert's method - adding one if you lose and subtracting one if you win - strategies that can work in the long run but require a large bankroll. These two strategies are the most recommended, although we can also find reverse versions of them. In any case, neither of them is a guarantee of success. But if we are talking about American roulette, we must mention the strategy of betting on 0 and 00 or, if that fails, making bets like Top Five, which cover these two numbers. This strategy is based on a conspiracy theory that says that if in simple bets 0 and 00 often fall in favor of the banker, the roulette wheel will be adjusted in such a way that the frequency of these two numbers in the game will be higher. Needless to say, there is no basis for such a strategy, as it contradicts the criteria of fair play, and the roulette wheels will be closed.