
| Provider | NetEnt |
|---|---|
| RTP | 94.74% - Compare RTPs |
| Max Win | 35x |
American Roulette: Rules, Bets and How to Play
American Roulette is one of the most recognisable table games in the casino world. It uses a wheel with 38 numbered pockets - 1 through 36, a single zero (0) and a double zero (00) - and that extra pocket is the defining feature that separates it from European Roulette. Whether you are new to roulette or switching over from the European variant, understanding how the double zero changes the game is the first thing worth getting your head around.
This version is produced by NetEnt and carries the clean presentation and reliable RNG performance you would expect from that developer. The betting range runs from £1 to £10,000 per spin, making it accessible to casual players while still offering headroom for those who like to bet larger stakes.
The Double Zero: What It Means for the House Edge
The single most important difference between American and European Roulette is the addition of the 00 pocket. In European Roulette there are 37 pockets, which gives the house an edge of 2.70% on all standard bets. American Roulette has 38 pockets, and that one extra number raises the house edge to 5.26%.
In practical terms, this means that for every £100 wagered over time, you can expect to return around £94.74 to your pocket on average - which matches the 94.74% RTP figure for this game. That is not a deal-breaker for players who enjoy the American format, but it is worth knowing before you sit down. If you want the lowest house edge available on roulette, European Roulette is the better choice mathematically.
There is one bet in American Roulette that has an even worse house edge: the Five Number Bet (also called the Basket Bet), which covers 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3. This specific bet carries a house edge of 7.89%. It is the one bet in the game worth avoiding entirely.
Bet Types Explained
American Roulette offers the same wide range of bets you would find in most roulette variants. They split into two categories: inside bets and outside bets.
Inside bets are placed directly on the numbered grid. They carry higher risk but pay out more:
- Straight Up - a single number. Pays 35:1.
- Split - two adjacent numbers. Pays 17:1.
- Street - three numbers in a row. Pays 11:1.
- Corner - four numbers sharing a corner. Pays 8:1.
- Line - six numbers across two rows. Pays 5:1.
- Five Number (Basket) - 0, 00, 1, 2, 3. Pays 6:1 but carries a 7.89% house edge. Best avoided.
Outside bets cover larger groups of numbers and are the lower-risk option:
- Red/Black - 18 numbers. Pays 1:1.
- Odd/Even - 18 numbers. Pays 1:1.
- Low/High (1-18 / 19-36) - 18 numbers. Pays 1:1.
- Dozens (1-12, 13-24, 25-36) - 12 numbers. Pays 2:1.
- Columns - 12 numbers in a vertical column. Pays 2:1.
This game also includes an Open Racetrack feature. Select a number on the racetrack and you automatically bet on the two numbers either side of it on the wheel, giving you five numbers covered with one action. This is a useful shortcut for players who like to bet by wheel position rather than grid position.
How to Play
Once you load the game, the roulette table occupies the lower portion of the screen and the wheel sits at the top. Place your chips by clicking on your chosen bet area, set your stake, then click Spin. The wheel and ball animation plays out and any wins are paid according to the payout table above.
The game tracks recent results and flags Hot and Cold numbers - numbers that have appeared frequently or rarely in recent spins. These statistics are available on screen if you find them useful for planning bets. It is worth noting that roulette uses a certified RNG and each spin is independent, so past results have no influence on future outcomes.
Strategy Notes
No strategy can change the house edge in roulette. What you can control is how you manage your bankroll and which bets you choose. A few practical points:
- Outside bets (red/black, odd/even) win just under half the time and keep sessions running longer on a fixed budget.
- Inside bets pay more but hit less often. Straight-up bets win roughly 1 in 38 spins.
- Avoid the Five Number Bet - the only bet in American Roulette with a higher house edge than the standard 5.26%.
- If you prefer lower house edge, European Roulette cuts it to 2.70%. French Roulette with La Partage rules goes lower still, returning half your stake on even-money bets when zero lands.
Betting systems like Martingale (doubling after losses) or Fibonacci sequences do not change the house edge. They alter the risk profile of a session but cannot produce a long-term profit against a fixed negative expectation game.
American vs European Roulette: Quick Comparison
| Feature | American Roulette | European Roulette |
|---|---|---|
| Pockets | 38 (0, 00, 1-36) | 37 (0, 1-36) |
| House Edge | 5.26% | 2.70% |
| RTP | 94.74% | 97.30% |
| Five Number Bet | Yes (7.89% edge) | No |
| En Prison / La Partage | No | Some versions |
Verdict
American Roulette is a solid, no-frills version of the classic table game. The NetEnt build is clean, the betting interface is easy to navigate and the racetrack option adds a useful shortcut for wheel-position bettors. The 5.26% house edge is higher than you will find on European variants, which is the main trade-off. If you enjoy the American format or simply want to try the double-zero version, this is a well-made example of the game. If minimising the house edge is your priority, European Roulette is the stronger choice.
Where to Play American Roulette
These online casinos carry NetEnt games including American Roulette. Read our Donbet review or browse all casino reviews.
American Roulette RTP and Variance
American Roulette has an RTP of 94.74%, which is below average. See our highest RTP slots for the best returning games.
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