Understanding Roulette Odds: Your Guide to Winning Bets and Payouts
Roulette odds represent your chances of winning each type of bet. Understanding roulette odds and payouts helps you pick bets that match your risk and play style—whether you’re in it for excitement or steady wins.
In this guide, we’ll cover how roulette table odds work, how to read a roulette payout chart, the difference between inside and outside bets, how roulette payouts are calculated, and expert strategies to help you play smarter.
What Are Roulette Odds?
Roulette is a classic casino game where players bet on where a ball will land on a spinning roulette wheel. To play effectively, it’s crucial to understand the game's odds, different types of bets, and strategies.
Every spin of the wheel is independent. Roulette odds show your chance of winning, while roulette table payouts show how much you get if you win. You can choose from a wide range of bets, from predicting a single number to wagering on larger groups like red or black.
The lower the roulette probability of a bet winning, the bigger the payout. The higher the probability, the smaller the payout.
Why this holds true:
- Straight bets (like a single number) have very low roulette probability (2.70% in European Roulette) but offer the biggest payout (35:1).
- Even-money bets (like Red/Black) have nearly a 50/50 chance of winning but only pay 1:1.
This is a core design principle of roulette and why players must decide between risk and reward.
Roulette Odds and Payouts
Understanding the odds of winning roulette and payouts of each bet type is essential to making informed decisions at the roulette table. The table below shows the probability of winning different bets across European Roulette, American Roulette, and French Roulette, along with how much each bet pays if you win. This makes it easy to compare risk and reward before placing your chips.
The roulette odds chart below makes it easy to compare risk and reward.
| Bet Type | European Odds | American Odds | French Odds | Payout Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Number | 2.70% | 2.60% | 2.70% | 35 to 1 |
| Two Number Split | 5.40% | 5.30% | 5.40% | 17 to 1 |
| Three Number Street | 8.10% | 7.90% | 8.10% | 11 to 1 |
| Four Number Square | 10.80% | 10.50% | 10.80% | 8 to 1 |
| Five Number (Top Line) | N/A | 13.16% | N/A | 6 to 1 |
| Six Number Line | 16.20% | 15.80% | 16.20% | 5 to 1 |
| Column Bet | 32.40% | 31.60% | 32.40% | 2 to 1 |
| Dozen Bet | 32.40% | 31.60% | 32.40% | 2 to 1 |
| Odd/Even | 48.60% | 47.40% | 48.60% | 1 to 1 |
| Red/Black | 48.60% | 47.40% | 48.60% | 1 to 1 |
| Low/High (1-18/19-36) | 48.60% | 47.40% | 48.60% | 1 to |
How to Calculate Roulette Payouts
Before diving into roulette bets, it helps to know how roulette payout odds work.
For each bet type, payouts are listed as ratios like 35:1. This means you’ll win $35 for every $1 bet if you land it. Here’s a quick example:
- A straight bet (single number) at 35:1 means a $10 bet returns $360 (your $10 plus $350).
- A red/black bet at 1:1 means a $10 bet wins you $20 (your $10 plus $10).
Tip: If you’re just getting started, learning the roulette betting table layout and how different bets are placed helps these payouts make much more sense.
Roulette Variations With the Best Odds
Not all versions of roulette offer the same chances to win—though payouts are typically identical across versions, the actual odds of hitting a win vary depending on the wheel layout.
Here's how they stack up:
- French Roulette – The best choice, thanks to the La Partage rule. Even-money bets like Red/Black are especially strong, as you get half your stake back if zero lands. This cuts the common roulette house edge to just 1.35%, giving you the best shot at stretching your bankroll.
- European Roulette – A strong second, featuring a single zero and a 2.7% house edge. Your odds on all bets are better than in American Roulette, and payouts remain standard.
- American Roulette – The least favourable, with both a single and double zero, reducing your chances of winning each bet and raising the house edge to 5.26%, while keeping the same payouts. That extra zero adds risk without any reward.
Expert Insight: The difference may seem small, but over hundreds of spins, the variation you pick directly affects how often you hit wins, particularly on even-money bets.
| Version | House Edge | Best Feature |
|---|---|---|
| European | 2.7% | Balanced play |
| American | 5.26% | Extra double zero adds risk |
| French | 1.35% | La Partage reduces losses |
*French Roulette offers a 1.35% house edge on even-money bets with the La Partage rule, where half your bet is returned if the ball lands on zero.
Types of Bets in Roulette
When you learn how to play roulette, one of the first things you do is look at the two main categories of bets: inside bets and outside bets. Inside bets are placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers within the numbered section of the table, offering higher payouts but lower chances of winning. Outside bets cover larger sections of the table, like red or black, and have better odds of winning but pay smaller amounts.
Inside Bets
Higher payouts, lower odds. Examples:
We tested a 50-spin session focusing purely on inside bets, splitting our bankroll evenly across single numbers and splits. While we experienced a few thrilling wins—like hitting a straight bet for a 35:1 payout—our bankroll took noticeable dips between wins. This high-risk, high-reward playstyle can deliver big moments, but it's not for the faint-hearted or those wanting consistent results.
| Roulette bet type | Potential 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% |
Outside Bets
Lower payouts, higher odds.
We tested a 50-spin session sticking exclusively to outside bets, placing equal amounts on Red/Black and Odd/Even. While the wins came more frequently, they were smaller, which helped us stretch our bankroll over a longer session.
After 50 spins, we saw modest fluctuations, ending slightly down but enjoying a steady stream of action with minimal stress. This makes outside bets perfect for players who want longer, more predictable play without the volatility of riskier bets.
| Roulette bet type | Potential payout | European roulette odds | American roulette odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red or black | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
| Odd or even | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
| High or low | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
| Column | 2:1 | 32.4% | 31.6% |
| Dozen | 2:1 | 32.4% | 31.6% |
Straight Bet
A straight bet is one of the most straightforward yet thrilling types of inside bets you can place in a roulette game. This bet involves wagering on a single number on the roulette table. If the ball lands on your chosen number, you win.
The payout for a straight bet is typically 35:1, meaning that if you bet $1 and win, you’ll receive $35 in winnings plus your original $1 bet.
While the payout odds for a straight bet are enticing, the probability of winning is quite low—2.7% in European roulette and 2.6% in American roulette. T
his makes straight bets a high-risk, high-reward option. If you’re feeling lucky, a straight bet might be the way to go. However, it’s essential to balance these high-risk bets with safer options to manage your bankroll effectively.
Expert Tips to Improve Your Roulette Odds
- Prioritise French Roulette: Take advantage of the La Partage rule to instantly cut the house edge in half on even-money bets.
- Manage Your Bankroll with Session Limits: Divide your bankroll into smaller session amounts to avoid burning through funds on a cold streak.
- Skip the Five-Number Bet: Found only in American Roulette, this bet has the worst house edge on the table at 7.89%—avoid it entirely.
- Use Combination Bets Strategically: Pair outside bets with low-risk inside bets to balance frequent wins with occasional big payouts.
- Track Table Bias in Live Games: While rare, noticing consistent patterns in live dealer games may reveal mechanical biases—though this requires extensive play and sharp observation.
- Explore Variations: Online versions like Lightning Roulette add exciting twists with multipliers and special features.
💡 Auscasinos Expert Tip: Casual player? Stick with outside bets for longevity. High roller? Mix in bold inside bets for big payout potential.
Does Strategy Improve Your Odds of Winning in Roulette?
Here’s the truth: no roulette strategy can change the odds of roulette.
The outcome of every spin is completely random. Whether you’re playing European or American roulette, using the Martingale or D’Alembert system, the ball doesn’t know (or care) what your last bet was.
For example:
- Betting on red always gives you roughly a 48.65% chance of winning on a European wheel.
- That doesn’t change, no matter how clever your betting system is.
So, if strategies don’t improve the odds, why bother using them? While a betting system won’t tilt the odds in your favour, it can:
Other Roulette Playing Guides
Conclusion
Mastering roulette odds helps you play smarter. Understanding odds and payouts, choosing the right version, and balancing your bets can make your sessions more rewarding.
In our experience, outside bets are great for steady play, while inside bets can deliver those heart-racing wins—if you’re ready to take the risk.
Play responsibly, stay within your limits, and most importantly, enjoy the spin.
Want to keep improving? Check out our full range of guides on roulette strategies, and the best Australian online casinos to play at.
Roulette Odds FAQ
Emily is our seasoned content writer. She writes easy to read and helpful game guides, so you can quickly understand the rules of each game and get some useful tips that can help boost your chances of winning.
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