Roulette Bets and Odds

Inside and Outside Bets

Roulette bets fall into two groups. Inside bets are placed on the numbers themselves. Outside bets cover large groups of numbers, such as red or black. Inside bets pay more and win less often. Outside bets pay less and win more often.

Inside Bets and Standard Payouts

• Straight-up, one number: pays 35 to 1.
• Split, two adjacent numbers: pays 17 to 1.
• Street, three numbers in a row: pays 11 to 1.
• Corner, four numbers: pays 8 to 1.
• Six line, six numbers: pays 5 to 1.

Outside Bets and Standard Payouts

• Red or black, odd or even, low (1 to 18) or high (19 to 36): pay 1 to 1.
• Dozens and columns, twelve numbers each: pay 2 to 1.

These are the standard ratios for roulette. The table you join shows its own payout rules, so confirm them there.

Why the House Edge Does Not Change

On a 37-pocket wheel, a straight-up bet wins once in 37 spins on average and pays 35 to 1, so the return is 36 units for 37 staked. The shortfall of 1 in 37 is the 2.70% house edge. On a 38-pocket wheel the same payout leaves a shortfall of 2 in 38, which is 5.26%. Every standard bet on a given wheel has the same edge, so no bet is a better value than another.

Choosing a Bet

What differs between bets is variance. Even-money bets win close to half the time on a single-zero wheel but a zero beats them all. A straight-up bet wins rarely and pays a lot, so results swing widely. Pick the style that matches how long you want your bankroll to last, and decide your stake before you start.

Systems Do Not Work

Progression systems such as doubling your stake after a loss do not change the edge. They raise the amount you stake and run into table limits quickly. Each spin is independent, and past results do not affect the next one.

Keep Reading

See roulette bets and payouts explained for worked examples. The wheel changes the edge, so compare European, American and French wheels, and check table limits for how much you can stake per round. Players must be 19 or older (18 or older in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec). Visit responsible gambling for Canadian help lines.