Roulette’s structure is built on fixed probabilities and standardized payouts. Knowing how each bet translates into odds and returns allows players to make clearer decisions and understand why certain bets carry more risk than others. While payouts are identical across European, American, and French roulette, the odds differ slightly due to the number of zero pockets.
Below is a clean breakdown of the main bets, their payouts, and their approximate winning probabilities in single-zero (European/French) and double-zero (American) formats.
Inside Bets: High Risk, High Payout
These bets target specific numbers or small combinations.
Straight Up (1 number)
- Payout: 35:1
- European odds: 1 in 37 (2.70%)
- American odds: 1 in 38 (2.63%)
Split (2 numbers)
- Payout: 17:1
- European odds: 2 in 37 (5.41%)
- American odds: 2 in 38 (5.26%)
Street (3 numbers)
- Payout: 11:1
- European odds: 3 in 37 (8.11%)
- American odds: 3 in 38 (7.89%)
Corner (4 numbers)
- Payout: 8:1
- European odds: 4 in 37 (10.81%)
- American odds: 4 in 38 (10.52%)
Line (6 numbers)
- Payout: 5:1
- European odds: 6 in 37 (16.22%)
- American odds: 6 in 38 (15.79%)
Outside Bets: Low Risk, Lower Payout
These bets cover broader number categories, delivering more consistent outcomes.
Red / Black
- Payout: 1:1
- European odds: 18 in 37 (48.64%)
- American odds: 18 in 38 (47.37%)
Odd / Even
- Payout: 1:1
- European odds: 18 in 37 (48.64%)
- American odds: 18 in 38 (47.37%)
Low (1–18) / High (19–36)
- Payout: 1:1
- European odds: 48.64%
- American odds: 47.37%
Dozens (1–12, 13–24, 25–36)
- Payout: 2:1
- European odds: 12 in 37 (32.43%)
- American odds: 12 in 38 (31.57%)
Columns
- Payout: 2:1
- European odds: 32.43%
- American odds: 31.57%
Why Odds Differ Between Variants
The zero pockets are the only green pockets on the wheel. They do not belong to red/black, odd/even, low/high, or other outside categories.
- European and French wheels have one zero (0) → 37 pockets
- American wheels have 0 and 00 → 38 pockets
More pockets reduce the probability of every non-zero outcome without increasing payouts, which is why American roulette has a higher house edge.
Special Considerations in French Roulette
Even-money bets may benefit from:
- La Partage – half returned on a zero
- En Prison – bet held for the next spin
These do not change the raw probability but significantly improve long-term expected value for players.
Practical Summary
- Higher payouts = lower probability (inside bets)
- Lower payouts = higher probability (outside bets)
- European/French roulette offers better odds across all categories
- American roulette increases the house edge without increasing payouts
