Educational guide В· Roulette math В· Probability and house edge
Roulette Odds and Payouts: Probability, House Edge and EV Chart
Roulette payouts are lower than the true odds because zero pockets create a house edge. This guide compares European and American probabilities, payout ratios, expected value and special-bet caveats.
Legal, tax and responsible gambling notice
Educational scope: This page explains roulette probabilities. It does not predict outcomes or recommend gambling as a way to make money.
Market scope: Real-money roulette availability depends on your state, operator and market type.
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Quick answer
In European roulette, a straight-up bet has a 1 in 37 chance and pays 35:1. The missing payout for the zero pocket creates a 2.70% house edge. In American roulette, the 0 and 00 pockets create a 5.26% house edge on most standard bets.
How to read roulette odds
Probability tells you how often a bet can win in theory. Payout tells you how much a winning bet pays. House edge tells you the long-run mathematical advantage built into the game. Expected value is the long-run average, not a prediction for one session.
Roulette payout and house-edge calculator
Use this educational calculator to compare a bet's hit probability, posted payout and long-run expected loss. It does not predict the next spin or make a betting pattern profitable.
Roulette odds and payout chart
| Bet type | Numbers covered | Payout | European probability | American probability | House-edge caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight up | 1 | 35:1 | 1/37 = 2.70% | 1/38 = 2.63% | Low hit probability; same standard house edge for the wheel type. |
| Split | 2 | 17:1 | 2/37 = 5.41% | 2/38 = 5.26% | Payout is still below true odds because of zero pockets. |
| Street | 3 | 11:1 | 3/37 = 8.11% | 3/38 = 7.89% | More coverage, lower payout. |
| Corner | 4 | 8:1 | 4/37 = 10.81% | 4/38 = 10.53% | Check table-specific availability. |
| Six line | 6 | 5:1 | 6/37 = 16.22% | 6/38 = 15.79% | Higher hit probability than smaller inside bets. |
| Dozen / column | 12 | 2:1 | 12/37 = 32.43% | 12/38 = 31.58% | Higher hit probability than inside bets, still negative EV. |
| Even-money bets | 18 | 1:1 | 18/37 = 48.65% | 18/38 = 47.37% | Higher hit probability, not safe or positive EV. |
Inside bets vs outside bets
Inside bets cover fewer numbers and pay more when they hit. Outside bets cover more numbers and hit more often, but they are not safer in the sense of being profitable. On standard European and American roulette, standard bets share the same house edge for that wheel type.
European vs American house edge
| Wheel type | Pockets | Standard house edge | Expected loss per $100 staked | Important caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European roulette | 37 | 2.70% | $2.70 in long-run expectation | Actual sessions can vary widely. |
| American roulette | 38 | 5.26% | $5.26 in long-run expectation | The 00 pocket increases the house edge. |
| French roulette with La Partage | Usually 37 | 1.35% on qualifying even-money bets | $1.35 in long-run expectation on qualifying bets | Only applies when the rule is active and the bet qualifies. |
French La Partage and En Prison caveat
French roulette may include La Partage or En Prison rules on even-money bets. These rules can reduce the long-run cost of qualifying even-money bets when zero lands, but they do not make roulette a positive-expectation game.
Payout formula and true odds
True odds compare the number of losing outcomes to the number of winning outcomes. A European straight-up bet has 1 winning number and 36 losing numbers, so true odds are 36:1. Roulette pays 35:1, which leaves the 2.70% house edge.
Expected value examples
Expected value is the long-run average result of a bet, not a forecast for one session.
European even-money example
EV = ($10 x 18/37) - ($10 x 19/37) = -$0.27That equals a 2.70% expected loss per $10 bet.
American even-money example
EV = ($10 x 18/38) - ($10 x 20/38) = -$0.53That equals a 5.26% expected loss per $10 bet.
Special bet caveats
| Bet | Where it appears | Typical payout | Probability | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First four | Single-zero layouts where offered: 0, 1, 2, 3 | 8:1 | 4/37 = 10.81% | Check table-specific availability. |
| Top line / first five | American roulette: 0, 00, 1, 2, 3 | Often 6:1 | 5/38 = 13.16% | Usually has a worse house edge than standard American bets. |
Betting systems do not change roulette odds
Martingale, Fibonacci, D'Alembert and Labouchere change stake size patterns. They do not change the probability of the next spin, the payout table or the house edge. Progressive systems can increase exposure and pressure to chase losses.
Practice mode teaches layout, not predictions
Use practice mode to learn bet placement and payout rules. It cannot prove that a betting system works or predict future real-money outcomes.
Common roulette odds questions
What roulette bet has the highest hit probability?
Even-money bets such as red/black cover 18 numbers. They have the highest hit probability among standard bets, but they still have a house edge.
Why does a 35:1 payout still have a house edge?
On European roulette, a straight-up bet has true odds of 36:1 but pays 35:1. That difference creates the 2.70% house edge.
Can a betting system change expected value?
No. Betting systems change stake size patterns, not the wheel probabilities or payout table.