American roulette — the double-zero game, priced

American roulette runs 38 pockets (1–36 + 0 + 00) with the same payouts as the single-zero game — which is precisely the problem: two house pockets against a 36-pocket payout scale put every bet at 2/38 = 5.26%, nearly double the European price. Same felt, same rituals, one extra green. If a single- and double-zero table share a room, this page ends at that sentence.⚙ computed

The wheel, exactly

0 28 9 26 30 11 7 20 32 17 5 22 34 15 3 24 36 13 1 00 27 10 25 29 12 8 19 31 18 6 21 33 16 4 23 35 14 2

The American sequence differs from the European entirely: zeros face each other across the wheel, and consecutive numbers sit opposite (1 faces 2, 3 faces 4…) — the same balance goal by a different route, detailed on the wheel page.

Payouts — familiar numbers, thinner odds

Bet	Pays	Win probability	Edge
Straight Up	35:1	2.63%	5.26%
Split	17:1	5.26%	5.26%
Corner	8:1	10.53%	5.26%
Dozen	2:1	31.58%	5.26%
Red	1:1	47.37%	5.26%
Basket (0-00-1-2-3)	6:1	13.16%	7.89% — avoid

The two softeners — one real, one cosmetic

Real: Atlantic City’s half-back rule (“surrender”) returns half of even-money stakes on any zero, cutting those bets to 2.63% — America’s only discount, table-placard dependent. Cosmetic: the 0-00 split “insurance” at 17:1 — just another wager at the standard 5.26%, protecting nothing (green’s math).

Why the format persists

History plus margin: America inherited the pre-reform double-zero layout (the story) and casinos kept the wheel that earns twice per wager — then extended the logic to triple zero. Player counter-move: online lobbies and most floors carry single-zero tables steps away; the walk is worth 2.56% of everything you’ll wager tonight.

EU vs US side by side All variants priced The 7.89% basket autopsy The edge, derived Practice on the US wheel free

Frequently asked

What is the house edge in American roulette?

5.26% on every standard bet — two zeros out of 38 pockets against payouts scaled for 36. The lone exception is worse: the five-number basket at 7.89%.

What is the 00 in American roulette?

A second green pocket, opposite the single zero on the wheel. It pays 35:1 straight-up like any number — and defeats every outside bet, which is exactly how it doubles the house’s take versus European wheels.

Is American roulette worth playing?

Only if no single-zero table exists and the placard shows Atlantic City surrender (2.63% even-money). Otherwise you’re paying nearly 2× the European price — or 3.9× the French — for an identical game.