American Roulette

American roulette is one of the most heavily marketed: it’s the one they play in Las Vegas, and therefore in Hollywood films too. At the same time, the American wheel has two zeros at once (0 and 00), which lowers the RTP to 94.74% versus 97.3% for the European or 98.65% for the French equivalents — meaning over the long run “American” is the least favourable. In this article we’ll not only praise American roulette — we offer an honest breakdown of its pros and cons.

American roulette for free: a demo without registration

You can play “American” with a random number generator even for free, using demo mode, but live-dealer roulette is available only for real-money bets. You should start in demo mode to get to grips with the rules and interface, including to readjust from European or French roulette.

Best demo American roulette versions

Among the many American roulette titles at various online casinos, good developments with a demo mode include, for example:

• VIP American Roulette by Betsoft — the clear popularity leader;
• VIP American Roulette by Gaming1;
• Vertical American Roulette by Gaming1;
• American Roulette by Evoplay.

You can actually train in demo mode on European roulette too, unless your goal is mastering the Basket bet or studying the two-zero mechanics in detail.

How to play the demo for free: 3 steps

If a particular title offers free roulette without registration, you can use it via this sequence of actions:

1. visit the game page;
2. hover over the game and choose the “Play for free” button;
3. place bets with endless virtual money.

Even if the virtual credits run out, just refresh the page — that tops them back up.

Best casinos with American roulette: vetted sites

“American” is available at almost any online casino, so its mere presence isn’t yet a reason to choose one venue over another.

What to look for when picking a casino for American roulette

When choosing a venue you’ll want to stay at for a while, watch these criteria:

• American roulette also with a live croupier — it’s far more realistic;
• minimum deposit — from $1 if you’re not ready to pour in big budgets;
• minimum bet — in some random-number-generator versions literally from a few cents, and from $1–$5 in live variants;
• casino licence — a local one or MGA is preferable, but Curaçao will offer more game options;
• withdrawal speed — also depends on the chosen payment route, but it’s better to check whether the venue is ready to pay out a win within 15 minutes;
• bonuses — pay attention only to those that wager on American roulette without a reduced rate.

We’ve already factored all the listed criteria into our rating, but we don’t rule out that your priorities may be ordered differently or with a special emphasis on individual points from the list.

Live American Roulette vs the RNG version: what’s the difference?

“American” with a live dealer is real-money roulette, it has no demo mode, but you play with a real croupier who spins a real wheel in a video stream, creating the impression of an actual Las Vegas visit; the ideal example of such a game is Live American Roulette by Evolution Gaming. Random-number-generator versions are, in essence, computer programs, but their bet limits are usually lower, play runs faster, and you can get acquainted with the interface in demo mode.

• Live dealer — a video stream from a studio, the win depends on chance, pauses are filled with conversation, no demo mode.
• Random number generator — a computer-program interface, the win depends on a certified algorithm, minimal pauses, demo mode available.

American roulette rules and features: RTP, bets, wheel

“American” differs dramatically from the European and French versions in three main parameters:

• two zeros;
• an RTP lowered to 94.74%;
• the Basket bet.

We suggest looking at each aspect in detail.

The double zero (00): what one extra pocket changes

The extra zero means the American roulette wheel no longer has 37 pockets but 38. Because of this the probability of the ball landing on a specific number drops from 2.7% in the European and French versions to 2.63% in “American”, while the house edge climbs to 5.26% versus 2.7%, with the maximum payout staying at 35 to 1. Although these are averaged figures, over the long run, with equal luck, you’ll lose your bankroll faster on American roulette.

The American wheel’s number sequence

On a roulette wheel the numbers are arranged in a scattered order to balance the odds; the second zero in “American” requires a different balancing than the European and French versions, so the number sequence in American roulette is different: 0, 28, 9, 26, 30, 11, 7, 20, 32, 17, 5, 22, 34, 15, 3, 24, 36, 13, 1, 00, 27, 10, 25, 29, 12, 8, 19, 31, 18, 6, 21, 33, 16, 4, 23, 35, 14, 2. For the same reason the sector bets (Voisins, Tiers) include a different set of numbers than in the European or French equivalents.

American roulette bet table: odds and payouts

The “extra” zero in American roulette adjusts the player’s win chances.

On the RTP of most bets, American roulette online loses to the European equivalent — slightly per game, but noticeably over the long run. The Basket bet is unique to “American”, but math experts dislike it because of its low RTP — just 92.1%.

The Basket bet in American roulette: why it’s better not to make it

The Basket bet is found only in American roulette and covers five numbers: both zeros, plus 1, 2 and 3. You can place it in a specially designated corner cell. On a win the payout is 6 to 1, but experts insist: it’s the riskiest decision of all existing roulette variants.

The math of the Basket bet: why an RTP of 92.1% is the worst figure in roulette

Although the Basket bet’s win probability is 13.16%, the house edge is a whole 7.89% versus the standard 5.26% for American roulette and 2.7% for European. The reason is the low payout: 6 to 1 would be enough on a 37-number wheel, but “American” has 38, meaning the player will win less often.

Conclusion: never make the Basket bet

Statistically, Basket is by default the worst bet, and over distance it’s the one that will bring the bank to zero faster than the rest — something no bankroll-management strategy will protect you from. Only exceptional luck can save the player, but if you really are lucky, then better make bets with a higher RTP and walk away in clear profit.

The Surrender rule in American roulette: how to lower the house edge

Although American roulette’s RTP is by default less favourable than in other variants of the game, the Surrender option lets you partly lower the house edge. In essence it’s the equivalent of the La Partage rule in French roulette: on a 1-to-1 bet with one of the two zeros coming up, the player loses half the money, but the other half is returned.

The math of Surrender: how the rule changes the RTP

In ordinary American roulette the RTP for bets with potential 1-to-1 payouts is 94.74%, but the prospect of getting half the money back when one of the zeros comes up halves the house edge: from 5.26% to 2.63%. Thus the RTP (for 1-to-1 bets only!) rises to 97.37% — practically what classic European roulette offers in pure form (without En Prison).

Where to find Surrender: a rare option not at every casino

The Surrender rule is atypical for land-based casinos in the US (it’s an Atlantic City “thing”, but not Las Vegas), so it’s also rare at online casinos. If such an option is present, the table rules will list it as Surrender, Half-Back or Atlantic City Rules — check this aspect before starting to play.

American vs European vs French roulette: a full comparison

The three roulette variants are alike only at first glance: each has specific rules, and they, among other things, affect the RTP too. A clear table will help an inexperienced player work out which roulette suits them better.

When your priority is a high RTP, it’s wiser to choose European and especially French roulette rather than “American”.

Higher-RTP variants — try them free

▶ Play for free

Play at casino →

European Roulette

★ 4.7/5

👍8👎0

RTP: 97.30%

▶ Play for free

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French Roulette

★ 4.8/5

👍9👎0

RTP: 98.65%

▶ Play for free

Play at casino →

Mini Roulette

★ 4.5/5

👍5👎0

RTP: 97.30%

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Penny Roulette

★ 4.6/5

👍6👎0

RTP: 97.30%

When it’s worth choosing American roulette

If American roulette is unfavourable, a natural question arises: who is it even for. Choosing “American” is worth it in three cases:

• when the Surrender rule is present — then American roulette is equal to European on RTP;
• for the Vegas atmosphere — then it’s logical to play specifically with a live dealer;
• for variety in the form of the Basket bet — it isn’t in other game variants, but remember its RTP is just 92.1%.

But the math always speaks in favour of the European and French equivalents, and we say so honestly.

How to play American roulette online: a step-by-step guide

The principle of launching American roulette at an online casino is identical to how you’d play other variants of the same game. In case your experience is zero, we offer a detailed instruction.

Steps 1–2: choosing a casino and registering

We’ve already covered the criteria for choosing an online casino with American roulette above in this article, but it’s important to make sure the venue has specifically “American”, since it isn’t the most widespread variant. When registering, be ready to provide documents: KYC at most venues is a mandatory condition for withdrawing winnings.

Step 3: the first deposit — min. amounts and methods

Depending on the chosen venue and payment method, a top-up can start from $1 or from $10–$20. Most venues accept deposits from bank cards and e-wallets, and the number of casinos supporting crypto top-up methods is gradually growing. When choosing the deposit amount, calculate it so the money lasts for a series of spins of American roulette, otherwise a sudden losing streak at the start will end the session too fast.

Steps 4–5: demo test and budget planning

It’s better to start your acquaintance with American roulette in demo mode — that way you’ll get comfortable with the interface and see clearly how the different bets work. Starting with demo is worth it even for those who’ve played roulette but never tried “American”: because of the two zeros the experience will differ. Once you’ve grasped the basic principles, decide how much you’re willing to lose today, and don’t continue the session once you reach that figure — because of the lower RTP the risk of going into a solid minus rises.

Step 6: a betting strategy for American roulette

No roulette strategy promises guaranteed wins, but it’s important to at least avoid large losses. American’s RTP, lowered (compared with the European and French equivalents), means money can be lost faster and more painfully, so it’s crucial to use “cautious” bankroll-management strategies. 1-to-1 bets take on a special role, reducing the chance of a long losing streak, but because of the two zeros the house edge will still be a substantial 5.26%.

Betting strategies in American roulette: what works differently

In most sources, bankroll-management strategies for roulette are calculated for the European version of the game. These same strategies can actually be applied to American roulette too, but because of the lowered RTP the math looks different.

Martingale in American roulette: when the bet grows faster

The chase requires doubling the bet after each loss, but on 1:1 bets in American roulette you’ll lose a touch more often because of the extra zero. In theory this leads to longer losing streaks, so to avoid a crash it’s very important to choose tables with higher bet limits and plan your own bankroll with an increased safety margin.

The optimal strategy: not Basket + prefer outside bets

Pursuing the goal of staying in profit, avoid Basket bets — it’s the riskiest. When the bankroll is relatively modest, prolonged losing streaks can quickly zero it out, so make outside bets with 1-to-1 payouts — they lose far less often. To raise the RTP further, look for a title with the Surrender rule, but remember it works only for 1:1-format bets.

The mobile version of American roulette

You can play American roulette on a smartphone too, both with a random number generator and with a live dealer (a great example — Live American Roulette by Evolution). Downloading a casino mobile app isn’t mandatory: every venue has a verticalised site version for your gadget’s browser. On a small screen, take special care: because of the extra zero there are more betting options, and it’s now easier to misclick.

Who is American roulette right for: an honest answer

“American” isn’t the only existing roulette variant, but it has its own audience, while for some players it’s categorically unsuitable.

When American roulette is a sensible choice

There are four scenarios where you should choose specifically “American”:

• you’re a client of a casino with a number of clear advantages, but the only roulette in it is American;
• American roulette with the Surrender rule is available — then it’s no worse than European;
• you want a real Las Vegas atmosphere — choose live roulette;
• there’s interest in the Basket bet as something unusual — we remind you it’s unfavourable next to the alternatives.

So, at least for a try in demo mode, American roulette comes in handy.

When it’s worth choosing another variant

If you want to preserve the bank, and your favourite casino offers European or French roulette, it’s logical to choose those. The house edge, inflated in “American” twofold versus European roulette and fourfold versus French, means that with equal luck the same bankroll can be lost much sooner — with a large turnover the difference in session length can be measured in several hours.