American Roulette Table & Wheel Explained

Before we talk about American roulette it will be good that we understand what the game is all about. Roulette involves spinning a wheel, the clatter of the ball, and the suspense of where it will land. Roulette is the French word for “little wheel”, and has its origins in the Italian game Biribi and has developed into an interesting game that has been played in casinos for years. Today, top-rated roulette sites feature several variants of the game allowing players to choose one that suits the experience they seek. 

To have a thrilling experience, a player needs to guess where a tiny ball will land on a rotating, numbered wheel.

What is American Roulette?

The roulette wheel didn’t have a zero in it until the mid-19th century. But in 1842, Francois and Lois Blanc redesigned the roulette wheel to include a single zero for King Charles III of Monaco when he built a casino to raise funds for his kingdom. And the American roulette eventually came to light shortly after, mixing chance with strategy. 

In some early American roulette wheels, it was numbered 1 to 28, plus a single zero, double zero, and an American Eagle. According to William B. Dick in his book, The Modern Pocket Hoyle, “The single 0, double 0, and the eagle are not bars.” But soon this tradition vanished and today real-money roulette UK sites feature American roulette with only a single zero (0) and a double zero (00) on the wheel, making it different from its counterparts. 

What is the American Roulette Wheel?

The American wheel is made up of 38 numbered pockets, ranging from 0 to 36, plus the 00. These pockets are color-coded: 18 are red, 18 are black, and the 0 and 00 are green. The numbers are arranged in a specific order, which helps to balance high and low numbers, as well as odd and even ones, fairly evenly.

It's more than just a haphazard collection of numbers. Consider yourself at the wheel's top, there's a big '0' there! Then, if you turn the numbers clockwise, you'll discover that they go like this: 0, 28, 9, 26, 30, and so forth. All the way down is the '00' (double zero) is located there. This particular 38-number sequence is what gives American Roulette its unique edge. 

You should also take note of the colors. Like a checkerboard that alternates between black and red. Consequently, a red number will appear, followed by a black one. The sequence of numbers on an American roulette wheel differs from that of a European wheel, adding to the game's randomness. 

The presence of the 00 significantly increases the house edge in American roulette compared to its counterparts. This extra pocket raises the house edge to about 5.26%. However, several factors can influence how well players can predict the probability of outcome such as the location the ball starts and the relative speeds of the ball and wheel when the croupier sets the wheel in motion and releases the ball. In a post by Pater Gwynne on NBCNews, he explains how “Knowing the initial conditions can tilt the odds of roulette in favor.”

What is the American Roulette Table?

The table of American roulette features a grid of numbers that match those on the wheel. Players can place bets on different sections of the table, marking their chosen numbers or combinations. The table is split into "inside bets" and "outside bets." 

Inside Bets are bets that focus on specific numbers or combinations within the numbered grid. Inside bets include: 

• Straight up: A bet on a single number (pays 35 to 1)
• Split: A bet on two adjacent numbers (pays 17 to 1)
• Street: A bet on three numbers in a horizontal row (pays 11 to 1)
• Corner: A bet on four numbers in a square (pays 8 to 1)
• Five-number bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3): This unique bet is exclusive to the American Roulette wheel and carries a high house edge (pays 6 to 1)
• Line or Six Line: A bet on six numbers across two adjacent rows (pays 5 to 1)

Outside bets are bets that focus on larger groups of numbers. Outside bets include: 

• Red/Black: You're betting on whether the winning number will be red or black (pays 1 to 1)
• Odd/Even: This is a wager on whether the winning number will be odd or even (pays 1 to 1)
• 1-18/19-36: Here, you're betting on whether the winning number falls in the lower half (1-18) or the higher half (19-36) of the numbers (pays 1 to 1)
• Dozens: here you are to bet on one of three sets of 12 numbers (1-12, 13-24, 25-36) (pays 2 to 1)
• Columns: This bet is that the one that is being placed on one of the three vertical columns of numbers (pays 2 to 1)

Major Differences Between American and European Roulette

The single biggest difference between the American version of real-money roulette UK and its counterparts is the extra 00 number. Honestly, if you remove the 00 from an American roulette table you would almost be left with a European table. The key difference between the American and the European roulette therefore is the addition of the 00 pocket in American roulette, which automatically increases the house edge. In contrast, European roulette has just a single zero, which helps to decrease the house edge. Here is a breakdown:

 Wheel Setup

The wheel setup of European roulette is such that it has 37 slots: numbers 1 to 36, and one zero (0). Whereas the American roulette has 38 slots: numbers 1 to 36, one zero (0), and two zeros (00).

House Advantage

The extra double zero in American roulette gives the house a bigger edge. For European roulette, the house has about 2.7%. While for American roulette the house has about 5.26%.

Special Rules

Also, European top UK roulette tables often feature the "la partage" or "en prison" rules for even-money bets (e.g., red/black). If the ball lands on zero, players recover half their bet or let it "imprison" for the next spin. These rules further reduce the effective house edge to ~1.35%. American roulette typically lacks such concessions.

Here is a tabular description:

Conclusion

American roulette continues to be a popular choice in casinos and among players notwithstanding its bigger house edge compared to its counterparts. The inclusion of the double zero creates a unique playing experience that has become a popular game within the American casino culture and among players. Ensure to find quality UK roulette tables when playing. While the odds may likely favor the house more significantly, the variety of betting options and the iconic wheel design make American roulette a lasting choice for both novice players and experienced gamblers. With this in mind, it is important to note that understanding the features and nuances of the wheel, table layout, and betting strategies can improve the players’ chance and the overall gaming experience.