Unlike European Roulette, American Roulette adds a double zero (00) to the wheel. A complete guide to bet types, payout structure, and strategy in live format at 81qb.
Roulette is one of the most recognized casino games in the world. A spinning wheel, a small ball, and a bet on where that ball will land — that's the essence of it. But within that simplicity lies a rich world of betting options and strategy.
American Roulette differs from its European counterpart in one key way — it features Two Zero Slots Includes a single zero (0) and a double zero (00). European Roulette has only one 0. This extra slot brings the total pocket count from 37 to 38, nearly doubling the House Edge.
Despite the higher House Edge, American Roulette remains a favorite for many players — thanks to the Five Number Bet, a unique wager that doesn't exist in European Roulette. Beyond that, the fast-paced energy and familiar feel of American Roulette in online live casinos keeps drawing players in.
81qb's casino section offers the chance to play American Roulette with a live dealer. Every aspect of the game is covered in detail below.
| Total Slots | 38 |
| Red Numbers | 18 |
| Black Numbers | 18 |
| Green (0 & 00) | 2 |
| House Edge | 5.26% |
The numbers on the American Roulette wheel are arranged in a specific sequence — different from the European wheel.
0 and 00 sit on opposite sides of the wheel — positioned exactly across from each other.
The remaining 18 numbers are black. 0 and 00 are green and do not belong to either color.
A complete round of Live American Roulette is structured as follows.
When the dealer announces "Place your bets," place your chips on the roulette table layout within the allotted time. You can place Inside Bets, Outside Bets, or both at the same time.
After the dealer spins the wheel and releases the ball, they call "No more bets." No chips may be placed or moved after that point.
The ball is launched in the opposite direction of the spinning wheel. As it slows down, it settles into one of the pockets.
The dealer announces the ball's position. The number and color are displayed on screen, and winning bets are highlighted.
Losing chips are cleared and payouts are made to winning players. The next round then begins.
Practical Tip: If you're playing for the first time, start with Outside Bets (Red/Black, Odd/Even). The payouts are lower, but your chances of winning are better and it's easier to get a feel for the pace of the game.
There are two main sections for placing bets on the roulette table. Each has its own payouts and odds.
Bets on a specific number or a small group of numbers. Higher payouts, but lower odds of winning.
About the Five Number Bet: This bet covers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3, and carries a House Edge of 7.89% — the worst on the American Roulette table. Best avoided.
Bets covering large groups of numbers. Lower payouts, but better odds of winning. If the ball lands on 0 or 00, all Outside Bets typically lose.
Win by landing on any of the 18 red or 18 black numbers. Payout 1:1. Covers 18 out of 38 pockets.
Wins when the ball lands on an odd or even number between 1 and 36. 0 and 00 are excluded. Payout is 1:1.
Bet on the first half (1–18) or second half (19–36) — wagering on which half the ball lands in. Payout 1:1.
A bet on any one of three groups of 12 numbers. Payout 2:1. Covers 12 out of 38 pockets.
Bet on all 12 numbers in any one of the three columns on the table. Payout is 2:1.
Every bet type in American Roulette — coverage and payouts, all in one place.
| Bet Name | Numbers Covered | Payout | Odds of winning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Up | 1 | 35:1 | 2.63% |
| Split | 2 | 17:1 | 5.26% |
| Street | 3 | 11:1 | 7.89% |
| Corner (Quad) | 4 | 8:1 | 10.53% |
| Five Number | 5 (0, 00, 1, 2, 3) | 6:1 | 13.16% |
| Line (Six Line) | 6 | 5:1 | 15.79% |
| Dozen / Column | 12 | 2:1 | 31.58% |
| Red / Black | 18 | 1:1 | 47.37% |
| Odd / Even | 18 | 1:1 | 47.37% |
| Low / High | 18 | 1:1 | 47.37% |
Winning odds are calculated across 38 slots. Payouts are lower than the true probability — that gap is what creates the House Edge.
The bar chart is for visual comparison only — actual mathematical values may differ slightly.
Here's a quick side-by-side look at the key differences between the two versions.
| Feature | American Roulette | European Roulette |
|---|---|---|
| Total Slots | 38 (0, 00, 1–36) | 38 (0, 1–36) |
| Zero Slots | 2 — 0 & 00 | 1 — 0 only |
| House Edge | 5.26% | 2.70% |
| Five Number Bet | Yes (0, 00, 1, 2, 3) | None |
| La Partage Rule | None | Available in some variants |
| En Prison Rule | None | Available in some variants |
| Straight Up Payout | 35:1 | 35:1 |
| Wheel layout | Different sequence — 0 and 00 are on opposite sides | Different sequence — 0 only |
| When to Choose It | For a unique experience — excluding the Five Number Bet | For a Lower House Edge |
A Note on the Math: European Roulette has 37 slots, giving each number a win probability of 1/37 = 2.703%. A Straight Up payout of 35:1 means you get back 36/37 on average — making the House Edge = 1/37 ≈ 2.70%. American Roulette has 38 slots, so the edge rises to 2/38 = 5.26%.
Roulette is a game of pure chance — every spin is completely independent, and past results have no effect whatsoever on future spins. This is known as a "memoryless" system. No betting system can reduce the House Edge over the long run.
That said, some betting systems are widely used — these are essentially methods for managing bet sizes, not guarantees of winning.
The most practical strategy is straightforward — avoid the Five Number Bet (highest House Edge), set a budget, and stick to it.
The bet doubles after every loss, with the idea that a single win recovers all previous losses. In practice, a losing streak causes bets to escalate quickly and can hit the table maximum fast.
Bets are increased following the Fibonacci sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8…). Stakes grow more slowly than with Martingale, but a losing streak creates the same problem.
Bets increase slightly after a loss and decrease slightly after a win — changes are gradual. Even so, this system cannot reduce the House Edge.
Warning: No betting system can bring roulette's House Edge down to zero. These are bankroll management methods — not guarantees of winning.
Walking through a few common scenarios makes the structure of the game much clearer.
Red/Black bet — Black wins (1:1). Odd/Even bet — Odd wins (1:1). High bet 19–36 wins (1:1). Third Dozen (25–36) loses. Straight Up on 23 pays 35:1. Red bet loses.
All Outside Bets (Red/Black, Odd/Even, High/Low, Dozen, Column) lose. Only a Straight Up bet on 0 or 00 (35:1), or a Five Number Bet (6:1), wins.
If the ball lands on 17 or 18, you win at 17:1. Since 17 is black and 18 is red, a single Split bet covers both colours.
In roulette, you can combine Inside and Outside Bets in the same round. Keep in mind that placing more bets increases your potential losses — always decide with your budget in mind.
Live Roulette tables often display a history of recent results on a screen. When a number comes up multiple times, it's labeled "Hot." Many players assume that betting on it again increases their chances of winning.
This is a well-known cognitive bias called the Gambler's Fallacy. Every spin in roulette is completely independent — no matter how many times a number has appeared before, every number has an equal probability on the next spin.
Hot/Cold stats are fun to look at, but they shouldn't be used as the basis for strategic decisions.
The word roulette is French for "little wheel." The game is generally traced back to 18th-century France, though its exact origins are debated. Early versions included both 0 and 00.
In 19th-century Germany, facing stiff casino competition, the Blanc family removed the 00 from the wheel and introduced the Single Zero version with just 0. This became the standard across Europe.
When roulette reached America, many casinos kept the original French double-zero format. That's why American Roulette has both 0 and 00. Some venues also featured a third Eagle slot, which was later dropped.
Today, most online casinos worldwide offer both versions. 81qb gives you the chance to play Live American Roulette — complete with the excitement that only the double zero brings.
Visit the casino lobby to see which variants are available at 81qb.
Common terms you'll hear while playing American Roulette Live.
81qb's Live American Roulette is fully playable on mobile. Even on a small screen, the complete table layout and numbers are clearly visible, and placing chips is as easy as a tap.
Landscape mode gives you a better view of the table layout. Since a live video stream is active, a stable internet connection will give you the best experience.
Tip: At 81qb, the betting limits (minimum and maximum) for Live Roulette tables are visible in the lobby before you enter the game. Check them against your budget before taking a seat.
When you play Live Roulette or any other game at 81qb, your account details, gaming history, and session data may be collected. This information is used to maintain platform security and improve service quality. Your personal data is never sold to third parties.
For more details, visit our Privacy Policy Read.
The fast spin cycle and frequent results in roulette can make it easy to keep playing without pause. Keep these points in mind:
Answers to two common questions about the American Roulette page.
Now that you know the rules, bet types, and payout structure of American Roulette, experience it firsthand at 81qb's live tables. Always play responsibly and within your budget.