With a spinning wheel, bouncing ball, and a board full of betting options, roulette is one of the most exciting casino games around. But beneath the surface-level fun and entertainment lays plenty of math determining the chances of various outcomes and how much you stand to win by landing them. Read on for an in-depth look at roulette odds and payouts.
Possible Bets and Payouts
Knowing what kinds of wagers you can place and how they pay off is key to enjoying roulette and trying to walk away a winner. Here are the common real money bets and associated payouts in the game:
Inside Bets:
- Straight Up – Pick only 1 number – Pays 35:1
- Split – Place chips on line between 2 adjoining numbers – Pays 17:1
- Street – Bet on row of 3 numbers – Pays 11:1
- Corner – Bet on square of 4 numbers – Pays 8:1
- Basket – Bet on 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3 – Pays 6:1 (American roulette only)
Outside Bets:
- Dozens – Bet on 12 numbers in sections (1st 12, 2nd 12, or 3rd 12) – Pays 2:1
- Columns – Wager on entire column of 12 numbers – Pays 2:1
- Red/Black – Bet on color outcome – Pays 1:1
- Odd/Even – Wager on odd or even number result – Pays 1:1
- High/Low – Bet on high (19–36) or low (1–18) numbers – Pays 1:1
The outlay to potential reward ratio means inside bets generally pay a lot more per winning chip – but have a lower hit frequency versus outside bets encompassing up to 18 numbers. This presents an interesting risk-reward balance when playing.
Understanding House Edge by Bet While the odds and payout figures above should help guide your wagering strategy, roulette – like all other casino games – carries built-in mathematical house edge percentages you’re up against no matter what you bet on. Here are the house advantages by wager type:
Inside Bets House Edge:
- Straight Up – 2.7% (European), 5.26% (American)
- Split – 2.7% (Euro), 5.26% (American)
- Street – 2.7% (Euro), 5.26% (Amer)
- Corner – 2.7% (Euro), 5.26% (Amer)
- Line – 2.7% (Euro), 5.26% (Amer)
- Basket – 7.89% (only in American roulette)
Outside Bets House Edge:
- Red/Black – 2.7% (Euro), 5.26% (Amer)
- Odd/Even – 2.7% (Euro), 5.26% (Amer)
- High/Low – 2.7% (Euro), 5.26% (Amer)
- Dozens – 2.7% (Euro), 5.26% (Amer)
- Columns – 2.7% (Euro), 5.26% (Amer)
So while going after the 35:1 single number payout might seem alluring, just realize your long shot bets face the highest built-in disadvantage against the house – knowledge that can help refine your decision-making when playing roulette.
In Closing
Whether playing roulette online or at a land-based casino, brushing up on the probabilities, payout odds, and house edge percentages associated with the various bets is key to navigating this iconic and exciting game of chance with open eyes. And who knows – maybe understanding the math enough to gain even the slightest edge makes you the next big roulette winner cashing in an incredible 35:1 payout!