American roulette is a popular version of the classic table game, available at most online casinos. It’s largely similar to the European version: a dealer spins a wheel, a ball slots into one of the many pockets, and a winner is (hopefully) declared.
However, American roulette has one major difference from European roulette: the extra pocket on the wheel. This was introduced in the 19th century, and helped American roulette gain popularity in US casinos. With the 00 pocket, the American roulette wheel is divided into 38 pockets, not 37.
That’s why American roulette typically works in a casino’s favour rather than the player’s. Fortunately, though, there are steps you can take to be prepared and even boost your winning potential. Such as?
We’ll share some of the best American roulette tips below to inspire you.
Concept of American Roulette
If you’ve played European roulette, or even watched a game or two, the American version will look familiar. It uses a wheel containing 18 red numbers, 18 black numbers, and 2 green sections. The betting table includes multiple sections for wagers, and the aim is still to predict which number the ball will land on at the end of the spin.
To get started, you place at least one chip on a specific section of the roulette table. You can choose from a wide range of outside and inside bets. Once you’ve placed one or more bets on the table, the dealer spins the wheel, then tosses the ball the opposite way. Any winnings are paid out, and the next game begins.
However, that extra green pocket, with the 00, differentiates American roulette from its European inspiration. And it has a big impact on your chances of winning.
Important Aspects of American Roulette
Two of the most important aspects of American roulette to learn before you start playing are house edge and Return to Player (RTP). If you’re new to roulette and gambling in general, you may not recognise these terms.
House edge refers to the advantage that the casino (“house”) enjoys in American roulette and any other game. RTP, shown as a percentage (e.g. 96%), is the amount of bets you will theoretically win in the long run. Always check the RTP before you play a game, whether that’s American roulette, a slot, or anything else.
As American roulette has an extra pocket than the European version, the casino has a better chance of winning and the house edge is increased to 5.26%. That’s virtually double the house edge of European roulette: 2.7%. As a result, your theoretical RTP becomes 94.74% instead of 97.3%.
The 00’s presence also disrupts bet probabilities and reduces the chances of winning with the different bet types. The average probability of winning is 48.64% in European roulette, but this drops to nearly 2% in American roulette.
Ultimately, American roulette’s extra green pocket makes it more difficult to build big wins over multiple games, and leaves the house with more of your bets.
American Roulette Wheel
American Roulette Tips
As American roulette has a lower RTP and a higher house edge than the European version, any helpful tips and tricks will come in handy.
So, here are a few American roulette tips to help you next time you play:
Plan Your Bankroll
Good bankroll management is a must when playing any game, but especially when the house edge is so high. That’s why it’s top of our list of American roulette wheel tips.
Think carefully about the amount of wagering money you’re willing to commit. It has to be a sensible supply that you can afford to lose, just in case the game doesn’t go your way. You may need to play a large number of spins before you win, and it’s crucial that you don’t spend all of your gambling money early.
When you set your bankroll limit, stick to it. Stay in control and only wager the money you’ve set aside for the game.
Know When to Quit
Of all our American roulette tricks and tips, quitting while you’re ahead is the most important to remember while playing. Resist the temptation to put winnings back into the game, otherwise you could lose everything by the end. Keep any winnings safe and exit the game as soon as your planned bankroll runs out.
Practice Before You Dive In
Take a few spins on a free American roulette demo before you try the real thing. You’ll get familiar with the gameplay, the bets, and managing your bankroll, all without risk.
And, if possible, try watching some live American roulette games in action to see how dealers operate and interact with players. You want to feel prepared when you sit down to play your first real game.
American Roulette Bet
Choose Your Bets Carefully
Take care when exploring betting options and strategies. Understand which have the best win probabilities to reduce your risk of placing bad bets.
The First Five Numbers bet, for instance, is best avoided unless you want to increase the house edge to around 8%. It’s similar to European roulette’s First Four Numbers bet, but it covers the wheel’s 00 pocket as well as the 0, 1, 2, and 3.
American Roulette Conclusion
We hope our American roulette tips help you understand the game, its house edge, and how to get more out of it. But here’s a final tip: remember that American roulette is a game of chance. You can’t know exactly what will happen from spin to spin, no matter how good a certain strategy may seem.
Want to play American roulette at a reputable online casino? Check out our list of the best online roulette sites.
