Understanding Roulette Odds
A Complete GuideRoulette is a game of chance, and as such is entirely reliant on odds. So, it’s well worth knowing how these work before you decide which way to bet. There are a host of different bets you can place in the game of roulette, and your odds will vary considerably depending on which variation of the game you choose to play. In this guide we'll show you:
- How to calculate your odds in roulette
- How the different roulette bet types work
- Where to discover the top free roulette games at online casinos
What Are Roulette Odds?
The odds of you winning by betting on any number in roulette are 37 to 1, since there are 37 numbers on the typical roulette wheel. However, the house will only reward you with 35 to 1 if you do get lucky and pick the right number. So, you’ll find that the house edge in roulette is weighty indeed!
Calculate Your Odds with These Roulette Charts
In roulette, there are calculable odds for any given bet, which depend largely on the variation of the game you choose to play. The following chart gives you a brief overview of the different payout and odds for European and American roulette, and how your payout might change depending on which bet you choose to play.
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Dozen
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Even bets (even/odd, red/black, low/high)
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Single number
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Two numbers
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Three numbers
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Four numbers
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Five numbers
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Six Numbers
Odds by Bet Type
The first thing you need to know about roulette bets is this: they fall into two main categories. In roulette you can place either an inside bet or an outside bet, the names coming from the table layout. Let's talk about the options in a bit more detail.
What is an outside bet?
An outside bet (for example odd or even, red or black, 1-18 or 19-36) often gives players the best chance of a payout. Half of the possible outcomes of a game of roulette are covered by 'outside bets'. With such a high chance of winning, your payout isn’t going to be incredibly generous - it's usually 1:1.
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.
Red/Black,
Odd/Even
and Low/High
What is an inside bet?
If you're feeling lucky, you might want to go for an inside bet. These bets require a little more courage on the part of the player, as they give you a much lower chance of winning, but a much higher payout if you do.
Inside bets are bets on single numbers, or small groups of numbers. Numbers are usually grouped according to where they are on the table. Examples of groups include:
Straight - A single number bet
Split - A bet on two numbers which are next to each other on the table
Street - A bet on three numbers in a row (i.e. 1, 2, 3)
Corner - A bet on four numbers which are joined by one corner
Line - A bet on six numbers which are found in two rows
Basket - A bet exclusively available in American roulette, placed on five numbers (0, 00, 1, 2 and 3)
What is a called bet?
Called bets vary from the above bets in that they are grouped according to positions on the classic roulette wheel, rather than the table. Here are a few examples of called bets:
Fixed Called Bets:
Neighbors of Zero - a bet on all 17 numbers near to the green zero.
Thirds of the Wheel - a bet on 12 numbers which are found adjacent to the neighbors of zero.
Zero Game - A bet on seven numbers near to the green zero
The Orphans - A bet on any of the numbers which are not covered by the other called bets.
Variable Called Bets:
The Neighbors - A bet on 5 adjacent numbers
The Finals - A bet on the last digit (e.g. 5 would be a bet on 5, 15, 25, 35)
How to Improve Your Roulette Odds
Roulette is known for being one of the trickiest games to win, and that's in part due to the big house edge this game has. Did you know that on the American wheel, for example, the house edge is a whopping 5.26%? Despite this, roulette is a popular game thanks to its thrilling, fast pace which keeps players coming back for more!
If you’re looking to maximize your winnings when playing roulette, you’ll want to make the most of your odds. Whilst becoming a winner at this game is essentially down to luck, there are things you can do to give yourself a better chance of getting that all-important payout. For a full insight, check out our page on roulette strategy, but to get you started, here are a few secret tips from our experts:
The odds of different bets placed in roulette vary massively, so if you're looking to make the most of your bankroll you'll definitely need to know your odds. Read up on the odds for different types of roulette bets before you begin.
Choose your game wisely
As with any game offering a few variations, the odds are different according to which variation you choose to play. So, if you're torn between American, French or European roulette make sure you look into the different odds of each variation before you begin. It could well mean the difference between a costly loss and a big win!
Outside bets give you the best chance
If you want to ensure you've got the best possible chance of winning, outside bets might be just the thing, as they pay out more frequently. Stick to the table's minimum bet if you want to stay safe and, additionally, placing two equal outside bets is a great way of spreading your bets and giving yourself a good chance of a payout. Of course, betting like this is never going to land you a massive amount of money, but it's a fun way to play without losing big sums of cash.
Play European roulette
If you find a European roulette wheel, opt for this one. European roulette has the lowest house edge of all roulette variants. If you opt for American roulette, the house edge is almost double! European roulette wheels can be found at all the top Las Vegas casinos and at many online casinos too.
Free Roulette Odds Guide to Download
Take the knowledge home with you with our quick guide to roulette odds. Simply click to download the free pdf and save it to your device.
It will help you understand how roulette odds work, and how inside and outset bet types will affect odds. You can also see the different table layouts for American and European roulette, as well as the payouts on the types of bet you make.
Ready to Play?
Whether you're a complete roulette novice or you're just here to brush up on your skills, we hope you've learnt a thing or two about this classic table game! If you're thinking of having a go at online roulette or mobile roulette, take a look at the exclusive free roulette games recommended here at Casino.org. What are you waiting for? Let's play! Or if you wish to learn more about the game, visit our how to play roulette guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are roulette odds good?
Roulette is known for its hefty house edge, which is amongst the biggest of all casino games. Despite this, with a few of our roulette tips, you can certainly enjoy a good game. If you want to give yourself the best odds, make sure you stick to inside bets and play European roulette if you can.
Can a betting system improve my odds?
Many players use betting systems to give themselves a better chance of winning. However, as with any game of chance, there's no foolproof way to improve your odds. To maximize your chances of a payout, we recommend you follow the tips listed right here!
What are the odds of hitting red or black in roulette?
This kind of bet is known as an even bet. In roulette, half of the numbers are black and half red, giving you payout odds of 1 in 2. Different variations of the game will give you very slightly different odds on this bet, but as a general rule of thumb it is around 50%. Your payout will be 1:1.
How much does the 00 pay in roulette?
Betting on 00 is known as a single bet, which will give you a payout of 35 to 1. It's worth noting that although the odds are 37 to 1, the payout is less, which is a slight disadvantage of the American version of the game compared to European, which doesn't have the 00.
What are the best odds in roulette?
Bets with the best odds in roulette are general ones such as an outside bet on either even or odd, red or black or numbers 1-18 or 19-36.
Is there a way to determine what colour will hit more frequently?
No, there is an equal chance of either red or black. Even people who "clock" wheels in live casinos would have a hard time determining a color bias, as each region of the wheel has an equal number of red and black pockets.
