Introduction
Walk into any casino floor and the roulette table tends to draw a crowd faster than almost any other game. Among the different versions on offer, the American roulette table has its own distinct identity, shaped by an extra pocket on the wheel and a layout that rewards a slightly different approach to betting. For UK players who are used to the single-zero European wheel, switching to an American roulette table can feel like a new game entirely, even though the core mechanics are familiar.
This guide breaks down exactly what makes an American roulette table different, how the layout is structured, what the odds actually look like, and how to approach betting on it sensibly. Whether you are researching before a trip to a land-based casino or exploring live dealer tables online, understanding the American roulette table properly will help you play with more confidence and fewer surprises.
What Is an American Roulette Table
An American roulette table is a variant of roulette that uses a wheel with 38 numbered pockets instead of the 37 found on a European wheel. The extra pocket is a second zero, marked as 00, which sits alongside the standard single 0. This might look like a small difference, but it changes the underlying mathematics of the game in a meaningful way.
The betting layout on an American roulette table mirrors this wheel structure. Numbers run from 1 to 36, coloured alternately in red and black, with both the 0 and 00 pockets coloured green. Because there are two green pockets instead of one, the house edge on an American roulette table is higher than on its European counterpart, which is something every player should factor into their expectations before sitting down.
How the American Roulette Wheel Is Different
The most obvious distinction between an American roulette table and a European one is the double-zero pocket. On a European wheel, the sequence of numbers runs in a specific non-consecutive order designed to balance red, black, odd, even, high and low numbers as evenly as possible around the wheel. The American wheel uses a different number sequence altogether, largely because the addition of 00 changes how balance is achieved.
Another subtle difference lies in the physical construction of the wheel itself. American roulette wheels typically place the 0 and 00 pockets directly opposite each other, which affects how dealers and regular players read the wheel during play. This layout detail rarely matters for casual players, but it becomes relevant for anyone studying wheel patterns or dealer signatures, a niche but real area of interest among serious roulette enthusiasts.
Breaking Down the American Roulette Table Layout
The betting layout of an American roulette table is divided into two main areas: the inside betting area and the outside betting area. The inside area contains the individual numbers from 1 to 36 plus the 0 and 00, arranged in three columns of twelve rows. Players place chips directly on or between numbers here to make more precise, higher-paying bets.
The outside betting area surrounds this grid and includes broader categories such as red or black, odd or even, high numbers from 19 to 36, low numbers from 1 to 18, and groups of twelve numbers known as dozens. There are also column bets that cover twelve numbers running vertically down the layout. These outside bets on an American roulette table generally offer better odds of winning, though the payouts are smaller compared to inside bets.
A feature unique to the American roulette table is the five-number bet, sometimes called the basket bet, which covers 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3 in a single wager. This bet does not exist on European tables because it relies on the presence of both zeros, and it happens to carry one of the worst house edges on the entire layout, so it is generally one to approach with caution.
Understanding the House Edge on American Roulette
The house edge is the single most important number to understand before playing on an American roulette table. Because the wheel has 38 pockets rather than 37, the house edge sits at approximately 5.26 percent for almost every bet on the table, with the exception of the five-number basket bet, which pushes the edge even higher to around 7.89 percent.
By comparison, a European roulette table with its single zero carries a house edge closer to 2.7 percent. This difference might sound small on paper, but over an extended session it has a real impact on how far a bankroll stretches. Players who understand this gap tend to make more informed choices about which version of roulette to play when both are available, particularly in online live casino lobbies where switching tables takes seconds.
Common Bet Types on an American Roulette Table
Straight-up bets on a single number offer the highest payout at 35 to 1, reflecting how unlikely it is for any one number to hit on a given spin. Split bets cover two adjacent numbers and pay 17 to 1, while street bets cover three numbers in a row and pay 11 to 1. Corner bets cover four numbers meeting at a shared point and pay 8 to 1.
Moving toward the outside bets, even-money wagers like red or black, odd or even, and high or low all pay 1 to 1, making them the most conservative way to engage with an American roulette table. Dozens and columns, which each cover twelve numbers, pay 2 to 1. Every one of these bets carries the same underlying house edge because of how the two zero pockets are distributed across the wheel, so no single bet type offers a mathematical advantage over another aside from the basket bet, which should generally be avoided.
American Roulette vs European Roulette: What Changes for Players
The practical difference for anyone sitting down at an American roulette table compared to a European one comes down to patience and expectations. The extra zero pocket means the ball has one more place to land that does not favour any outside bet, which slightly reduces the win frequency for even-money wagers over time.
Some European tables also include a rule called la partage or en prison, which returns half a player’s stake or gives them another spin if the ball lands on zero during an even-money bet. American roulette tables almost never include these rules, which is part of why the house edge gap between the two versions is as wide as it is. UK players who have access to both versions in a casino often choose European roulette specifically because of this more favourable structure, though the American roulette table remains popular for its faster pace and the added excitement some players associate with the double-zero layout.
Playing an American Roulette Table Online
Live dealer platforms have made the American roulette table widely accessible to UK players without needing to travel. These tables are streamed from studios or licensed land-based casinos, with a real dealer spinning a physical wheel while players place bets through a digital interface. The rules, layout and odds remain identical to a land-based American roulette table, so everything covered in this guide applies directly to the live version.
Software-based American roulette tables, sometimes called RNG or random number generator versions, also exist and tend to run faster since there is no physical wheel to wait for. Both formats are worth trying, though players who enjoy the social atmosphere and visual confirmation of a real spin tend to gravitate toward live dealer tables over time.
Tips for Approaching an American Roulette Table Sensibly
Setting a firm budget before sitting down at an American roulette table is one of the simplest ways to keep the experience enjoyable rather than stressful. Because the house edge applies consistently across nearly every bet, no betting system can overcome the underlying maths, regardless of how it is marketed. Treating roulette as entertainment rather than a reliable way to generate winnings keeps expectations realistic.
Sticking to outside bets such as red or black, or odd or even, tends to produce a steadier, less volatile session compared to chasing straight-up numbers, simply because the win frequency is higher even if the payout per win is smaller. Avoiding the five-number basket bet is another straightforward way to shave a meaningful percentage off the house edge you are exposed to during play. Finally, playing within licensed and regulated platforms ensures the wheel or software has been independently tested for fairness, which matters just as much as understanding the odds themselves.
Conclusion
The American roulette table remains one of the most recognisable and widely played casino games in the world, distinguished by its double-zero wheel and a slightly higher house edge than its European counterpart. Understanding how the layout is structured, which bets carry which odds, and how the extra zero pocket affects the maths gives players a clearer picture of what to expect before they place a single chip. Whether at a physical casino or through a live dealer stream, approaching the American roulette table with realistic expectations and a firm budget is the best way to enjoy everything this classic game has to offer.
FAQs
What is the difference between an American roulette table and a European one
An American roulette table has 38 pockets, including both a 0 and a 00, while a European table has only 37 pockets with a single 0. This extra pocket raises the house edge on the American version to roughly 5.26 percent compared to about 2.7 percent on a European table.
Why does an American roulette table have a higher house edge
The additional 00 pocket gives the house a bigger mathematical advantage without increasing the payout odds for any bet. Since payouts stay the same while the number of losing outcomes increases, the house edge rises across the board on an American roulette table.
What is the five-number bet on an American roulette table
The five-number or basket bet covers 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3 in a single wager and pays 6 to 1. It carries the highest house edge of any bet on the table, close to 7.89 percent, so most experienced players choose to avoid it.
Can I find American roulette tables online in the UK
Yes, many licensed UK online casinos offer American roulette tables through both live dealer studios and RNG-based software versions. The rules and layout match land-based American roulette tables exactly.
Which bets have the best odds on an American roulette table
Outside bets such as red or black, odd or even, and high or low offer the best winning frequency, paying 1 to 1, though they carry the same underlying house edge as every other standard bet on the table.
Is American roulette the same as European roulette in terms of numbers
Both versions use numbers 1 through 36 arranged in red and black, but the American wheel adds a second green zero pocket, 00, which is not present on the European wheel.
Does the American roulette table use the same betting layout as European roulette
The core inside and outside betting layout is similar, but the American roulette table includes the double-zero pocket in the numbers grid, and it also features the unique five-number basket bet that does not exist on European layouts.
What is the best strategy for playing an American roulette table
There is no strategy that overcomes the house edge on an American roulette table, since every spin is independent and the odds remain fixed. Setting a budget, favouring outside bets, and avoiding the five-number basket bet are the most practical ways to manage a session.
How many numbers are on an American roulette table
An American roulette table includes 38 numbered pockets in total, made up of 1 through 36 plus the 0 and 00 pockets.
Why do some players still prefer the American roulette table despite the higher house edge
Many players enjoy the pace, the visual layout of the double-zero wheel, and the wider familiarity of American roulette tables in casinos across the United States, where they are often the more common version available compared to European roulette.
