Roulette 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:
The betting odds in roulette of hitting a single number with a straight-up bet are 37 to 1, since there are 38 numbers (1 to 36, plus 0 and 00). However, the house only pays out 35 to 1 on winning bets, with the same odds for payouts on combination bets. So, the house edge is substantial, but hitting on roulette can see you win big!
Payouts will differ according to the bet and the roulette variant played. The following chart gives a brief overview of the payouts and odds for European and American roulette.
The potential payout odds in roulette are stated in the form of x to 1, which means you’ll win x dollars for every 1 dollar you bet. For example, a single-number bet offers a payout of 35 to 1. So, if you win, you’ll get your dollar back plus $35.
On a specific bet, divide the number 36 by the number of squares your bet covers. 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 numbers bet is therefore 11 to 1, so if you bet $10 on this bet a win is worth a $110 payout.
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.
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.
There are a number of bets which are “outside” the 38 numbers on a roulette table. These bets refer to a specific set of numbers or colors. If the ball lands on 0 or 00, any outside bet will lose. Examples of outside bets include:
Red or Black - This bet pays out at even odds (1 to 1), if the ball lands on the color you choose.
Odd or Even - This bet pays out at even odds (1 to 1), if the ball lands on odd or even (whichever you choose).
Low or High - The payout will be even odds (1 to 1), if the ball lands on 1-18 if you’ve bet low, or if the ball lands on 19-36 if you’ve bet high.
Column - The payout will be 2 to 1, if the ball lands on one of the numbers in the column you choose. The numbers on a roulette layout are organised into three columns of 12 numbers each.
Dozens - The payout will be 2 to 1, if the ball lands on either the first dozen (1-12), second dozen (13-24) or third dozen (25-36), depending on what you choose. There are 36 numbers on the table in total.
| Bet | European Odds | American Odds | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red/Black | 48.65% | 47.37% | 1:1 |
| Odd/Even | 48.65% | 47.37% | 1:1 |
| Low/High | 48.65% | 47.37% | 1:1 |
| Column | 32.4% | 31.6% | 2:1 |
| Dozen | 32.4% | 31.6% | 2:1 |
If you’re feeling lucky, you might want to go for an inside bet. This refers to bets on specific numbers and sets of numbers on the inside of the roulette layout. Inside bets have a lower chance of winning, but payout more when they do. The house edge on inside bets is the same as on outside bets. Examples of inside bets include:
Straight-up - The payout will be 35 to 1 (with a percentage chance of 2.7% in European roulette and 2.6% in American roulette) as you are betting on one specific number out of 2.. Also called a single-number bet.
Split - The payout will be 17 to 1 (with a percentage chance of 5.4% in European roulette and 5.3% in American roulette) as you are betting on two adjacent numbers.
Street - The payout will be 11 to 1 (with a percentage chance of 8.1% in European roulette and 7.9% in American roulette) as you are betting on a row of three numbers (i.e. 19, 20, 21).
Corner - The payout will be 8 to 1 (with a percentage chance of 10.8% for European roulette and 10.5% for American roulette) as you are betting on four numbers by placing your chip in the corner that joins them all together (essentially the centre of four numbers). This is also called a square bet or quarter bet.
Basket - The payout will be 6 to 1 (with a percentage chance of 13.2% in American roulette, this bet is not found in European roulette) as you are betting on five numbers (i.e. 0, 00, 1, 2, 3).
Line - The payout will be 5 to 1 (with a percentage chance of 16.2% in European roulette and 15.8% in American roulette) as you are betting on two adjoining rows of numbers (six numbers in total). This is also called a line bet.
| Bet | European Odds | American Odds | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Bet | 2.7% | 2.6% | 35:1 |
| Split Bet | 5.4% | 5.3% | 17:1 |
| Street Bet | 8.1% | 7.9% | 11:1 |
| Corner Bet | 10.8% | 10.5% | 8:1 | Double Street Bet | 16.2% | 15.8% | 5:1 | Basket Bet | n/a | 13.16% | 6:1 |
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:
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.
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)
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!
You should already be well aware that there isn’t a solution for how to win roulette on every spin. However, if you’re looking to maximize your winnings in roulette, you’ll need to learn 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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This depends on your intentions. Read up on the odds of various bets in roulette to find the bet with the right odds and payout for you. Straight-up bets at 35 to 1 offer higher odds but less chance of winning, so suit players looking for the thrill of a big win. But if you are looking to spend a lot of time at the table a six numbers bet of 5 to 1 is going to help your money last longer.
The odds in American roulette are 47.4%, and in European roulette are 48.6%. The payout odds for this type of bet is 1:1.
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.
No, there is an equal chance of either red or black. On a European roulette wheel, 18 numbers are red and 18 are black.
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!
The truth is that players can’t always win at roulette, even when they understand the associated odds. Learning about odds is simply a way of improving your chances by placing the smartest bet.
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.
