Roulette Odds And Payouts Explained
At first glance, online roulette may seem like a fairly simple game, but there’s more to this online casino classic than meets the eye. It’s not just red or black, odd or even, or an individual number that you can bet on – there are plenty of other combinations to learn about, all with their own unique odds and payouts.
If you’re looking to wager your hard earned money on the online roulette table, it’s definitely a good idea to familiarise yourself with these odds and payouts, to allow for more strategic gameplay and increase your chances of winning big.
European Roulette vs. American Roulette
As you may already know, there are two prominent versions of the classic online Roulette table – European roulette and American roulette. The one notable difference between the two tables is the number of pockets on the wheel. The European version has a total of 37 pockets, including numbers 1 to 36, and 0. The American version has a total of 38 pockets, featuring the same numbers as the European version, with an extra pocket – the double zero. The additional pocket on the American wheel increases the number of possible outcomes, meaning European Roulette offers players the best chance of winning. Each of these tables come with their own set of odds.
European Roulette
| Bets | Payout | Probability |
| Odd | 1:1 | 48.6% |
| Even | 1:1 | 48.6% |
| Black | 1:1 | 48.6% |
| Red | 1:1 | 48.6% |
| Low (1-18) | 1:1 | 48.6% |
| High (19-36) | 1:1 | 48.6% |
| Dozen (1-12, 13-24 or 25-36) | 2:1 | 32.4% |
| Column | 2:1 | 32.4% |
| Line (combination of six numbers) | 5:1 | 16.2% |
| Corner (combination of four numbers) | 8:1 | 10.8% |
| Street (combination of three numbers) | 11:1 | 8.1% |
| Split (combination of two numbers) | 17:1 | 5.4% |
| Straight Up (single number) | 35:1 | 2.7% |
American Roulette
| Bets | Payout | Probability |
| Odd | 1:1 | 46.37% |
| Even | 1:1 | 46.37% |
| Black | 1:1 | 46.37% |
| Red | 1:1 | 46.37% |
| Low (1-18) | 1:1 | 46.37% |
| High (19-36) | 1:1 | 46.37% |
| Dozen (1-12, 13-24 or 25-36) | 2:1 | 31.58% |
| Column | 2:1 | 46.37% |
| Line (combination of six numbers) | 5:1 | 15.79% |
| Five (combination of 0, 00, 1, 2 & 3) | 6:1 | 13.16% |
| Corner (combination of four numbers) | 8:1 | 10.53% |
| Street (combination of three numbers) | 11:1 | 7.89% |
| Split (combination of two numbers) | 17:1 | 5.26% |
| Straight Up (single number) | 35:1 | 2.63% |
Bet Types Explained
There are two types of bets that a player can place. These are called ‘inside bets’ and ‘outside bets’, relative to where your chips are placed on the table.
Inside Bets
Straight Up
In this bet, you are betting on one number. Use your chip(s) to cover your selected number. This bet provides you with the longest shot of winning and the best payout.
Split
A bet on two adjoining numbers, made by placing your chip(s) on the line between two numbers.
Street
With a street bet, you are betting on all three numbers in a horizontal line, such as 34, 35 and 36. To make this bet, place your chip(s) on the outside line on either end of the ‘street’.
Corner
A corner bet is a bet on four numbers. As the name suggests, you place your chip(s) on the corner shared by all four numbers to make this bet.
Line
This is a bet on a combination of six numbers. Just think of it as two ‘streets’ in one bet. Place your chip(s) on the outside line where the two ‘streets’ meet.
Five
A bet on five numbers – the double zero, zero, one two, and three on an American roulette table, made by placing your chip(s) on the intersection of the zero and one, or double zero and three.
Outside Bets
High or Low
Place your chip(s) in the designated area to bet on the numbers 1 through 18 for ‘Low’, and 19 through 36 for ‘High’.
Red or Black
This bet is a bet on the ball landing in either a red or black pocket. Place your chip(s) in the table’s designated area for each of these wagers.
Odd or Even
You are betting on the number being either even on odd. Place your chip(s) in the designated area for these bets.
Dozen
Dozen bets allow you to bet on a third of the 36 numbers available. You can place your chip(s) in the designated area for 1 to 12, 13 to 24, and 25 to 36.
Column
Similar to the ‘dozen’, a column bet allow you to bet on a third of the 36 numbers available, but according to their column on the table, instead of their numerical order.
House Edge
The house edge is the advantage that the casino has over players. On the European roulette wheel, the house edge is 2.7% and on the American roulette wheel, the house edge is 5.26%. This explains why the tables above show that the odds a casino pays out on a wager are always slightly less than the odds of winning. While it is inevitable that many players will experience fortunate winning streaks, this minor advantage is enough to allow the casino to make profit in the long-term, ensuring that the house almost always wins eventually.
To learn how house edge is calculated, let’s take a look at a ‘red/black’ bet on a European table, one of the most popular bets in online roulette. A common misconception is that you have a 50% chance of winning this bet, as there are two outcomes. The zero on the table means that there are actually three: red, black or neither. The presence of this extra pocket reduces the odds by increasing the number of possible outcomes. Only 18 of 37 numbers result in a win, so your chances are calculated as:
18/37 = 0.486
As the house also wins if the ball lands on 0, the odds for the casino are:
19/37 = 0.513
The house edge is the difference between these two figures:
0.513 – 0.486 = 0.027
So the house edge is 2.7% for European roulette. European roulette provides players with the best chance of winning. There is only one zero, and so a smaller number of possible outcomes.
As American roulette has two zeros on the table, there are a greater number of outcomes, and consequently a lower probability of winning. The house edge for American Roulette is 5.26%.
Now that we’ve covered the statistical probabilities and odds of all the bets you can place on both American roulette and European roulette, it’s time for you to put this knowledge into action and devise your online roulette strategy.
Remember, no matter how lucky you’re feeling, the house edge leans in favour of the casino – so while some strategies may seem to initially work, they usually fail in the long run. Most importantly, don’t forget to have fun. Good luck!
FAQs
What is the difference between an inside bet and outside bet? On a roulette table, the central numbers are referred to as inside bets. The bets that sit outside these numbers, such as the dozen, red and even bets are known as outside bets. Inside bets are much harder to win than outside bets, due to a lower table coverage, but winning this type of bet is very rewarding.
What is the house edge? The house edge is the advantage that the casino has over players, gained through adding additional possible outcomes to the table, such as the double zero on the American roulette wheel. On the European tabke, the house edge is 2.7% and on the American table, the house edge is 5.26%. While players will inevitably enjoy winning streaks, the house edge ensures that the casino makes a profit in the long-term.
What is the difference between American roulette and European roulette? The sole difference between the two tables, is the number of zeros. The American table has a zero and a double zero, and the European table only has a single zero. While this may seem like a minor difference, it has a major effect on your gaming experience. The smaller number of possible outcomes in the European version gives you the best chance to win, and can result in a longer gaming session.
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As Editor-in-Chief, Daniel offers his expertise in all things gambling, contributing to a number of topics on TopRatedCasinos.co.uk, including our casino reviews and strategy guides. Daniel is also an avid sports fan, with a strong interest in NBA and Premier League betting.