American Roulette
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American Roulette

American roulette, another popular variant of the famous table game, is widely available at many online casinos, both in solo and live versions. 

Would you like to try your hand at American roulette, but don't know what it's all about? 

In this article, we'll give you the keys you need to familiarize yourself with the rules of American roulette. Here, we'll look at the different types of bets and how they differ from other variants. 

The history of American roulette 

American roulette, one of the most emblematic variants of the famous table game, has a fascinating history dating back to the 18th century

Its origins are linked to European roulette, but the American version is distinguished by the addition of an extra square, the double zero (00), in combination with the single zero (0)

This modification was introduced to increase the house advantage, ultimately making American roulette less player-friendly than its European counterpart. 

The history of American roulette is also marked by its expansion into American casinos during the 19th century, notably through the gambling establishments of New Orleans, where it quickly became popular. 

Today, American roulette remains one of the most popular creations in land-based and online casinos, offering players an exciting and suspenseful gaming experience

The Rules of American Roulette 

As with the other variants, American roulette has similar rules, with a few subtleties that set it apart from the others. 

The aim of American roulette 

The aim of American roulette is to predict which square the thrown ball will land in.  

The board features 38 squares numbered from 1 to 36, alternating between red and black, with two green squares marked with a zero (0) and a double zero (00). 

Players place their bets on different numbers, sets of numbers, colors or parities, hoping that the ball will land on the square corresponding to their bet. 

The croupier spins the wheel in one direction and the ball in the other. If the ball lands on a number or combination on which a player has placed a bet, the player wins according to the established payout ratios

Understanding the American Roulette lexicon 

One of the first things to grasp is the specific language used by the croupier. For a novice, it can be disconcerting to hear expressions such as "all bets are off" or "nothing's going right". 

However, these expressions are part of a distinct and precise lexicon specific to roulette. To help you become more familiar with this language, we've put together a quick rundown of the different expressions you might hear from a croupier: 

  • Place your bets: Players are invited to place their bets on the table. 

  • All bets down: Players can no longer place their bets, as the allotted time has elapsed. 

  • No more bets: The croupier announces that he's going to throw the ball into the cylinder, and that only luck will prevail from now on. 

At the end of a round, it's also common for the croupier to announce the winning number and potential winnings aloud. 

How American roulette is played 

The flow of an American roulette game follows a well-defined process: 

First, players place their chips on the table, betting on individual numbers, sets of numbers, or any other betting possibility. 

Once the bets have been placed, the croupier spins the wheel in one direction and throws the ball in the other, announcing the famous phrase "Rien ne va plus" or “No further bets”. This tells the players that they can no longer place or modify their bets

Once the ball has run its course, the croupier indicates the winning number, and winnings are paid out according to the winning bets and table rules. 

Once all payouts have been made, a new game can begin, and players have the opportunity to place one or more bets again. 

Stakes and payouts in American roulette 

Bets and the different ways of placing them are the heart of American roulette. 

Inside bets 

  • Full bet: Play on one number 

  • Straddle bet: Play on two numbers 

  • Cross bet: Play on a line covering three numbers 

  • Square bet: Play on four different numbers 

Outside bets 

  • Bet on a column: Play on one of the three columns containing twelve numbers 

  • Bet on a dozen: Play on one of the three dozens (1 to 12, 13 to 24 or 25 to 36) 

  • Black/Red: Play on one of the two colors 

  • Even/Odd: Play on all even or odd numbers 

  • Miss/Pass: Play on Miss (1-18) or Pass (19-36) 

Green slots in American roulette 

The green boxes in American roulette are the zero (0) and the double zero (00). Unlike European roulette, which has a single zero, American roulette has two zeros, increasing the house's advantage. 

These green squares offer an additional advantage to the casino. This is because, if the ball falls into one of them, all other bets automatically lose. 

The zero and double zero are placed equidistant on the wheel from the other numbers, ensuring fair play. However, their presence alters the odds of winning for players, reducing their chances of success compared with other variants. 

This is why some players prefer to avoid American roulette and opt for variants with a single zero to increase their chances of winning. 

Winning roulette tips 

As with many online casino games, it's possible to use strategies for American roulette. 

Our competitors sometimes claim that these techniques are infallible and guarantee long-term success. 

They don't. 

Even if these strategies can be lucrative at times, roulette is above all based on chance

The Martingale Technique

The classic Martingale strategy is a betting approach in which the player doubles his bet after each loss, in the hope of recouping his losses and making a profit. 

For example, if a player bets $1 on a color and loses, his next bet will be $2, then $4, and so on. The idea is that, sooner or later, a win will compensate for all previous losses, and the player will recoup his initial investment, plus a small profit. 

However, this strategy comes with risks, not least the possibility of encountering betting limits or rapidly depleting one's balance if a series of losses occurs. 

The Montante D'Alembert Betting Strategy

The Montante d'Alembert strategy is a technique in which the player increases or decreases his bet by one unit after each win or loss

For example, if a player starts with a bet of $5 and loses, he will increase his bet to $6 for the next round. If he wins, he'll reduce his bet to $5 again. 

The aim is to achieve a balance between wins and losses over time. This strategy is considered more conservative than the Martingale, but it neither eliminates the risk of losses nor significantly increases the odds of winning. 

The Fibonacci Method

The Fibonacci strategy is a betting method based on the mathematical sequence of the same name, where each number is the sum of the two preceding ones (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8...). 

When utilizing this strategy, the player begins by betting one unit. If he loses, he advances one step in the sequence and bets the corresponding amount. If he wins, he moves back two steps. 

The aim is to recoup previous losses and make a small profit. However, like all betting strategies, it involves risks, notably the possibility of quickly reaching betting limits or suffering a prolonged series of losses. 

A few tips for American roulette 

Here are a few tips to help you have a better time playing American roulette. 

First of all, familiarize yourself with the rules of the game and the different types of bets available. 

Set a game budget and, above all, stick to it. Avoid chasing losses and going beyond your means. Play responsibly and avoid betting more than you can afford to lose. 

Bear in mind that the presence of the double zero increases the house advantage. For this reason, we suggest that you opt for single-zero variants to improve your chances of winning. 

Explore betting systems such as Martingale or Fibonacci, but bear in mind that no strategy guarantees long-term success. 

Other roulette variants 

In addition to American roulette, there are other variations, such as European roulette, French roulette, and English roulette. Each offers slightly different rules and playing experiences. 

English roulette 

English roulette is a popular variant that resembles European roulette in almost every respect. It only has one zero square. 

Unlike the other variants, the chips have no value of their own, and players determine their value as they enter the game. 

This offers greater betting flexibility. 

European roulette 

European roulette is a classic variant with 37 numbers (from 0 to 36) and a single green square for the zero. 

Unlike American roulette, it offers a lower house edge, making it popular with players for its better odds

French roulette 

French roulette is similar to European roulette, with 37 numbers and a single zero, but differs in that it has special rules such as "La Partage" and "En Prison", which offer players advantages when betting on single odds and zero outs. 

Again, unlike American roulette, it has no double zero, which reduces the house advantage. 

Mexican roulette 

Mexican roulette is a rare variant where the wheel features 38 numbers, including a zero (0), a double zero (00) and a triple zero (000). 

The main differences with American roulette are the addition of the triple zero, increasing the house advantage, and the rarity of this variant, which is less common than American roulette at online casinos. 

The best American roulette games 

Several American roulette games are worth playing for their fast-paced action, attractive graphics and sometimes special features, offering an exciting and immersive gaming experience

American Roulette Live 

American Roulette Live is a live version of American Roulette available at online casinos. The work of software provider Evolution, it offers an immersive experience with live dealers and real-time chat interaction. 

All filmed with the use of multiple cameras for a dynamic view of the wheel, this live game offers a realistic and thrilling gaming experience

For players who enjoy solo play, Evolution also offers a First Person version of American Roulette

American Roulette 

This Betsoft version is particularly appreciated for its simplicity and efficiency

In this creation, you play solo, with full betting options. This American roulette is ideal for beginners who want to discover the game at their own pace, largely thanks to the demo mode function available. 

Conclusion about American roulette 

American roulette offers a captivating gaming experience

Despite its higher house edge, due to the presence of the double zero, it remains popular with players, and its many online games offer a deeply realistic immersion in this classic table game. 

For our part, as much as we enjoy American roulette, we prefer other variations that offer more luck. 

About the authorOlivia Cazenave
52 articles
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A specialist in online casinos, she also enjoys proofreading. With her, it's impossible to miss a mistake. A true lover of the written word, she binds articles together and retouches them to make them as perfect as possible. She's also been a big fan of slot machines for over 15 years. Her vision will guide you to unique sites.

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