American roulette
Spin a free American roulette wheel with 0 and 00 pockets, learn what the extra zero changes, and see why this version costs more than the single zero game.
The simulator needs JavaScript. The rules, payouts and house edge are below.
Try the American roulette simulator
The simulator above is set to the American wheel. It has two green pockets, the 0 and 00 pockets. You play with free practice chips only. No real money is involved.
Place chips on the table, press spin, and watch where the ball lands. The table pays you or takes your chips just like a real game.
- Click a number or an area of the table to place a chip.
- Press spin to start the round.
- Check your balance after each spin to see how it moves over time.
Play a long session and keep an eye on your balance. Over many spins it tends to drift down, because of the house edge, though any single session can go either way. Compare your result with the house-edge prediction in the stats.
New to the game? Read the roulette rules first, then come back and spin.
The American roulette wheel: 0 and 00 pockets
The American wheel has 38 pockets. That is the numbers 1 to 36 plus the 0 pocket and the 00 pocket. Both zero pockets are green, which is why people also call it double zero roulette.
The number order is different from the European wheel:
- The 0 and 00 pockets sit on opposite sides of the wheel.
- The 0 pocket sits between 2 and 28 on one side.
- The 00 pocket sits between 1 and 27 on the other side.
- Many pairs of neighbor numbers sit straight across from each other – the 1 and the 2 are one example.
- Red and black still take turns around the wheel.
The order does not change your chances. Every pocket is equally likely on every spin. See the full order on the wheel layout page.
Payouts are the same as the single zero game
The American table pays the same amounts as the European roulette table. A single number still pays 35 to 1. Red or black still pays 1 to 1.
| Bet | Numbers | Pays | Chance to win | House edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight up One number | 1 | 35 to 1 | 2.63% | 5.26% |
| Split Two touching numbers | 2 | 17 to 1 | 5.26% | 5.26% |
| Street A row of three | 3 | 11 to 1 | 7.89% | 5.26% |
| Trio 0, 1, 2 | 3 | 11 to 1 | 7.89% | 5.26% |
| Corner Four numbers in a square | 4 | 8 to 1 | 10.53% | 5.26% |
| Top line (first five) 0, 00, 1, 2, 3 | 5 | 6 to 1 | 13.16% | 7.89% |
| Six line Two rows, six numbers | 6 | 5 to 1 | 15.79% | 5.26% |
| Dozen 1–12, 13–24 or 25–36 | 12 | 2 to 1 | 31.58% | 5.26% |
| Column A column of twelve | 12 | 2 to 1 | 31.58% | 5.26% |
| Red or black Eighteen numbers | 18 | 1 to 1 | 47.37% | 5.26% |
| Even or odd Eighteen numbers | 18 | 1 to 1 | 47.37% | 5.26% |
| 1–18 or 19–36 Eighteen numbers | 18 | 1 to 1 | 47.37% | 5.26% |
The difference is the extra pocket. The 00 pocket adds one more way to lose, but the payouts do not grow to cover it.
- Chance of red on this wheel: 47.37%.
- Chance of one single number: 2.63%.
- Chance of a green pocket coming up: 5.26%.
For every bet and its payout, see the roulette payouts page.
American roulette house edge
The house edge on American roulette is 5.26% on almost every bet. On the European wheel it is 2.70%.
| Wheel | Pockets | Edge on red/black | Edge on one number |
|---|---|---|---|
| European (single zero) | 37 | 2.70% | 2.70% |
| French (La Partage) | 37 | 1.35% | 2.70% |
| French (En Prison) | 37 | 1.39% | 2.70% |
| American (0 and 00) | 38 | 5.26% | 5.26% |
| American, Atlantic City rule | 38 | 2.63% | 5.26% |
| Triple zero (0, 00, 000) | 39 | 7.69% | 7.69% |
That makes the American game about 1.95 times more expensive. In plain terms:
- American wheel: on average you lose $5.26 for every hundred dollars you bet.
- European wheel: on average you lose $2.70 for the same amount.
No betting system changes this. Doubling up, chasing colors, or switching numbers all keep the same edge. You can test this yourself in the system tester or read about the Martingale.
If you can pick between wheels, the single zero wheel costs less for every dollar you bet. Choosing a table with the Atlantic City rule for even-money bets, and avoiding the five-number bet, also lowers what you give up. No betting system does.
The five-number bet: the worst bet on the table
The American table has one bet the European table does not: the five-number bet, also called the top line. One chip covers 0 and 00 together with 1 and 2 and 3 on the top row of the table.
It pays 6 to 1. That payout is too low for five numbers, so the house edge jumps to 7.89%.
- Every other bet on this table: 5.26%.
- Five-number bet: 7.89%.
It is the most expensive bet on the American layout. To cover the zeros, a split on 0 and 00 or single bets on them keep the normal edge.
Skip the five-number bet. It covers the same idea as other bets but costs more.
The Atlantic City rule: half back on the zeros
Some American tables use a rule from Atlantic City. You place an even-money bet (red, black, odd, even, low, high). If the ball lands on 0 or 00 you get half your bet back.
This lowers the house edge on those even-money bets to 2.63%.
- Applies to: even-money bets only.
- Does not apply to: single numbers, splits, dozens, columns and other bets. They stay at 5.26%.
Even with this rule, the house still keeps an edge on every spin. A similar rule on the single zero wheel is called La Partage. Learn more on the French roulette page.
Questions
What is the house edge on American roulette?
The house edge on American roulette is 5.26% on almost every bet. The five-number bet on the zeros and the first three numbers is higher at 7.89%.
How many pockets are on an American roulette wheel?
The American wheel has 38 pockets. That is the numbers 1 to 36 plus the green 0 and 00 pockets.
Is American roulette worse than European roulette?
The payouts are the same, but the extra 00 pocket raises the house edge to 5.26% compared with 2.70%. That makes the American game about 1.95 times more expensive over time.
What are the odds of hitting red in American roulette?
The chance of red on the American wheel is 47.37%. The 0 and 00 pockets are green, so they count as a loss for red and black bets.
Can I play American roulette free online?
Yes, the simulator on this page is set to the American wheel and uses free practice chips only. It is for learning how the game works, not for winning money.