Roulette Odds & Payouts Explained

Roulette might seem simple when you’re at the casino or playing online roulette, but there’s far more to this casino classic. 

There are plenty of bets outside of placing a single-number bet on one of the 38 spots around the wheel in American Roulette. Each of these betting combinations even comes with its own odds. 

Learn more about the different odds and payouts below.

The Basics of Roulette Odds

Payouts in roulette are based on the range of numbers you choose, as represented by a fraction of the total numbers without the zero. The house has the edge in roulette regardless of whether the table has a single zero (2.7% house edge) in European roulette, or a double zero (5.26% house edge) in American roulette. Consider this before choosing a roulette variant to play.

Again, there are various bets you can make, and they all have their own odds. 

For example, if you place a simple straight-up bet, the odds are 35/1. If you place $1 on a single number and you win, you’ll earn $35 plus your original stake.

Even Bets

• Payout: 1/1
• Win Probability: 47.37%

Bets on red or black, odd or even, 1 to 18, and 19 to 36 are all even-money bets. These bets give you an even chance at doubling your money in roulette. But in American roulette, the double zero gives the house even more of an advantage than it already had with just the single zero.

When playing with double zeros, your odds of winning with an even bet are at 47.37%. That’s pretty high for any casino game. 

Even bets technically give you the best chance of making money on roulette. Although the odds are impressive, you’ll have to put a great deal at stake to make a decent return.

Thirds

• Payout: 2/1
• Win Probability: 31.58%

The third boxes give you the next best odds in roulette. These boxes consist of three sections of numbers on the table, so you can bet 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36. 

You can also bet the columns—the first column has 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, and 34. The second column (starting with 2) and the third column (starting with 3) have the same pattern. Each box will pay out winning bets at 2/1, meaning a $10 bet will give you a $20 return plus your original stake.

The actual odds of winning a roulette bet on a group of three is 31.58%, making roulette bets on a trio the second-most-likely-to-hit bets in the game.

Basket

• Payout: 6/1
• Win Probability: 13.16%

The basket covers the ball landing in either of the first five numbers in the table, including 1, 2, 3, and both zeros in American roulette. The chips should be placed at the corner shared by 0 and 1, or at the corner shared by 0 and 3. 

The payout for the basket is 6/1, so it’s a lucrative one. But the actual chances of winning a first five roulette bet are 13.16%.

Corner

• Payout: 8/1
• Win Probability: 10.53%

The roulette corner bet divides the bet by four numbers that are touching. To place a corner bet, put your chips in the middle of the four numbers. 

If this bet wins, it pays out 8/1. Those are good-looking odds to us, but just know the odds of it happening aren’t super high.

The chances of your corner bet winning are 10.53%, decent odds for a potential payout of 8/1.

Street

• Payout: 11/1
• Win Probability: 7.9%

Street bets cover three numbers in a horizontal row. The chips should be placed on the outer edge of each number in the row. 

The payout of a winning street bet is 11/1. Again, that’s a relatively large payout with decent odds.

The chances of you scoring a successful bet on a street in roulette are 7.9%, which is an okay play for a potentially big payday.

RELATED: 10 Casino Games With the Lowest House Edge

Double Street

• Payout: 6/1
• Win Probability: 15.8%

When betting the double street, chips placed between two rows cover all six numbers in those rows. Your chips should be placed on the corner shared by the two numbers on the left or the two numbers on the right. 

The payout for a winning double street is 6/1, which is pretty good.

The actual chances of winning your double street bet are 15.8%, providing the third-best shot to score a payout at the roulette table.

Split

• Payout: 17/1
• Win Probability: 5.26%

A split bet lets you bet on two different numbers in the same spin. This is an inside bet, with all numbers that intersect having lines on the inside of the table. 

This bet, placed on two numbers, could pay 17/1 if it wins.

The odds of your split bet winning and paying out are 5.26%. The odds of winning a split bet are solid, but it is somewhat of a long shot.

Straight Up

• Payout: 35/1
• Win Probability: 2.63%

This is a bet on just one number per spin. Betting on a single number is the most exciting option on the roulette table. 

Winning a straight-up bet provides you with an absolute mega payout of 35/1, the largest payout in roulette. A $10 bet could potentially return an enormous $360 payout, including the return of the original stake.

This big payout is definitely attractive, but the odds of you being lucky enough to accurately predict a single-number bet are low, just 2.63%. The straight-up bet provides winners with a really big reward for taking a huge risk.

Summary

There are a variety of ways to bet on the roulette table. Some offer huge payouts if they win; others are more likely to occur but pay lower payouts. 

Comparing odds like this is a great way to improve your roulette strategy when you're betting at a table or your favorite online casino.

Looking to put your new roulette knowledge to the test? You can play a free demo mode or sign up at an online casino.