Roulette is a popular casino table game enjoyed by people across the US, Europe, and around the globe. It blends strategy, luck, and the possibility of significant payouts. To get the most out of your roulette experience, it’s important to understand the bets and payouts along with the game’s basics.
In this guide, we’ll cover the various roulette bets for both American and European versions, and also explain how mathematical strategies might help you place structured wagers. Additionally, you’ll discover why French Roulette offers the best odds and why it’s best to avoid variants with a triple zero.
Main Types of Roulette Bets
No matter whether you’re playing European, American, French, or another version of roulette, you’ll almost always find the same list of standard wagers. Below are the different bets you can place in both online and land-based casinos.
Roulette Inside Bets
Inside bets are placed on single numbers or small groups of numbers on the table. These bets offer the highest payouts but come with higher risk due to their lower chances of winning. Standard inside bets include:
- Straight Bet: Betting on a single number with a payout of 35:1.
- Split Bet: Betting on two adjacent numbers with a payout of 17:1.
- Street Bet: Betting on three numbers in a horizontal line with a payout of 11:1.
- Corner Bet: Betting on four numbers that form a square with a payout of 8:1.
- Six Line Bet: Betting on two adjacent street bets with a payout of 5:1.
Roulette Outside Bets
Outside bets are placed on larger groups of numbers and are found on the outskirts of the table. These bets offer better odds and are popular among players looking for higher chances of winning. Key outside bets include:
- Dozen Bet: Betting on one of three groups of 12 numbers (1-12, 13-24, or 25-36) with a payout of 2:1.
- Column Bet: Betting on one of three vertical columns of 12 numbers with a payout of 2:1.
- Red or Black: Betting on whether the ball lands on a red or black number with a payout of 1:1.
- Odd or Even: Betting on whether the ball lands on an odd or even number with a payout of 1:1.
- High or Low: Betting on whether the ball lands on a high number (19-36) or a low number (1-18) with a payout of 1:1.
Classic Roulette Bets and Payouts
A crucial first step in learning to play roulette is understanding the different bets and their payouts. The chart below provides a clear comparison of the payouts and odds for European, American, and French versions of roulette, commonly found in the best roulette casinos.
| Roulette Bets | Payout | European Roulette Odds | American Roulette Odds | French Roulette Odds | Total Payout with a $1 Wager |
| Straight | 35:1 | 2.70% | 2.63% | 2.70% | $36 |
| Split | 17:1 | 5.41% | 5.26% | 5.41% | $18 |
| Street | 11:1 | 8.11% | 7.89% | 8.11% | $12 |
| Corner | 8:1 | 10.81% | 10.53% | 10.81% | $9 |
| Six Line | 5:1 | 16.22% | 15.79% | 16.22% | $6 |
| Dozen | 2:1 | 32.43% | 31.58% | 32.43% | $3 |
| Column | 2:1 | 32.43% | 31.58% | 32.43% | $3 |
| Red/Black | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% | 48.65% | $2 |
| Odd/Even | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% | 48.65% | $2 |
| High/Low | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% | 48.65% | $2 |
Note:If you’re looking for safer bets, outside bets are generally the best choice due to their higher probability of winning. For instance, a bet on red or black has almost a 50% chance of winning compared to just 2.70% for a straight bet.
Racetrack Roulette Best Bets
So far, we’ve covered the basics of roulette table bets, but there’s another exciting aspect to explore: racetrack bets. These bets are positioned in an elongated oval shape, often referred to as racetrack bets. They’re also called call bets or French bets, originating from France.
In land-based casinos, call bets are typically announced while the wheel is spinning. In online games, you should place them along with your inside and outside bets.
- Voisins du Zéro (Neighbors of Zero): Covers 17 numbers, including the zero, and requires nine chips in total.
- Tiers du Cylindre (Thirds of the Wheel): Covers 12 numbers located opposite the zero on the wheel, requiring six chips.
- Orphelins (Orphans): Covers the eight numbers not included in the previous two racetrack bets and requires five chips.
- Jeu Zéro (Zero Game): Covers seven numbers surrounding the zero and requires four chips.
| Racetrack Bets | Chip 1 | Chip 2 | Chip 3 | Chip 4 | Chip 5 | Chip 6 | Chip 7 | Chip 8 | Chip 9 |
| Voisins du Zéro | 0-2-3 | 0-2-3 | 4-7 | 12-15 | 18-21 | 19-22 | 32-35 | 25-26-28-29 | 25-26-28-29 |
| Tiers du Cylindre | 5-8 | 10-11 | 13-16 | 23-24 | 27-30 | 33-36 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Orphelins | 1 | 6-9 | 14-17 | 17-20 | 31-34 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Jeu Zéro | 0-3 | 12-15 | 32-35 | 26 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
How Do Roulette Payouts Work?
Roulette payouts depend on the type of bet you place and the associated odds. The payout ratio indicates how much you’ll win relative to your bet. For instance, a straight bet pays $35 for every $1 wagered.
If you bet $10 on a straight bet and win, you’ll earn a $350 profit plus your original $10 wager, totaling $360.
When playing online, you don’t need to calculate payouts manually, as prizes are awarded automatically. Top offshore casinos partner with reputable software providers for instant and accurate payouts.
Note: To simplify the calculation of potential winnings, you can use a roulette payouts calculator available on platforms like Google Play and the App Store. Just enter your bet amount and type to see the total winning prize value.
Roulette Odds and Payouts: Variants by Game Type
Different versions of roulette generally follow either American or European gameplay. Below is a comparison of key similarities and differences among popular variants.
European vs. American Roulette Payouts
European Roulette, with its single zero, offers slightly better odds compared to American Roulette, which has a double zero. The double zero lowers the odds without increasing the payouts. The house edge in European Roulette is 2.70%, nearly half that of American Roulette’s 5.26%.
Note: If you have a limited bankroll, it’s recommended to place small bets on Black/Red, Odd/Even, or High/Low in European Roulette. This version offers slightly better odds, and outside bets, especially those grouping 18 numbers, provide the highest chances of winning.
French Roulette Payouts
French Roulette is similar to European Roulette but features special rules called En Prison and La Partage. These rules apply when the ball lands on zero, reducing the house edge to 1.35%, making it one of the most player-friendly variants, although it can be hard to find online.
Note: The La Partage rule means if you place an even-money bet (like red/black) and zero wins, you only lose half your bet. The En Prison rule keeps your bet on hold until the next round. If your bet wins, you get your initial wager back; if it loses, you lose both bets.
Triple Zero Roulette Payouts
Triple Zero Roulette, a newer variant, includes three zero pockets. This version reduces your odds further without increasing payouts. The house edge is 7.69%, making it less favorable compared to many top online slots.
Understanding What the House Edge Means in Roulette
The house edge refers to the mathematical advantage the casino has over you. The higher the edge, the lower your odds of winning. This number varies between different roulette versions, and while it’s an accurate measure, you’d need to play hundreds of thousands of rounds to see a similar value in practice.
| Roulette Variant | House Edge |
| European Roulette | 2.70% |
| French Roulette | 1.35% |
| American Roulette | 5.26% |
| Triple Zero Roulette | 7.69% |
Can Strategies Help to Win More Roulette Bets?
The short answer is no. Using strategies or specific betting patterns won’t guarantee more wins. However, they can help you manage your bankroll and avoid falling for the gambler’s fallacy.
Here are some popular roulette strategies:
Martingale System
- Double your wager every time you lose an even-money bet.
- The goal is to recover all previous losses with a single win.
- This system can be effective short-term but requires a large bankroll and carries a risk of substantial losses during a losing streak.
Fibonacci System
- Based on Fibonacci’s sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, etc.).
- Increase your bet according to the sequence after each loss.
- Move back two numbers in the sequence after a win to ease the pressure on your bankroll.
D’Alembert System
- Place even-money bets, like red/black.
- Increase your bet by one unit after a loss and decrease it by one unit after a win.
- Less risky than the Martingale System, aiming to balance wins and losses over multiple spins.
Labouchere System
- Also called the Cancellation System.
- Write down a series of numbers that add up to a realistic profit.
- Bet the values of the first and last numbers in the sequence on an even-money wager.
- Cross out numbers when you win and add numbers to the sequence when you lose.
How to Get Roulette Wheel Payouts
You can practice roulette payouts by playing in free mode at an online casino. No registration is needed for demo play. Follow these steps to place your first wager:
- Launch the game you want to play by clicking on it.
- Place outside bets, inside bets, or racetrack bets.
- Press the “Spin” button to start a new round and watch the ball bounce around the wheel.
- When the ball stops on a number, that number is the winner.
- If any of your bets include the winning number, you’ll receive the corresponding payouts automatically.
Top Tips for Putting Your Roulette Bets and Payouts Knowledge to Use
By now, you should have a good grasp of the best roulette bets and how odds and payouts vary. Here are five tips to help you put your knowledge into practice without making common mistakes:
- Online roulette games are fair, but the house has a mathematical advantage: While all online roulette tables are tested for fairness by independent test labs, every game version has a different house edge. For instance, in European Roulette, the house wins 2.70% more over the long term.
- For the best odds of winning, stick to outside bets: Even-money bets, like odd/even or red/black, offer the best statistical chance of winning. While they don’t guarantee a win, they can help you win more often and extend your bankroll.
- Conserve your bankroll by placing small bets: Most online roulette games accept minimum bets of $1. To play more rounds, stick to small bets in European Roulette, as they cover 18 numbers and are likely to win most often at top live casinos.
- Remember that roulette is a luck-based game: Play roulette and other casino games for fun, not as a way to make money. Even though it’s smart to stick to even-money bets, there’s no harm in trying different bets as long as you can afford it.
- Always practice responsible gambling: Never gamble more than you can afford to lose. Responsible gambling should be your priority since you can never guarantee a profit, no matter how well you understand roulette odds and payouts.
Read Other Helpful Gambling Guides
We’ve also written other guides on casino games and gambling strategies:
- James Bond Roulette Strategy – Explore a unique betting system with over 60% odds of winning.
- Craps Strategy – Craps is a popular table game with various betting options.
- Baccarat Strategy – While played with cards, baccarat strategies are similar to those used in roulette.
- Blackjack Strategy – Use skill and strategy charts to reduce the house edge and win more games.
- Slots Tips and Tricks – Discover our top 10 tips for playing slots to help extend your bankroll.
- Gambler’s Fallacy – Learn why it’s a mistake to believe that a roulette number is due to win or lose.
- How to Play Video Poker – Tips and strategies to play this popular single-player poker version.
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