A Guide to Understanding Roulette Table Odds
Every roulette spin is a universe in and of itself. On paper, it seems like a purely luck-based game, but there are some things you can do to turn the odds in your favor. That’s why understanding the terminology involved is crucial. Make or break level stuff.
In this roulette payout guide, we’ll help you get on top of the different bets, particularly:
- Calculating your odds in roulette
- How the different roulette bet types work
- How roulette variations affect the odds
- Play the roulette wheel to your advantage
Starting with the Roulette Strategy Basics
With a total of 38 numbers (1 to 36, plus 0 and 00), the true odds of hitting a single number on a straight-up bet are 37 to 1. Note that the house pays only 35 to 1 if you win! The same goes for the payouts on the combination bets. This explains why the house edge in roulette is so huge.
Without a sound strategy, you can kiss increasing your odds of winning goodbye (the same goes for all casino games). Simply showering the layout with chips won’t do your wallet justice – unless you’re into that sort of thing, of course. Just know that you can make many different bets as long as you stay within the table’s maximum limits. In other words, very few players make just one bet at a time.
Beginners beware, though! The more bets you make, the more challenging it is to follow how each spin will pan out. To tackle this issue, here are two possible tactics to simplify matters until you get the hang of things:
- Stick to the table minimum and play the outside bets only. The best example is to bet on either red or black for each spin. This type of outside bet pays 1 to 1 while covering 18 of the 38 possible combinations.
- Place two equal bets on two outside bets. One bet on an even-money play and the other on a column or dozen that pays 2 to 1. Let’s say you placed one bet on black and one bet on Column Three, which has eight red numbers. That way, you have the possibility to hit 26 numbers, 4 of which you cover twice. Spreading bets like this won’t make it rain, but it sure keeps things exciting at the table.
Calculating your Roulette Winnings Using the Roulette Payout Guide
Both European roulette and American roulette are the most played variants, so we will stick to explaining the roulette payout chart with those two in mind. The potential payout odds in roulette are stated in the form of a ratio, specifically x:1. In other words, you’ll win x dollars for every 1 dollar you bet. Let’s say, for example, a single-number bet offers a payout of 50:1. So, with a bit of luck, you’ll get your dollar back plus $50 with each win.
How to calculate roulette payouts
To help you better navigate the probability landscape, we did all the calculations for this roulette payout guide so you can instantly gauge your roulette winnings. Yes, math can get boring but in this case, it’s nothing too complicated. Simply divide the number 36 by the number of squares your bet covers. After that, subtract 1 from that figure and you will get the payout odds.
Here’s an example for a better frame of reference: A two-number bet would mean dividing 36 by 2 to get 18, then subtracting 1 to equal 17. The payout rate for a three numbers bet is therefore 17:1. So if you place a $10 bet, your win would result in a $170 payout.
What About the Odds in Roulette?
If you were to hit a single number, straight-up, the betting odds would be 37 to 1 – there’s a total of 38 numbers (1 to 36, plus 0 and 00). Keep in mind, though, the house only pays out 35 to 1 on winning bets, with the same odds for payouts on combination bets. So, the house edge is substantial, but hitting on roulette can see you win big!
Roulette Bet Types
Essentially, roulette bets fall into two main categories: inside and outside bets.
Odds and payouts for outside bets
An outside bet often gives players the best odds and chance of a payout. Think: odd or even, red or black, 1-18 or 19-36. As you can see, outside bets cover half of the possible outcomes of a game of roulette. But there’s a catch, of course. With such a high chance of winning, your payout isn’t going to be all that generous. In fact, it’s usually 1:1.
Other outside bets with a slightly better payout include column and dozen. They cover 12 of the numbers on the roulette wheel, which, using simple mathematics, give you roughly a 1 in 3 chance of winning. That, and a payout of 2:1.
On an American roulette table, you will also find a number of bets which are “outside” the 38 numbers on an American roulette table. These bets refer to a specific set of numbers or colors. Examples of outside bets include:
- Red or Black – If the ball lands on the color of your choosing, this bet pays out at even odds (1:1).
- Odd or Even – This bet is similar to red or black in terms of odds, only the question is whether the ball lands on odd or even numbers.
- Low or High – Same principle: even odds (1:1) if the ball lands on 1-18 while betting low, or if the ball lands on 19-36 while betting high.
- Column and Dozens – Your roulette winnings will be paid out at 2:1 if the ball lands on one of the numbers in the column you choose or in the case of dozens if it lands on either the first dozen (1-12), second dozen (13-24) or third dozen (25-36).
Disclaimer: Only if the roulette ball lands on 0 or 00, any outside bet will lose.
Outside Bet Odds Table
Odds and payouts for inside bets
The logic is similar to outside bets. Basically, inside bets refer to specific numbers (or sets of numbers) on the INSIDE of the roulette betting table. They may have a lower chance of winning than outside bets, but this is balanced by a larger payout. The house edge on inside bets is the same as on outside bets. Examples of inside bets include:
- Straight-up bet – No beating around the bush with this one as you are betting on one specific number. The payout will be 35:1 (with a percentage chance of 2.70% in European roulette and 2.63% in American roulette, respectively).
- Split bet – In this case, you are betting on two adjacent numbers. The payout will be 17:1 (with a percentage chance of 5.41% in European roulette and 5.26% in American roulette).
- Street bet – While betting on three numbers, the payout will be 11:1 (with a payout European roulette odds of 8.11% and 7.89% in American roulette).
- Corner bet – Also known as a square bet or quarter bet, you are betting on four numbers with this one. The payout will be 8:1 (with a percentage chance of 10.81% for European roulette and 10.53% for American roulette).
- Basket bet – Next in line, betting on five numbers. The payout will be 6:1 with a percentage chance of 13.16% in American roulette. Note that this bet is not available in European roulette!
- Double Street bet – A.k.a line bet, this bet involves two adjoining rows of numbers (a total of six). The payout will be 5:1 with a percentage chance of 16.22% in European roulette and 15.79% in American roulette.
Inside Bet Odds Table
What is a called bet?
European or French variations of the game have a little something known as the called bet. Called bets are not the same as the above-mentioned bets. Instead, they’re grouped according to positions on the classic roulette wheel, rather than the table. Below, we will list a few staples of called bets:
Fixed Called Bets
- Neighbors of Zero – A.k.a the grand series, this is a bet on all 17 numbers near to the green zero. You will need to place at least 9 chips to cover all those numbers, and the odds of this bet winning are 45.9%. The payout is not fixed and can go as high as 24:1, depending on the winning number.
- Thirds of the Wheel – Similar to dozen or column bets, this is a bet on 12 numbers that are found adjacent to the neighbors of zero. The probability here is 32.4%, and the payout is set at 17:1.
- Zero Game – A bet on seven numbers near to the green zero. The odds of this bet winnings are 18.9%, and the payout can reach up to 26:1.
- The Orphans – A bet on any of the numbers which are not covered by the other called bets. The chance of this bet winning is 21.6%, and the payout can be either 35:1 or 17:1.
Variable Called Bets - The Neighbors – As the name suggests, this is a bet on 5 adjacent numbers.
- The Finals – In other words, this is a bet on the last digit (e.g. 5 would be a bet on 5, 15, 25, 35).
How to Beat Roulette by Improving Your Odds
As we mentioned before, getting to grips with the odds involved is key to improving your odds of winnings. This includes understanding the house edge. For instance, on an American roulette wheel, the house edge stands at 5.26%.
Let’s rip the bandaid right off: There isn’t a magic pill for how to win roulette on every spin. However, there are numerous ways to influence your winnings in roulette, ensuring you have a better chance of receiving a hefty payout (or at least you won’t go home with an empty wallet). We dedicated a full blog on roulette strategy, but just to help you get started, we will dish out a few universal tips:
Know your roulette odds by heart
The odds themselves may vary massively depending on the roulette variation, but there’s no excuse for being unfamiliar with each and every one of them. Hopefully, this roulette payout guide serves that purpose. However, by all means, google everything there is to it about the odds for different types of roulette bets before you even consider placing one.
Choose your roulette game wisely
A lot of players are usually torn between American, French or European roulette. But there’s more to it than meets the eye. Make sure to look into the different odds of each variation. This information will help you decide on your game of choice. After all, just having a 00 on the roulette wheel could make the world of difference between a costly loss and a big win.
Place outside bets to improve your chances
We highly suggest that new players should focus on the outside bets. This advice isn’t set in stone, but if you want the best possible chance of winning at roulette, outside bets are the way to go. Stick to the table’s minimum bet just to be on the safe side. Placing two equal outside bets – for example on black and odd – is a relatively low-risk way of giving yourself a chance of a payout. You may not be able to dramatically increase your roulette winnings this way, but it’s still a lot of fun and you won’t end up losing big sums of cash.
Play European roulette for starters
Of all the roulette variants, European roulette has the lowest house edge. So go for it. European roulette wheels can be found everywhere, both at all the hottest Las Vegas casinos and at many online casinos.
Keep Your Free Roulette Odds Cheat Sheet Close
The facts and figures often speak for themselves. Our quick guide to roulette odds will help you to grasp how roulette odds work, and how inside and outside bet types affect the odds. We also provided different table layouts for American and European roulette, as well as the payouts on the types of bet you make – just to be on the safe side.
Learn How to Win at Casino Roulette
It doesn’t matter if you are completely new to roulette or you’re just here to hone your skills. There’s always room to learn a thing or two about this timeless table game. Whether you are gunning for online roulette or mobile roulette, we have tons of recommended free roulette games here at Casino Bros. And if you wish to learn more about the game, check out our how to play roulette guide.
Most Frequently Asked Questions About Roulette Odds
What are the odds generally like in roulette?
It may not be like blackjack, for instance, but roulette odds are fairly good. Of all the variations, European roulette has the best odds with a house edge of just 2.64%. In other words, this indicates how often a player will lose on a single bet on average.
What are the best odds in roulette?
The bets with the best odds in roulette are outside bets, particularly red or black, even or odd, or high and low numbers. The only downside is that each of these has a 1:1 payout.
What is the best bet in roulette?
For those opting for a big roulette win, a straight-up bet is the best bet. It pays out at 35:1. But going in for the kill doesn’t always bring good results. If you want to play roulette for a longer period or you prefer smaller, more frequent wins, an outside bet on red or black would benefit you in this regard.
What are the odds of hitting red or black in roulette?
The odds of hitting red or black in American roulette are 47.4%, whereas this number slightly increases to 48.6% in European roulette, to 48.6%. In both cases, your roulette winnings will be paid out at 1:1.
How much does green pay in roulette?
Betting on green pays out either 35 to 1 or 17 to 1. This depends on the roulette variation you’re playing as well as your bet. In American roulette, the wheel features a green 0 and 00, while the European version just has the single green 0.
Can a roulette betting system improve your odds?
Yes, lots of players rely on betting systems to give themselves a better chance of winning. However, as with any game of chance, it’s not a sure-fire way to maximize your chances of a payout.
Can maths help you win at roulette?
Not really, no. Always winning at roulette is a fantasy. You gotta be prepared to lose, even when you fully understand the associated odds. Learning about odds is simply a way of knowing how to play smart.
Does the house always win in roulette?
No, the house doesn’t always win, despite the fact that the game is designed to cater to the house. Essentially, it doesn’t matter which game you play. The odds of the casino winning are always greater than the odds of the player winning. In short, the house always wins!
What is the highest payout in roulette?
The highest payout in roulette is 35:1. The only time you’ll receive your roulette winnings at this ratio if you correctly predicted the exact number that the roulette ball landed on, a.k.a. the straight-up or single number bet.
Can you win money playing roulette?
If luck is on your side, yes, it’s possible to win money playing roulette, especially European roulette where the house edge is only 2.64%. Just don’t fool yourself. Playing casino games shouldn’t be a career option but a means of entertainment. Just always keep in mind that the house edge ensures a casino will win in the long run.
What is a roulette bet called?
Each roulette bet comes with its own name, the probability of occurring and potential payout. A single number bet is the most straightforward and most rewarding.
