Roulette Odds & Payouts

When approaching a roulette table, ensure the dealer has completed clearing the table layout from the last round. Then, place your money on the table so it's visible to the "eye in the sky." The dealer will hand you chips in a different color than those given to the other players to distinguish between bets on the layout. When you're done playing, the dealer will convert the colored chips into ones with a monetary value.

Players place their bets on the outcome of a spin of the roulette wheel. The amount they're allowed to wager depends on the table's minimum and maximum bet limits. Online casinos offer much lower minimum bets compared to land-based casinos, sometimes going as low as a penny. In the $20,000 range, the maximum bet amounts on most live dealer casinos are large enough to appeal to high-stakes online roulette players. Roulette payouts for an inside bet of that size can be substantial enough to buy a house.

Roulette odds represent your chance of winning a bet over the long run, expressed as a percentage or a ratio. For example, the odds of hitting a straight-up bet on a single number are 37:1, or 2.70%. Despite the enormous 35:1 payout, the bet's not profitable over the long term because an American Roulette Wheel has 38 pockets. You can expect to win only once in every 37 times. In contrast, safer roulette bets, including red or black, offer roulette payouts of 1:1 with odds of 48.64%. American Roulette odds are the same as those of the European version of the game.

The house edge, also known as the house advantage, is the percentage of your wager the casino expects to keep over time. Your choice of roulette wheel impacts the house edge and can have a substantial effect on your chances of winning. At 5.26%, the house edge is relatively high in American Roulette in comparison to other table games. European Roulette wheels, on the other hand, offer a lower house edge of 2.70% because they have one fewer zero than their American equivalent.

Understanding roulette odds is crucial in maximizing your chances of winning. Make sure to review the T&Cs before placing your bets.

Before playing, ensure you understand the gambler's fallacy - the odds of a number landing do not change based on previous turns. So, just because 20 has landed five times in the past half hour, there's no reason to think it has an increased chance of landing again soon.

The straight-up bet with its massive payout is known as an inside bet, with a low 2.70% chance of winning. Unlike most inside roulette bets, which pay out well but rarely succeed, outside bets on black or red, odd or even, and high or low offer a 47.4% chance of success. The roulette payout chart below states the potential payout rates for different types of wagers:

• Betting on red or black pays even money (1:1)
• Betting on "odd" or "even" pays even money (1:1)
• Single number bets, also called straight bets, pay 35:1
• Double number bets, also called split bets, pay 17:1
• Three number bets, also called street bets, pay 11:1
• Four number bets, also called corner bets or square bets, pay 8:1
• A five number bet pays 6:1 (There is only one option for this type of bet in roulette: 00, 0, 1, 2, and 3)
• A six number bet, also called a line or a double street, pays 5:1
• Bets on twelve numbers or dozens (first, second, third dozen) pay 2:1
• Column bets (all 12 numbers in a row) pays 2:1
• High bets (on 19 through 36) or low bets (on 1 through 18) pay even money (1:1)

Learn more about the roulette terms by checking out our roulette glossary.

Calculating roulette payouts doesn't require a mathematical background. In the game of roulette, payout rates are presented using a simple formula: x:1, which indicates that the player receives x dollars for every $1 bet. For example, a roulette bet on black or red with an even money payout would be shown as 1:1. High-risk/high-reward style players may opt for the straight up or single-number bet, which has payout odds of 35:1. This means a winning a $10 straight up roulette bet pays out $350 plus the player's initial bet is returned.

European Roulette dates back to 17th century France, and it swiftly spread across Europe. However, it wasn't until the 19th century that an American version of the game gained popularity. The main difference between the two lies in the presence of a second zero on the American Roulette Wheel.

Despite similarities in the rules, the odds and house edge set the variants apart. European Roulette offers superior roulette odds and a 2.70% house edge, while American Roulette has a steep 5.26% house advantage. Most online casinos offer European Roulette, but it is reserved for the high-roller rooms in brick-and-mortar casinos.

Roulette was introduced to Canadian casinos as part of the broader spread of European gambling traditions.

• Select a reputable online casino —Choose a licensed and regulated online casino that you can trust with your personal and financial information.
• Play European or French Roulette — These variants offer an attractive 2.70% house edge, but it's reduced to 1.35% when you make even money bets in French Roulette.
• Place outside bets — Your odds of success are almost as good as winning a coin flip when you wager on red/black, odd/even, or high/low.
• Grow your stack slowly — Stick to safe, outside bets and when you're sufficiently ahead, take a stab at a riskier wager.
• Play for free — Practice placing bets while in demo mode or on a social casino before committing real money.
• Pace yourself — Online roulette moves at a much faster pace than in a casino, resulting in more variance and larger swings in your bankroll.
• Set loss limits — Decide how large a loss you're willing to take, and if you're having a bad session, exercise the discipline to walk away.

Online Roulette is legal in the seven states where online casinos are available. These are Connecticut, New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware, and Rhode Island. New York could potentially be the next if a bill in the state legislature is approved.

Roulette is the second most popular table game, trailing only behind blackjack, both in online and brick-and-mortar casinos. In a casino, a sense of excitement surrounds the roulette table, encouraging mingling among enthusiastic players. Playing online, in comparison, is a more solitary experience, but Live Dealer games provide an opportunity for social interaction.

If you're located in one of the seven states with access to internet gambling, you can sign up for an online casino and play roulette on your PC or mobile device. Residency is not a requirement. Players only need to be 21 years of age or older and within the state lines of a jurisdiction where online gambling is legal.

The following are our top-rated online casinos for roulette:

National responsible gambling initiatives promote safer gambling practices and raise awareness about the dangers of gambling addiction. Proper bankroll management involves setting limits on both your maximum wager and the maximum amount you're willing to lose. Also, remember to set a limit for how long you allow yourself to gamble.

In some cases, setting limits alone isn't enough. If gambling is causing you harm, consider confiding in a loved one. And you can turn to a therapist or one of the following agencies for support:

• Gamblers Anonymous
• National Council on Problem Gambling