Roulette Odds Explained: A Beginner’s Guide

The Roulette gambling game was named after a French word, which translates to “little wheel”. The rules of the game are quite simple: 

• Players make the bets

• The dealer throws a ball into the spinning roulette wheel. At this point, players are still able to make bets;

• While the ball is rolling at the roulette wheel, the dealer announces: "No more bets." This means the players are not allowed to place bets anymore;

• The ball lands on a number in the roulette wheel. If there are winners who bet the number, section, or color, they will be rewarded according to their betting odds.

Whilst the rules do not require players too much effort to understand the game, it would be slightly difficult for them to win big in the long run, without gaining a proper understanding of two important concepts, such as odds and probabilities. 

However, there’s no guaranteed process of making a correct prediction as to which number would hit on the next spin. Even so, having at least a basic knowledge of roulette odds and roulette probability will help you make an informed decision when it comes to which types of bets to place. 
 

Types of bets available in a roulette game

Roulette offers a puzzling amount of betting options. However, in order to make sure you receive the payout you deserve, you will need to put your chips in the right place on the table. The players buy in for chips, then place their best roulette bets on any number or propositions.

• Different types of Roulette bets

Down below, we put together a list that includes all types of the best roulette bets available in a roulette game, followed by an explainer for each type, covering roulette table odds, best odds in roulette, roulette odds payouts, and more.
 

Inside bets

This type of bet doesn’t help you win very often, but they pay out more when you do win. Inside bets are placed directly on one or more numbers. The inside bets include:

• Straight-up 

This is a bet on a single number. It pays off at 35 to 1.

• Split bet 

This is a bet on any two adjacent numbers. You place the chip on the line between the two numbers in order to make this wager. This bet pays out at 17 to 1.

• Street bet 

This bet covers three numbers. You place your bet on the line outside of the three numbers in the row where you want to win. This bet pays out at 11 to 1.

• Corner bet 

Also known as a square bet or a quarter bet, this one is placed on a corner that makes a square. It's a bet on four numbers and a win pays out at 8 to 1.

• Six-number bet 

It is also called a line bet and it covers two adjoining rows of numbers. It pays out at 5 to 1.

Outside bets

This type of bet has a higher chance of paying out, even if the possible winnings are smaller. On the edge of the table, you can find a succession of bets which are “outside” the 38 numbers on the table. The outside bets include:

• Red or Black 

This bet pays out even odds (1 to 1) if the ball lands on the color you chose.

• Odd or Even 

This bet pays out even odds (1 to 1) if the ball lands on odd or even, depending on which you chose.

• Low or High 

This bet pays out even money (1 to 1) if the ball lands on 1-18 if you bet low, or if the ball lands on 19-36 if you bet high.

• Columns 

The numbers on the layout are organized into three columns of twelve numbers each. This type of bet wins if the ball lands on one of the numbers in the column you chose. It pays out 2 to 1 when you win.

• Dozens 

There are 36 numbers on the table, so you can bet on the first dozen (1-12), the second dozen (13-24), or the third dozen (25-36). This bet also pays out 2 to 1.
 

Announced bets

This type of bet is more common in a French Roulette game. However, the majority of live dealer European Roulette games also offer them. These are the main types of announced bets:

• Voisins du Zero

This translates to “neighbors of zero” and means that players have to bet on the numbers that surround zero on the roulette wheel. These numbers include 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2 and 25. 9 chips are required for this bet.

• Jeu Zero

This one is translated to “zero game” and means that players have to bet on the numbers closest to zero on the roulette wheel. These numbers include 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32 and 15.

• Tiers du Cylindre

Also referred to as Tiers, this is a bet on numbers 27 to 33. These numbers include 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16 and 33. The payout is 17 to 1.

• Orphelins 

This one encloses eight numbers on the wheel that are outside the Voisins Du Zero and the Tiers Bets. These numbers include 17, 34, 6 and 1, 20, 14, 31.

• Neighbors

This is a 5-chip bet that covers one number and the 2 numbers to the left and right of that number. If a player picks 29, the numbers include 22, 18, 29, 7, and 28.

Roulette odds and payouts explained

Roulette might seem like a simple casino game to play, but there are plenty of betting combinations available that you need to be aware of. Down below, we’ve gathered all the key roulette strategies, in order to offer you an enjoyable experience with this classic casino game.

Each of these betting combinations comes with its own odds and payouts, so we gladly invite you to check out this explainer we have prepared for you. This is an overview of the most advantageous inside/outside bets:

• Red or Black 

With this bet, you will hit almost half the options on the Roulette wheel. This means that the payout ratio is lower (1:1, bet $10 win $10), but when it comes to numbers, this is the safest and the most beneficial for the player roulette bets you can go with.

• Columns

By going with this type of roulette bet, the option of numbers is pulled down a little under a third, but betting on a column still covers a good part of the felt while doubling your winnings. So placing a $10 bet will win you $20.

• Straight Up

This type of bet is the best option if you're not afraid of risking a little bit in order to win big. This involves betting on a single number and hoping for the best. The risk is very high, but the payout (35:1, $350 for a $10 bet) might be worth it. 

• Split Bet

If you want to go for a higher reward, but you’re not willing to risk too much, this might be the bet for you. This involves placing chips on any two numbers that are next to one another on the felt. The payout of 17 to 1 is not very high, but the chances of hitting your numbers are 1 in 18, which is better than the 1 in 37 the straight up bet offers.

• Roulette Bet Types Probability 
   

American vs. European Roulette: which has better winning odds?
 

The main difference between the American and European Roulette is the number of green pockets/zeroes. The European roulette wheel spotlights one green pocket (0), while the American Roulette wheel features two green pockets (0,00).

Since the European wheel only has a single zero, this means that the house edge is remarkably lower than that of the American Roulette, at 2.7%. Nonetheless, the American Roulette raises the house edge to an enormous 5.26%, due to the double zero added to the wheel. 

The odds of winning when betting on certain numbers while playing the American Roulette are lower: 1 in 38 in comparison to 1 in 37 when playing the European Roulette. 

When playing this type of game, you will receive chips of a different color, in order to avoid confusion when American roulette payouts are made. During the American roulette payouts process, bets for the next round of the game may be placed.

So to answer your question, in American Roulette, the house edge is almost double that of its European counterpart, meaning that the house has a bigger advantage than the player because the wheel features both the 0 and the 00 pockets.

Assuming that the payouts remain the same across the different formats, you have a better shot at winning when you spin the wheel of the European Roulette, simply because the house has a much lower advantage than you!
 

• Roulette Payout Chart for winning bets in American & European Roulette
   

• Comparison between European & American Roulette

En Prison vs. La Partage Bets

Another reason why the European Roulette has better odds than the American one is the existence of two beneficial rules that the player can make use of: En Prison and La Partage rules.
 

“En Prison” rule 

This rule allows you to have another spin if you place an even money bet, and if the ball is spun and lands on zero. By following this strategy,  you can reduce the house edge to as little as 1.35%.

If the bet is successful on the next spin, you will receive your full stake back, but not your winnings. 

Example: If you had bet £20 on black, this would be imprisoned after the first spin of zero, but if on the second spin the ball finished in black 31, you would get your £20 back.
 

“La Partage” rule 

By following this rule, you can bet directly on 0, as you can do on every other number, and the chances for it to become a winner are just as great. This strategy reduces the house edge to 1.35%.

With this rule, if it is the winning number, losing even money bets is not a complete waste of funds. Half of the losing stake is returned to the player.

Example: If you bet on a black lucky number 11 and red 34 is the winning number, this means the bet is not very beneficial, therefore you lose the whole stake.
 

• How En Prison and La Partage rules can change the RTP of the game

Roulette House Edge 

The house edge (aka the house advantage) refers to how often players will lose on a single bet. As we previously mentioned, the house edge for the European Roulette is around 2.7%, while the American Roulette has an average of 5.26%.
 

• The house edge for each Roulette type
   

How the house edge works in Roulette

As we already learned, roulette has on the table layout and on the actual roulette wheel the 37 numbers from 0 to 36. Out of this total of 37 numbers, 36 (1 to 36) are black or red-colored and the 0 is green colored.

The green zero generates the house edge. Why? Because even if the roulette wheel and table have 37 numbers and evidently 37 possible outcomes, you are only paid as if there are 36 numbers. 

If you bet a single number, your roulette table odds of winning are 1/37 = 2,7%, and your payout should have been (37-1)/1=36= 3600% or 36 times your bet, meaning you are paid only 3500% or 35 times your bet. As a result, the casino pays you 2,7% less than it should, so this is the infamous house edge or house advantage.

However, if you are not an experienced player, you can resort to using a roulette odds calculator, which can be found online. These calculators are also very helpful to players who are looking to include a certain betting system into their gaming sessions in order to generate more profits.

How the standard deviation works in Roulette

Standard deviation is a factor or a value that determines the deviation from a standard event. Simply put, it helps establish how much variation there is from an average or a mean. 

All the best roulette bets share the same expected value. However, the standard deviation will vary inversely with the total number the gambler chooses. The gambler derives the theoretical win from possibilities built into the casino game. 

Hypothetically, all casino games are designed in a certain way to guarantee a good return to the casino. The winnings for the players (the theoretical wins) are always negative, while the expected value (winnings for the casino) is usually positive.
 

• x is a set of numbers

• mean is the average of the set of numbers

• n is the size of the set

• σ is the standard deviation
   

Can betting systems overcome the house edge?

No betting system can achieve a long-term advantage over the house, or even reduce it a little bit. Roulette balls and dice have no memory, every spin in roulette is independent of all past events. In the short run, you might convince yourself that a betting system works, by risking a lot to win a little. However, in the long run, no betting system can overcome the house edge (the casino's built-in mathematical advantage).

How to improve your odds while playing Roulette
 

Down below, we’ve put together a short guide on how to increase your chances of winning:

• Know your odds

Roulette odds provide you with the information you need to know how likely you are to win any bet. There are many different bets available on a roulette table, and each one has its own roulette wheel odds. It’s important that you understand the basics of how to play the game, in order to get yourself the best odds on Roulette.
 

• Play more outside bets

Players are often told to bet on specific numbers for a huge win. The roulette table payout for hitting your number on the roulette table is not very high at 35:1 and the odds of hitting your number are even less at 37:1. If you play the outside bets, including betting red, black, even, odd, 1 to 18, or 19 to 36, you will have a 50/50 chance of hitting a winning number.
 

• Know the particularities of each type of roulette game

In roulette, there are many betting combinations all of which bring you different odds for winning and different payouts. All in all, knowing how each type of roulette game works will increase your chance of winning big.
 

• Play European Roulette 

If you are looking to win big, you should play the version of the game in which the chance of winning is higher. The game in question is the European Roulette, as it eliminates the double 0 that’s popular in the American Roulette. This means you’ve got a better chance of hitting evens, best odds in roulette, or your favorite color.
 

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Roulette Odds Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best bet in roulette?

By betting on a red/black, odd/even, or on 1-18/19-33 you increase your chances of winning. However, your house edge will be the same regardless - approximately 2.7 or 5.26%, depending on which type of Roulette you are playing, European or American.
 

What is the highest roulette odds probability?

The even/odd, red/black, or low/high bets offer the best odds in roulette, with European (48.60%) and American (47.40%) layout. This means that your chance to win is almost 50:50.
 

Can you win every time at online roulette?

It depends on what number hits the most in Roulette. For example, if you play European Roulette (with 37 slots on the wheel) and you place your bet on only 1 slot, the roulette probability of the ball landing every time on the winning slot is 1 in 36, which is very low. So, what are the odds on Roulette to become a winner every time? Unfortunately, they are not very high.