Understanding the Odds of Roulette

Frank Scoblete
Updated 1 February 2025
Senior Content Editor

When playing roulette, the first thing you must realize is that it is a game of chance and the only thing to count on is luck. As a result, knowing the odds you’re working with during a game is critical for making informed judgments while playing roulette for real money. We look at various crucial variables to consider when playing roulette in our review and the guide will include the following:

Roulette Odds and How to Calculate it
Different types of Roulette Bets
The Variants of Roulette

Calculating Roulette Payouts

The odds and betting types for both American and European roulette games are shown in the figures below.

The expected roulette payouts are expressed as an x:1 ratio. This basically means that for every $1 you risk, you will receive an x amount. As an example, consider a single number bet.

If you wager on a single number, the payoff is 35:1, which means that if you win, you will receive $35.

Calculating Payouts from Roulette

We've computed the roulette payouts for your convenience so you can use this table as a quick reference.

Here's a quick way to remember the math. Divide 36 by the total number of pockets covered by your bet or wager. Subtract 1 from the total to determine the payoff odds. If you're betting on four numbers, for example, divide 36 by four, which equals nine. To get to 8, you'll have to subtract one. As a result, betting on four numbers pays out at an 8:1 ratio. If you bet $20 on those four numbers and win, you will receive a payment of $160.

Roulette Bet Type Example Roulette Bet Potential Payout European Roulette Odds American Roulette Odds
ColumnAny number in the third column2:132.40%31.6%
DozenAny of 13 to 242:132.40%31.6%
Even betsBlack over red1:148.60%47.4%
Single number735:12.70%2.60%
Two numbersEither 19 or 2017:15.4%5.3%
Three numbersAny of 28, 29 or 3011:18.1%7.9%
Four numbersAny of 5, 6, 8 or 98:110.8%10.5%
Five numbersAny of 0, 00, 1, 2, or 36:113.5%13.2%
Six NumbersAny of 4 to 95:116.2%15.8%

The Different Roulette Bet Types

Before placing any bets in roulette you need to understand the main categories of the bet types you will see. These bet types include outside and inside bets, among other minor bet types. Let’s take a closer look at how you can maximize your bets.

Outside Bets

The bet that has the best chance of winning is known as an outside bet. Odd or even numbers, black or red numerals, 1-18 or 19-36 are all examples of bets. Outside bets account for half of all winning bets in a roulette game. Outside bets, while offering better odds and paying out more frequently, are not particularly generous, typically paying out about 1:1. There are other outside bets that pay out somewhat better, such as column and dozen bets. These bets consist of 12 numbers from the roulette wheel with a 2:1 payout. Outside bets are wagers put outside the roulette table on a specific group of colors or numbers. Any outside bets are lost if the ball lands on 0 (or 00 in American roulette). The following are some of the most popular outside bets:

Roulette Bet Types Description
Black or RedThis bet will have odds of 1:1 and depends on the color you choose to bet on as seen on the roulette table.
Even or OddThe wager has a payout ratio of 1:1 and players will choose to bet on odd numbers or even numbers.
High and LowIt is a bet that comes with a payout of 1:1 if your wager is successful. Low bets are described as wagers placed on 1-18 and the high bets will be numbers 19-36
ColumnThis wager has odds of 2:1 and you will receive a payout if you bet on and the ball lands on a number that is located in a specific column on the table. Generally, the roulette table will have three columns with 12 numbers in each.
DozensA bet that pays out 2:1 when you predict that the ball will land in one of the three sets on the roulette table. The sets are made up of dozens which are 1-12, 13-24 and 25-36.

Inside Bets

When playing online roulette, inside bets are another popular sort of wager. These bets are more difficult to win than outside bets, but they provide larger payouts. Wagers can be put on any number on the roulette table here. These offer lower odds but higher payouts, and they also pay out less frequently. The house edge on both bets, though, stays the same. We'll look at some of the most typical inside bets below.

Roulette Bet Types Description
Straight-upYou would risk it all and place your bet on a single number and hope for the best. The payout you can expect is 35:1 and this wager is also sometimes called a single-number bet.
SplitThis wager is completed when you bet on two numbers next to each other with a potential payout of 17:1. When looking at the odds in percentages, the American Roulette odds are 5.3% versus 5.4% for European Roulette.
StreetA street wager has a payout potential of 11:1 . These bets are placed when players select three numbers in a straight line or row.
CornerThis wager is also referred to as a square bet, because four numbers are selected in every corner of the roulette table. The potential payout for this type of bet is 8:1.
BasketA player bets on five numbers in any order or position on the roulette table with a potential payout of 6:1 if the bet is successful.
Double streetSimilar to a street bet, but as the name suggests you choose two rows next to each other with a potential payout of 5:1.

Additional Info: Called Bet

In various roulette variants, such as French and European roulette, a called bet is a type of wager. Called bets are different from other bets in that they are ordered according to the position of the roulette wheel rather than the table.

Improve Your Chances of Winning and Your Odds

To improve your chances of winning, it's also a good idea to be informed of the odds. While there is no quick fix or even a surefire strategy for winning at this game of chance, there are techniques to improve your chances of success while lowering your losses. By mastering a few tricks of the trade, you can increase your odds of walking away with a profit. While adopting a roulette strategy is critical to enhancing your overall gaming experience, there are a few things to remember when playing real money online roulette.

Understand the odds for roulette

There are various bets available in roulette, each with its own set of odds. Understanding the various odds, on the other hand, is critical for extending your bankroll and minimizing your losses.

Understand the Different Roulette Games

There are various sorts of roulette games, including variations of American, French, and European versions, just as there are various types of bets and odds. Make sure you understand the differences between these variations, as well as the chances and rules for each. The additional 00 slot in American roulette has a significant impact on odds and can mean the difference between a big win and a big loss. Before selecting a roulette game, familiarize yourself with the regulations.

Inside Vs. Outside Bets

Consider placing outside bets if you want to increase your chances of winning. While these bets pay out less frequently, they have superior odds and pay out more frequently. Choose the least amount allowed for safe players; even if the payout isn't great, it will add up and build your bankroll over time. Place a stake on two equal outside bets if you're a low-risk gambler who wants to win. While this isn't likely to result in life-changing wins, it is a fun way to earn some money without losing a lot of money.

European Roulette is Best

In comparison to other roulette versions, European roulette has the lowest house edge. If you're a new player, you might want to stick with European roulette if you can, though they are probably the most popular variants of the game at online casinos, so it shouldn't be a problem finding a version of the game.

Play and Win Online Roulette

Whether you're totally new to online roulette or simply want to brush up on your skills or improve your method, we can help. Roulette is a popular casino game that has increased in popularity in tandem with the rise of internet gambling. As a result, there are now a plethora of versions to appeal to a broader range of players. Some of the most frequently asked questions concerning online roulette are included below.

Roulette Odds FAQs

We do our best to answer any questions about roulette odds that we come across. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and answers to help you along.

Roulette chances are generally thought to be favorable. If you're seeking for the greatest odds, we recommend playing European blackjack, which has a 2.64% house edge.

When it comes to outside bets, players have the best odds. Odd or even bets, black or red bets, and digits 1-19 and 19-36 bets are all examples. The payout on these bets is 1:1.

In roulette, the best bet is highly subjective. A straight-up bet, with a 35:1 payout, can be regarded as your best bet. Outside bets are ideal for people searching for smaller bets that pay out more frequently.

This is dependent on the type of roulette you're playing. The odds in American roulette are 47.4%, whereas the odds in European roulette are somewhat higher at 48.6%. The payoff is 1:1 in both games.

If you bet on green and it pays off, you can expect a payoff of 35 to 1 or 17 to 1. This varies according on the roulette variant you're playing, as American roulette has an extra 00 slot whereas European roulette only has one.

No, there's no way to predict which color will land more frequently than the other. Because the conventional European wheel has 18 red and 18 black numbers, you have an equal chance of landing on either red or black.

Because roulette is a game of chance, there is no surefire technique to increase your chances. Many players, however, adopt a betting method to increase their odds of winning and reduce their losses. This is not, once again, a surefire method to win.

There is no fool-proof way to win at roulette because it is based on luck rather than talent. Understanding the odds will undoubtedly assist you in making better betting decisions and increasing your chances of winning.

Casino games are structured to give the house an advantage, even if the house does not always win. This is true of all casino games, implying that the casino has a greater probability of winning than the gambler.

The best return on investment is 35:1. This is based on a single-number bet, in which you accurately anticipate which number the roulette ball will fall on.

Yes, winning is possible when playing any type of roulette if you are playing for real money. With the greatest odds and the lowest house edge of 2.64%, European roulette is a superb choice for gamers hoping to cash in.

There are numerous roulette bets to choose from, each with its own name, chances, and potential winnings. The most basic bet is a straight-up wager, which is a wager on the exact number on which the ball will land. This wager offers the best odds and the biggest potential reward.

An outside bet in roulette is a wager based on the numbers on the roulette table's edge. These are wagers on odd or even numbers, red or black, and high or low. They are regarded as simpler wagers with better odds and more frequent payouts.

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Senior Content Editor
Frank Scoblete is a casino gaming expert with 35 books, over 6,000 articles, and extensive media experience, including consulting for films, TV, and hosting radio shows. He has also organized gaming festivals across the US and Canada, cementing his status as a leading authority in the field.
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Fact-checked by Reza Shojaei
Editor-in-chief

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