American Roulette is one of the table games that is enjoying huge popularity in virtually every casino across the United States. There are two main versions of the game, and while American Roulette is more popular at the casinos in the United Kingdom and Asia, players in Europe tend to avoid it. Most players in Europe largely prefer the European version of the game. Although both versions are somewhat similar in principle, there are certain differences to be noted between the American roulette and the European roulette.
Table Layout
The table layouts for both the American and European roulettes are basically the same. The main difference is that in the European version the table consists of one zero position (0), while in the American version the table has two zero positions (0 and 00). The American version also has 38 pockets on the wheel that range from 0 to 36, and the additional 00 number. Eighteen of the pockets are red and the remaining eighteen black, while the other two slots that feature the 0 and the 00 are green.
As mentioned already, the main difference when it comes to the European version is that the wheel has only one zero. This tends to make it better for players that want to cancel out the effects of variance. The house edge is also significantly reduced, and in the long run the players win significantly more often, or at least are able to mitigate losses. There are thirty-six numbers that are split in half. Eighteen of them are black and the rest are red, while the zero slots are still green.
Game Play
When it comes to game play, both versions are similar to a large extent. In both versions, the main objective for each player is to predict the numbered pocket that the roulette ball will land on. Each player places a bet on a certain number; the dealer spins the wheel in one direction and the ball in the opposite direction. Each time the ball lands in the pocket with that specific number, the respective player gets paid.
Types of Bets
The betting layouts for the American roulette and the European roulette have two sections that consist of group bets and individual numbers. There are two main types of bets in both cases – inside bets and outside bets. Inside bets consist of a single number and small groups of digits or adjacent numbers. On the other hand, outside bets include the larger groups of digits. There are several inside bets and outside bets. The most common inside bets include:
- Straight-up bet – placed on any single digit including 0 and 00
- Split bet – consists of two adjacent digits and it is placed on the dividing line between the digits, including 0 and 00
- Street bet – includes all three digits in a row and it is placed on the line at the end of a row
The other types of inside bets include:
- Corner bet
- Five bet
- Line bet
Outside bets include:
- Column bet
- Dozen bet
- Bet on colour
- Bet on odd/even
- Bet on low or high
In summary there is no great differences between the American roulette and the European version. The main difference is that the American version has a slot for 0 and an additional slot for 00, while the European version only has a single 0. Additionally, the two versions differ when it comes to how the bets are named. Nevertheless, both versions are very similar in game play, but the American roulette offers a greater advantage to the house when compared to the European version.