Unlike European roulette, which owns just one green zero pocket on the wheel, American roulette introduces another green pocket, reserved for a double-zero, as a means of making the game more difficult for the player to win, and increasing the house edge from 2.70 per cent to 5.26 per cent. Find out how to play double-zero roulette and the casino sites to play at online.

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How to play American roulette

In the 19th century, the game of Roulette, which was born in France, made its way across the ocean and onto American soil. As with many games, rules and commodities, Americans like to make things their own, and so the double-zero game of Roulette was born.

The pockets on the American wheel are numbered 1 through to 36, with one ‘zero’ slot and one ‘double zero’ slot. In most American games, the layout of the wheel is as follows:

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

All numbers, aside from the zeros, are either red or black. From 1 through to 10, the odd numbers are red and the even numbers are black. From 11 through to 18, the odd numbers are black and the even numbers are red. From 19 through to 28, the odd numbers are red and the even numbers are black. From 29 through to 36, the odd numbers are black and the even numbers are red.

The betting layout is divided into three rows and three sections of 12 numbers in each, as displayed in the adjacent image. The zeros are placed atop the betting layout, while red/black, odd/even and 1-18/19-36 betting options are located on the outside of the layout.

Before the croupier spins the wheel, players can place their bets across the table, with a host of diverse wagering options available, each with differing payouts.

Outside bets

The outside wagers refer to the betting options which are located on the outer areas of the layout, and they include:

Red/Black
If the number the ball lands on will be red or black. Pays out even money (1:1 or double your stake).
Odd/Even
If the number the ball lands on will be even or odd. Pays out at 1:1.
1-18/19-36
If the number the ball lands on falls within the 1-18 range or 19-36 range. Pays out at 1:1.
1st 12, 2nd 12, 3rd 12 (also known as a dozens bet) – If the number the ball lands on falls within the first set, second set or third set of 12 numbers. Pays out 2:1
5. 2 to 1 (also known as a columns bet)
If the number the ball lands on is one of the numbers within the 2 to 1 column you bet on, you are paid out at 2:1.

Inside bets

As the name suggests, inside bets involve wagers placed on numbers or groups of numbers located inside the betting layout, and they include the following:

Straight up
Place a bet on any single number. Win and get paid out at 35:1.
Split
Place a bet on two adjoining numbers on the layout. Win and get paid out 17:1.
Basket
Place a wager on the intersecting lines between either 0, 1, 2 or 00, 2, 3 or 0, 00, 2. Win and get paid out at 11:1.
Street
Place a wager covering any three numbers in a horizontal line (for example, place a chip or chips on the left outer edge of the number 10, and you have covered the numbers 10, 11 and 12). Win and get paid out at 11:1.
Corner (or square bet)
Place your chips on the cross intersection of any four adjoining numbers in a block (for example, the intersection of the numbers 17, 18, 20 and 21). Win a get paid out at 8:1.
Top line (or first five)
A wager placed on the following numbers: 0, 00, 1, 2, 3. Chips are positioned on the left outer edge of the line which connects the numbers zero and the number one. Win and get paid out 6:1.
Six line (or double street)
Place your chips on the left outer edge of two adjoining streets (for example, any six numbers from two horizontal rows, such as 22, 23, 24 and 25, 26, 27. Win and get paid out 5:1.

All the above wagers (both inside and outside) hold a house edge of 5.26 per cent, except for the top line wager, which holds an extremely high casino edge of 7.89 per cent, and should be avoided at all costs.

The snake bet is also a popular wager, and can be played both online and within land based casinos. The bet is a unique dozens wager, where a player places chips on each of the following numbers: 1, 5, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 23, 27, 30, 32, and 34. Check the image of the roulette table layout and you will notice this wager resembles a snake from top to bottom.

Online roulette gameplay

American roulette tables often have lower minimum bets than European tables, and this is because casinos are happy to trade smaller bets for a game which has a much higher house edge. If you want to get the most value from your betting dollar, then players should avoid playing American roulette altogether. You can find lower limit European roulette titles online at the below real money Internet casinos:

Start enjoying the perks of interactive gambling, and games such as live dealer roulette, where you play with professionally trained human croupiers, and watch and partake in the live action via HD video feeds.