American Roulette
American roulette uses a 38-pocket wheel with both a single and a double zero, producing a house edge of 5.26% — roughly double that of the European single-zero game.
| Origin | United States |
|---|---|
| Era | 19th century |
| House Edge | 5.26% |
| Pockets | 38 (0, 00, 1–36) |
| Skill Vs Luck | Pure chance |
The double-zero difference
The defining feature of the American wheel is the second green pocket marked 00. Adding it lifts the total to 38 pockets while payouts stay identical to the European game, so the extra pocket lands entirely in the casino’s favour. The result is a 5.26% house edge on most bets — and a notably worse 7.89% on the five-number ‘basket’ bet unique to this layout.
Frequently asked questions
Why is American roulette worse for players?
The extra double-zero pocket raises the house edge to 5.26% without improving any payout.
Should I ever play the American wheel?
If a single-zero (European or French) wheel is available, it is always the better mathematical choice.
Sources
- Published roulette rules
- Probability theory