Online roulette is a very popular game, and it makes sense that there are different versions of it. At the moment, there are 3 roulette wheel types – French, European, and American.
In this guide, we’re going to tell you more about the American version of this famous casino game.
What’s Different in the American Roulette?
You can tell them apart easily by counting the number of pockets on the wheels. French and European roulette games have 37 pockets, while the American roulette wheel has 38. The difference is a single pocket – “00” – that only appears in American roulette. It’s possible to make a unique play because of this extra pocket, as we’ll see shortly.
French roulette and European wheels differ in a more granular way. The French game has at least two extra rules called La Partage and En Prison. You can make Call plays, too, such as Voisins du Zero and Orphelins.
American Roulette Odds
Pockets do change the game somewhat, and they also change the odds of American roulette vs European roulette. A play of Even/Odd or Red/Black has odds of 48.6% in the European game. The American wheel reduces this outcome to 46.37% with the addition of the double-zero pocket. This means the house has a higher edge of 5.26% compared to the European 2.70%.
In the US, the American roulette wheel is the most common variant in places like Atlantic City and Las Vegas. The one exception is in California. The Golden State plays a unique type of roulette that uses cards instead of a ball. If you’ve ever seen the TV show Wheel of Fortune, you’re halfway there.
Understanding The Table
The table has all the plays you can make printed on it. These are divided into Inside plays and Outside plays. As a rule, Outside plays are simpler and have decent odds of winning but don’t provide much in the way of returns. Red/Black, Odd/Even, and High/Low are the classic Outside plays. These have American roulette odds of 47.37% and prizes at 1:1.
Inside plays are a bit more advanced. With prizes of up to 35:1, inside plays have a lot of potential. Odds between 2.6% and 15.8% ensure they’re a tricky prospect, however. Inside plays on the American roulette wheel include Straight, Split, Street, and Corner.
Let’s go back a bit. Do you remember a special play that’s possible because of the “00” pocket? This is the Five Number or Basket play. Unfortunately, it’s widely considered one of the worst aspects of the American game, with a high house edge of 7.89% and a low award potential of 6:1. It uses the numbers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3.
Can I Influence the Odds?
You can’t alter your chance of winning certain plays at the American roulette table – or the European or French one. Outside plays come in the most frequently, but remember there are no guarantees at any table, whether it’s roulette, blackjack, or baccarat.
Some plays may have a better chance of winning than others. The more numbers you can cover in American roulette, the more likely it is that the ball will land in one of your pockets. While this technique might work for somebody, it’s a good way to exhaust your bankroll. Still, it’s part of the roulette game.
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