There is no roulette like roulette, and the American roulette is significantly different from the French one. See what its main differences are and how it is better than the French one.
American Roulette
The playing field of American roulette (source: depositphotos.com)
When someone mentions a casino, many players immediately think of this popular gambling game, which perfectly combines entertainment and excitement with the chance to win a substantial amount. However, it is not just about luck; a good dose of patience is also required to place the right bets, although various betting systems can help increase the chances of winning or at least reduce the risk of losing your entire fortune. Before playing, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the game and determine whether it is the American or French version, which differ in appearance and some rules.
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What is American roulette?
American roulette refers to the roulette that has a total of 38 pockets, which is one more than the French roulette. In this version, an additional green pocket with the value 00 is included. Thus, American roulette features 36 pockets numbered 1 to 36, alternately colored black and red, and two pockets with the values 0 and 00, which are marked in green. This version of roulette also differs from its French counterpart in the layout of the table, where all bets that players can place during the game are displayed in English or the language of the casino operating the game. Additionally, the return to player (RTP) percentage is different, reaching 94.74%, with a house edge of 5.26%.
What versions of roulette exist?
In addition to American and French roulette, players may also encounter European roulette. However, this version contains the same number of pockets as French roulette, and its rules are usually similar as well. These versions are often considered one game, although there can be significant differences in the house edge percentage depending on the casino where players play that version of roulette.
History of American roulette
The original game is believed to have originated in France sometime in the 17th century. However, it was not until the Blanc brothers added a zero to the 36 numbers that the balance between the two sides was tilted in favor of the casino or game operator. Roulette is said to have made its way to the USA in the late 19th century, when its spinning wheel was supplemented with an additional pocket with the value 00, increasing the house edge to 5.26%.
Differences in the rules of American roulette
While in French roulette players must adhere to special rules En Prison (when the ball lands on the green zero, no even bets are paid out but remain in place until the result of the next round is known and evaluated) and La Partage (if the ball lands on zero, players who placed any even bets receive half of their stake back), which raises the RTP of the roulette to 98.65%, such rules do not exist in the American version. Moreover, American roulette has no special rules that are exclusive to this version of the game. According to the prescribed and binding system, all black and red numbers from 1 to 36 and two green numbers 0 and 00 are placed on the spinning wheel, which are located directly opposite each other. All pockets from the roulette are also displayed on the table where players involved in the game place their bets. Additionally, there is a racetrack, where special bets are placed, designed to resemble the roulette wheel.
Probability of winning
The likelihood of players winning at roulette depends on their betting method, specifically the types of bets they choose to place. Bets can be placed on specific numbers as well as combinations of bets on pairs, triples, quadruples, sixes, columns, and dozens, as well as even bets on black/red, small/big, or even/odd numbers. However, the probability of players guessing which specific pocket the thrown ball will land in is slightly lower in American roulette compared to French and European roulette, at 1:38.
Advantages and disadvantages of American roulette
The biggest advantage of this roulette is its simplicity and fast pace, as there is no risk of uncertainty in the outcome of a round due to zero, as is the case with French roulette, where players must wait for the result of the next round due to the En Prison rule. Thus, the absence of the En Prison and La Partage rules, as well as any other special rules that could unnecessarily complicate the game for players, is a benefit. On the other hand, a clear disadvantage is the lower probability of players winning a bet on a specific number, for which they can receive the highest payout ratio in case of a win. The chance of success in this case is only 1:38. The relatively high RTP of 94.74% in this game is offset by a relatively high long-term house edge of 5.26%. This is perhaps the highest edge in the industry.
Where is American roulette most popular?
As can be inferred from its name, this version of roulette is most commonly played on the American continent. Many casinos in Las Vegas offer only this version of the game. However, it has also gained a number of fans in Europe, allowing players to play it in some brick-and-mortar or online casinos, where free demo versions of roulette or live versions with live dealers are also available.
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How to be successful when playing American roulette?
Successful roulette playing is a difficult discipline because it is a game based on chance. Nevertheless, there are several strategies that can be applied. Choosing the ideal strategy depends on your personal preferences, as you can opt for more aggressive variants or, conversely, more cautious ones. However, for successful betting, it is important to have a well-defined betting strategy that helps you control your bankroll. Always keep in mind that American roulette has a higher house edge, so it is important to set a specific budget. Try experimenting with different types of bets, but remember that nothing guarantees a win; you can only reduce the risk of loss.Frequently asked questions
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