Roulette Odds and Payouts Explained

Roulette Odds and Payouts Explained Header Image
Davida Mintz
Last Updated: October 9, 2024
Fact Checked ByLogan Martinez

Whether you get a thrill out of chasing long shots or you prefer to play it safe, roulette has a wager to suit your gambling style. Each bet on the roulette layout has different roulette payout odds, and they vary greatly. So, understanding roulette payouts is essential when choosing where to place your wager. Let's start with a review of the rules of roulette.

How to Play Roulette

When approaching a roulette table, ensure the dealer has completed clearing the table layout from the last round. Then, place your money on the table so it's visible to the "eye in the sky." The dealer will hand you chips in a different color than those given to the other players to distinguish between bets on the layout. When you're done playing, the dealer will convert the colored chips into ones with a monetary value.

Players place their bets on the outcome of a spin of the roulette wheel. The amount they're allowed to wager depends on the table's minimum and maximum bet limits. Online casinos offer much lower minimum bets compared to land based casinos, sometimes going as low as a penny. In the $20,000 range, the maximum bet amounts on most live dealer casinos are large enough to appeal to high-stakes online roulette players. Roulette payouts for an inside bet of that size can be substantial enough to buy a house.

Understanding Roulette Odds & House Edge

Roulette odds represent your chance of winning a bet over the long run, expressed as a percentage or a ratio. For example, the odds of hitting a straight-up bet on a single number are 37:1, or 2.70%. Despite the enormous 35:1 payout, the bet's not profitable over the long term because an American Roulette Wheel has 38 pockets. You can expect to win only once in every 37 times. In contrast, safer roulette bets, including red or black, offer roulette payouts of 1:1 with odds of 48.64%. American Roulette odds are the same as those of the European version of the game.

The house edge, also known as the house advantage, is the percentage of your wager the casino expects to keep over time. Your choice of roulette wheel impacts the house edge and can have a substantial effect on your chance of winning. At 5.26%, the house edge is relatively high in American Roulette in comparison to other table games. European Roulette wheels, on the other hand, offer a lower house edge of 2.70% because they have one fewer zero than their American equivalent.

Understanding roulette odds is crucial in maximizing your chances of winning. Make sure to review the T&Cs before placing your bets.

Before playing, ensure you understand the gambler's fallacy - the odds of a number landing do not change based on previous turns. So, just because 20 has landed five times in the past half hour, there's no reason to think it has an increased chance of landing again soon.

How to Calculate Roulette Payouts

Calculating roulette payouts doesn't require a mathematical background. In the game of roulette, payout rates are presented using a simple formula: x:1, which indicates that the player receives x dollars for every $1 bet. For example, a roulette bet on black or red with an even money payout would be shown as 1:1. High-risk/high-reward style players may opt for the straight up or single-number bet, which has payout odds of 35:1. This means a winning a $10 straight up roulette bet pays out $350 plus the player's initial bet is returned.

Roulette Bets & Payouts

The straight-up bet with its massive payout is known as an inside bet, with a low 2.70% chance of winning. Unlike most inside roulette bets, which pay out well but rarely succeed, outside bets on black or red, odd or even, and high or low offer a 47.4% chance of success. The roulette payout chart below states the potential payout rates for different types of wagers:

  • Betting on red or black pays even money (1:1)

  • Betting on "odd" or "even" pays even money (1:1)

  • Single number bets, also called straight bets, pay 35:1

  • Double number bets, also called split bets, pay 17:1

  • Three number bets, also called street bets, pay 11:1

  • Four number bets, also called corner bets or square bets, pay 8:1

  • A five number bet pays 6:1 (There is only one option for this type of bet in roulette: 00, 0, 1, 2, and 3)

  • A six number bet, also called a line or a double street, pays 5:1

  • Bets on twelve numbers or dozens (first, second, third dozen) pay 2:1

  • Column bets (all 12 numbers in a row) pays 2:1

  • High bets (on 19 through 36) or low bets (on 1 through 18) pay even money (1:1)

Learn more about the roulette terms to know by checking out our roulette glossary.

American Roulette vs. European Roulette: What's the Difference?

European Roulette dates back to 17th century France, and it swiftly spread across Europe. However, it wasn't until the 19th century that an American version of the game gained popularity. The main difference between the two lies in the presence of a second zero on the American Roulette Wheel.

Despite similarities in the rules, the odds and house edge set the variants apart. European Roulette offers superior roulette odds and a 2.70% house edge, while American Roulette has a steep 5.26% house advantage. Most online casinos offer European Roulette, but it is reserved for the high-roller rooms in brick-and-mortar casinos.

Roulette was introduced to Canadian casinos as part of the broader spread of European gambling traditions.

Online Roulette Tips

  • Select a reputable online casino —Choose a licensed and regulated online casino that you can trust with your personal and financial information.

  • Play European or French Roulette — These variants offer an attractive 2.70% house edge, but it's reduced to 1.35% when you make even money bets in French Roulette.

  • Place outside bets — Your odds of success are almost as good as winning a coin flip when you wager on red/black, odd/even, or high/low.

  • Grow your stack slowly — Stick to safe, outside bets and when you're sufficiently ahead, take a stab at a riskier wager.

  • Play for free — Practice placing bets while in demo mode or on a social casino before committing real money.

  • Pace yourself — Online roulette moves at a much faster pace than in a casino, resulting in more variance and larger swings in your bankroll.

  • Set loss limits — Decide how large a loss you're willing to take, and if you're having a bad session, exercise the discipline to walk away.

Where is Online Roulette Legal?

Online Roulette is legal in the seven states where online casinos are available. These are Connecticut, New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware and Rhode Island. New York could potentially be the next if a bill in the state legislature is approved.

Roulette is the second most popular table game trailing only behind blackjack, both in online and brick and mortar casinos. In a casino, a sense of excitement surrounds the roulette table, encouraging mingling among enthusiastic players. Playing online, in comparison is a more solitary experience, but Live Dealer games provide an opportunity for social interaction.

Where to Play Roulette Online

If you're located in one of the seven states with access to internet gambling, you can sign up for an online casino and play roulette on your PC or mobile device. Residency is not a requirement. Players only need to be 21 years of age or older and within the state lines of a jurisdiction where online gambling is legal. Following are our top-rated online casinos for roulette:

Caesars Palace Online Casino logo

Caesars Palace Online Casino

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  • Available States: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan

As one of the only platforms offering Live Dealer French Roulette by Evolution, Caesars Palace Online Casino deservedly claims the top spot on our list. Featuring the numbers one through 36 and a single zero, French Roulette offers better odds compared to the American and European versions of the game despite similar rules. This is because French Roulette's low 2.70% house edge is reduced to just 1.35% for even money bets. Players on Caesars Palace Online Casino have access to a diverse collection of virtual and Live Dealer roulette games with betting limits ranging from $0.10 to $20,000.

BetMGM Casino

BetMGM Casino

BetMGM outdoes the competition with an impressive selection of 24 roulette games. This online casino offers sports-themed roulette games featuring teams like the New York Jets, New York Rangers, and Detroit Lions. BetMGM also features popular Live Dealer games such as Lightning Roulette and American Roulette alongside virtual options like Space Invaders Roulette by Inspired Entertainment. Inspired by the popular video game, up to five space invaders land on the wheel during every spin. You must hit the space invader with a cannon to reveal a multiplier.

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bet365 Casino

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  • Bonus Offer: As a new user, you can use code ACTION in NJ to 10 Days of Spins - Get up to 200 Spins! Use the same code in PA and Deposit $20 and get up to $500 and 100 Spins!
  • Available States: New Jersey and Pennsylvania
  • Terms: New Casino customers only, 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Deposit between $10 and $1000. Bonus will be matched to qualifying deposit. 20x (NJ) / 10x (PA)wagering on deposit and bonus to make bonus balance withdrawable. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.

bet365 has earned the distinction of being one of the only Live Dealer Casinos operated by Playtech. Released in 2019, Live Quantum American Roulette by Playtech adds another dimension to the game with up to five multipliers per round, ranging from 50x to 500x. The multipliers go even higher if a Quantum Boost lands on the reels. Live Quantum American Roulette's RTP is between 92.11% and 97.30%.

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Borgata Casino

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  • Available States: Pennsylvania and New Jersey

Borgata Online Casino live streams an innovative variant that allows players in a brick-and-mortar casino to participate alongside online gamblers. Dual Play Roulette is broadcast from the casino floor at the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City.

If you're interested in playing in the physical venue, look for a roulette wheel surrounded by cameras. Alternatively, you can log on to Borgata Online Casino from your desktop or mobile device to join the roulette game from anywhere with internet access.

DraftKings Online Casino

    With 28 titles to choose from, DraftKings Online Casino has positioned itself as a leader in the online roulette space. It's one of the few online casinos with a dedicated link on the menu bar for roulette. While the casino offers its fair share of low-limit games, it also caters to high rollers with titles like 100/1 Roulette, with a $100,000 maximum bet. This variant is played with 100 numbers on the layout instead of the usual 36. Draft Kings offers a demo version of the game, allowing players to practice before placing real money bets.

    Fanatics Casino Logo

    Fanatics Casino

    Fanatics Casino has teamed up with Evolution to provide some of the hottest Live Dealer games, such as the award-winning Lightning Roulette. In addition to the usual bets, lightning strikes up to five times each round, revealing multipliers ranging from 50x to 500x. Lightning Roulette transforms a classic table game into an electrifying game show-style experience with a 97.30% RTP.

    FanDuel logo

    FanDuel Casino

    Day or night, there’s always a seat at the table because Live Dealer roulette runs 24/7 on Fan Duel Casino. Live Dealer games by Evolution are accessible on your PC or via Fan Duel's award-winning app for iOS or Android. Players can watch the dealer spin the roulette wheel in real time, eagerly anticipating where the ball will land. The wheel determines whether you win or lose, so players know the game is fair.

    Golden Nugget Casino logo

    Golden Nugget Casino

    Golden Nugget Casino offers an extensive selection of roulette options, including European, American, and several sports-themed variants. This platform stands out because players can hone their skills in demo mode without risking any of their own money. It's a good opportunity to practice making combination bets across multiple numbers or to experiment with different betting strategies. Players aren't even required to have an account to participate.

    You can explore more options for playing roulette by visiting other online casinos. 

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    Bet99 Casino

    Responsible Gambling

    National responsible gambling initiatives promote safer gambling practices and raise awareness about the dangers of gambling addiction. Proper bankroll management involves setting limits on both your maximum wager and the maximum amount you're willing to lose. Also, remember to set a limit for how long you allow yourself to gamble.

    In some cases, setting limits alone isn't enough. If gambling is causing you harm, consider confiding in a loved one. And you can turn to a therapist or one of the following agencies for support:

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    Roulette Payouts FAQs
    Below, we've compiled some common questions and answers about roulette payouts.
    How many numbers are on a roulette wheel?

    A roulette wheel is numbered one to 36 with a single zero and a double zero on an American Roulette Wheel. A European Roulette Wheel features 36 numbers and a single zero.

    What is the highest payout in roulette?

    A winning straight up bet, also known as a single number bet, offers the highest of the roulette payouts at 35:1. This means that if you place a $1 straight-up bet, you would receive a payout of $35, plus your initial $1 bet would be returned.

    What is the safest bet in roulette?

    Outside bets are the safest option in roulette, specifically red or black, odd or even, and high or low. The odds of winning these even-money bets are 47.4%.

    What is the 3/2 rule in roulette?

    The 3/2 roulette betting system combines even money bets like red or black and high or low with riskier column bets. In this strategy, three chips are placed on the even money bet, while simultaneously, two chips are placed on a column bet. Combining the bets allows you to cover the majority of the numbers on the layout.

    What are the payouts for the zero and double zero in roulette?

    Zero and double zero in roulette have a payout ratio of 35:1, the same as a wager on a single number. However, this bet pays off less than 3% of the time.

    Are the payouts for American and European roulette identical?

    Yes, the payouts for European Roulette are the same as the American version, but with only one zero, the house edge is reduced to 2.70%.

    Is there a limit on roulette payouts?

    Yes, casinos set table limits by defining the lowest and highest bet amount allowed at the table. Some casinos also enforce maximum position limits in roulette to protect the house against a potentially devastating loss.

    Is roulette 100% random?

    Yes, roulette is completely random, and there's no way to influence the outcome of a spin.

    What are the odds in roulette?

    The odds of winning in roulette are determined by the bet you place. For example, the odds or chances of winning by hitting a straight-up bet are 2.70%. In contrast, the roulette odds of hitting black or red are 47.4%.

    What is the house edge in roulette?

    European Roulette boasts a low 2.70% house edge in contrast to American Roulette's steep 5.26% house advantage.

    What are the odds of hitting green in roulette?

    In European Roulette, with 36 black and red numbers and a single green zero on the wheel, the odds of hitting green are 1 in 37. However, in American Roulette, an extra green zero converts the odds to 1 in 38.