Welcome to the thrilling world of roulette odds and payouts! In this captivating game of chance, understanding the basics of odds and payouts is the key to unlocking your potential for big wins. Whether you’re a expert player or new to the game, diving into the details of roulette odds will empower you to make informed betting decisions. Join us as we explore the fascinating ways of inside and outside bets, learn about the probabilities of different outcomes, and discover strategies for maximizing your payouts. Prepare for an adventure that blends chance, tactics, and the excitement of the turning wheel. Let’s start to unravel the secrets of roulette odds and payouts together!
Roulette Odds and Payouts: Every Bet, Its Chance and Its House Edge
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Every roulette bet pays according to how many numbers it covers, and every bet on the same wheel has the same house edge. On a European wheel that edge is 2.70%; on an American wheel it is 5.26%. The chart below shows what each bet pays and how often it wins, so you can pick bets by how much risk you want, not by how good they look.
For the basic rules and how a round works, see our online roulette guide. For betting systems such as Martingale, see how to win at online roulette.
Table of Contents
Roulette payout and odds chart
The payout is shown as “to 1”: a winning €1 straight-up bet pays €35 plus your €1 stake back. The chance of winning is the number of pockets covered divided by 37 (European) or 38 (American).
| Bet | Numbers covered | Payout | Win chance, European | Win chance, American |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight up | 1 | 35 to 1 | 2.70% | 2.63% |
| Split | 2 | 17 to 1 | 5.41% | 5.26% |
| Street | 3 | 11 to 1 | 8.11% | 7.89% |
| Corner | 4 | 8 to 1 | 10.81% | 10.53% |
| Six line | 6 | 5 to 1 | 16.22% | 15.79% |
| Dozen or column | 12 | 2 to 1 | 32.43% | 31.58% |
| Red/black, odd/even, 1–18/19–36 | 18 | 1 to 1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
The zero (and double zero) is what makes the difference. It is not red or black, odd or even, and it is not part of any dozen or column, so every outside bet loses when it lands.
Inside and outside bets
Bets are grouped by where you place the chips on the table layout.
Inside bets
Inside bets go on the numbered grid: straight up, split, street, corner and six line. They pay more because they cover fewer numbers, which also means they lose more often. Many players use them in small amounts alongside a few outside bets.
Outside bets
Outside bets sit around the grid: red or black, odd or even, low or high, dozens and columns. They cover 12 or 18 numbers, win far more often and pay less. They are the lower-variance way to play and suit longer sessions on a small budget.
How the house edge works
On a European wheel, a straight-up bet wins 1 time in 37 on average. A fair payout would be 36 to 1, but the casino pays 35 to 1. Over 37 spins of €1, you would expect to stake €37 and get back €36: a loss of €1, or 2.70%. The same calculation gives 2.70% for every bet on the European table, because the payouts are all scaled the same way.
On an American wheel, there are 38 pockets with the same payouts, so you would expect to get back €36 for every €38 staked, a 5.26% edge. One bet is worse still: the five-number bet on 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3 pays 6 to 1 and carries a 7.89% edge.
French rules: La Partage and En Prison
Some French roulette tables offer rules that help on even-money bets. With La Partage, you get half of your even-money stake back when the ball lands on zero. With En Prison, your stake stays on the table for the next spin instead. Either way, the house edge on those bets drops to 1.35%. Other bets on the same table keep the standard 2.70%.
| Wheel and rules | House edge |
|---|---|
| French, even-money bets with La Partage or En Prison | 1.35% |
| European (and French, other bets) | 2.70% |
| American | 5.26% |
| American five-number bet | 7.89% |
Combining bets on one spin
Many players spread chips across several bets on the same spin, for example a dozen plus a few straight-up numbers. This changes how often you win something and how much a winning spin pays, but not the house edge. Each chip is still a separate bet with the same 2.70% edge on a European wheel. As a simple example, €10 on red and €1 on each of three black numbers wins on 21 of 37 pockets, yet the expected loss is still 2.70% of the €13 staked, about €0.35 per spin. Use combinations to shape the ride, not to beat the odds.
Choosing bets by risk
Since the edge is fixed for every bet on a given table, the choice is about variance, not value.
- To make a budget last, stick to even-money bets, ideally on a French table with La Partage.
- For a middle ground, dozens and columns win roughly one spin in three and pay 2 to 1.
- For a big hit, straight-up bets pay 35 to 1 but lose about 36 spins in 37. Keep stakes small.
- Always choose a single-zero wheel over a double-zero one. It is the one choice that lowers the edge.
No combination of bets changes the edge. Covering more of the table makes wins more frequent and smaller, but the average loss over time stays the same. Our roulette tips cover table choice and bankroll habits.
Play responsibly
Roulette rounds are quick, and online tables can run faster still. Decide on a budget and a stopping point before you start, and use the deposit limits and time-outs your casino offers. Find help and tools on our responsible gambling page.
FAQ
What are the odds of hitting a single number in roulette?
1 in 37 on a European wheel (2.70%) and 1 in 38 on an American wheel (2.63%). The bet pays 35 to 1.
Which roulette bet has the best odds?
Even-money bets such as red or black win most often: 48.65% on a European wheel. On a French table with La Partage, they also have the lowest house edge at 1.35%.
Does every roulette bet have the same house edge?
On a given wheel, yes, with one exception: the American five-number bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3) has a higher edge of 7.89%.
Why is American roulette worse than European?
It adds a double zero, so there are 38 pockets instead of 37, but the payouts stay the same. That raises the house edge from 2.70% to 5.26%.
What does 35 to 1 mean in roulette?
For every €1 you bet, you win €35 and keep your €1 stake, so €36 comes back to you in total.
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