Roulette odds depend on the number of pockets on the wheel and the number of pockets your bet covers. European roulette has 37 pockets, so one number has a 1/37 chance. American roulette has 38 pockets, so one number has a 1/38 chance. French even-money bets with La Partage or En Prison can cut the effective edge to about 1.35%.
Quick Facts
- European roulette: 37 pockets, one zero, standard house edge 2.70%.
- American roulette: 38 pockets, zero and double zero, standard house edge 5.26%.
- Straight-up probability is 1/37 in European roulette, or 1/38 in American roulette.
- Even-money bets cover 18 numbers, but zero makes them worse than true 50/50 bets.
- Dozens and columns cover 12 numbers.
- Payouts stay mostly the same while wheel pockets change.
- French rules can improve even-money bets only when La Partage or En Prison applies.
Plain Talk
Roulette odds are not mysterious. Count the pockets you cover. Divide by the total pockets on the wheel. That gives the chance before the spin.
A straight-up bet covers one pocket. Red covers 18 pockets. A dozen covers 12 pockets. A corner covers 4 pockets. The wheel type then decides the denominator: 37 on European or French single-zero wheels, 38 on American double-zero wheels.
This page is the main odds guide. For payouts, read roulette payouts. For the casino’s long-term advantage, read roulette house edge. For the full course path, start at the roulette guide.
How It Works
European roulette odds
| Bet | Covers | Probability | Payout | Standard edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight-up | 1 | 2.70% | 35 to 1 | 2.70% |
| Split | 2 | 5.41% | 17 to 1 | 2.70% |
| Street | 3 | 8.11% | 11 to 1 | 2.70% |
| Corner | 4 | 10.81% | 8 to 1 | 2.70% |
| Six-line | 6 | 16.22% | 5 to 1 | 2.70% |
| Dozen | 12 | 32.43% | 2 to 1 | 2.70% |
| Column | 12 | 32.43% | 2 to 1 | 2.70% |
| Red/Black | 18 | 48.65% | 1 to 1 | 2.70% |
American roulette odds
| Bet | Covers | Probability | Payout | Standard edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight-up | 1 | 2.63% | 35 to 1 | 5.26% |
| Split | 2 | 5.26% | 17 to 1 | 5.26% |
| Street | 3 | 7.89% | 11 to 1 | 5.26% |
| Corner | 4 | 10.53% | 8 to 1 | 5.26% |
| Six-line | 6 | 15.79% | 5 to 1 | 5.26% |
| Dozen | 12 | 31.58% | 2 to 1 | 5.26% |
| Column | 12 | 31.58% | 2 to 1 | 5.26% |
| Red/Black | 18 | 47.37% | 1 to 1 | 5.26% |
The standard references line up on the main point: double-zero roulette is more expensive because the extra pocket is not matched by higher standard payouts. See the Wizard of Odds roulette probability tables, the Nevada roulette rules of play, and the Massachusetts roulette rules for examples of official and mathematical treatment of roulette wagers.
French roulette note
French roulette usually uses a single-zero wheel. Standard inside bets still have the normal single-zero edge unless a special rule changes settlement. La Partage and En Prison mainly affect even-money bets after zero.
| Rule | Applies to | Practical effect |
|---|---|---|
| La Partage | Even-money bets | Player loses half the stake on zero |
| En Prison | Even-money bets | Bet may be held for the next spin after zero |
| No special rule | Most other bets | Usually normal single-zero edge |
For the exact rule treatment, read La Partage rule and En Prison rule.
Roulette Table Example
You compare two $10 red bets.
| Wheel | Red numbers | Total pockets | Chance to win | Profit if won | Expected loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| European | 18 | 37 | 48.65% | $10 | About $0.27 |
| American | 18 | 38 | 47.37% | $10 | About $0.53 |
The bet looks identical. Same chip. Same red box. Same 1 to 1 payout. But the American wheel has one more green pocket. That one extra pocket nearly doubles the expected loss.
This is why European vs American roulette is not a cosmetic choice. It is a price difference.
From the Casino Side:
The casino does not need players to misunderstand every number. It only needs them to ignore the wheel type, game speed, and total action.
A player who says “I only bet red” may feel disciplined. If that player chooses a double-zero wheel and makes 80 decisions per hour, the casino has a clean, steady product. The edge is already built in. The supervisor cares that the game is dealt cleanly, the drop is healthy, and the table is moving.
Odds are not just math on a page. In a live room, odds become hourly revenue through spin speed and player volume.
Common Mistakes
- Thinking red/black is a true 50/50 bet.
- Comparing payouts without counting 0 and 00.
- Believing American roulette is only slightly worse because it has “just one extra number.”
- Treating French roulette as cheaper on every bet, even when special rules apply only to even-money bets.
- Ignoring total spins per hour.
- Assuming a recent streak changes the next spin’s odds.
- Using a system to change bet size while leaving probability unchanged.
Hard Truth
Roulette odds are simple enough for any player to understand. The problem is not complexity. The problem is that the simple truth is uncomfortable: the wheel is priced against you before the ball is even spun.
FAQ
What are the odds of hitting one number in roulette?
European roulette: 1/37, or about 2.70%. American roulette: 1/38, or about 2.63%.
What are the odds of red or black?
European roulette: 18/37, or about 48.65%. American roulette: 18/38, or about 47.37%.
Is roulette 50/50?
No. Even-money bets look close to 50/50, but zero and double zero prevent them from being true coin flips.
Which roulette wheel has better odds?
European single-zero roulette is better than American double-zero roulette. French roulette with La Partage or En Prison can be better still for even-money bets.
Do odds change after a streak?
No. On a fair wheel, each spin starts fresh. A long red streak does not make black due.
Are inside bets worse odds than outside bets?
They hit less often, but standard inside and outside bets usually carry the same house edge on the same wheel.
Why does American roulette have a 5.26% edge?
Because it has 38 pockets but keeps the same standard payouts as single-zero roulette. The extra 00 pocket creates more losing outcomes.
Can the roulette odds calculator help?
Yes. The roulette odds calculator helps compare covered numbers, probability, and expected cost without guessing.
Deeper Insight
Roulette odds become clearer when you separate three ideas:
- Probability: How often the bet wins.
- Payout: How much the casino pays when it wins.
- Expected value: What the bet is worth on average over many trials.
Players usually focus on payout. Casinos price the game through expected value.
A straight-up number feels powerful because it pays 35 to 1. But on a European wheel, true odds are 36 to 1. On an American wheel, true odds are 37 to 1. The payout does not rise when the wheel adds 00. That is why the same-looking bet can be far worse.
Use the expected loss calculator when deciding how much a session may cost. Use the house edge calculator when comparing payout fairness. For swing behavior, pair this page with roulette variance.
Formula / Calculation
Probability formula:
P(event) = favorable pockets / total pocketsEuropean straight-up:
P = 1 / 37 = 2.7027%American straight-up:
P = 1 / 38 = 2.6316%European even-money bet:
P = 18 / 37 = 48.6486%American even-money bet:
P = 18 / 38 = 47.3684%Expected value formula:
Expected Value = (Probability of Win × Net Win) - (Probability of Loss × Stake)Expected loss formula:
Expected Loss = Total Amount Wagered × House EdgeExample: $500 total wagered on European roulette.
Expected Loss = $500 × 0.0270 = $13.50Example: $500 total wagered on American roulette.
Expected Loss = $500 × 0.0526 = $26.30Formula Explanation in Plain English
The chance of winning is just covered pockets divided by total pockets. The cost comes from comparing that chance with the payout. Over time, the American wheel takes more because the same bet must survive one extra losing pocket without receiving a better payout.
Related Reading
Use the roulette odds chart for quick lookup after this page. Read European vs American roulette before choosing a wheel. The roulette house edge page explains the price of each version, while roulette payouts explains the settlement language. For myth control, read roulette hot numbers myth and why roulette systems fail.