How to Play American Roulette

Inside bets cover individual numbers or small groups on the numbered grid. They hit less often but pay more. Outside bets cover broad groups such as red, black, odd, even, low, high, columns, and dozens.

Both 0 and 00 make the standard even-money outside wagers lose. That gives the American double-zero game a 5.26% house edge on nearly every standard wager. The five-number basket covering 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3 is worse, with a 7.89% edge.

A single-zero wheel has only 37 pockets and cuts the standard house edge to 2.70%. If both versions are available at similar minimums, the single-zero table is the better game.

Players place chips before the dealer announces that betting is closed. The dealer spins the wheel and ball in opposite directions, calls the winning pocket, marks it on the layout, clears losing wagers, and pays winners from the outside toward the inside according to house procedure.

Roulette does not require strategy after the spin begins. The meaningful choices are the wheel type, the wager coverage, and how much of your bankroll you expose on each spin.