There is a huge selection of online casinos out there where you can try a game of American Roulette. Not all online casinos are accessible to New Zealanders, though, and some don’t have the best reputations. Luckily for you, we’ve put together this list of the best American Roulette sites for NZ players.
Where to play the best American Roulette online?
1. LeoVegas – American Roulette by Microgaming
American Roulette is a game by Microgaming that you can play online and is a virtual version of the casino table game. Using the numbers 0, 00 and 1 to 36, there are many different types of bets that you can make using the chips with the denominations 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 25.
This Roulette version also has an autoplay option which lets you play the same numbers over and over without having to spin the wheel in every single round.
For more information on other games you can play at this casino, we invite you to read our LeoVegas casino review.
Master the rules & odds of American Roulette
No matter which variant of roulette you’re playing, the rules and the sheer number of bet types can be intimidating. The game is complex, and if you want to master it, taking the time to make sure you understand the ins and outs is important. We’ll take a look at American Roulette rules, bets and odds below.
The objective
The game’s main objective is to correctly predict in which pocket on the American Roulette wheel the ball will land. If you don’t think you can guess exactly which number it will be, you can bet on the colour, the column and even whether it will be odd or even.
Types of bets in American Roulette
The game of American Roulette has two main types of bet categories: inside bets and outside bets. Outside bets are less risky and great for beginner players, while inside bets and other bets should only be made when you are more familiar with the game and American Roulette wheel strategy.
Inside bets for American Roulette
There are a total of six inside bets that you can place when you play American Roulette.
- Straight Bet
This bet is risky but can be lucrative if your number prediction is on target. You need to correctly predict the exact number pocket the ball will land in from 1-36, 0 or 00.
- Split Bet
Less risky than a straight bet, but with half the payout, with a split bet, you place your wager on the line between two numbers, effectively giving you the chance to cover both numbers with one bet.
- Street Bet
Here you place your bet at the end of a row of numbers, essentially covering those three numbers in one wager. While the payout is lower, so is the risk.
- Corner Bet
A corner bet allows you to cover four numbers in one go. Your bet is placed on the intersecting line between four adjacent numbers. Once again, your reward for this bet is reduced, but you have a greater chance of winning with four numbers backed.
- Five Bet
A five bet is exclusive to American Roulette. Your single bet is placed in the corner next to 0 and 1 and covers the numbers 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3.
- Line Bet
The lowest risk inside bet, a line bet, is placed at the end of two rows of numbers on the line where they meet. This placement allows you to back all six numbers in those two rows. This is the lowest paying inside bet.
Outside bets in American Roulette
There are also six outside bets in a game of American Roulette.
- Column Bet
To place a column bet, you put your bet down at the 2:1 block at the end of the column. This allows you to back the 12 numbers in that column.
- Dozen Bet
A dozen bet also covers 12 numbers, but these numbers run concurrently. Your bet is placed in either the “1st12”, “2nd12”, or “3rd12” box.
- Red or Black
The first of the even money bets, you choose to back whether the ball will land on a red or black number.
- Odd or Even
Also an even money bet, your prediction here is whether the ball will land in an even or odd number pocket. - Low or High
The final outside bet is also even money and involves you backing the number to be low (1-18) or high (19-36) - NewAR Bet
This type of bet is placed on whether the winning number will be Red/Even or 0, or Black/Odd or 0.
RTP, payouts and house edge in American Roulette
Roulette offers a tremendous amount of excitement as the game relies on lady luck; the riskier the bet, the riskier the reward. Bets placed on an American Roulette table can pay anywhere from 1:1 to 35:1 depending on the odds.
An American Roulette wheel has an extra number pocket to other variations, the 00, which unfortunately lowers your odds of winning and increases the house edge compared to other roulette variants.
| Bet Type | Bet Payout | Bet Probability | House Edge | RTP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Bet | 35:1 | 2.63% | 5.26% | 94.74% |
| Split Bet | 17:1 | 5.26% | 5.26% | 94.74% |
| Street Bet | 11:1 | 7.89% | 5.26% | 94.74% |
| Corner Bet | 8:1 | 10.53% | 5.26% | 94.74% |
| Five Line | 6:1 | 13.16% | 7.89% | 92.11% |
| Line Bet | 5:1 | 15.79% | 5.26% | 94.74% |
| Column | 2:1 | 31.58% | 5.26% | 94.74% |
| Dozen | 2:1 | 31.58% | 5.26% | 94.74% |
| Red or Black | 1:1 | 46.37% | 5.26% | 94.74% |
| Odd or Even | 1:1 | 46.37% | 5.26% | 94.74% |
| Low or High | 1:1 | 46.37% | 5.26% | 94.74% |
| NewAR | 3:1or2:1 for 0 | – | 10.52% | – |
RTP in American Roulette
Return to player is a term used to relay the likely percentage of bets that will come back to the player over time. American Roulette online has a lower RTP than its European counterparts at 94.74% on average. In layman’s terms, 94.74 out of every 100 roulette bets you place might return to you.
Payouts in American Roulette
In an American Roulette game, you can get payouts from as low as 1:1 up to 35:1. The riskier the bet placed, the higher the payout for a win.
For example, an outside bet placed on red or black has roughly a fifty-fifty chance of winning, give or take a few percentage points for the 0 and 00 that are green. So your bet will pay at 1:1.
A straight inside bet has you picking one number out of 37 for a win, meaning you have a one in 37 chance of choosing the correct number. This bet pays 35:1 for a win.
House edge in American Roulette
But why isn’t the payout for a straight bet 37:1, you ask? That’s where the house edge lies, ensuring the casino always has the upper hand and stays profitable.
In American Roulette, the house edge averages 5.26% for most bets. This means that for every NZ$10 you bet, you can expect the casino to end up holding onto about NZ$0.53.
American Roulette vs other Roulette variants
Of all the roulette variants, the American Roulette wheel layout varies the most from the original. The differences between it and other variants affect the odds and house edge, making it a less attractive version to play. We’ll compare the variants below:
| American Roulette | European Roulette | French Roulette | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Layout | 38 numbers (0-36 + 00) | 37 numbers (0-36) | 37 numbers (0-36) |
| Bets | Six inside bets, five outside bets. | Five inside bets, five outside bets and four call bets. | Seven inside bets, five outside bets and four call bets. |
| RTP | 94.74% | 97.30% | 98.65% |
| House Edge | 5.26% | 2.70% | 2.70%(Using the La Partage rule, you can lower this to just 1.35%) |
Difference between American and European Roulette
The most notable difference is in the table layout. The American Roulette table has an extra number – the 00, which lowers RTP and raises the house edge. American Roulette rules don’t allow for the call bets featured in the European version.
Difference between American and French Roulette
Again, the table layout is different, with French Roulette also not having the 00 that appears on the American table. French Roulette has one more outside bet than American Roulette, featuring a trio and four-number bet, whereas American has a five-line bet. Like European, French Roulette also has call bets, plus an extra La Partage rule unique to it.
How to play American Roulette – Breakdown of a round
If you’ve never played before, we’ve made this step-by-step list to help you give it a go:
- Step One: Read and understand the types of bets, the risks and the payouts listed above.
- Step Two: You’ll need to decide which type of bet you want to place, depending on the level of risk you are comfortable with. We advise that you stick to outside bets until you are more familiar with the game.
- Step Three: Place your bets; we listed the table positions in the types of bets list above.
- Step Four: Wait and see. Once all bets are placed, the dealer will spin the wheel and wait for it to land in a pocket. Hopefully, that pocket is one that you backed.
Strategies for advanced players
Using a strategy to place your bets is a great way to stay on top of the game, track your betting and increase your chances of winning. There are many strategies that you can use, all with pros and cons depending on how you play the game. Here are our top strategies for advanced players:
American Roulette Strategy n°1: The Martingale System
One of the most common strategies, the Martingale system, dictates that you place even money bets only. If your bet loses, you double the amount; you halve the amount if it wins.
American Roulette Strategy n°2: Reverse Martingale strategy
Precisely the opposite of the Martingale, you double your winning 50/50 bets and halve your losing ones in the reverse strategy.
American Roulette Strategy n°3: Fibonacci strategy
Viewed as the safest strategy, the Fibonacci also relies on even money bets. Your bet amount is determined using the numbers in the Fibonacci sequence. Once you hit a winning bet, you move two steps back down the number sequence and bet that amount. This strategy continues until you land back at the beginning of the number sequence and are in profit.
American Roulette Strategy n°4: The Andrucci System
Back in probability and chaos theory, the Andrucci system calls for straight bets. You are required to observe the winning numbers in 30-35 spins and place your bet on the number that appears most frequently. You continue to place the same bet until the number comes up again. Chances are that the number will reappear before the 35th spin, which is your break-even point.
American Roulette Strategy n°5: The 1 3 2 6 System
This system aims to get a four-spin winning streak. Your bets increase progressively by multiplying them by the four numbers in the strategy’s name when you are winning. Should you lose, you start back at the beginning of the number sequence.
Strategise your way to the top!
Roulette is a fascinating game that is very popular in New Zealand. While American Roulette does offer the same exhilarating gameplay as its European counterparts, the game has a lower RTP and higher house edge than the other versions. Using a roulette strategy will help you to better your chances, so it’s a good idea to learn one and put it into practice.