When you buy through affiliate links in our content, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn Roulette odds are determined by the possible outcomes and the numbers covered in the bet. Knowing how to calculate this can give you an edge on the table, while also helping you find the versions with the best roulette payouts. In this guide, we will analyze the roulette house advantage, the odds of winning, and the payouts provided. Continue reading to master the numbers behind the little wheel.
What are the Roulette Odds?
The odds of winning in roulette depend on the bet. However, for every betting option, the game comes with a set house edge. This roulette house advantage is determined by the extra zero pocket(s), depending on the version of the game, and on the bet payout. European roulette has one zero pocket, while American roulette comes with two zero pockets, all of which are green.
For example, the roulette probability of winning a straight bet in European roulette is 1-in-37. This is because you are betting on a single number out of the 37 options available. For outside bets that cover 18 numbers, like betting on the winning number being black, the roulette chance is 18-in-37, or almost 50/50. However, that “almost” is important when we get to the roulette payouts.
The best part about roulette is that players can choose which types of bets they want to place. You can select as many options as you like on the table in order to set the level of risk for every spin. Straight bets are the riskier since they are hard to land, but they also provide the biggest prize.
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Roulette Payouts
All payouts in roulette have a built-in house advantage equal to the number of green pockets on the wheel. This means that regardless of the bet you are placing, the roulette house edge is always the same, which makes picking the right version very important. Both European and American variants will pay 35:1 for a straight bet and 1:1 for an outside bet that covers 18 numbers.
36 / Bet – 1 = Payout. The roulette payout calculator is based on 36 numbers, so you just have to divide 36 by the number of pockets covered by the bet and then subtract one. For example, if you bet on four numbers, the payout is 8:1 (36/4–1= 9–1= 8)
Roulette Payouts Chart
For a better view of the different payouts and the roulette odds in both popular versions of the game, check out the following table. It shows the payout for correctly predicting the winning number on different bets, and the roulette probability in the two main variants.
| Roulette Bet | Roulette Payout | European Roulette Odds | American Roulette Odds |
| One Number (Straight Bet) | 35:1 | 2.70% | 2.63% |
| Two Numbers | 17:1 | 5.40% | 5.26% |
| Three Numbers | 11:1 | 8.10% | 7.89% |
| Four Numbers | 8:1 | 10.81% | 10.52% |
| Five Numbers | 6:1 | 13.51% | 13.15% |
| Six Numbers | 5:1 | 16.21% | 15.79% |
| 12 Numbers (Column/Dozen) | 2:1 | 32.43% | 31.58% |
| 18 Numbers (Red/Black/Odd/Even/High/Low) | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
Roulette House Edge
A great way to understand roulette payouts and the house edge is to bet $1 on every number, including the zero(s). In European roulette, that means we are betting a total of $37 for one spin. Since only one number will be successful, we will receive a prize of $35, plus our initial bet of $1 on that number. As a result, we win $36 on a $37 bet. That $1 is the difference in the roulette odds payout, which is equal to a 2.70% house edge.
If we switch to even-money bets and wager $100 on black, we have a 48.65% chance to get it right, according to the roulette payouts chart. So, if we bet $50 on black and $50 on red, we still lose 2.70% of the time due to the one green pocket.
The house edge in American roulette is higher due to the addition of another green pocket for 00, while the payout remains the same. So, if we take the same scenario and bet $1 on every number, it will cost us $38 per spin and we will only receive a $36 prize according to the roulette payouts calculator. Here, we are losing $2 every round, which means a 5.26% casino advantage. This represents the roulette chance that the ball lands in any of the two green pockets.
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The Bets with the Best Roulette Odds
Given the fact that all bets face the same roulette house advantage, the best options depend on your playstyle. If you want to chase long odds for the chance to win big prizes, you are better off with straight bets. On the other hand, if you want even-money payouts more frequently, you should look to cover almost half of the numbers on the table.
Bets can be grouped into two categories based on their roulette table odds: inside bets and outside bets.
Roulette Inside Bets Odds
Inside bets are options found in the center of the roulette table. These show all of the available numbers, which can be grouped into categories based on their location, or just randomly. You can learn more about placing the bet and other aspects from our guide on how to play roulette.
The roulette payout odds for inside bets are long, meaning that you have a small chance of predicting the winning number. In American roulette, the probability of guessing the number outright is just 2.63%, or 1-in-38. The odds improve with every additional number added to the bet, but the potential payout goes down. So, if we are covering three numbers with a bet, we have a 7.89% chance of guessing the winning number.
The advantage to inside bets is that they offer higher payouts than outside bets. In order to cover that probability, you will need a bankroll that allows you to bet for multiple rounds without winning anything.
For example, if you are betting on a single number on the American roulette wheel for 30 times in a row, your odds of winning at least once are around 55%. We can break down the math by calculating the roulette probability of winning zero times in 30 spins, which is (37/38)^30= 44.93%. This also means that the odds of winning once or more within 30 rounds is 100%-44.93%= 55.07%. In fact, we have a 14.28% chance of winning twice during this session.
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Roulette Outside Bets Odds
As the name suggests, the outside bets are found on the outer side of the roulette table. They cover more numbers and thus provide better roulette payout odds. However, the rates are lower and you can expect to win even money or 2:1 for this category. Included bets are Red or Black, High or Low, Odd or Even, along with columns and dozens.
With a Red/Black, High/Low, or Odd/Even bet, the odds of winning are 47.37% in American roulette and 48.65% in the European version. All of these pay 1:1, so, if successful, you will receive the stake back and a payout matching it.
For columns and dozens, the bet covers 12 numbers, which means that the odds are 31.58% and 32.43% for the two versions, respectively. These pay 2:1, so a successful bet of $100 on a column will result in a $200 profit, plus the $100 bet back.
Can You Improve the Roulette Odds?
The truth is that you can’t improve the roulette table odds. Knowing how they work and what they mean however, can give you an advantage when playing. First of all, it is clear from the roulette payouts chart that the European version of the game is more advantageous for the player than the American one.
Secondly, knowing the different odds helps you choose the right bets for you and for your bankroll. Inside bets require a larger bankroll due to the low chance of winning, which means that you have to bet for more rounds before claiming a payout. With outside bets, you can bet more of your bankroll at once.
Moreover, you can use a roulette strategy to further improve your results. For the best betting systems, you can take advantage of the roulette table odds for even-money bets. For example, with the Martingale strategy, you double the stake after losing, for the chance to win back the money on the next round.
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