What Are Roulette Odds? Payouts, Charts & Winning Probabilities

Roulette is a game of pure chance, and Roulette odds and payouts are set in stone. While payouts depend on the type of bets you make and the wheel you choose (European, American, or French), the house edge and the odds always remain the same.

In this guide, we will explain the odds and payouts of different Roulette bets, help you understand concepts like house edge and expected value, and compare Roulette odds to those of other popular gambling games.

Roulette Odds Charts & Payout Tables

All payouts in the game – whether it is online roulette or in an actual casino – are based on the probability of particular bets winning. The more likely a bet is to win, the lower payout you can expect. All roulette payouts are also slightly lower than they “should be” according to probability, as the casino retains a small edge on every bet. For example, a straight bet on European Roulette pays 35:1, but there are a total of 37 pockets on the wheel, with the extra pocket (the 0 pocket) producing the house edge of 2.7%.

To up their edge, the casinos introduced another pocket, numbered 00, to the American Roulette wheel. This extra pocket raises the house edge to 5.26%, as it makes each bet a little less likely to win, while payouts remain the same. 

Here is a look at the comparison between the payouts and probabilities of various bets in European and American Roulette:

European vs. American Roulette Odds

European and American Roulette wheels are similar in most things except for the location of each pocket on the wheel and the total number of pockets. In American Roulette, the extra 00 pocket decreases the chances of each bet winning slightly, thus increasing the house edge. The house edge in American Roulette is set at 5.26%, compared to the 2.7% in European Roulette. This makes European Roulette the superior game to play in any casino that offers it. For even better odds, some players turn to French Roulette, which decreases the house edge even further by allowing players to use rules like En Prison and Le Partage to win more often with their even money bets. 

What are Inside Bets in Roulette?

Inside bets in roulette are the bets made on the inner part of the roulette table. These include straight bets, split bets, and street bets. Inside bets cover fewer numbers than outside bets, and offer higher payouts. An essential part of knowing how to play Roulette is understanding the high payouts and low probabilities of winning with inside bets.

Here is a quick rundown of the inside bets, their payouts, and the likelihood of hitting each on European and American Roulette wheels:

What are Outside Bets in Roulette?

Outside bets in Roulette are broader coverage options that include many numbers. This makes outside bets far less volatile, but the payouts you can expect are also much lower. Examples of outside bets include red/black and odd/even, which offer nearly even-money odds and 1:1 payouts.

Here is a quick look at all the outside betting options and their odds across European and American Roulette:

French Roulette & Special Rules

French Roulette is a special variant of Roulette that introduces two new rules that reduce the house edge even further. A French Roulette wheel is the same as the European Roulette wheel, which makes the house edge on all inside bets 2.7%. However, the two extra rules reduce the house edge to 1.35% for all even-money outside bets, such as red/black and odd/even.

The En Prison rule gives you the option of keeping your stake active for one more spin if you place an even-money bet and the ball lands in the 0 pocket. For example, imagine you bet $10 on red, and the ball lands in 0. Instead of losing your stake, you get to keep the bet active for another spin, giving you another chance to hit red.

The La Partage rule gives you a chance to get half of your bet back in the same situation. For example, if you bet $10 on odd, and the ball lands in the 0 pocket, instead of losing your $10, you lose only $5, while the other $5 is returned to your balance. In both cases, the house edge is cut in half, as half of the casino’s profit from the ball landing in the 0 pocket is returned to the player. 

Roulette Probability, True Odds & Expected Value Explained

Roulette is a game of probability, and understanding its odds is key to playing sensibly. To understand roulette probability, let’s look at an example of a straight bet. Imagine you bet $10 on your lucky number, for example, 5. There are a total of 37 numbers (1 to 36 + single 0) on the European Roulette wheel, making your true odds of winning 1 in 37. This should warrant a fair payout of 36:1, but roulette pays 35:1 instead – and that single unit difference is what creates the 2.70% house edge.

To better understand house edge, let’s look at the concept of expected value (EV). EV is the mathematical measurement of the long-term winnings or losses of a particular wager. EV can be calculated using this formula:

EV = (Probability of Winning x Amount Won) + (Probability of Losing x Amount Lost)

If we apply this formula to our example of betting $10 on an even-money bet (like Red/Black), the outcome is as follows:

EV = (0.4865 * $10) + (0.5135 * $10)

EV = $4.865 – $5.135

EV = -$0.27

This calculation clearly shows that for every $10 you place on an even-money bet, you stand to lose $0.27 in the long run. While house edge can be diminished in games like Blackjack, where the house edge can be as low as 0.5% by using proper strategy, the house edge in Roulette always remains the same. This is why it’s crucial to play responsibly and within a preset bankroll. 

Roulette Strategy: Using the Odds to Your Advantage

A good online roulette strategy is all about understanding roulette odds and payouts, and using clever methods to make your bankroll last longer and give you a better short-term chance of winning. Below, we talk about a few vital Roulette strategies you can use in your game to tailor your sessions to your preferences.

How Roulette Odds Compare to Other Casino Games

Roulette is easily one of the most popular casino games, but it doesn’t have the best odds compared to other gambling games. In fact, there are several casino games with better odds you can play in most casinos. Yet Roulette remains a popular option for players due to its exciting gameplay, while the difference in the house edge is often overlooked.

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