American roulette is the roulette version with 38 pockets: numbers 1 through 36, a single zero, and a double zero. In casino language, that extra 00 is not decoration. It raises the house edge on most bets to about 5.26%, compared with about 2.70% on single-zero European roulette.
Plain Talk
American roulette is the roulette wheel many players recognize from North American casinos. The layout has the same red and black numbers as other roulette games, but it also has 0 and 00. That second zero is the whole story.
The payouts look familiar: straight-up numbers usually pay 35 to 1, split bets pay 17 to 1, streets pay 11 to 1, dozens pay 2 to 1, and even-money bets pay 1 to 1. The problem is that the wheel has 38 possible pockets, while the payout table is closer to what a 36-number game would need.
This glossary page defines the term. For the full game explanation, read Roulette and the Glossary.
| Term | Plain-English meaning | Where it appears | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| American roulette | Double-zero roulette | Table layout, online roulette, rules signs | Higher house edge |
| 0 | Green single-zero pocket | Wheel and layout | Creates house advantage |
| 00 | Green double-zero pocket | Wheel and layout | Raises the edge further |
| 35 to 1 | Usual single-number payout | Inside bets | Does not fully compensate for 38 pockets |
Where You See It
You see American roulette on casino floors, online live dealer games, electronic roulette terminals, game menus, table signs, and training material. The Nevada Gaming Control Board roulette rules of play describes roulette as a table game played on a wheel with numbers 1 through 36 plus a 0 and/or 00, which is exactly the distinction players must notice before betting.
Online casinos often label the game as “American Roulette,” “Double Zero Roulette,” or “US Roulette.” If the screen shows both 0 and 00, you are looking at American roulette no matter how polished the interface looks.
Why It Matters
American roulette matters because the double zero changes the price of every spin. A $10 outside bet may feel harmless because it pays even money when it wins, but 0 and 00 both make that bet lose unless a special rule says otherwise.
The Wizard of Odds roulette basics lists the standard American roulette house edge as 5.26% on most bets. That does not mean you lose exactly 5.26% in one session. It means the game is priced so the casino keeps that percentage over a very large number of wagers.
If a player only learns one roulette distinction, it should be this: single-zero and double-zero roulette are not the same game mathematically.
Example
A player bets $10 on red at an American roulette table. There are 18 red pockets, 18 black pockets, one 0, and one 00.
If red hits, the player wins $10. If black, 0, or 00 hits, the player loses $10. The player may feel like the bet is “almost 50/50,” but the real chance is 18 wins out of 38 outcomes.
That small-looking gap is the casino’s edge.
From the Casino Side:
From the casino side, American roulette is a strong floor game because it is easy to understand, visually active, and mathematically profitable. The layout creates steady action without needing complicated decisions from the player.
Managers watch speed, buy-ins, average bet, table limits, dealer accuracy, and game protection. Surveillance watches wheel procedures, late bets, payout accuracy, dealer-player interaction, and disputes. Regulators care that the game is offered according to approved rules, controls, and posted procedures; the UK Gambling Commission game requirements guidance is an example of how regulators frame game requirements at a licensing level.
Common Misunderstanding
Players often think American roulette is “the normal roulette” and European roulette is just a foreign version. That is backwards from a math point of view. The important difference is not geography. It is the number of losing zero pockets added to the wheel.
Another common misunderstanding is that betting systems can erase the double-zero edge. They cannot. A system changes the pattern of bet sizes. It does not remove the 0 and 00 from the wheel.
Hard Truth
The double zero is not a feature for excitement. It is a second green pocket that makes the same-looking bet more expensive.
Related Terms
| Term | Difference | Best page to read next |
|---|---|---|
| European Roulette | Single-zero roulette with lower house edge | European Roulette |
| Straight-Up Bet | One-number inside bet | Straight-Up Bet |
| Even Money Bet | Red/black, odd/even, high/low | Even Money Bet |
| House Edge | Casino’s long-run mathematical advantage | House Edge |
| Expected Loss | Long-run cost estimate | Expected Loss |
FAQ
Is American roulette worse than European roulette?
For the player, yes. American roulette has 38 pockets because of 0 and 00. European roulette has 37 pockets because it has only 0. The usual house edge is therefore higher on American roulette.
Does American roulette pay more because it has 00?
No. Standard roulette payouts do not rise enough to offset the extra pocket. That is why the double zero increases the house edge.
Is American roulette beatable with a betting system?
No betting progression removes the house edge. A progression can make wins and losses arrive in a different shape, but it cannot change the wheel odds.
Are all American roulette bets equally bad?
Most standard bets carry the same 5.26% house edge, but some special bets can be worse depending on the layout and house rules.
Should beginners avoid American roulette?
Beginners should at least understand the price difference. If a single-zero game is available with the same table minimum, it is usually the better roulette choice.
Deeper Insight
American roulette is a clean example of how casino math hides inside familiar payouts. A straight-up number pays 35 to 1. That sounds large until you remember that there are 38 possible results.
If roulette were fair on a 38-pocket wheel, a one-number bet would need to pay 37 to 1. It pays 35 to 1 instead. The two-unit gap is the casino’s mathematical margin.
Formula / Calculation
| Metric | Formula | Plain-English meaning |
|---|---|---|
| American roulette house edge | 2 / 38 = 5.26% | Two unpaid units spread across 38 outcomes |
| Expected loss | Total Amount Wagered × House Edge | Long-run average cost of action |
| RTP | 1 - House Edge | Long-run percentage returned to players |
For a $10 straight-up bet:
Expected Loss = $10 × 5.26% = $0.526
That does not mean every $10 spin loses 52.6 cents. Most spins either lose $10 or win $350 net. The formula shows the long-run average across many spins.
Formula Explanation in Plain English
American roulette feels dramatic because outcomes are uneven, but the pricing is simple. The casino pays winners as if the wheel were more favorable than it really is. The difference between the payout and the true odds becomes the house edge.
Related Reading
Start with Roulette for the full game, then compare European Roulette and American Roulette before choosing a table. For the math behind the edge, read House Edge, Expected Loss, and What Is House Edge?. For the casino-side view of how roulette fits the floor, read Casino Operations.