Roulette Odds, Payouts & Strategy — The Complete Cheat Sheet
Roulette looks simple. Ball spins, lands on a number, somebody wins. But there are over a dozen bet types, two different wheel formats, and a house edge that doubles depending on which table you sit at. This page breaks all of it down so you actually know what your chips are doing.
How Roulette Numbers Work
A standard roulette wheel has 37 or 38 numbered pockets. European roulette uses numbers 1 through 36 plus a single green zero (0). American roulette adds a second green pocket — the double zero (00) — bringing the total to 38.
The numbers alternate between red and black, but they are not in sequential order around the wheel. That layout is intentional — it distributes odd, even, high, and low numbers as evenly as possible so that no section of the wheel is biased toward one bet type.
Here is the breakdown of numbers on a roulette wheel:
- Red numbers: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 30, 32, 34, 36
- Black numbers: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29, 31, 33, 35
- Green: 0 (European) or 0 and 00 (American)
That green zero (or zeros) is where the house makes its money. Every payout is calculated as if those green pockets did not exist, but they do — and that gap is the house edge.
The Complete Roulette Payouts Chart
This table shows every standard bet, what it pays, and the true odds of winning on both wheel types:
| Bet Type | Payout | European Odds | American Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Up (single number) | 35 to 1 | 2.70% | 2.63% |
| Split (2 numbers) | 17 to 1 | 5.41% | 5.26% |
| Street (3 numbers) | 11 to 1 | 8.11% | 7.89% |
| Corner (4 numbers) | 8 to 1 | 10.81% | 10.53% |
| Six Line (6 numbers) | 5 to 1 | 16.22% | 15.79% |
| Dozen (12 numbers) | 2 to 1 | 32.43% | 31.58% |
| Column (12 numbers) | 2 to 1 | 32.43% | 31.58% |
| Red / Black | 1 to 1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
| Odd / Even | 1 to 1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
| High / Low (1-18 / 19-36) | 1 to 1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
Notice something? Every bet on the American wheel has slightly worse odds than the European version. Same payouts, worse probability. That is the double zero tax.
What Does Green Pay in Roulette?
The green zero is not some special pocket with a unique payout. It is just another number. If you place a straight-up bet on 0 (or 00), it pays 35 to 1 — exactly the same as betting on any other single number.
What makes green interesting is the odds of hitting it:
- European (single zero): 1 in 37 chance = 2.70%
- American (0 or 00): 2 in 38 chance of hitting either green = 5.26%
Some players avoid green entirely. Others like betting on it because of the 35:1 payout on a number most people ignore. Neither approach changes the math — the house edge is the same regardless of which number you pick.
European vs American: The House Edge Gap
This is the single most important thing to understand about roulette strategy, and most casual players have no idea:
- European roulette house edge: 2.70%
- American roulette house edge: 5.26%
That is nearly double. For every $100 you bet on an American wheel over time, you lose an average of $5.26. On a European wheel, that drops to $2.70. Same game, same bets, same payouts — but the American wheel has an extra pocket that tilts the math further against you.
If you have access to both versions, always play European. This is not a preference or a style choice. It is the mathematically correct decision.
The Best Roulette Strategies (And What They Actually Do)
Let us be upfront: no roulette strategy can overcome the house edge in the long run. The ball does not remember where it landed last time. Every spin is independent. But strategies can help you manage your bankroll and control how your session plays out.
Flat Betting
Bet the same amount every spin. Boring? Sure. But it keeps your bankroll stable and prevents the kind of spiral where you chase losses with bigger and bigger bets. If you are playing for fun and want to stay at the table as long as possible, flat betting on outside bets (red/black, odd/even) is your best friend.
The Martingale
Double your bet after every loss, reset after a win. The idea is that one win recovers all previous losses plus a small profit. The problem? A losing streak of 7 or 8 spins (which happens more often than you think) turns a $5 starting bet into a $640 bet. Most tables have maximum bet limits specifically to cap this strategy, and your bankroll will hit zero long before the math rescues you.
The Reverse Martingale (Paroli)
Double your bet after every win, reset after a loss. This limits your downside (you only risk your initial bet each cycle) while letting winning streaks compound. It will not change your expected return, but it creates a different risk profile — lots of small losses with occasional bigger wins.
The D’Alembert
Increase your bet by one unit after a loss, decrease by one after a win. Gentler than the Martingale and less likely to blow up your bankroll quickly. It appeals to cautious players who want some structure without the stress of exponential bet sizing.
The Optimal Roulette Strategy in Three Sentences
Play European roulette, not American. Stick to outside bets if you want the longest session for your bankroll. Set a loss limit before you start and walk away when you hit it. That is it. Everything else is decoration.
Inside Bets vs Outside Bets
Every roulette bet falls into one of two categories:
Inside bets are placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers on the inner section of the table layout. They have lower odds of winning but higher payouts. Straight-up, split, street, corner, and six-line bets are all inside bets.
Outside bets cover large sections of the wheel — red/black, odd/even, high/low, dozens, and columns. They win more often but pay less. A red/black bet wins nearly half the time but only pays 1:1.
Neither category is “better.” They just offer different risk-reward profiles. Inside bets are for players who want big hits. Outside bets are for players who want to stay in the game longer.
Five Common Mistakes at the Roulette Table
- Playing American when European is available. You are literally paying double the house edge for no additional benefit. Always check which wheel you are playing.
- Believing in hot and cold numbers. The wheel has no memory. The fact that red came up six times in a row does not make black “due.” Every spin is independent.
- Chasing losses with the Martingale. It feels logical until your seventh consecutive loss turns a $10 session into a $1,280 bet. Table limits and bankroll reality will end the strategy before the math saves you.
- Betting on the five-number bet (American only). The 0-00-1-2-3 bet has a house edge of 7.89% — the worst bet on the entire table. Avoid it.
- Not setting a stop-loss. Decide how much you are willing to lose before you sit down. When you hit that number, leave. Roulette will always be there tomorrow.
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Play Roulette FreeFrequently Asked Questions
What is the best strategy for roulette?
The optimal roulette strategy is to play European roulette (single zero) instead of American (double zero), stick to outside bets like red/black or odd/even for consistency, and set a strict bankroll limit before you start. No strategy can overcome the house edge, but choosing the right wheel cuts it nearly in half.
What are the odds of hitting green on a roulette wheel?
On a European wheel with one green zero, the odds are 1 in 37 (2.70%). On an American wheel with both 0 and 00, the odds of hitting any green number are 2 in 38 (5.26%). Green pays 35 to 1 on a single-number bet.
What does a straight-up bet pay in roulette?
A straight-up bet (a single number) pays 35 to 1. If you bet $1 and your number hits, you receive $35 in winnings plus your original $1 back, for a total of $36.
Is European roulette better than American roulette?
Yes. European roulette has a house edge of 2.70% compared to 5.26% for American roulette. The only difference is that the American wheel adds a 00 pocket, which doubles the house advantage without increasing any payouts.