American Roulette Strategy: How to Play Smart When the Odds Aren’t

Roulette is easy to play, and that’s the problem. It makes you think you don’t need a plan. A few spins go your way, you start leaning on instinct, and before you know it, you’re chasing losses or betting blind.

That’s where the house gets you. And, in American Roulette, the house can really get you.

Although this game is down to chance, you can create an American Roulette strategy that gives you a way to manage your bankroll and stay disciplined, which is what most players struggle with.

What is American Roulette?

American roulette is a version of the game that uses a wheel with 38 pockets, numbers 1 to 36, plus 0 and 00, instead of the traditional 37). That extra green pocket (the 00) gives the house a higher edge (5.26%) compared to other versions.

The gameplay is the same as you’d expect, you place your bets, spin the wheel, and hope the ball lands in your favor. But because of the double zero, your odds of winning are slightly worse on every spin.

The rest of the game runs the same. You can bet on numbers, colors, ranges, odds or evens. The riskier the bet, the higher the payout. But every time that ball lands on 0 or 00, the house keeps your money (unless you bet on it).

Types of bets you can place on American Roulette

Before you can think about creating an American Roulette strategy, you need to know what you’re betting on. American roulette offers a mix of high-risk, high-reward bets, and lower-risk, steadier options. The type of bet you choose affects everything, including your odds, your payout, your rhythm, and how fast your bankroll moves.

The table itself is divided into two main categories — inside bets and outside bets. Both have a place in smart play, but only if you understand how they work.

Inside bets

Inside bets are placed on the main number grid in the center of the table. These are bets on individual numbers or tight clusters of numbers. They’re harder to hit, but if they land, they pay big. These are the bets people make when they’re chasing a payout — or when they just have a strong read on a single number or section.

• Straight up: This is the simplest and most aggressive bet. You’re backing one number — just one. Place your chip directly on it. If the ball lands there, you get paid 35 to 1. Miss, and your stake’s gone. It’s a pure gamble, but it’s also the only bet that lets you pick a single number and ride it all the way.
• Split: Want to hedge your risk without leaving the inside? Place your chip on the line between two adjacent numbers — either horizontally or vertically. If the ball lands on either number, you win. It’s a way to double your chances without dropping straight into outside territory.
• Street: This covers a row of three numbers in a horizontal line on the grid — like 10, 11, and 12. You place your chip on the outer edge of the row, and if the ball hits any of those three, you get paid. It’s cleaner than betting them separately and gives you three shots on one spin.
• Corner (or square): Place your chip where four numbers meet at a shared corner — for example, 17, 18, 20, and 21. This bet covers all four numbers at once. It’s a popular way to widen your coverage without needing to move into columns or dozens.
• Six line (double street): Covers two rows of numbers — six total. Place your chip at the intersection where the two rows meet. This is the widest of the inside bets and offers the smoothest ride within this category. If you’re going to use inside bets in a low-volatility strategy, this is the one to look at.

Outside bets

Outside bets live around the edge of the table, and they’re broader. Instead of picking exact numbers, or groups of numbers, you’re backing patterns, such as colors, ranges, or categories. These bets don’t pay as much, but they land more often.

• Red or black: This is the most famous roulette bet. You’re not choosing a number — you’re choosing a color. Half the pockets (18) are red, the other half are black. If the ball lands on your color, you double your stake. If it hits green (0 or 00), you lose. That’s what makes this bet feel fair… but slightly isn’t.
• Odd or even: Same principle as red or black, just split by number type. Bet on odd numbers or even numbers. If your category hits, you get 1:1. And just like with colors, 0 and 00 aren’t part of either group. That’s where the house gets you.
• High or low: You’re betting on whether the number will be in the lower half (1–18) or upper half (19–36). Again, 18 numbers on each side. Same 1:1 payout. Same green-pocket risk.
• Dozens: The table is divided into three blocks of twelve numbers: 1–12, 13–24, and 25–36. Bet on one block, and if the ball lands within that group, you get paid 2:1. It’s a way to cover a third of the board without relying on colors or patterns.
• Columns: Another way to bet on 12 numbers, but vertically instead of numerically. The number grid has three columns — one with numbers like 1, 4, 7, etc. You place your chip at the bottom of the column where it says “2 to 1.” Same payout as dozens, just a different visual setup.

Outside bets are where most players start. They give you more time at the table, more frequent wins, and enough flexibility to build real strategies. You won’t win huge in one spin, but you’ll stay in the game longer, and that matters when you’re working an American Roulette strategy.

Are there any special bets in American roulette?

Not usually. Most American roulette tables, especially in physical casinos, stick to the standard layout. 

That said, some online versions of American Roulette do include extra features borrowed from European and French roulette. You might see options like neighbor bets, call bets, or a racetrack layout. These are based on where the numbers sit on the wheel, not just how they appear on the table.

• Neighbor bets let you back a number and the two numbers on either side of it on the wheel.
• Call bets cover preset sections like Voisins du Zéro or Tiers du Cylindre — common groupings in European roulette.
• The racetrack layout is just a visual tool that makes those types of bets easier to place.

These options aren’t essential, and they’re not part of traditional American roulette. But if they’re there, and you’re comfortable with how the wheel is arranged, they can be fun to explore. Just don’t mistake them for a strategy. They’re more about convenience than edge.

The odds and payouts of American Roulette

Bet Type	Payout	American Roulette Odds
Straight up (1 number)	35:1	1 in 38 (2.63%)
Split (2 numbers)	17:1	2 in 38 (5.26%)
Street (3 numbers)	11:1	3 in 38 (7.89%)
Corner (4 numbers)	8:1	4 in 38 (10.53%)
Six line (6 numbers)	5:1	6 in 38 (15.79%)
Column / dozen	2:1	12 in 38 (31.58%)
Red / black	1:1	18 in 38 (47.37%)
Odd / even	1:1	18 in 38 (47.37%)
High / low	1:1	18 in 38 (47.37%)

As you can see by the table, none of these payouts match the actual probability of winning. Every single one is slightly underpriced.

Take the straight-up bet. You have a 1 in 38 shot of hitting your number. If the payout were fair, you’d be getting 37:1. But you only get 35:1. That gap is the edge. The casino shaves a little value off every bet, and over time, that adds up.

Same goes for the even-money bets like red/black or odd/even. They look like 50/50 shots, but they’re not — not with two green pockets on the wheel. Instead of having a true 50% chance, your odds are 47.37%. Again, slightly worse than it looks. And again, the payout doesn’t change.

What you’re really betting on is risk versus return, and in American Roulette, the return is always a little lower than it should be. That’s what separates this version from the others. Same bets. Same payouts. But worse odds across the board.

How to approach American Roulette with strategy

You already know the wheel isn’t on your side. The odds are stacked, and the double zero doesn’t help. So if you’re playing American Roulette, you need to approach it with a plan rather than blind guesses.

An American Roulette strategy won’t make this game beatable, but it will give you control. And in a game like this, that’s everything.

Decide what kind of session you’re playing

Before you place a bet, figure out what kind of experience you’re actually after.

Are you here to try and land something big in a short session — or are you looking to settle in, spin for a while, and keep things under control?

That decision shapes everything that follows.

If you’re chasing a quick hit, you’ll be making higher-risk bets, such as straight-up numbers, splits, or corners. You won’t win often, but when you do, it hits harder. These sessions tend to be short and swingy. A win fast or go broke trying kind of thing.

If you’re building a slower session, something more measured, you need steadier footing. Lower-risk bets like red/black, dozens, and columns won’t make you rich in a hurry, but they’ll keep you in the game. That gives you more time to test ideas, adjust pace, and avoid losing everything in ten minutes.

Neither approach is wrong, but things start to fall apart if you don’t have a plan.

Use outside bets to control pace

If you’re trying to keep a handle on your session — to spin more, bet more, and survive longer — outside bets are what let you do that.

Even-money bets like red/black or odd/even hit often enough to keep your balance steady, even if you’re not making huge gains. Dozens and columns offer slightly bigger payouts while still giving you wide coverage. These bets give structure to your session. They slow the game down, and let you actually think about your next move.

You don’t have to stick with them forever. But if you’re playing any kind of structured approach, this is where it starts.

Set a stake plan and stick to it

How much you bet per spin affects your potential payout and it controls the pace of your session. That’s why it’s one of the first things you need to figure out.

There are two main ways players structure their stakes, flat betting and progressive betting.

• Flat betting means keeping your stake the same on every spin. No matter what happens, win or lose, the amount stays fixed. It’s the simplest way to stay in control. You always know what’s at risk, and it removes the temptation to double up out of frustration.
• Progressive betting means changing your stake depending on the outcome. Some players increase after wins, others after losses. It can be tempting. especially if you think a win is “due”, but it’s much harder to manage, and much easier to get wrong.

If you’re playing a longer session, flat betting is usually the safer move. It gives you more time at the table, more consistent feedback, and less emotional chaos. But even if you do choose to vary your stakes, you need to set rules around it. Maybe you raise after three wins. Maybe you drop after a certain loss. That’s fine, as long as it’s deliberate.

And finally, set some limits before you start.

• A loss limit — the point where you stop playing.
• A win target — the point where you walk away with profit.

If you don’t have those, you’ll end up chasing both, and giving them back.

Know when to stop—and don’t argue with yourself

The biggest leak in most people’s game isn’t how they bet, it’s that they don’t stop.

They get close to a profit and spin again just once more. They hit their loss limit and try to claw it back. They play until the balance hits zero, because they didn’t set a line (or they did and don’t have the discipline to stick to it.)

So set one. Pick a number where you’ll cash out. Pick a number where you’ll walk away. Stick to both. If you don’t, the game will keep spinning until it takes everything.

FAQs about American Roulette

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