Roulette Payouts & Odds: Every Main Bet Explained

Roulette payouts depend on how many numbers your bet covers.

A straight-up bet on one number offers a much larger payout than a red-or-black bet because it is less likely to win.

This guide explains the main roulette bet types, their common payouts and how the probabilities differ between European and American roulette.

If you are new to the game, start with our beginner's guide to roulette.

How Do Roulette Payouts Work?

Roulette payouts are normally shown as ratios.

For example:

35:1

means that a winning wager returns 35 units of profit for every 1 unit bet, with the original stake also returned.

So if you bet $10 on a straight-up number and win:

$10 × 35 = $350 profit

Your original $10 wager is also returned, giving you $360 total back.

Main Roulette Bets and Payouts

What Are the Odds of Hitting One Number?

On European roulette there are 37 pockets:

0 plus numbers 1 to 36

So the probability of hitting one exact number is:

1 ÷ 37 ≈ 2.70%

On American roulette there are 38 pockets because of the additional 00.

The probability becomes:

1 ÷ 38 ≈ 2.63%

Straight-Up Bet Odds

A straight-up bet covers one number and typically pays 35:1.

On European roulette:

• Numbers covered: 1

• Total pockets: 37

• Probability: about 2.70%

• Payout: 35:1

The payout is slightly lower than the true mathematical odds, which creates the house edge.

Split Bet Odds

A split bet covers two numbers and normally pays 17:1.

On a European wheel, the probability of either number winning is:

2 ÷ 37 ≈ 5.41%

Street Bet Odds

A street covers three numbers and normally pays 11:1.

On European roulette:

3 ÷ 37 ≈ 8.11%

Corner Bet Odds

A corner bet covers four numbers and normally pays 8:1.

On a European wheel:

4 ÷ 37 ≈ 10.81%

Six-Line Bet Odds

A six-line bet covers six numbers and normally pays 5:1.

On European roulette:

6 ÷ 37 ≈ 16.22%

Dozen Bet Odds

A dozen covers 12 numbers.

The three standard dozens are:

• 1 to 12

• 13 to 24

• 25 to 36

On European roulette, a dozen covers:

12 ÷ 37 ≈ 32.43%

The usual payout is 2:1.

Column Bet Odds

A column also covers 12 numbers and normally pays 2:1.

Its probability on a standard European wheel is also approximately:

32.43%

Red or Black Odds

There are 18 red numbers and 18 black numbers on a roulette wheel.

However, the presence of zero means the probability is not exactly 50%.

On European roulette:

18 ÷ 37 ≈ 48.65%

On American roulette:

18 ÷ 38 ≈ 47.37%

Odd or Even Odds

Odd and even bets also cover 18 of the numbered pockets.

Zero and 00 are not treated as odd or even.

That gives the same standard probability as red or black:

• European roulette: about 48.65%

• American roulette: about 47.37%

High or Low Odds

Low covers numbers 1 to 18.

High covers numbers 19 to 36.

Each covers 18 numbers, so the probabilities are again:

• European roulette: about 48.65%

• American roulette: about 47.37%

European Roulette Odds Table

Why Doesn't Roulette Pay the True Odds?

The difference between the true probability and the casino payout creates the house edge.

For example, a single-number bet on European roulette has true odds of 36 losing outcomes to 1 winning outcome.

But the payout is 35:1 rather than 36:1.

That difference produces the casino's mathematical advantage.

What Is the House Edge in European Roulette?

On a standard single-zero European roulette wheel, most normal bets have a theoretical house edge of approximately:

2.70%

This applies to straight-up bets, splits, streets, corners, dozens, red or black and most other standard wagers.

What Is the House Edge in American Roulette?

American roulette adds a second zero pocket:

00

That increases the wheel from 37 to 38 pockets.

Most standard American roulette bets therefore have a theoretical house edge of approximately:

5.26%

Why Do European and American Roulette Have the Same Payouts?

Most standard payouts remain the same even though American roulette has one extra losing pocket.

For example, a straight-up bet still normally pays 35:1.

But instead of trying to hit 1 number out of 37, you are trying to hit 1 out of 38.

That is why the house edge is higher.

Does a Higher-Paying Roulette Bet Have a Higher House Edge?

Not necessarily.

On a standard European wheel, most common roulette bets share the same house edge.

A straight-up number bet pays more because it wins less frequently.

A red-or-black bet pays less because it wins much more frequently.

The expected casino advantage remains broadly the same.

Which Roulette Bet Has the Best Odds of Winning?

Standard even-money bets cover the most numbers.

These include:

• Red or black

• Odd or even

• High or low

On European roulette they each cover 18 of 37 pockets, giving a probability of approximately 48.65%.

That makes them more likely to win on an individual spin than inside bets, but the payout is only 1:1.

Which Roulette Bet Pays the Most?

Among standard bets, a straight-up number wager normally offers the highest payout at 35:1.

It also has the lowest probability of winning because it covers only one number.

Can You Improve Roulette Odds With More Bets?

Placing bets across more numbers increases the probability that at least one of your positions may win.

But it also increases the total amount wagered.

It does not remove the underlying house edge.

For example, betting both red and several individual numbers changes your exposure, but it does not change the wheel probabilities.

Do Previous Spins Affect Roulette Odds?

No.

On independent roulette spins, previous results do not make a particular color or number due to appear.

If red has appeared six times in a row, black does not become guaranteed on the seventh spin.

This mistaken belief is known as the gambler's fallacy.

Do Betting Systems Change the Odds?

No staking system changes the underlying probability of the roulette wheel.

Systems such as Martingale change how much you wager after wins or losses.

They do not alter:

• The number of pockets

• The probability of red

• The probability of one number

• The house edge

Our next roulette guide will look at common roulette strategies and betting systems in more detail.

Should Beginners Choose Inside or Outside Bets?

That depends on the type of experience you prefer.

Inside bets:

• Win less frequently

• Offer larger payouts

Outside bets:

• Win more frequently

• Offer smaller payouts

Neither type removes the casino's mathematical advantage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Roulette Odds

What is the payout for one number in roulette?

A standard straight-up number bet usually pays 35:1.

What are the odds of winning red or black?

On European roulette the probability is approximately 48.65%. On American roulette it is approximately 47.37%.

Why isn't red or black exactly 50/50?

Because zero, and 00 on American wheels, are neither red nor black.

What is the house edge on European roulette?

Most standard bets carry a theoretical house edge of approximately 2.70%.

What is the house edge on American roulette?

Most standard bets carry a theoretical house edge of approximately 5.26%.

Which roulette bet has the highest payout?

A standard straight-up number bet normally pays 35:1.

Which roulette bets win most often?

Even-money bets such as red or black, odd or even and high or low cover 18 numbers and therefore have the highest standard single-bet probability of winning.

Payout and Probability Move Together

The basic trade-off in roulette is simple: bets covering fewer numbers pay more, while bets covering more numbers pay less.

Understanding both the payout and the probability makes it easier to see what each wager actually represents.

For the fundamentals, read our complete beginner's guide to roulette.

Play responsibly and only gamble with funds you can afford to lose.