American Roulette — Free Demo
American roulette is European roulette plus one extra green pocket, the 00 — and nothing else. Payouts stay exactly the same, so that single pocket lifts the house edge from 2.70% to 5.26%, almost doubling the cost of every bet. Play this free demo side by side with the European table to see the difference with your own chips.
GETRAKEBACK. 18+.
Click a number for a straight-up bet. The small circles on the edges of each number place splits, streets, corners and six lines exactly as they sit on a real table — hover a cell to reveal them. Right-click any spot to clear it. Everything on the board is virtual credit with no cash value.
The one difference that matters
American roulette is European roulette with an extra green pocket labelled 00. The layout looks the same, the payouts are the same, the bets are the same. But the ball now has 38 places to land instead of 37, while a straight-up bet still pays 35 to 1.
That is the entire mechanism. The house edge rises from 2.70% to 5.26% — 1 − 36/38 — and it applies to every bet on the table. Per $1,000 wagered, European costs about $27 and American costs about $53.
American roulette payouts and odds
| Bet | Numbers | Pays | Win chance | Returns per $100 | House edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight up | 1 | 35:1 | 2.63% | $94.74 | 5.26% |
| Split | 2 | 17:1 | 5.26% | $94.74 | 5.26% |
| Street | 3 | 11:1 | 7.89% | $94.74 | 5.26% |
| Corner | 4 | 8:1 | 10.53% | $94.74 | 5.26% |
| Five number (0-00-1-2-3) | 5 | 6:1 | 13.16% | $92.11 | 7.89% |
| Six line | 6 | 5:1 | 15.79% | $94.74 | 5.26% |
| Column | 12 | 2:1 | 31.58% | $94.74 | 5.26% |
| Dozen | 12 | 2:1 | 31.58% | $94.74 | 5.26% |
| Red / Black | 18 | 1:1 | 47.37% | $94.74 | 5.26% |
| Odd / Even | 18 | 1:1 | 47.37% | $94.74 | 5.26% |
| High / Low | 18 | 1:1 | 47.37% | $94.74 | 5.26% |
Avoid the five-number bet. Covering 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3 pays 6 to 1 against true odds of 6.6 to 1. That is a 7.89% house edge — the worst bet available on any roulette table, and the only bet in American roulette that is worse than all the others.
What it costs in practice
Take a modest session: $10 per spin, 50 spins an hour, two hours. That is $1,000 of turnover. On a European wheel the expected cost is $27. On an American wheel it is $52.60. Same chairs, same drinks, same game — just under twice the price.
The double-zero wheel exists because it can. In casinos where both are offered, the American table is usually the one with the lower minimum, which is exactly the trade being made: a cheaper entry into a more expensive game.
If you have a choice, take the single-zero table every time. Our side-by-side comparison puts numbers on how quickly the gap compounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the house edge on American roulette?
5.26% on every bet except the five-number bet, which is 7.89%. The wheel has 38 pockets but pays as though it had 36.
What is the pocket order on an American wheel?
Clockwise from 0: 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. Numbers sit directly opposite their consecutive partner.
Is there ever a reason to play American roulette?
Only if it is the only table available, or if a promotion is worth more than the extra 2.56% of turnover you will pay. Otherwise the single-zero wheel is strictly better.
What is surrender or half-back?
A rare American rule returning half of even-money stakes when 0 or 00 lands, which cuts the edge on those bets to 2.63%. It is uncommon; assume it is not offered unless the table says so.
How to play the American Roulette demo
- Choose a chip and place bets exactly as on the European table — the layout is the same, with 0 and 00 at the left.
- Try the five-number bet (0-00-1-2-3) from the strip under the layout, and watch the board's edge jump towards 7.89%.
- Build the same board you would play on a European wheel and compare the House edge readout: 5.26% against 2.70%.
- Spin. Payouts match the European table exactly — that is precisely why the extra pocket costs you.
Getting the most out of the American Roulette demo
Use it as a comparison tool
The best use of the American demo is side by side with the European one. Same board, same payouts, twice the edge — a lesson worth learning for free.
Spot the wheel in two seconds
At a real casino, look for a 00 on the layout. If it is there, you are on the expensive table, whatever the game is called.
Price the difference
Put your usual stake into the session cost calculator and switch between European and American. The yearly difference is usually the most persuasive number on this site.
Common mistakes
- Choosing the American table because its minimum bet is lower — a cheaper seat into a twice-as-expensive game.
- Placing the five-number bet. At 7.89% it is the worst bet in mainstream roulette.
- Assuming the 00 adds something in return. It does not change a single payout.
Demo vs real money
This demo uses the same pocket order, paytable and probabilities as a real table, so everything you learn about the game transfers directly. What does not transfer is the result: each spin is independent, so a winning demo session says nothing about a real one. Treat it as a flight simulator, not a rehearsal of luck — and if you do move to real money, set a limit before you start.
Not sure where to begin? The 30-minute practice plan uses this demo alongside the calculators.
More roulette variants
- European Roulette — 2.70% house edge
- French Roulette — 1.35% house edge
- Lightning Roulette — 2.90% house edge
- Double Ball Roulette — 2.78% house edge
- Mini Roulette — 7.69% house edge
18+. Roulette has a fixed house edge, so over enough spins the maths favours the operator — always. If you play for real, treat it as money spent on entertainment, set a limit before you start and stop when you reach it. Our responsible gambling page covers the warning signs and where to get free, confidential help.