The topic of roulette odds gets a little more complicated when you factor in the differences between major game versions. Later on this page we tell you which version of roulette gives you the best odds. Be sure to sign up at one of our top roulette casinos listed below for the best possible roulette experience.
Key Roulette Odds Insights
- American roulette has a 5.26% house edge: The double-zero wheel is nearly twice as costly as the single-zero wheel.
- European roulette has a 2.70% house edge: The single zero makes it the better choice for most players.
- French roulette can cut the edge to 1.35%: La Partage or En Prison lowers the house edge on even-money bets.
- Outside bets win more often, but they are not better value: Every standard bet on the same wheel has the same house edge, except the five-number basket bet on the American wheel, which is worse.
- Even-money bets win 48.65% of the time on a European wheel and 47.37% on an American wheel.
- No strategy changes the odds: Roulette is a game of luck.
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Roulette Odds—Which Version to Play
One of the things that can make understanding roulette odds difficult is how different the odds are between the three main versions of the game. The main versions that can be found at casino sites and land-based casinos are American Roulette, European Roulette, and French Roulette. Two of these versions are pretty similar, while the third has much worse odds.
European and French versions of the game offer much better odds than American Roulette, as they are single-zero wheel games. As such, these are the two versions players should stick to if they have the chance. Both have 36 numbers and a single green 0 pocket.
European Roulette has a house edge of 2.63%, which is much better than American Roulette’s 5.26%, which is nearly twice as bad.
French Roulette is almost identical to European Roulette, but there are a few changes to specific rules that improve the players’ odds. Two main rules change the player’s odds, so check which one is being used, as they are not both in effect. The first is La Partage. If you place an even-money bet, like red or black, and the ball lands on the green 0, half your bet is returned to you.
The other is the En Prison rule. It also applies to even money bets and the green 0 coming up. However, instead of half your bet being returned, your bet is held, and the wheel is spun again.
If your original bet wins, your bet is returned to you. These rules lower the house edge to 1.35%. If you plan to play roulette online, choose a single-zero wheel, which gives you the best odds.
Outside Bets Odds and Payouts
If you want the best chance to win when playing roulette, outside bets are the way to go. The most popular outside bets are known as even money bets. They are called this because these bets cover almost half the roulette wheel, with the exception of the green 0 in European and French roulette and the green 0 and 00 in the American version.
These even money bets are red or black, odds or evens, and 1-18 or 19-36. These bets give a player a near 50:50 chance of winning.
In the European version, your odds of winning are 48.65%, while the odds worsen to 47.37% on the American wheel. Because your odds are so good, the payout is 1:1. So if you bet $5 and you win, you’ll double your money and win $10.
Other outside bets include column bets and dozen bets. Both of these betting options cover 12 numbers on the wheel, a third of the numbers.
There are three column betting options and three dozen betting options (1-12, 13-24, and 25-36). The odds of winning one of these bets on the European wheel is 32.43% and 31.58% on the American wheel. The payout is 2:1.
Inside Bet Odds and Payouts
Inside bets in roulette offer much higher payouts but significantly worse odds. They are classified by betting on a single number or a small group of numbers. This makes it much harder for them to win, but the added risk comes with a bigger potential reward. There is a much larger selection of inside bets, so we’ve laid them out below, including their odds and payout.
A split bet is when a player bets on two numbers on the wheel; however, the numbers need to be next to each other on the table. The payout for this bet is 17:1, and the odds are 5.41% on the European wheel and 5.26% for the American version.
A street bet involves betting on three consecutive numbers, such as 7, 8, or 9. The chance of winning is 8.11% or 7.89% for European and American roulette, respectively. The payout is 11:1.
With a corner bet, players bet on four numbers, and it pays out 8:1. The odds in European Roulette are 10.81% and 10.53% in American Roulette.
As the name suggests, instead of betting on three numbers, you bet on six. The payout is 5:1, with odds of 16.22% for European and 15.79% for American.
This bet is only available in American Roulette, and players bet on five numbers. This is a bet on 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3 and pays out 6:1. The odds of winning are 13.15%
This is a lot to take in, so to help out our readers, we’ve created a table with all the main bets, their odds, and payouts.
| Bet | Payout | European Roulette Odds | American Roulette Odds |
| Red/Black | 1:1 | 48.6% | 47.4% |
| Odd/Even | 1:1 | 48.6% | 47.4% |
| 1-18/19-36 | 1:1 | 48.6% | 47.4% |
| Column | 2:1 | 32.4% | 31.6% |
| Dozen | 2:1 | 32.4% | 31.6% |
| Straight Bet | 35:1 | 2.7% | 2.6% |
| Split Bet (2 Numbers) | 17:1 | 5.4% | 5.3% |
| Street Bet (3 Numbers) | 11:1 | 8.1% | 7.9% |
| Corner Bet (4 Numbers) | 8:1 | 10.8% | 10.5% |
| Basket Bet (5 Numbers) | 6:1 | N/A | 13.2% |
| Double Street (6 Numbers) | 5:1 | 16.2% | 15.8% |
Players who want to test other combinations can use our roulette odds calculator to check the odds and payout of any bet.
Roulette Odds Compared With Other Casino Games
Comparing roulette odds with other casino games helps you see where your money goes furthest. Players who enjoy card games can check the Pai Gow Poker odds to see how that game’s house edge compares. Those who prefer a slower pace can look at bingo odds before choosing a game.
Responsible Gambling with Roulette
Responsible gambling with roulette means setting a budget before you play, because every standard bet carries a house edge and no strategy can remove it. Treat any spending as the cost of entertainment, and never chase losses.
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Roulette Odds FAQs
What is the best bet in Roulette?
The best bet in roulette is subjective and depends on the player’s goals. A player might look for regular wins or massive wins.
If you’re looking for regular wins, stick to outside bets, like betting on red or black. These bets have the best odds but smaller payouts. Inside bets offer much bigger payouts at the cost of being much more challenging to win.
Can you really win at Roulette?
Yes, you can. Always remember that roulette is not a game of skill. It all comes down to luck. But, if luck is on your side, then you can absolutely win real money when playing roulette.
Do Roulette strategies improve your odds?
No, they don’t. As we said, it is a game of luck, not skill. Once you have placed your bet, there is no way to influence where the ball lands.
No strategy will be able to influence whether you win or lose. However, betting systems and strategies can make your bankroll last longer, and hopefully, your luck will change, and you can win some money.
Which Roulette game has the best odds?
As we’ve said, the best odds in roulette can be found in French roulette. However, French Roulette is more difficult to find. European Roulette also has excellent odds and is significantly easier to find than the French version. American Roulette should be avoided at all costs, as the odds are considerably worse than the other versions of the game.
Which Roulette bet has the best odds?
The bets with the best odds are the even-money outside bets. These are red/black, odd/even, or 1-18/19-36. These bets have a near 50:50 chance of winning.
However, the payouts are the smallest at 1:1. Bet $5, and you’ll get our original bet back plus an extra $5.
