Guide
Roulette bets and odds explained: inside, outside and call bets
Every roulette bet with its payout, true odds and chance of winning on single-zero and double-zero wheels, plus call bets and what multiplier tables change.
Roulette bets fall into two groups: inside bets on a single number or a small cluster, which pay up to 35 to 1, and outside bets on large groups such as red or black, which pay 1 to 1 or 2 to 1. On a single-zero European wheel every one of them carries the same 2.70% house edge; on a double-zero American wheel the edge is 5.26%. What changes from bet to bet is how often you win and how much.
On this page
Inside bets: chance of winning on each wheel
The payout is the same on both wheels; the probability is not, because the American wheel has 38 pockets instead of 37.
| Bet | Numbers | Pays | Chance (European) | Chance (American) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight up | 1 | 35 to 1 | 2.7% | 2.6% |
| Split | 2 | 17 to 1 | 5.4% | 5.3% |
| Street | 3 | 11 to 1 | 8.1% | 7.9% |
| Corner | 4 | 8 to 1 | 10.8% | 10.5% |
| Six line | 6 | 5 to 1 | 16.2% | 15.8% |
The European wheel also allows a "first four" bet on 0, 1, 2 and 3 at 8 to 1, with the normal edge. The American equivalent, the five-number top line on 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3, pays 6 to 1 and carries a 7.89% edge, the worst standard bet on any wheel.
Outside bets and even-money odds
| Bet | Numbers | Pays | Chance (European) | Chance (American) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dozen (1-12, 13-24, 25-36) | 12 | 2 to 1 | 32.4% | 31.6% |
| Column | 12 | 2 to 1 | 32.4% | 31.6% |
| Red or black | 18 | 1 to 1 | 48.6% | 47.4% |
| Odd or even | 18 | 1 to 1 | 48.6% | 47.4% |
| Low (1-18) or high (19-36) | 18 | 1 to 1 | 48.6% | 47.4% |
Zero (and double zero) belong to none of the outside groups, which is exactly where the edge on these bets comes from. On French tables with La Partage, half of an even-money stake is returned when zero lands, cutting the edge on those bets to about 1.35%. En Prison, where offered, holds the stake for one more spin instead, with a similar effect.
Payout versus true odds
True odds are what a fair bet would pay. On a European wheel, a straight-up number has 36 losing pockets and 1 winning one, so fair odds would be 36 to 1; the casino pays 35 to 1. Every bet is priced this way: a split's fair price would be 17.5 to 1, a dozen's 2.08 to 1. The shortfall, divided by the total stake across all outcomes, gives the same 1 in 37 on every bet. That is why the highest roulette payout, 35 to 1 on a single number, is no better value than red or black: it just wins far less often.
Call bets on the racetrack
Many online and live tables show a racetrack, an oval copy of the wheel, for French "announced" bets that cover sections of the wheel in one click:
- Voisins du Zero - the 17 numbers around zero, from 22 to 25, placed as 9 chips.
- Tiers du Cylindre - the 12 numbers opposite zero, from 27 to 33, placed as 6 splits.
- Orphelins - the remaining 8 numbers, placed as 5 chips.
- Neighbours - a chosen number plus the two either side of it on the wheel.
Each call bet is simply a bundle of the inside bets above, so the edge is unchanged. They save time; they do not improve the odds.
Multiplier tables and changed payouts
Variants such as Lightning Roulette pay a reduced amount on most straight-up wins in exchange for random multipliers on a few numbers each round. The overall return and the Lightning Roulette payout table are set out in the game's help screen and differ from a standard wheel; outside bets may also be paid differently. Read the paytable first. The Lightning Roulette page describes how the game is structured.
Combining roulette bets and staking systems
Covering many numbers at once, for example a dozen plus several splits, raises your chance of a win on any spin but lowers the size of each win. The expected loss per spin stays at the edge times the total staked. Progressive systems that raise the stake after losses meet table maximums and budget limits long before they "recover", and each spin remains independent of the last. Online roulette in Great Britain is not covered by the £5 slot stake limit, but every game cycle must take at least 5 seconds and autoplay is banned.
Some casinos run no-deposit offers that can be used on table games; most restrict roulette or count it at a reduced rate toward wagering, so check the significant terms before assuming an offer applies. The no deposit bonuses page explains how those terms usually read.
Online roulette odds are fixed by the wheel and the rules, and the casino keeps its share over time. Gambling is for adults aged 18 and over; the responsible gambling page explains limits and support. For the game itself, its wheels and live tables, see the main online roulette guide.
Questions readers ask
Which roulette bet has the best odds of winning?
Even-money bets such as red or black win most often, about 48.6% of spins on a European wheel. The house edge is the same as on every other standard bet.
What is the highest payout in roulette?
A straight-up bet on a single number pays 35 to 1 on standard tables. Multiplier variants can pay more on selected numbers, but lower the normal straight-up payout to fund it.
Is the five-number bet worth it on American roulette?
It has the worst edge of any standard bet, 7.89%, because it pays 6 to 1 for a 5 in 38 chance.
Do call bets like Voisins du Zero have better odds?
No. They are bundles of ordinary inside bets placed in one action, so they carry the same edge as those bets.