American Roulette – Master This Wheel Game and Try it Online

American roulette is a straightforward game that requires no player input apart from placing bets. However, this doesn’t mean that you should start playing it without any prior knowledge.

Understanding the basics of American roulette, the risk-to-reward ratio of every bet, and other useful tips will put you in the position to play the game with the best odds and potentially win more money.

With that in mind, if you want to master this exciting wheel game, you’ve come to the right place! In this detailed overview of American roulette, we’ll cover everything you should know before you start playing it online.

American Roulette Basics – How to Play It

American roulette is very easy to play, as you don’t need any skill to start playing. Just like with every other roulette variation, the main objective of American roulette is to predict the number that will come up on the next spin.

The American roulette wheel has 38 pockets. This differentiates it from the European roulette version, which has 37 pockets. This is because the roulette wheel American variation also includes a 00 symbol.

Understanding the Types of Bets in American Roulette

There are two main groups of bets you’ll find on the American roulette table: inside bets and outside bets. Inside bets include the bets that are placed on individual numbers or small groups of numbers.

In contrast, outside bets are placed on larger groups of numbers, generally covering either twelve or eighteen numbers.

Inside bets draw their name from the fact that the players place their bets on the inside section of the betting table. In comparison, outside bets are on the outer side of the roulette betting table, with the majority of the bets located on the bottom part of the betting table.

Inside bets are riskier but offer bigger payouts, while outside bets are less rewarding but safer. To better understand all of the betting options you have at your disposal, let’s go over all of the inside and outside bets individually.

Inside Bets in American Roulette

There are six types of inside bets available in American roulette. These cover bets on anywhere from just one number up to six numbers. Let’s go over each of these inside bets:

Straight-up Bet

The Straight-up bet is the simplest and most rewarding bet in American roulette. It involves betting on any number on the US roulette wheel, including the 0 and 00 numbers.

This bet is arguably the most exciting bet in American roulette, but also the riskiest one. The potential payout you can get from the Straight-up bet is an amazing 35:1. However, keep in mind that your winning chances are only 2.6%.

Split Bet

You can use the Split bet in American roulette when you want to bet on two numbers that are adjacent on the betting board. To make this bet when playing US online roulette, simply click on the line between the two numbers you want to cover.

The Split bet offers a 17:1 payout and doubles your winning chances compared to the straight bet, at 5.3%.

Street Bet

The Street bet is a bet on any three numbers in a row on the roulette betting board. For example, you can bet on 1, 2, and 3 or on 19, 20, and 21, as these numbers are all in a row on the board.

The same rule applies for Street bets on bets that include the 0 and 00 numbers, even though these numbers aren’t technically in a row with any other numbers on the betting board. The payout for this bet is 11:1, and the winning probability is 7.9%.

Corner Bet

The Corner bet allows you to bet on any four numbers that share the same corner on the betting board. The payout for this bet is 8:1, and the winning probability is 10.5%.

It’s an interesting bet you can use to mix things up when playing online roulette, but it's generally not an advisable long-term pick.

Five Bet

The Five bet in American roulette covers the first five numbers on the betting board, making it the only bet in the game to include both the 0 and 00. As it includes the 00, it’s only available in American roulette, so you won’t find it in any other roulette version.

It’s also called the Basket bet and offers a payout of 6:1. That said, while this payout might look tempting, the Five bet is considered a sucker’s bet as the probability of this bet landing is 13.2%.

Six-Line Bet

The Six-Line bet, more commonly known simply as the Line bet, includes two adjacent rows of three numbers. For instance, this could cover 1, 2, 3 and 4, 5, 6 or 22, 23, 24, and 25, 26, 27.

The Line bet is the safest inside bet available in American roulette. It provides you with a 15.8% chance of winning. However, it’s also the least-rewarding inside bet, as it offers a 5:1 payout.

Outside Bets in American Roulette

There are five types of outside bets you can place in American roulette, regardless if you play online or in land-based casinos. These are:

Column Bet

The Column bet divides the American roulette betting board into three columns, each totaling 12 numbers. This is the first of the two bets that pay out 2:1 and offer a 31.5% winning chance.

Dozens Bet

The Dozens bet is similar to the Column bet in the sense that it covers three groups, each containing a dozen numbers. However, instead of including a sequence of numbers based on a horizontal line, the Dozens bet groups the numbers by their sequential value.

More precisely, the first group includes numbers from 1 to 12, the second group includes numbers from 13 to 24, and the third group covers numbers from 25 to 36.

Betting on any of these three groups of numbers provides you with a 31.5% winning chance and offers a potential payout of 2:1.

Odd/Even Bet

The first of the three outside bets that divide the roulette wheel into two groups, the Odd/Even bet allows you to bet on either all odd numbers or all even numbers.

You have equal winning chances of 47.4% regardless of which option you pick, as there are 18 odd and 18 even numbers on the American roulette wheel.

Red/Black Bet

As the name gives it away, the Red/Black bet offers you the option of placing a bet that either covers all black numbers or all red numbers. No matter which option you pick, your winning odds are 47.4%, and the potential payout is 1:1.

Low/High Bet

Lastly, the Low/High bet is another American roulette bet that divides all of the numbers into two groups.

You can bet on Low, which includes numbers from 1 to 18, or High, which covers numbers from 19 to 36. Like the previous two bets, this one pays 1:1. Moreover, it also offers you 47.4% winning odds.

How to Pick the Right Strategy For American Roulette?

In addition to understanding all of the bets you can make in American roulette, you should also have a betting strategy. Having a strategy will help you make the best out of your bankroll when playing US roulette online.

Not to go too far into the specifics, it’s important to differentiate two main types of strategies. These are progressive and non-progressive strategies. The latter are far simpler, as they involve betting the same amount every round, regardless of the outcome.

On the other hand, progressive betting strategies involve increasing or decreasing your bet sizes depending on the situation.

The most popular progressive betting strategies in American roulette include the Martingale system, the D’Alembert system, and the Fibonacci strategy.

Keep in mind that you should only use these American roulette strategies to ensure optimal betting. None of these betting systems will help you get an edge over the online casino in any way. They just serve to help you bet efficiently and make the most of your bankroll in the long run.

Tips For Playing American Roulette in Online Casinos

As roulette is a luck-based game, you can’t do anything to boost your winning chances or influence the game.

Nevertheless, there are some things you can do to ensure your online roulette experience is more enjoyable and, potentially, more successful. Here are the best tips for playing US roulette in online casinos:

• Pick a Trusted Online Casino – When playing American roulette online, it’s absolutely essential to pick a trustworthy online gambling site. Unlicensed and unsafe casinos might rig the game or withhold your payouts. So, always make sure to only play the game on reputable online casinos.
• Practice for Free Before Playing for Real Money – Learning your way around the American roulette betting table won’t take you much time. Nevertheless, with so many free US roulette versions available online, it’s best to play for free first before depositing money into a gambling site. That way, you can master every aspect of the game without risking any of your money.
• Set a Bankroll and Stick to It – One of the most important aspects every roulette player should take care of is to create a bankroll that fits their budget. Before you start playing for real money, set a specific bankroll that you can afford to lose. That way your online gambling experience won’t be soured by heavy losses.
• Take Advantage of Bonuses – Playing American roulette online comes with the perk of various bonus deals. And, while these offers might not be as exciting as they are for online slots, they still add solid value. You can claim these casino bonuses and loyalty deals and boost your bankroll so that you can extend your online roulette experience.
• Play for Fun – While winning is important, remember that American roulette should primarily be played for fun. The game is random and unpredictable, so it’s most entertaining when you embrace this and enjoy it instead of trying to win as much as possible.

Ready to Start Playing American Roulette Online?

With everything we’ve covered above, you’re fully equipped with the necessary knowledge to start playing American roulette online!

But, when you start your experience, remember to pick a roulette betting strategy that works for you and be mindful of how you use your betting bankroll.

Pick the right bets based on the risk level you’re comfortable with, and make sure to gamble responsibly!

American Roulette FAQ