Whether you are playing roulette at a casino or online, understanding roulette odds is always beneficial. Basically, they tell you your chances of winning a bet. When you get a good grasp of the concept, it helps you make strategic decisions. Also, knowing the roulette table odds behind every bet type improves how you approach the game.
Our easy guide covers everything you should know about its probabilities, payouts, and even the bet types. Moreover, when looking at the roulette wheel odds, we cover the difference between European vs American roulette and also the house edge.
Roulette Table Odds and Payouts
Here’s a simple breakdown of all the standard bets along with their payout, and European and American probabilities:
| Bet Type | Numbers Covered | Payout | European Probability | American Probability |
| Straight Up | 1 | 35:1 | 2.70% | 2.63% |
| Split | 2 | 17:1 | 5.41% | 5.26% |
| Street | 3 | 11:1 | 8.11% | 7.89% |
| Trio | 3 | 11:1 | 8.11% | – |
| Corner | 4 | 8:1 | 10.81% | 10.53% |
| Five Number Bet | 5 | 6:1 | – | 13.16% |
| Six Line | 6 | 5:1 | 16.22% | 15.79% |
| Dozen | 12 | 2:1 | 32.43% | 31.58% |
| Column | 12 | 2:1 | 32.43% | 31.58% |
| Red | 18 | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
| Black | 18 | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
| Odd | 18 | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
| Even | 18 | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
| Low (1-18) | 18 | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
| High (19-36) | 18 | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
How Do Roulette Odds Work?
Most roulette odds guides will tell you that the game is pretty straightforward. But here’s the key concept: players place bets on where they think the ball will land on the wheel. In the game, the odds and payouts are related, but entirely different concepts. Odds refer to the chances of a given outcome actually happening. Meanwhile, payouts are the winning bet returns in a ratio to the stake.
Coming to the game itself, there are two main types of roulette: European and American. The main difference between them is the number of slots they have in total. This will inevitably influence your chances. That’s because probability depends on the number of pockets covered by the bet.
- American Roulette: 38 slots (numbers 1-36, 0, and 00)
- European Roulette: 37 slots (numbers 1-36 and 0)
So, the European wheel calculations are based on 37 possible outcomes. And the American wheel calculations are based on 38 possible outcomes. The payout ratios mentioned above come in handy when calculating the win probability. However, you don’t have to memorise all of them. Just understand the formula instead.
Here’s how it works:
Win probability = (numbers covered ÷ total pockets) x 100
Let’s take an example of a Straight Up bet on a European wheel.
Win probability = (1 ÷ 37) x 100 = 2.70%
Now let’s look at a Red/Black bet on an American wheel.
Win probability = (18 ÷ 38) x 100 = 47.37%
Basically, live or online roulette odds change based on the variant you are playing.
European vs American Roulette Wheel Odds
As we have seen above, there is a major difference between European and American roulette wheels. While European roulette only has a single zero pocket (0), American roulette has a single zero (0) as well as a double zero (00) pocket. You might think that a single extra pocket can’t be that impactful, but it ultimately affects the odds, as well as the house edge.
Especially when it comes to even money bets, like Red/Black or Odd/Even, this presence of a single extra pocket lowers the odds of winning. Just look at the winning probability of even money bets in European roulette, which is 48.65%. But it reduces to 47.37% in American roulette. Let’s look at the difference in probability in all the bet types.
| Bet Type | Payout | European Win % | American Win % | Difference |
| Straight Up | 35:1 | 2.70% | 2.63% | -0.07% |
| Split | 17:1 | 5.41% | 5.26% | -0.15% |
| Street | 11:1 | 8.11% | 7.89% | -0.22% |
| Corner | 8:1 | 10.81% | 10.53% | -0.28% |
| Six Line | 5:1 | 16.22% | 15.79% | -0.43% |
| Dozen | 2:1 | 32.43% | 31.58% | -0.85% |
| Column | 2:1 | 32.43% | 31.58% | -0.85% |
| Red | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% | -1.28% |
| Black | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% | -1.28% |
| Odd | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% | -1.28% |
| Even | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% | -1.28% |
| Low | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% | -1.28% |
| High | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% | -1.28% |
Inside Roulette Bets
Inside bets are placed on the inner section of the roulette table, where the individual numbers are located, in the middle or “inside” part of the betting area. Since you’re betting on specific numbers, the chances of winning are low, but if you do win, the payouts can be quite high.
- Straight Up: Betting on a single number. Place a chip on any selected number, even 0.
- Split: Betting on two adjacent numbers. Place a chip on the line between any two horizontally or vertically adjacent numbers.
- Street: Betting on three numbers in a row. Place a chip on the outside line either on the left or right side.
- Corner: Betting on four numbers that form a square. Place a chip in the corner with all four numbers.
- Line: Betting on six numbers in two rows. Place chip on the outside line where two rows meet.
- American Five-Number bet: Betting on five numbers (0, 00, 1, 2, 3) only on an American roulette wheel. Place a chip on the intersections of 0 and 1 or 00 and 3.
Outside Roulette Bets
Outside bets are placed on the outer section of the table, in the boxes around the perimeter of the numbered grid. These bets cover larger groups of numbers and are generally less risky, so they’re great options if you want to start safe, even if the payouts are lower.
- Red or Black: Betting on the ball landing on red or black numbers.
- Odd or Even: Betting on whether the number will be odd or even.
- High or Low: Betting on whether the number will be high (19-36) or low (1-18).
- Dozens: Betting on one of the three groups of twelve numbers (1-12, 13-24, 25-36).
- Columns: Betting on one of the three vertical columns of numbers.
House Edge and Roulette Odds
The house edge is the built-in advantage that a casino has over players in any given game. Does this mean casinos are tricking their clients? Not at all. While the house edge gives the casino an advantage, it doesn’t prevent players from winning. It simply means that, on average, the casino will win a small percentage of all placed bets.
So, what does a house edge imply for the players? That all depends on the type of roulette game you’re playing. In the European version, with 37 pockets, the house edge is 2.7%. The presence of the zero gives the casino its edge because bets on individual numbers pay 35 to 1, but the true odds are 36 to 1.
In the American version, with 38 pockets, the house edge is 5.26%. The addition of the double zero increases the house edge, as bets on individual numbers still pay 35 to 1, but the true odds are 37 to 1. If you have the option, go for European roulette. The odds are slightly better for the player compared to American roulette because of the lower house edge.
Know More About Roulette Odds (FAQs)
What Are the Odds on a Roulette Wheel?
The odds on a roulette wheel tell you your chances of winning a bet. They differ based on the European or American variant that you are playing.
What Are the Odds of Winning on Red or Black?
The odds of winning on Red or Black bets for European roulette are 48.65%, and for American roulette are 47.37%.
What Is the House Edge in Roulette?
The house edge is the built-in advantage that a casino has over players in roulette. It changes based on the variant, so European roulette has a house edge of 2.70%, while American roulette has a house edge of 5.26%.
Do All Roulette Bets Have the Same House Edge?
Yes, all roulette bets have the same house edge for the European variant (2.70%), which is different from the American variant. But all roulette bets in the American variant have the same house edge (5.26%).
Betting is only available to participants above 18 years. Please bet responsibly. BeGambleAware.org