How to Play American Roulette: Rules Explained

American roulette is played by choosing where a ball may land on a wheel numbered 0, 00 and 1–36, then watching the dealer spin the wheel. To understand how to play American roulette, learn the table layout, place a bet before “no more bets,” and compare your selection with the winning number and color.

Objective

The objective is to predict the result of one spin. You can bet on a single number, a group of numbers, a color, whether the number is odd or even, or whether it falls in a particular range.

American roulette has 38 pockets:

• Numbers 1–36
• One green 0
• One green 00

The other pockets are red or black. The 0 and 00 are not red, black, odd, even, high or low for betting purposes. They are the reason American roulette generally gives the casino a larger mathematical advantage than single-zero roulette.

Every spin is independent. A previous result does not make a particular number “due,” and no betting system can remove the house edge.

Setup

A physical American roulette table includes a wheel and a betting layout. The layout usually shows the numbers 1–36 in three columns, with betting areas for 0 and 00, colors, parity and number ranges.

Before playing, check:

1. The wheel type: American roulette has both 0 and 00. A single-zero wheel is a different variant.
2. The table limits: Minimum and maximum stakes can differ by casino, table and bet type. Confirm them on the table before wagering.
3. The payout rules: Standard payouts are shown below, but a specific game may display its own paytable.
4. The playing format: A land-based, live-dealer or automated game may use different interfaces, while the underlying betting principles remain similar.
5. The applicable rules: Online casino availability and gambling laws vary by US state, Canadian province and New Zealand. Check the relevant local regulator and the operator’s current terms.

In an online game, select a chip value, choose a betting area and confirm the wager. In a live-dealer game, a countdown usually shows how long remains before betting closes. In free play, the balance is virtual and does not represent withdrawable money.

Glossary

• Inside bet: A wager placed on specific numbers, such as a straight-up, split or street bet.
• Outside bet: A wager on a wider group, such as red, black, odd, even, 1–18 or 19–36.
• Straight-up: A bet on one number, including 0 or 00.
• Split: A bet covering two adjacent numbers.
• Street: A bet covering three numbers in one horizontal row.
• Corner: A bet covering four numbers where four layout squares meet.
• Six line: A bet covering two adjacent rows, or six numbers.
• Column: A bet covering one of the three numbered columns.
• Dozen: A bet on 1–12, 13–24 or 25–36.
• Inside and outside layout: These describe where the wager appears on the table, not whether it is safer or more profitable.
• House edge: The casino’s mathematical advantage over time. It is not a prediction of the result of one spin.

How a Round Works

A typical round follows these steps:

1. Choose your stake. Select a chip denomination within the table’s limits.
2. Place one or more bets. Click or place chips on the desired number or betting area.
3. Review the wager. Check the amount, selected positions and available balance.
4. Wait for betting to close. The dealer announces “no more bets” or the software locks the layout.
5. The wheel spins. The ball travels around the wheel and settles into one pocket.
6. Identify the result. The winning number and its color are displayed.
7. Settle the bets. Winning wagers receive the stated payout, and losing wagers are removed or deducted.
8. Choose whether to continue. The next round is a separate event.

For example, suppose you place a straight-up bet on 17 and an outside bet on black. If the ball lands on black 17, both wagers win. If it lands on red 17, only the number bet wins. If it lands on 0 or 00, neither the black bet nor the number 17 bet wins.

The result is not changed by the amount staked, the previous spin or the dealer’s technique. In a certified digital game, random-number generation is used; in a live game, the wheel and ball determine the visible outcome.

Bets Explained

Inside bets cover fewer numbers and usually offer larger payouts. They also win less frequently because the wager depends on a narrower result.

Outside bets cover more numbers and generally pay less:

The 0 and 00 are exceptions to many outside bets. If either green pocket appears, red/black, odd/even and high/low bets normally lose. A table may have a special rule, but it must be stated clearly in the game information.

A 2-to-1 payout means the profit is twice the original stake, with the stake usually returned as well. A 1-to-1 payout means the profit matches the stake. Always distinguish profit from total returned funds when reading a payout table.

Payouts

The standard American roulette payout table is based on the number of pockets covered, not on how likely a player feels a result is. A straight-up bet on 7 and a straight-up bet on 32 have the same standard payout, even if recent results appear different.

For example, a $5 straight-up wager at 35 to 1 produces a $175 profit if it wins, plus the returned $5 stake, for $180 in total. A $5 red wager at 1 to 1 produces a $5 profit and normally returns the $5 stake, for $10 in total. These examples describe settlement only; they do not indicate that either wager is likely to win.

Because the wheel includes 0 and 00, the even-money bets do not win on exactly half of all pockets. The extra green pocket compared with a single-zero wheel increases the casino’s long-term mathematical advantage. The payout may look attractive, but it should be assessed alongside the number of winning pockets and the full wheel layout.

Some online games may show optional features, altered rules or special bets. Do not assume that a familiar payout applies until you have checked the game’s paytable. Side bets can have different rules and may be harder to evaluate than standard roulette wagers.

Common Mistakes

• Confusing American and European roulette: Confirm whether the wheel has 0 and 00. The extra zero materially changes the mathematics.
• Treating streaks as predictions: Several red results do not make black more likely on the next independent spin.
• Ignoring the 0 and 00: These green pockets usually defeat common outside bets.
• Assuming a larger bet improves odds: Increasing the stake changes the possible win and loss amount, not the probability of the result.
• Using a progression system as a guarantee: Martingale-style systems and similar strategies cannot overcome the house edge and can quickly reach table or personal limits.
• Skipping the paytable: Check payouts, side-bet rules, minimums and maximums before confirming a wager.
• Chasing losses: A losing session is not corrected by betting more aggressively. Decide a spending limit before starting.
• Failing to check the format: Live dealer, automated and free-play versions may differ in presentation, speed and available features.
• Forgetting local restrictions: Availability and permitted gambling products depend on location. Use current information from the relevant state, provincial or New Zealand authority.

Checklist for a First Game

• [ ] Confirm that the wheel is American roulette with 0 and 00.
• [ ] Read the payout table and any special rules.
• [ ] Check the minimum and maximum table limits.
• [ ] Set a fixed entertainment budget and session time.
• [ ] Start with the table layout and one or two simple bet types.
• [ ] Confirm each wager before betting closes.
• [ ] Treat every spin as independent.
• [ ] Stop when the budget or time limit is reached.

Editorial note: Roulette is a game of chance, not a skill contest. Comparing the wheel type, payout table, limits and rules is more useful than relying on hot-number claims or systems that promise consistent results.

FAQ

How to play American roulette?

Choose a stake, place a chip on a number or betting area, and confirm the wager before betting closes. The wheel then spins, and the winning number, color and applicable payouts are shown. Start by learning the difference between inside bets and outside bets, then check how 0 and 00 affect your selection.

How do you play American Roulette?

You play by predicting the pocket where the ball will land or by selecting a group of numbers or characteristics. A straight-up number bet covers one pocket; red or black, odd or even, dozens and columns cover broader groups. The winning result is random, so the best approach is to understand the rules and stake only money set aside for entertainment.

Can I play American Roulette online for free?

Yes, many casinos and game sites offer free American Roulette in demo mode so you can practise the rules without risking money. Free play can help you learn the layout, betting controls and payout table, but it does not change the odds or guarantee success for real-money play. If you are ready to compare the format, play American Roulette online only after checking availability, age requirements, terms and local rules.

Is American Roulette a game of skill or luck?

It is primarily a game of luck. Players can choose bet types, manage their budget and make informed decisions about the table, but they cannot control the spin or eliminate the house edge. Strategy can affect how much is staked and how long a session lasts; it cannot make a losing result impossible.

Responsible Gambling

Roulette is for adults aged 18 and over, or 21 where local law requires it. Set deposit, spending and time limits before playing, never chase losses, and take breaks. In the US, call 1-800-GAMBLER for help; in New Zealand, call the Gambling Helpline on 0800 654 655; in Canada, contact your provincial problem gambling service.

Information last reviewed: October 2026.