Roulette payouts vary significantly based on bet type, wheel variant, and risk level. This comprehensive guide explains how payouts work, what odds you can expect, and how to maximize your understanding of roulette betting structures.
Roulette remains one of the most popular casino games worldwide, offering players a wide range of betting options with varying payout structures. Understanding how roulette payouts work is essential for making informed betting decisions and managing your bankroll effectively. Whether you are playing American roulette with its double zero or European roulette with a single zero, the payout ratios follow specific mathematical principles based on probability.
The payout structure in roulette is inversely related to the probability of winning. Bets that cover fewer numbers offer higher payouts, while bets covering more numbers provide lower payouts but better odds of winning. This guide breaks down every bet type, explains the mathematics behind payouts, and compares different roulette variants to help you understand exactly what to expect when you place your chips on the table.
Roulette payouts are calculated based on the number of pockets your bet covers relative to the total pockets on the wheel. In European roulette, there are 37 pockets numbered 0 to 36, while American roulette features 38 pockets including both 0 and 00. The presence of the additional zero pocket in American roulette increases the house edge and affects your overall winning probability, though the payout ratios for individual bet types remain the same across both variants.
When you place a bet and win, the casino pays you according to a fixed payout ratio, plus you receive your original stake back. For example, a straight bet on a single number pays 35 to 1, meaning you receive 35 times your bet amount plus your original wager. Understanding these ratios and how they relate to actual probability helps you evaluate the true value of each bet type.
The key to understanding roulette payouts lies in recognizing that the payout ratios are slightly lower than the true odds would suggest. This difference creates the house edge, which ensures the casino maintains a mathematical advantage over time. By learning the payout structure, you can choose bets that align with your risk tolerance and playing style.
The type of roulette wheel you play on significantly affects your winning probability, though not the payout ratios themselves. The three main variants are European, American, and some specialty versions like Triple Zero roulette.
European roulette features 37 pockets with numbers 0 to 36. The single zero gives the house an edge of 2.70 percent. This variant is preferred by experienced players because it offers better odds than American roulette. All standard bet types are available, and the payout structure remains consistent with mathematical probability adjusted for the house edge.
American roulette includes 38 pockets with an additional 00 pocket alongside the standard 0 and numbers 1 to 36. This extra pocket increases the house edge to 5.26 percent, nearly double that of European roulette. Despite the worse odds, payout ratios remain identical to European roulette, meaning you win the same amount but with lower probability. Some American tables offer a five-number bet covering 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3, which pays 6 to 1 but carries an even higher house edge of 7.89 percent.
Some casinos offer specialty roulette games like Triple Zero roulette, which adds a third zero pocket and increases the house edge further. Other variants include Roulette Xtra and Lightning Roulette, which feature random multipliers on certain numbers that can increase payouts from the standard 35 to 1 up to 200 to 1 on straight bets. These games add excitement but typically maintain or increase the overall house edge.
Inside bets are placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers on the inner section of the roulette table layout. These bets offer higher payouts but lower winning probabilities.
A straight bet is placed on a single number, including 0 or 00. This bet pays 35 to 1, the highest payout in roulette. In European roulette, your probability of winning is 1 in 37, or 2.70 percent. In American roulette, it drops to 1 in 38, or 2.63 percent. Despite the low probability, straight bets are popular because of the substantial payout potential.
A split bet covers two adjacent numbers on the table layout by placing your chip on the line between them. This bet pays 17 to 1. Your probability of winning is 2 in 37 for European roulette, or 5.41 percent, and 2 in 38 for American roulette, or 5.26 percent. Split bets offer a balance between payout size and winning probability.
A street bet covers three numbers in a horizontal row by placing your chip on the outer edge of the row. This bet pays 11 to 1. The probability of winning is 3 in 37 for European roulette, or 8.11 percent, and 3 in 38 for American roulette, or 7.89 percent. Street bets are useful for covering consecutive numbers with a single wager.
A corner bet, also called a square bet, covers four numbers that meet at a corner by placing your chip at the intersection point. This bet pays 8 to 1. Your winning probability is 4 in 37 for European roulette, or 10.81 percent, and 4 in 38 for American roulette, or 10.53 percent. Corner bets provide reasonable coverage with a solid payout ratio.
A six line bet covers two adjacent rows of three numbers each, totaling six numbers. Place your chip on the outer corner where the two rows meet. This bet pays 5 to 1. The probability of winning is 6 in 37 for European roulette, or 16.22 percent, and 6 in 38 for American roulette, or 15.79 percent. Six line bets offer the broadest coverage among inside bets.
Available only in American roulette, the five number bet covers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. This bet pays 6 to 1 but carries the worst house edge in roulette at 7.89 percent. Most experienced players avoid this bet due to its poor value compared to other options.
Roulette payouts are determined by the probability of winning each bet type. The casino pays out based on true odds minus the house edge, which comes from the zero or double zero pockets. Understanding this structure helps players make informed betting decisions.
Different bet types offer varying risk-reward ratios. Inside bets target specific numbers with higher payouts but lower winning probability, while outside bets cover larger groups of numbers with smaller payouts but better odds of winning.
Outside bets are placed on the outer sections of the table layout and cover larger groups of numbers. These bets offer lower payouts but significantly higher winning probabilities, making them popular with conservative players and those using betting systems.
Betting on red or black covers 18 numbers of the corresponding color. This bet pays 1 to 1, also called even money. In European roulette, your probability of winning is 18 in 37, or 48.65 percent. In American roulette, it is 18 in 38, or 47.37 percent. The zero pockets are green and cause both red and black bets to lose, creating the house edge.
Betting on odd or even numbers covers 18 numbers. This bet pays 1 to 1. The probability matches red or black bets at 48.65 percent for European and 47.37 percent for American roulette. Zero and double zero are neither odd nor even, so they cause these bets to lose.
High bets cover numbers 19 to 36, while low bets cover numbers 1 to 18. Each covers 18 numbers and pays 1 to 1. The winning probability is identical to red or black and odd or even bets. These bets provide simple, nearly 50-50 propositions with even money payouts.
Dozen bets cover 12 consecutive numbers in three groups: first dozen covers 1 to 12, second dozen covers 13 to 24, and third dozen covers 25 to 36. These bets pay 2 to 1. In European roulette, your probability of winning is 12 in 37, or 32.43 percent. In American roulette, it is 12 in 38, or 31.58 percent. Dozen bets offer a middle ground between inside and outside bet risk profiles.
Column bets cover one of the three vertical columns of 12 numbers on the table layout. These bets pay 2 to 1, identical to dozen bets. The probability of winning is also 12 in 37 for European roulette and 12 in 38 for American roulette. Column bets provide the same mathematical value as dozen bets but cover different number distributions.
The house edge represents the mathematical advantage the casino holds over players. It is calculated as the difference between the true odds of winning and the payout odds offered. In European roulette, the house edge is 2.70 percent on all bets except for special rules like La Partage or En Prison, which can reduce it to 1.35 percent on even money bets. In American roulette, the house edge is 5.26 percent on most bets, rising to 7.89 percent on the five number bet.
Expected value is the average amount you can expect to win or lose per bet over the long term. For example, on a straight bet in European roulette, if you bet one unit, your expected value is negative 0.027 units, meaning you lose an average of 2.7 percent of your bet over time. This mathematical reality applies to all casino games and ensures the house maintains profitability.
Understanding house edge helps you make informed decisions about which roulette variant to play and which bets to place. While no bet can overcome the house edge in the long run, choosing European roulette over American roulette immediately improves your odds by reducing the house advantage by nearly half.
Calculating your potential payout is straightforward once you know the payout ratio for your bet type. Multiply your bet amount by the payout ratio, then add your original stake to determine your total return. For example, if you bet 10 units on a corner bet that pays 8 to 1 and win, you receive 80 units in winnings plus your original 10 units, totaling 90 units.
For even money bets paying 1 to 1, you simply double your bet amount. A 20 unit bet on red that wins returns 20 units in winnings plus your original 20 units, totaling 40 units. For bets paying 2 to 1, like dozen or column bets, you triple your total return. A 15 unit bet on the first dozen that wins returns 30 units in winnings plus your original 15 units, totaling 45 units.
Many online casinos and roulette calculators can help you determine potential payouts before placing bets. These tools are particularly useful when planning betting strategies or managing your bankroll across multiple bet types simultaneously.
While no betting strategy can overcome the house edge, understanding payouts helps you implement systems that manage variance and extend playing time. Popular strategies include the Martingale system, which doubles bets after losses on even money bets, and the Fibonacci system, which follows a mathematical sequence for bet sizing.
Conservative players often focus on outside bets with lower payouts but higher winning frequencies. This approach reduces volatility and provides more consistent, though smaller, returns. Aggressive players may prefer inside bets, accepting lower winning frequency in exchange for the possibility of substantial payouts on successful straight or split bets.
Effective bankroll management requires understanding the relationship between bet type, payout, and probability. Allocating your bankroll according to the volatility of your chosen bets helps ensure you can withstand normal variance without depleting your funds prematurely.
Understanding roulette payouts is fundamental to playing the game intelligently. Each bet type offers a specific payout ratio that reflects its probability of winning, adjusted for the house edge. European roulette provides better odds than American roulette due to the single zero, making it the preferred choice for informed players. Inside bets offer higher payouts with lower winning probability, while outside bets provide more frequent wins with smaller payouts.
The house edge ensures the casino maintains a mathematical advantage regardless of which bets you choose, but selecting the right variant and understanding payout structures allows you to make decisions aligned with your risk tolerance and playing goals. Whether you prefer the excitement of straight bets paying 35 to 1 or the steadier returns of even money outside bets, knowing exactly what to expect when you win helps you play with confidence and manage your bankroll effectively.
The highest standard payout in roulette is 35 to 1 for a straight bet on a single number. Some specialty variants like Lightning Roulette can offer multiplied payouts up to 200 to 1 on randomly selected numbers.
No, the payout ratios are identical between American and European roulette. However, your probability of winning is lower in American roulette due to the additional double zero pocket, which increases the house edge from 2.70 percent to 5.26 percent.
A payout of 35 to 1 means you receive 35 times your bet amount in winnings, plus your original stake is returned. For example, a 10 unit bet that wins returns 350 units in winnings plus your original 10 units, totaling 360 units.
In European roulette, all standard bets carry the same 2.70 percent house edge, so they offer equal mathematical value. In American roulette, avoid the five number bet covering 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3, as it carries a 7.89 percent house edge compared to 5.26 percent on other bets.
Combining bet types does not change the house edge or improve your mathematical odds. Each bet is independent and carries the same house advantage. However, combining bets can help you cover more numbers and manage variance according to your playing style.
True odds represent the actual mathematical probability of winning, while payout odds are what the casino pays when you win. The difference between these creates the house edge. For example, a straight bet has true odds of 36 to 1 in European roulette but pays only 35 to 1.
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