Roulette bets and odds
Roulette offers a dozen kinds of bet. On a single-zero wheel they all cost exactly the same.
By Ryan Jessop. Last checked .
Key takeaways
- Inside bets: fewer numbers, bigger payouts.
- Outside bets: more numbers, smaller payouts.
- House edge 2.70% on every bet.
- Double-zero wheels: 5.26%.
In brief: Every bet on a European wheel has a 2.70% house edge. Choose bets by how often you want to win, not by value.
Inside bets
| Bet | Numbers | Pays | Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight up | 1 | 35 to 1 | 2.70% |
| Split | 2 | 17 to 1 | 5.41% |
| Street | 3 | 11 to 1 | 8.11% |
| Corner | 4 | 8 to 1 | 10.81% |
| Line | 6 | 5 to 1 | 16.22% |
Outside bets
| Bet | Numbers | Pays | Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dozen or column | 12 | 2 to 1 | 32.43% |
| Red or black | 18 | 1 to 1 | 48.65% |
| Odd or even | 18 | 1 to 1 | 48.65% |
| High or low | 18 | 1 to 1 | 48.65% |
Why the edge is the same
Each payout is set as if there were 36 numbers when there are 37. That one-in-37 shortfall, 2.70%, applies to every bet alike.
French rules
La partage returns half of an even-money stake when zero lands, halving the edge on those bets to 1.35%.
Called bets
Voisins, Tiers and Orphelins cover sections of the wheel with several chips. Same edge.
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The same cost, three ways
| How it is bet | Average return | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| £1 on every number | £36 | £1 |
| £37 on red, once | £36 | £1 |
| £1 on one number, 37 spins | £36 | £1 |
However the money is spread, the average loss is one thirty-seventh of what is staked.
En prison
A variant of la partage: when zero lands, an even-money stake is held for the next spin instead of half being returned. The effect on the edge is the same.
Reading a payout
"35 to 1" means £35 profit plus your £1 back. "1 to 1" doubles your stake.
Hot numbers
Displays of recent results are entertainment. Each spin is independent; see casino myths.
Table limits
Every table has a minimum and maximum, often different for inside and outside bets. The maximum is what ends any doubling system, and the minimum decides how long a small budget lasts.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best roulette bet?
None is better; French even-money bets are cheapest.
What pays 35 to 1?
A straight-up number.
What are the odds of red?
48.65% on a single-zero wheel.
Is there a strategy?
No.