Understanding Roulette Odds and Best Payouts

Understanding Roulette Odds

In this article, I want to walk you through how roulette odds really work, how they’re shaped by the total number of possible outcomes and the specific numbers you decide to bet on. Once you understand how to calculate these odds, you’ll feel more confident making smarter bets and picking the versions of the game that offer better payouts.

I’ll also break down the house edge, highlight the odds of different bets, and explain the payouts you can expect. The goal is to help you approach roulette with more clarity and strategy. Let’s dive into the numbers behind the wheel.

Roulette Odds: American vs European Wheel

Roulette odds depend heavily on the type of wheel you’re playing and the bets you make. The layout of the wheel affects the house edge, which in turn impacts your long-term chances of winning.

American Roulette

Commonly found in U.S. casinos, the American wheel includes the following features that can influence both the house edge and your betting strategy:

• American Roulette has 38 pockets in total, including numbers 1–36, plus both a single zero (0) and a double zero (00).

 

• The extra zero increases the house edge to 5.26% on most standard bets, making it less favorable for players.

 

• Payouts are the same as other versions, but the additional pocket slightly reduces your chances of winning each bet.

Steer Clear of the Top Line Bet (0-00-1-2-3) in American Roulette:

This particular bet may seem tempting, but it carries the highest house edge on the table, making it one of the least favorable options for players.

• Also known as the five-number bet, it covers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3.

 

• It comes with a steep house edge of 7.89%, the highest in American Roulette.

 

• The odds of winning are significantly lower than with most other bets.

 

• If you’re looking to improve your chances of winning, this is a bet best avoided.

European and French Roulette

These versions offer better odds and are often favored by experienced players. The key differences involve a few distinct rules and features, including:

• They feature 37 pockets, including numbers 1 through 36 and a single zero, which results in slightly better odds compared to the American version.

 

• The house edge is reduced to 2.70% on most standard bets, giving players a better long-term chance of winning.

 

• Originally popular in European casinos, these versions are now widely available in casinos around the world and online platforms.

Comparing House Edge by Wheel Type

To better understand how wheel type affects your odds, I’ve included the comparison below, which highlights the house edge across different bet types.

The En Prison Rule (European/French Only)

Some European or French tables offer an additional rule that gives players a second chance on even-money bets (like red/black or odd/even). This rule slightly reduces the house edge and adds a layer of strategy. Here, I explain how it works in practice, based on real gameplay situations you’re likely to encounter:

• If the ball lands on zero, instead of losing your even-money bet, it is “imprisoned” and held on the table for the next spin.

 

• If your imprisoned bet wins on the following spin, you don’t win anything extra, but you get your original stake back with no loss.

 
How En Prison Reduces the House Edge on Even-Money Bets:

The En Prison rule improves your odds by lowering the house edge when placing even-money bets, making it especially appealing to strategic players. Here’s how it impacts different roulette variations.

• Even-money bets in American Roulette lower the house edge to 2.63%.

 

• Even-money bets in European Roulette lower the house edge to approximately 1.35%.

 
Why Wheel Choice Can Impact Your Long-Term Results

While both American and European roulette wheels offer the same payout structure, the small differences in layout and rules can make a big impact on your odds. Here’s a breakdown of why your choice of wheel matters:

• Both wheels offer 35 to 1 payouts on straight-up bets, but the European wheel includes only 37 pockets compared to 38 on the American version, slightly improving your chances.

 

• Even-money bets, like red/black or odd/even, pay 1 to 1 on both wheels, but the absence of a double zero on the European wheel increases the probability of winning these bets.

 

• The key difference—single zero vs. double zero—directly affects the house edge. I recommend choosing a European or French table whenever possible, as it can noticeably improve your odds over time.

Bet Odds & Payouts Table

I’ve included a breakdown, of the payouts and odds for different types of roulette bets in the table below showing the chance of winning based on the version you’re playing.

Understading Inside and Outside Bets

Roulette offers a range of betting options, generally grouped into two main categories known as Inside Bets and Outside Bets. I’ve put together a quick breakdown of each one below to help you understand the differences:

Inside Bets

Straight Up: A Straight Up bet is when you place your chips on a single number. It offers the highest payout at 35:1, meaning you win 35 times your bet plus your original stake. However, the odds of winning are lower since you’re betting on just one number, making this a high-risk, high-reward choice for players seeking big payouts.

Split: The Split bet has become my go-to bet in roulette because it offers balanced coverage without placing too much risk on each spin. For example, I often place my chips on two neighboring numbers, like 7 and 8, which gives a better shot at a payout compared to betting on a single number. One time, I was betting on a few different splits during a game, and I managed to hit one of them, earning 17 times my bet plus my original stake.

The reason I prefer this bet is that it allows me to cover more ground on the wheel compared to Straight Up bets, but with a decent return. While the payout of 17:1 isn’t as high as hitting a single number, the odds of winning are much better, so I’m not risking everything on just one number. Over time, this strategy has worked well for me, offering a balance between risk and reward, and I often walk away with consistent wins, even if they are smaller.

Street: I’ve tried using the Street bet, where you place a wager on three consecutive numbers in a row, like 13, 14, and 15, by placing my chip at the end of the row. The payout is 11:1, which offers better odds than a Straight or Split bet. However, I haven’t had much luck with this strategy. For example, during one game, I placed several Street bets, but none of my selected numbers hit, and I ended up losing my bets over time. While the payout is decent when it does hit, I’ve found that I often lose more than I win with this bet, so it hasn’t worked out as well for me compared to other bets.

Corner (or Square): A Corner bet, or Square bet, involves wagering on four adjacent numbers that form a square on the roulette table. You place your chip where these numbers intersect. Winning any of these numbers pays 8:1, providing eight times your wager plus the original bet. This approach covers more numbers than Straight or Split bets, offering a moderate payout and making it suitable for those balancing risk and potential gains.

Six Line (or Double Street): A Six Line, also called a Double Street bet, involves placing a wager on two neighboring rows of numbers, covering six in total. To make this bet, you position your chip where these two rows meet at the table’s outer boundary. If any of these six numbers hits, the payout is 5:1, giving you five times your bet plus the initial stake. This bet increases your winning odds by covering more numbers, though the payouts are smaller than more targeted bets.

Outside Bets

Red or Black: This wager determines if the ball stops on a red or black number. You put your chips on either the red or black part of the table, and you win if the ball lands on the color you selected. This even-money bet offers a 1:1 payout, effectively doubling your wager upon winning, and it’s considered one of the more secure betting options in roulette since it covers nearly half of all possible outcomes.

Odd or Even: When I used the Odd or Even strategy, I focused on consistently placing my bets on Odd for multiple spins. Since this type of bet has a 1:1 payout and covers almost half of the possible numbers, I knew it was a safer choice for steady, smaller returns. After a few rounds, I began to notice a pattern where the ball often landed on odd numbers. By sticking to the strategy and not overextending my bets, I gradually built up my winnings. Over time, these modest wins added up, and I walked away with a decent profit after several hours.

Low or High: This wager predicts whether the winning number will fall in the low range from 1 to 18 or the high range from 19 to 36. Chips are placed on the sections of the table labeled Low or High. As an even-money bet, it offers a 1:1 payout when the ball lands in your chosen range, covering nearly half the numbers except the zeroes. It’s a reliable option for consistent, small gains.

Columns: A Column bet lets you wager on any of the three vertical lines of numbers on the roulette wheel. You place your chips at the column’s base. If the ball stops on any number in the chosen column, you win. This bet pays 2:1, doubling your wager and returning your original stake. Covering more numbers than inside bets, it improves your winning chances, though with a reduced payout.

Unique Betting Options

Below, we delve into some popular yet lesser-known bets. Some bets are set on specific numbers, offering a standard betting method, while others let you choose your own number combinations, making it possible to develop tailored betting strategies.

The neighbors bet involves selecting a central number and also wagering on numbers directly next to it on the roulette wheel. You can opt to bet on as many as 5 neighboring numbers on both sides, though it’s more typical to bet on just 2 neighbors each side. Regardless of the number of neighbors you choose, you’re essentially making multiple straight-up bets, each potentially paying out at 35 to 1.

Orphelins bets in roulette are structured in two main styles, one that uses 5 chips and another that utilizes 8 chips. These bets are placed on four splits and a single number. For a total investment of $5, the payout will be either $36 or $18, depending on which numbers are hit during the spin. This setup splits the roulette wheel into segments that aren’t covered by the more common Voisins du Cylindre and Tiers du Cylindre bets, offering a unique range of numbers. It’s a favored strategy for players looking to cover specific sections of the wheel that are believed to be ‘orphans,’ isolated from the main clusters of pockets used in other bets.

The Le tiers du cylindre bet is a popular roulette wager that covers a specific segment of the roulette wheel. It involves placing bets on six different splits, requiring a $1 stake for each split, which totals a $6 investment. If the bet wins, the payout is $18, which translates to payout odds of 2 to 1. This bet specifically targets the numbers that lie opposite the zero on the European wheel, encompassing nearly a third of the wheel and offering a strategic balance between risk and reward. This bet is popular among players who want to cover more of the wheel without using too many chips, offering a smart way to play with solid return potential.

The Voisins du zero wager involves placing 9 chips to cover 17 adjacent numbers, including a mix of streets, splits, and a corner. This bet results in varied payouts, typically ranging from £18 to £24, depending on which part of the combination wins. Thus, the odds for a Voisins du zero bet typically range from 1 to 1 up to 2 to 1, offering a broad coverage with a reasonable risk and diverse payout outcomes. This strategy suits players who like to cover a large part of the table, increasing the chance of a win by spreading bets across multiple outcomes.

Roulette House Edge

Understanding the House Edge in Roulette

The house edge, also known as the house average or expected value, is the mathematical advantage the casino holds over the player on every bet. It’s something I always keep in mind when placing bets, because it shows how the odds are tilted in favor of the house over time.

American Roulette

The wheel has 38 numbers (1 to 36, plus 0 and 00), which slightly reduces the player’s odds compared to other versions of the game.

A single number bet has:

• You have a 1 in 38 chance of winning when betting on a single number.

 

• There’s a 37 in 38 chance that your number won’t hit, making it a high-risk bet.

 

• The payout is 35 to 1, meaning if you win, you receive 35 units plus your original bet.

 
Understanding the Expected Value in American Roulette:

Expected value (EV) is a way to measure the average outcome of a bet over time. In American Roulette, it shows how much you can expect to lose on average per dollar wagered.

–1 × 37⁄38 + 35 × 1⁄38 = –0.0526, meaning that for every $1 bet, you lose about 5.26 cents on average. This reflects a house edge of 5.26%.

 
Odds and Payouts in European Roulette

European Roulette features 37 pockets, numbers 1 to 36 and a single 0, offering slightly better odds for players compared to the American version, which includes an extra 00 pocket.

A single number bet has:

• You have a 1 in 37 chance of winning when placing a straight-up bet on a single number.

 

• There’s a 36 in 37 chance of losing, giving the house a lower edge than in American Roulette.

Expected Value Calculation in European Roulette:

Expected value helps you understand the average return—or loss—on a single bet over time. In European Roulette, the expected value for a straight-up bet shows how much the house keeps from each wager in the long run.

–1 × 36⁄37 + 35 × 1⁄37 = –0.0270, meaning that for every $1 bet, the average loss is 2.7 cents. This reflects a 2.70% house edge.

This lower expected loss compared to American Roulette is why many players prefer the European version when available.

 
Key Points About the House Edge

The house edge applies equally to most bet types because payouts are calculated as if the zero or zeros don’t exist. This means that while the payout ratios may seem fair at first glance, the presence of the zero gives the casino its mathematical advantage. Even-money bets like red or black, odd or even, and high or low are particularly affected since a zero result causes those bets to lose, despite the appearance of a 50-50 chance.

Exception: The five-number bet on American Roulette (0, 00, 1, 2, 3) has a much higher house edge of 7.89%.

Even-money bets (like red/black or odd/even) on some European Roulette tables may benefit from rules like en prison or la partage, which reduce the house edge to 1.35% by returning part of the bet when the ball lands on zero.

House Edge vs. Hold

It’s important not to confuse the house edge with the hold, as they measure different aspects of casino profit:

• House edge represents the casino’s average profit on each individual bet, 5.26% in American Roulette and 2.70% in European Roulette.

 

• Hold refers to the total amount a casino retains from all the money exchanged for chips, regardless of how many times that money is bet.

 

• Since players tend to re-bet their winnings multiple times, the casino hold can end up much higher than the house edge, even though the house edge per bet stays the same.

Understanding both terms helps clarify how casinos generate long-term profits and why smart bankroll management is essential.

Example:

This simple example shows how the total money wagered can far exceed a player’s starting bankroll, which increases the casino’s hold over time.

• A player begins with $100 and places $10 bets on red, repeating the same wager.

 

• As they win some rounds, they continue betting and may end up placing around 20 bets.

 

• Although they started with $100, they’ve wagered a total of $200 by re-betting their winnings.

 
Expected loss: 20 × $10 × 5.26% = $10.52, over 10% of the starting bankroll, even though the house edge is 5.26%.

A player who continues until they lose everything contributes 100% of their money to the hold.

Highest Paying Roulette Odds

If you’re searching for the best roulette payouts and odds, I recommend choosing European or French tables whenever possible. They offer better chances due to the single zero. For those who want to improve their play even further, I also suggest checking out our additional articles on Roulette Strategy and Roulette rules, where you’ll find practical tips, explanations of different bet types, and insights to help you make more informed decisions at the table.