American Casino Roulette : Wheel Layout and Rules

Many people don't realize that there are multiple types of Roulette wheels. You can play both European and American roulette online. The American Roulette wheel has a single zero and a double zero, whereas the European one only has a single zero. Also, the numbers on the American Roulette wheel are placed in pairs opposite one another; the European wheel is randomized.

Design of the American Roulette Wheel

The American table places the red/black and odd/even bets next to each other. It also positions the first 18/last 18 betting spots alongside the single numbers. The randomness of European single zero tables may be more pleasing to the eye, but the layout of the American Roulette wheel is more practical and less confusing for people who may just be beginning to learn how to play roulette.

Odds on the American Roulette Wheel

The double zero present with American Roulette wheel affects the odds significantly over many spins. The house edge on a single number bet on the American Roulette wheel is taken out of 38 numbers; the house edge ends up being about 5.26%. The European wheel only has 37 numbers, changing that house edge to 2.7% which is a big difference in odds.

You can find both European and American roulette online and in land-based casinos around the world. If the option is available, you should consider playing European roulette instead of American roulette, due to the large difference between the house edges of the games. Both are games with no skill, so increasing your odds is always the best idea when depending on luck in order to win.