Play American Roulette Online for Real Money

If you are a fan of roulette, whether online or in land-based establishments then you are bound to have come across American roulette. As the name implies, the game is most popular in the US but has also branched out into Asia and even the UK. Sometimes referred to as double-zero roulette, what sets this variation apart is that its roulette wheel features a double zero slot. Courtesy of this, this type of roulette is notorious for having a high house edge. In fact, while other variations such as European roulette have a house edge of 2.7%, the American alternative's house advantage is almost double coming in at 5.26%. If beating the house is so hard, what makes this version of roulette so popular? We're about to take a look at this below but first, we'll start you off with our list of the best casino sites to play roulette at.

If you're going to play a game with a reputation for having a higher house edge, then choosing a reliable casino site is the key. Stick to our list above and you can rest assured that games use the latest RNG software and subject to audits by third parties like eCogra. You can also snap up some great bonuses from any of the above.

One thing to keep in mind is that most online casinos apply game weighting rules. Moreover, online roulette tends to contribute less to wagering requirements than other casino games like slots. Betfair, for instance, has a great welcome bonus in place but they also have set game weighting terms. In fact, it is possible to claim the bonus playing American roulette but this will only contribute to 50% of the wagering requirement.

American Roulette Wheel Layout

Now that you know where to play, we take a look at everything there is to know about this version of roulette. We start off with one of the most important game features, i.e. the roulette wheel. At first glance, the American one may seem identical to European and French roulette wheels. In fact, top roulette wheel producer Cammegh supplies both types. There is however a difference and although it may seem subtle, it has lead to the creation of a whole new game type. That is the addition of the double zero pocket. In general roulette wheels have pockets for single numbers from 1 to 36 which are alternately coloured in red and black. The 0 and 00 are coloured in green.

In general roulette wheels are laid out in a particular manner to balance certain factors out. Firstly, the numbers alternate between red and black pockets. In addition to this even and odd numbers are also balanced out although they do not always alternate as in the first case. The wheel also aims to balance out high (19 -36) and low (1 -18) number out. Although in European roulette this is almost perfect, when it comes to the American type, the double zero slot makes it much harder. It is this lack of equilibrium that caused lower RTP in fact.

American Roulette Table – What sets it apart?

We've looked into roulette wheels and there are definitely some distinct features. We now move on to the roulette table and what makes the American version different. If we have to be honest here, the actual table is almost the same for all variations. Once again the biggest difference is the inclusion of the double zero. Apart from that, the table is almost an exact copy of the European Version. French roulette tables are the easiest to spot due to the inclusion of French bet names such as Passe and Manque. The other difference is that French and European tables sometimes include another section known as a racetrack. Since American roulette does not feature announced bets, this is not included in this roulette game variation. Betway and SportNation Casino are a few places to head to to check out the layout for yourself.

American Roulette Rules

Now that you know how to spot out the American version of roulette based on how it looks, we move on to the actual roulette rules. At this stage, it is important to make sure that you understand the general roulette rules of how to play for real money. If you're quite new to the game, we would suggest that you take a look at our roulette betting guide. If on the other hand, you do understand the basics then you'll be pleased to know that the American version follows similar rules. Betters sit down at a table and are able to place roulette bets by means of casino chips. Once all bets are placed, the croupier will spin the wheel. Once the dealer calls out 'no more bets', players can no longer change or remove roulette chips. The difference in the American version is actually seen in the bets that can be placed and we take a look at this below.

American Roulette Betting

As is the case for all variations, there are both inside bets and outside bets. Inside bets refer to bets made on a single number, adjacent numbers or small groups. Outside bets, on the other hand, refer to larger groups. Whilst there are some special bets specific to the American version of the game such as 'top line', other bets such as 'basket' and 'trio' are omitted due to the double-zero wheel. Whilst inside bets are for the adrenaline junkies out there, players looking for fewer risks should opt for outside bets. We underline the varies American bet types in the lists below.

Inside Bets

• Straight bet - single number bet
• Split bet - placed on the line between two numbers
• Street bet - all three numbers in a row, chip placed at the end of the row
• Corner bet - group of 4 numbers, chip placed in the middle point of the numbers
• Six Line bet - two rows, chip placed at the end of the rows

Outside Bets

• Column bet - entire column
• Dozen bet- box of 12 numbers
• Colour bet-  red or black
• Odd/ Even- all odd numbers or all even numbers
• Low/ High - all low numbers or all high numbers

If the ball lands on the single-zero or double-zero pocket then the house always wins. This is one of the reasons why this type of roulette is so hard to beat the house in. French roulette, on the other hand, is much easier to win at due to special bets such as 'La Partage', 'Orphelins' and 'Voisins du zero''.

American Roulette Payout

Although a lot of the betting types mentioned in the previous section are similar, the payout is where the biggest difference can be seen. Of course, this must be put into perspective alongside the return to player to see whether it is truly worth placing a bet. Here’s a breakdown of all types of bets we mentioned previously along with the payouts and relative RTP.

As shown above, the longer the sequence of numbers you bet on, the easier it is to win but the less you'll win each time. For instance, even-money bets come with the highest RTP but the payout isn't that good either. Choosing what type of bet to wager real money on will all come down to the type of player you are. Moreover, although a lot of it comes down to straight-up luck, there are some betting management systems in place such as the well-known, Labouchere system. Check back to our roulette guide for more information on this as well some other roulette tips.

Play Free American Roulette Online

Even if you opt for outside bets with a higher RTP, at the end of the day, American roulette is a form of gambling just like poker and slots. Moreover, although you stand to win big money, you can just as easily lose it all in a matter of minutes. In fact, we always recommend keeping your personal bankroll separate from your gambling funds. In addition to this, if you don't have money to place real money bets then all is not lost. Many online casinos such as Rizk Casino, will, in fact, allow you to play all of your favourite American roulette games for free. this is also a good opportunity for new players wanting to practise before playing the real thing. If on the other hand, you do have some money to spare, then there are some great variations by top game providers. Read on to find out more about this.

Online American Roulette by NetEnt

At the heart of online casinos is top game provider Net Entertainment. Perhaps most known for its innovative slot array, the software developer also has great table games to its name. When it comes to the American version, this could be an ideal choice. With an RTP of 94.75%, this may seem a little low but it is actually the same as a lot of other online versions from other providers. We also liked the background music which helps to provide a relaxed ambience, This, combined with crystal clear graphics, makes the provider a good option. You can try this out for yourself at 888 Casino. They also have some great bonuses to be snapped up although you will need to keep in mind that roulette games only contribute to 20% of the wagering requirements.

American Roulette by RealTime Gaming (RTG)

If you are at an RTG casino like Bovada, then you'll be glad to know that you are in for just a good a gaming experience when it comes to roulette. Once again you'll be able to claim a good welcome bonus however at Bovada roulette games contribute to 5% of the wagering requirement. What sets this version apart is the lack of background music which lets you fully focus. In terms of layout, it is also more cartoon-like than the NetEnt version. We like the fact that a lot of focus has been put on the roulette table as opposed to the wheel. All in all, this is a great option for players looking to play online roulette.

Double Bonus Spin Roulette by IGT

If the low return to player of the regular version puts you off then double bonus spin roulette may be the perfect option for you. Don't let the name fool you, this game follows the American version rules but adds in a bit of a twist. Although it may seem like a regular American wheel, a closer look will make it apparent that there is an additional yellow pocket. Although this decreases initial payouts, landing a ball in the yellow pocket will result in big wins. What's more, the pocket is double the size of others meaning that it is much easier to hit. Once hit, the wheel will separate into two and this will now double your chances at hitting big wins. Land a yellow in both wheels and you could end up with a payout of 1,200 - 1! If you like the Vegas casino experience, then this is something else and we would suggest heading over to Jackpot City to try it out for yourself.

Live American Roulette by Evolution Gaming

If you are looking for a more realistic gaming experience, then live casinos are where you want to be heading to. Luckily a lot of the top providers have got you covered when it comes to Live American Roulette. Being one of the biggest names in live casinos, it is no surprise that Evolution Gaming has a liver dealer version of the game too. The croupiers are professionally trained and they use state of the art cameras to ensure the best real-time experiences you can expect. They also have some great features like live chat to help you integrate with other players online too. If you're an adrenaline speaker then there is nothing more exciting than the live version of American Roulette. Head on over to Unibet for one of the best live casinos.

Pros & Cons of American Roulette

By now you probably have a good idea of what the game is all about and where to play it. It may be harder to beat the house, but once you do hit a win, it could definitely all be worthwhile. In case you're still undecided, we have summed everything up into a list of advantages and disadvantages to help.

 Advantages of Playing American Roulette

• Widespread both online and in brick and mortar casinos
• High payouts
• Also available in live casinos
• More exciting than other versions
• High roller's top choice

 Disadvantages of Playing American Roulette

• Lower RTP than other versions
• Landing on zero or double zero results in the house winning

American Roulette FAQs