Roulette Guide to Odds, Payouts and House Edge

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Published: July 19, 2021
Updated: August 19, 2025

Roulette is one of the most popular casino games played at land-based and online casinos worldwide. Both professional and amateur players enjoy spinning the legendary wheel of chance for wins.

Roulette is one of the easiest games to play when you know the basics and understand the game. There are various roulette bets and strategies to take into consideration. This guide explores the odds that the different roulette wheels offer and how they affect your gameplay.

Types of roulette wheels

There are two different types of roulette wheels, commonly referred to as American double-zero wheels and European single-zero wheels. The big difference between these two wheels is the order of the numbers and the additional 00 pockets in American roulette.

The ultimate roulette guide to odds, payouts and house edge. — Roulette guide to odds, payouts and house edge

With the additional 00 pockets, American roulette comes with a higher casino advantage. For this reason, the European variant is commonly the preferred option among players. We have two European variants that could be played - Live European Roulette and European Roulette Pro, both offering an authentic and immersive playing experience.

Understanding the odds and payouts

While roulette wheels are common with 37/38 pockets depending on the roulette variant, odds are generally calculated based on 35 pockets. A straight-up bet is the way to go to increase your chances of winning the maximum payout.

No matter which bet you place or variant you play, the casino/house will always have an edge.

Comparison between American Roulette Odds and European Roulette Odds, as well as the potential pay-out for each bet type in roulette. — American Roulette Odds vs European Roulette Odds

Learning the basics of Roulette, you should know that calculating roulette odds is very easy. All you need to do is divide 36 by the number of squares covered by your bet. Then, you simply subtract one from the amount. This will give you the payout odds for your bet.

Example: If you place a straight-up bet of $10 on the number 6 you could potentially receive a return of $360. This figure includes the $10 bet. It is calculated like this: 36/1 = 36 -1 = 35, giving the odds of 35:1.

Calculating the odds and pay-outs with roulette is quite simple. Below you will find a table including the odds and pay-outs of general bets.

Bet Type	Potential Pay-out	American Roulette Odds	European Roulette Odds
Column	2:1	31.6%	32.4%
Dozen	2:1	31.6%	32.4%
Even bets	1:1	47.4%	46.6%
Single number (Straight Bet)	35:1	2.6%	2.7%
Two numbers	17:1	5.3%	5.4%
Three numbers	11:1	7.9%	8.1%
Four numbers	8:1	10.5%	10.8%
Five numbers	6:1	13.2%	13.5%
Six numbers	5:1	15.8%	16.2%

The odds of hitting a win on a single number/straight-up bet are about 37/1 (depending on the variant). Despite this, the house only pays out 35:1 on winning bets. While the house edge can seem big, the wins on roulette are even bigger.

Expert roulette tips to maximise your wins

The house edge of the American roulette wheel is generally about 5.26%. To improve your winning chances, you need to understand the odds and how they affect your payout.

Roulette is and always will be a game of chance, meaning there's no way to guarantee a win on every spin. The good news is that you do have the opportunity to maximise your roulette winnings.

Take a look at these expert tips on how to increase your odds and pay-outs.

Know and understand the odds - For the different types of bets, different odds come into play. If you want to increase your wins, then you need to understand the odds. Always read the payout information on the roulette variant you wish to play for more information on the payouts and odds for different bets.
Select the right roulette variants - There are different roulette variants to choose from, each with its own extras and odds. A great way to increase your wins will be by simply looking at which roulette variant comes with single 0 or double 00 wheels. The extra pocket could determine the difference between big wins and losses.
Play the outside bets - If you're looking to increase your winning chances, then a top suggestion would be to opt for outside bets. These bets tend to pay out more frequently. Pro players recommend sticking to the minimum bet amount and placing two equal outside bets. (Red and even numbers, for example.) While these winnings are smaller, they are more frequent. Opt for outside bets such as odd/even or red/black to increase your chances.
Opt for a European roulette variant - This variant has the lowest house edge which makes it the ideal option. If you have a choice, rather go for the European Roulette variant to increase your winning chances. By selecting the European variant, you play at 97.3% RTP.
Master demo mode first - A quick and easy way to increase your chances, learn the basics, and explore roulette variants without losing cash is by trying the game in demo mode first. Top online casinos will allow you to try European Roulette, French Roulette and American Roulette in demo mode.
Test out betting systems - While in demo mode, you can try different roulette systems to find one that works for you. A popular betting system is the Martingale roulette system. With this betting system, you bet on 50/50 odds and increase your bet after every loss. Winning bets result in bet amounts returning to the base amount.

The house edge

Before you start planning strategies, you need to take into consideration the house edge. This represents the casino’s built-in advantage over players.

European roulette: 2.7% house edge
American roulette: 5.25% house edge

With roulette, the house edge can be big or small and won't directly impact your betting. It will, however, impact the casino's long-term profit.

The only way to breach this edge is by increasing your bet prediction accuracy. You can do this by using techniques and strategies.

Types of bets

Choosing the correct type of bet can significantly influence both your chances of winning and the size of your payout.

There are two primary types of bets: Inside and outside bets. There are different betting limits to keep in mind. If higher bets are what you're after, then the outside bet is recommended. For higher pay-outs, the inside bet is a top choice.

Bet Name	Potential Pay-out
Straight Up (1 number)	35:1
Split (2 numbers)	17:1
Street (3 numbers)	11:1
Square (4 numbers)	8:1
Six line (6 numbers)	5:1
Colours (18 numbers)	1:1
Odds/Evens (18 numbers)	1:1
Dozens (12 numbers)	2:1
Highs/Lows (1-18 / 19-36)	1:1
Columns (12 numbers)	2:1

*All bets pay out your original bet plus the winning numbers.

Choosing between Inside and Outside bets

The type of bet you place in roulette largely depends on your gameplay goals:

Inside Bets: Perfect for players who enjoy high-risk, high-reward plays, these bets cover fewer numbers, so the odds of winning are lower, but payouts are significantly higher.
Outside Bets: Ideal for beginners or conservative players, outside bets cover larger sections of the wheel, offering higher chances of winning. Although the payouts are smaller, frequent wins help maintain your bankroll and make the game more consistent.

Understanding odds and outcomes for each bet type is essential. Roulette is a game of chance, but carefully selecting your bets instead of choosing randomly can improve your overall winning potential.

Russian (European) vs. American Roulette

You can find many roulette variants online, but Russian (European) and American roulette remain the most popular.

Understanding the Russian Roulette (European Roulette)

Also known as European roulette, this variant features 37 pockets, numbers 1-36 plus a single 0. The wheel’s colours are red, black, and green.

Odds of winning: 1 in 37 for a single number bet
House edge: 2.7%, giving more frequent winning opportunities

American Roulette

The American variant features 38 pockets, numbers 1–36, a single 0, and a double 0 (both green).

House edge: 5.25%, higher than the European version

Why it’s popular: Simple to understand, making it ideal for learning the basics of the game

While the American wheel has a slightly higher house edge, it remains a favourite for many players due to its familiarity and straightforward rules.

Conclusion

Roulette is a highly entertaining table game with varying odds and pay-outs. Each roulette variant has its own odds and pay-outs despite being mainly the same, following the game's basic concept.

In order to play roulette successfully and turn the odds in your favour, it's important to go through the odds, pay-outs, and rules of the variant you wish to play.

Play at a top-rated online casino to get the best possible experience when exploring everything that roulette has to offer.

We have already written a piece of content about the best Live Roulette strategy in our guide section, so make sure you go and take advantage of it.