A guide to understanding roulette odds
Roulette is a game of chance, so it’s crucial to understand the odds of different bet types paying out. Once you know how to calculate your odds of winning in roulette, you’ll be able to choose more carefully which bets to place. Get on top of how the odds can influence your winnings with this roulette payout guide.
What are odds in roulette?
The odds in roulette indicate your chances of winning a bet. For example, in American roulette the odds of hitting a single number with a straight-up bet are 37 to 1, since there are 38 numbers. However, the house only pays out 35 to 1 on winning bets, with the same odds for payouts on combination bets. This is due to the house edge, where the house keeps a percentage of all bets for itself. Odds are often displayed as a percentage, while payout is shown as a ratio to your bet.
How to calculate roulette payouts
Before jumping into odds and payouts, we’d recommend familiarizing yourself with roulette bet types first, or this might get confusing. Being able to recognize the names of different bets and where you’d place your chip on the table for each one will be especially useful.
For each bet type, the potential payout odds in roulette are stated in the form of x:1. This means you’ll win x dollars for every 1 dollar you bet. For example, a single-number bet offers a payout of 35:1. So, if you win, you’ll get your dollar back plus $35.
Calculate your roulette winnings with our roulette payout guide
The roulette payout chart below shows the odds for the different bets you can make in both European roulette and American roulette, as different roulette variations affect the odds. All the calculations are done for you, so you can check your potential roulette winnings at a glance as you play.
Note: If you’re curious about the math behind these, it’s not too complicated. Divide the number 36 by the number of squares your bet covers on the table. Then, subtract 1 from that figure to get the payout odds. For example, a three number bet means dividing 36 by 3 to get 12, then subtracting 1 to equal 11. The payout rate for a three number bet is therefore 11:1, meaning a $10 bet would result in a $120 payout if you won.
Odds and potential payout of different bet types
| Roulette bet type | Example roulette bet | Potential payout | European roulette odds | American roulette odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Column | Any number in the third column | 2:1 | 32.40% | 31.6% |
| Dozen | Any of 13 to 24 | 2:1 | 32.40% | 31.6% |
| Even bets | Black over red | 1:1 | 48.60% | 47.4% |
| Single number | 7 | 35:1 | 2.70% | 2.60% |
| Two numbers | Either 19 or 20 | 17:1 | 5.4% | 5.3% |
| Three numbers | Any of 28, 29 or 30 | 11:1 | 8.1% | 7.9% |
| Four numbers | Any of 5, 6, 8 or 9 | 8:1 | 10.8% | 10.5% |
| Five numbers | Any of 0, 00, 1, 2, or 3 | 6:1 | 13.5% | 13.2% |
| Six numbers | Any of 4 to 9 | 5:1 | 16.2% | 15.8% |
Inside vs outside bets - how do the odds differ?
Roulette bets fall into two main categories – inside and outside bets – with the names coming from the table layout and where you’d place your chips.
What are the odds for outside bets?
An outside bet provides the best chance of a payout. A significant amount of the possible outcomes of a game of roulette is covered by 'outside bets'. As the chances of winning are higher, your payout isn’t going to be incredibly generous – it’s only 1:1 for bets like odd or even that cover almost half the wheel.
Other outside bets with a slightly better payout are column and dozen, which cover 12 of the numbers on the roulette wheel. These give you roughly a 1 in 3 chance of winning, and a payout of 2:1. If the roulette ball lands on 0 or 00, any outside bet will lose.
Outside bet odds
| Roulette bet type | Potential payout | European roulette odds | American roulette odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red or black | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
| Odd or even | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
| High or low | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
| Column | 2:1 | 32.4% | 31.6% |
| Dozen | 2:1 | 32.4% | 31.6% |
What are the odds for inside bets?
Inside bets refer to specific numbers and sets of numbers on the inside of the roulette betting table. They have a lower chance of winning than outside bets, but this is balanced by a larger payout. The house edge on inside bets is the same as on outside bets.
Inside bet odds
| Roulette bet type | Potential payout | European roulette odds | American roulette odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight bet | 35:1 | 2.7% | 2.6% |
| Split bet | 17:1 | 5.4% | 5.3% |
| Street bet | 11:1 | 8.1% | 7.9% |
| Corner bet | 8:1 | 10.8% | 10.5% |
| Basket bet | 6:1 | N/A | 13.2% |
| Double street bet | 5:1 | 16.2% | 15.8% |
Is it possible to improve your odds at roulette?
There is no way to influence roulette odds or reduce the house edge for your chosen game. Having a good grasp of the odds is key, though, when it comes to choosing your bets.
Although there isn’t a solution for how to win roulette on every spin, there are methods you can try to maximize your winnings. For more advanced methods, check out our page on roulette strategy, but to get you started, here are a few tips from our team:
- 1Come to the game prepared - The odds of different bets paying out in roulette vary massively. If you're looking to make the most of your bankroll, you'll need to read up on the odds of different bets paying out before you play. Some online games will tell you the odds of each bet within the game, but if not, you can keep this page open to double check as you play.
- 2Choose your roulette game wisely - If you're torn between American, European, or French roulette, make sure you are aware of the different odds for each variation before you begin. Finding out whether your game of choice has a higher house edge could help you avoid any losses being that bit more costly. We’d recommend playing European roulette, as it has the lowest house edge.
- 3Place outside bets to improve your chances - If you are purely interested in the best chance of winning at roulette, outside bets are the way to go. These pay out more frequently and you can stick to the table's minimum bet if you want to stay extra safe. Placing two equal outside bets – for example on black and odd – is a relatively low-risk way of giving yourself a decent chance of a payout. Betting like this won’t dramatically increase your roulette winnings, but it's a way to still have fun without losing big sums of cash.
Roulette odds recap: Lowest risk wagers
| 1️⃣ Odd or Even | 1:1 |
| 📈 High or Low | 1:1 |
| ❤️ Red or Black | 1:1 |
| 🔢 Dozen | 2:1 |
You’ve now mastered the essentials of roulette odds
Whether you're a roulette novice or here to brush up on your skills, you should now have a good understanding of roulette odds. With this knowledge, you can make smarter betting choices for your budget.
Get used to your different options by practicing with one of our free roulette games first, or explore top-rated online roulette casinos where you can play for real money. If you’re looking to take your roulette skills to the next level, our guides to roulette strategies are the perfect next step.
Roulette payouts FAQs
What are the odds of hitting red or black in roulette?
The odds of hitting red or black in American roulette are 47.4%. This rises slightly in European roulette, to 48.6%. In both cases, your roulette winnings would be paid out at 1:1.How good are the odds in roulette?
Overall, roulette odds are fairly good. European roulette has the best odds with a house edge of just 2.64%. This describes on average how often a player will lose on a single bet.What are the best odds in roulette?
The bets with the best odds in roulette are outside bets on either even or odd, red or black or numbers 1-18 or 19-36. Each of these bets has a 1:1 payout.How much does green pay in roulette?
Betting on green pays out either 35 to 1 or 17 to 1, depending on the roulette variation you're playing and your bet. In American roulette, the wheel features a green 0 and 00, while the European version just has the single green 0. If you bet on 0 or 00 on an American wheel, and your bet hits, you'll get a payout of 35 to 1. If you place a row bet (betting on both 0 and 00), and your bet hits, you'll get a payout of 17 to 1. As the European wheel only has the one green 0, you can only place a single bet, however it's the same 35 to 1 payout as the American version if your bet hits.What color comes up most often in roulette?
Neither color comes up more often, there is an equal chance of either red or black. On both a European and an America roulette wheel, 18 numbers are red and 18 are black.Can a roulette betting system improve your odds?
No, a betting system can’t change the odds in roulette. As with any game of chance, there's no fool-proof way to improve your odds, but a roulette betting system and strategy can help with bankroll management. To learn more about how to play roulette to your advantage, check out our roulette tips.Can math help you win at roulette?
No, being a math expert won’t allow you to influence the game. However, learning about odds is a way of improving your chances of winning more by placing the smartest bets for your budget. The truth remains, though, that you can’t always win at roulette, even when you understand the odds.Does the house always win in roulette?
No, the house doesn’t always win, though the game is designed so that the house has an advantage. No matter what casino game you play, the odds of the casino winning are always greater than the odds of the player winning, otherwise casinos wouldn’t be able to make money.What is the highest payout in roulette?
The highest payout in roulette is 35:1. You’d receive roulette winnings at this ratio if you correctly predicted the exact number that the roulette ball landed on. This is referred to as a straight-up or single number bet.Can you win money playing roulette?
Yes, it’s possible to win money playing roulette when luck is on your side. Particularly in European roulette, where the house edge is only 2.64%, it’s perfectly feasible to beat the casino over the course of a session. However, the house edge means that casinos would still be expected to win in the long run.What is an outside bet?
An outside bet in roulette is any bet that sits outside the central numbers on a roulette table. Examples include odd or even, red or black, and low (1-18) or high (19-36). In each of these examples, your roulette winnings would be paid out at 1:1.
