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Roulette is a game of chance because the outcome depends solely on the spin on the wheel, giving a totally random result every time. Thus, you need to know the odds and payouts for the particular bets you can place. So, here we will discuss the roulette odds and payouts for the different roulette bets. We prepared the following guide to help you learn how to select the best roulette bet to place when you decide to play roulette online at your favorite online casino.
Credit: Karamba
Odds in Roulette
The odds in roulette represent the chances to win the roulette bet you’ve placed. The roulette wheel in European roulette has 37 numbers, from 1 to 36 and one 0; American roulette has 38 numbers, from 1 to 36 and 0 and 00. So, you can note that the odds of hitting a single number are 36 to 1 for European roulette and 37 to 1 for American roulette. Since the house takes its due from all roulette bets, the odds of winning a straight-up bet become 35 to 1.
✅ How to Calculate the Roulette Odds & Payouts
If the math is unclear, the following equation will make things clearer and easier to understand. There are 36 numbers on the roulette table, so you need to divide the number 36 by the number of numbers your bet covers. You need to then subtract 1 for the house’s take, and you will get the payout odds. So, for example, if you place a street bet, you are betting on three numbers, so you need to divide 36 by 3, and you will get 12. When you subtract the house’s edge, you get the payout odds for the street bet of 11 to 1. The table below explains the odds and payouts for European and American roulette:
Roulette bets | Payout | Odds for European Roulette | Odds for American Roulette |
---|---|---|---|
Straight bet | 35:1 | 2.70% | 2.60% |
Split bet | 17:1 | 5.4% | 5.3% |
Street bet | 11:1 | 8.1% | 7.9% |
Corner bet | 8:1 | 10.8% | 10.5% |
Basket bet | 6:1 | N/A | 13.2% |
Line bet | 5:1 | 16.2% | 15.8% |
Column bet | 2:1 | 32.40% | 31.6% |
Dozens | 2:1 | 32.40% | 31.6% |
Even/Odd | 1:1 | 48.60% | 47.4% |
High/Low | 1:1 | 48.60% | 47.4% |
Red/Black | 1:1 | 48.60% | 47.4% |
✅ Odds for Outside Bets
Now, let’s discuss the odds for outside bets in roulette. The outside bets are more favorable for the player, as you place a wager on the possibility for the ball to land on a larger group of numbers. However, such a bet will provide a higher chance of winning because the wager covers more possibilities, which is why these are considered some of the best roulette bets. The downside is the lower payout, as the outside bets Red/Black, Odd/Even, and High/Low come with a simple 1 to 1 payout, as these bets cover half or 18 numbers on the roulette wheel.
The column and dozen bets in roulette are also outside bets, but these cover slightly fewer numbers on the wheel, as these cover 12 numbers on the roulette wheel. So, when you apply the formula above and divide 36 by 12, you will get 3, and then subtract 1 for the house edge, and you get 2 to 1 payout odds for the column and dozens of bets. The roulette wheel has one green 0 in European roulette and green 0 and 00 for American roulette, and if the ball lands on these, all the outside bets lose. This is why the odds are not exactly 50% for the Red/Black, Odd/Even, and the High/Low bets, but they are slightly lower. The table below clearly states the odds and payouts for the outside bets:
Outside roulette bets | Payout | European roulette odds | American roulette odds |
---|---|---|---|
Red/Black | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
Odd/Even | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
High/Low | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
Column bet | 2:1 | 32.4% | 31.6% |
Dozens | 2:1 | 32.4% | 31.6% |
✅ Odds for Inside Bets
The situation with the inside bets in roulette is similar, as you can apply the same equation to find out the odds. Since you place wagers on a single or only a few numbers, the inside bets come with lower odds but higher payouts. So, if you place a straight-up bet, you wager on a single number, so you need to divide 36 by 1 and subtract 1, getting a result of 35. It gives you the expected payout of 35 to 1 for a straight bet, with the odds coming to 1/37=0.027 or 2.7%. The table below shares the odds and payouts for the various inside bets:
Inside roulette bets | Payout | European roulette odds | American roulette odds |
---|---|---|---|
Straight bet | 35:1 | 2.7% | 2.6% |
Split bet | 17:1 | 5.4% | 5.3% |
Street bet | 11:1 | 8.1% | 7.9% |
Corner bet | 8:1 | 10.8% | 10.5% |
Basket bet | 6:1 | N/A | 13.2% |
Double street bet | 5:1 | 16.2% | 15.8% |
Credit: 20Bet
Tips to Improve Your Roulette Winning Chances
Roulette is a game of chance, so there is little you can do to affect the outcome of the spin of the wheel. However, you can apply some roulette strategies to boost your winning chances, and here are some tips to help:
- Learn all about the roulette rules and bet options – if you want to learn how to play roulette, you must learn the rules, roulette bets, and other game particulars, as knowing these will help you learn all about the game
- Prefer to place outside bets – the outside bets come with higher winning chances, which makes these favorable bets for beginners. Still, the outside bets come with lower payouts
- Manage your bankroll wisely – it can be easy to get carried away and lose track of your available bankroll. So, we recommend to play wisely and keep track of the amount you place on every bet
- Apply a betting strategy to maximize your budget – you can apply a betting strategy like a positive or negative betting progression or apply a betting system that will allow you to optimize your budget, get the most out of a winning streak, and minimize your losses when you are on a losing streak
FAQs
Are The Roulette Odds Fair?
The roulette odds are fair, as roulette is a game of chance, and the outcome is entirely random. It is why the odds are fair, and the house edge for roulette is taken from the payout.
What Are the Odds of Hitting Red or Black in Roulette?
Since there are 18 red and 18 black fields on the roulette wheel and only one green field (two for American roulette). So, the odds of hitting red or black are 48.6% for European and 47.3% for American roulette.
What Are the Best Odds in Roulette?
The best odds in roulette are the odds for the outside bets, more precisely for the Red/Black, Odd/Even, and the High/Low bets.
What Is the Highest Payout Bet in Roulette?
The roulette bet with the highest payout is the straight bet that pays 35 to 1, but it comes with a low probability of only 2.7%.
Can A Betting System Help Me Win at Roulette?
A betting system won’t help you win at roulette. It can help you maximize your budget, as it is designed to take advantage of a winning streak and minimize your losses when you are on a losing streak.