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Roulette Odds: Complete Guide | LeoVegas

Understanding Roulette Odds

Roulette has been a timeless fixture in casinos worldwide, celebrated for its straightforward yet captivating gameplay. At its core, the game revolves around a spinning wheel, a ball, and an array of betting options. Although it is a game of chance, understanding roulette odds can significantly impact how players approach each bet. These odds vary based on the type of roulette and the bets players choose, affecting both potential outcomes and payout structures.

Table of Contents:

In this guide, we’ll explore the fundamentals of roulette odds, the nuances of different game variations, and practical strategies to help players make well-informed betting decisions.

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What Are Roulette Odds?

Odds in roulette refer to the likelihood of winning a specific bet in the game, and they are a key factor in not just roulette but gambling as a whole. When you place a bet on a particular number or group of numbers, the odds tell you the probability of that bet winning. Knowing the odds helps players understand their chances of winning, while the payout structure determines how much they will win if successful.

The odds in roulette vary based on the player's bet type. For example, betting on a single number (or a straight-up bet) offers the highest payout, but the odds of winning are lower compared to a bet on red or black, which covers almost half the numbers on the wheel.

How Roulette Odds Are Calculated

Roulette odds are calculated based on probability, which is the ratio of favourable outcomes to the total number of possible outcomes. For example, in European roulette, there are 37 numbers (1 to 36 and a single zero). If you bet on a single number, your chances of winning are 1 in 37. The formula to calculate the odds of a bet is:

Probability = (Number of ways to win) / (Total possible outcomes)

If you're betting on red or black, there are 18 red and 18 black numbers, so the probability of winning a red/black bet is:

Probability = 18 / 37

Because of the extra 00 pocket, American roulette has 38 possible outcomes, reducing the probability of winning compared to European roulette. The house edge, which gives the casino its advantage, is closely linked to these odds, which is why the odds are slightly worse when playing American roulette.

Types of Roulette

Roulette comes in three main varieties: European, American, and French. Each version has unique features that affect the odds and the house edge.

European Roulette vs. American Roulette

The key difference between European and American roulette lies in the number of zero pockets on the wheel. European roulette has a single zero (0), while American roulette includes both a 0 and a 00. This additional zero in American roulette significantly increases the house edge.

  • In European roulette, the house edge is 2.7%, which gives the casino a slight advantage
  • In American roulette, the extra 00 raises the house edge to 5.26%, making it relatively less favourable for playing. The addition of the 00 reduces the odds of winning any bet, whether it's a straight-up bet or an even-money wager like red/black or odd/even

How These Differences Affect the Odds

The additional 00 in American roulette reduces the player's odds across all types of bets compared to European roulette. For instance, in a straight-up bet, players have a 1 in 38 chance of winning in American roulette versus 1 in 37 in European roulette. This difference extends to other common bets, such as red/black, odd/even, and high/low.

In European roulette, even-money bets (like red/black or odd/even) give the player a 48.65% chance of winning, as 18 out of 37 numbers are red or black, odd or even. In American roulette, the presence of the 00 lowers the chance of winning these same bets to 47.37% because only 18 out of 38 numbers are covered by such bets.

The lower probability in American roulette increases the house edge, even though payouts remain the same in both versions (for example, a 1:1 payout for even-money bets). The reduced odds in American roulette result in a higher house edge (discussed in further detail below).

French Roulette: A Third Option

French roulette is similar to European roulette, with the same single-zero layout. That said, this variant offers two special rules, i.e., La Partage and En Prison, which lower the house edge further (to 1.35%) on even-money bets. Below are brief details of the two rules:

  • La Partage gives back half of your bet if the ball hits zero
  • En Prison lets your bet stay on the table for the next spin rather than losing it when the ball settles on zero

What Are The Odds for Inside Bets?

Inside bets in roulette are bets that are placed on specific numbers or combinations of numbers on the roulette table. They have a smaller chance of hitting than say, outside bets, but when they do, they pay handsomely. Here are the odds and payouts for some common inside bets in roulette:

Single number (35:1): The odds of hitting a single number in a single spin are 35 to 1. The payout for a single number bet is 35 times the wager.

Split bet (17:1): a bet on two adjacent numbers, such as 1/2 or 17/20. The odds of hitting a split 5.4% and pays 17x your wager.

Street bet (11:1): a bet on three numbers in a row, such as 4, 5, and 6 or 22, 23, and 24. You win if any of those numbers pops up in the spin. That’s 8.1%.

Corner bet (8:1): a bet on four numbers that form a square on the roulette table, such as 1, 2, 4, and 5 or 25, 26, 28, and 29 with odds of hitting at 10.8%.

Six line bet (5:1): a bet on two adjacent streets, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 or 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24. If you make a 6 line bet on European Roulette, it’s a 6:37 chance of winning (16.2%) and claiming a 5x your wager.

It is important to note that the odds and payouts for inside bets can vary depending on the specific rules of the roulette game you’re playing. Some roulette games may have slightly different odds or payouts for certain bets, so it is always a good idea to check in on these before placing your wager.

What Are The Odds For Outside Bets?

Off-grid is for outside bets. Most commonly, it’s red/black, even/ odd, or high/low. Even though columns and dozens are number bets, they fall under outside bets as chips are placed along the perimeter.

Red/Black + Odd/Even + High/Low Bets (1:1)

The odds of hitting red or black in a single spin are slightly less than 50%, with a probability of slightly more than 48%. The payout for a red or black bet is even money.

Column bet (2:1)

With 36 numbers in play, a column bet allows you to choose a set of 12 numbers. You do the math - there’s three columns to choose from, each with 12 numbers of course. For example, 1-4-7-10-13-16-19-22-25-28-31 represents one column. Betting on one of these dozen numbers gives you a 1 in 3 shot (32.4%), and pays 2:1 on your wager.

Dozen bet (2:1)

A dozen bet covers, you guessed it, 12 numbers. It differs from a Column’s 12, as this dozen covers sequential sets. Dozen 1 covers 1-12, the second dozen covers 13-24, while the third dozen covers 25-36. A 1 in 3 shot (32.4%), and pays 2:1 on your wager.

What Are The Odds for Special or Call Bets?

Special or call bets in roulette are bets that are placed on specific combinations of numbers on the roulette table. They’re common in French roulette and usually require a ‘call’ out to the Croupier for placement - which means, they’re more common in brick & mortar casinos, specifically on high roller tables. But we’re here to talk about their odds, so let’s get at’em.

Voisins du Zéro:
Voisins du Zéro or ‘neighbours of zero' covers the largest section of all the call bets - 17 numbers in total. Start at 22, work around the zero and end at 25 to cover this collection. A bet requires nine chips placed as follows: Numbers 0,2,3 as a basket bet (pays 11:1) + 4/7, 12/15, 18/21, 19/22, 32/35 as splits (pay 17:1) + a corner bet on 25/26/28/29 (pays 8:1). With 17 numbers covered, odds sit at 46%.

Tiers du cylindre:
Any French classes triggering translations yet? Tiers is ‘thirds of the wheel’ and covers ⅓ of the roulette wheel stretching along the opposite side of Voisins. Odds are 32.4% and it pays 17:1 as split bets are used to cover numbers: 5/ 8, 10/11, 13/16, 23/24, 27/30 and 33/36.

Orphelins:
This bet covers the ‘orphaned’ or leftover numbers not included in Voisons or Tiers. It’s an eight number bet requiring five chips in a mix of straight up and split bets on 17, 34, 6, 1, 20, 4, 31 (17:1 payout) and 9 (35:1 payday).

Finales en plein:
The finales en plein bet is placed on numbers that end in a specific digit, such as all numbers ending in 1 or all numbers ending in 9. The odds of hitting this bet in a single spin are 35 to 1 (straight bet odds 2.7%) and the payout is 35x the wager as it’s a straight up bet.

Finales a cheval (17:1):
The finales a cheval bet is a bet on the numbers that end in a specific two-digit combination, such as all the numbers ending in 1 and 6 or all the numbers ending in 8 and 9. The odds of hitting this bet in a single spin are 17 to 1, and the payout is 17 times the wager.

How House Edge Impacts Odds

The house edge is a built-in advantage for the casino that comes from the zero (and double zero in American roulette) on the wheel. It ensures that, over time, the casino will always make a profit. For players, understanding the house edge is essential because it directly impacts the odds of winning.

Understanding the House Edge

In European roulette, the house edge is 2.7%, owing to the single zero. In American roulette, the presence of both 0 and 00 increases the house edge to 5.26%. French roulette is similar to the European version; however, its La Partage and En Prison rules offer a lower house edge of 1.35% on even-money bets.

Mitigating the House Edge

While you can’t eliminate the house edge as it is unavoidable, you can choose versions of roulette with a lower house advantage to improve your chances. Playing French or European roulette instead of American roulette is one way to do this. Additionally, focusing on even-money bets and taking advantage of French roulette's La Partage or En Prison rules can reduce potential losses.

Strategies to Improve Your Chances

Although roulette is a game of chance, several betting strategies have been developed to help players manage their bets and minimize risk (though they do not guarantee success). These strategies don’t change the house edge or alter the odds of the game but can help create a structured approach to betting.

The Martingale Strategy

The Martingale strategy constitutes doubling your bet after every loss, with the idea that an eventual win will recover all preceding losses and result in a profit that’s equal to the initial bet. This system is often used for even-money bets like red/black or odd/even. Nonetheless, the strategy carries significant risk, as a long losing streak can lead to very large bets, quickly draining a player's bankroll.

The Fibonacci Strategy

TheFibonacci strategy is built around the very well-known Fibonacci sequence, where each number is the sum of the two before it (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, and so on). In roulette, players increase their bet according to the following number in this sequence after a loss, and after a win, they step back two positions. The concept is that, eventually, a win will cover previous losses. While less aggressive than the Martingale strategy, the Fibonacci strategy can still lead to substantial losses if the player experiences a long streak of losses.

The Labouchère System

The Labouchère system, also known as the cancellation system, allows players to set a target profit. They write down a sequence of numbers that adds up to this target. For each bet, the player wagers the sum of the first and last numbers in the sequence. If they win, these numbers are crossed off. If they lose, the amount lost is added to the end of the sequence. The process goes on until all the numbers are crossed off, meaning the player’s target profit has been achieved. This strategy offers more control over betting, but a losing streak can still result in significant losses.

The D’Alembert System

The D’Alembert system is a safer strategy that involves the player increasing their bet amount by one unit after a loss and reducing it by one unit following a win. This system is also used for even-money bets and is less aggressive than the Martingale strategy. While it helps minimize losses, it doesn’t change the game's overall odds.

Summary

Roulette odds represent the probability of specific outcomes in a single spin. In standard roulette with a single zero, there are 37 possible outcomes, each with a 2.7% probability. Inside bets (e.g., single number, split, street) have higher payouts but lower chances of winning than outside bets (e.g., red/black, odd/even).

Roulette Odds FAQ

What are the odds of hitting one number on roulette?

Sounds like you may have a favourite number on your mind! The odds of hitting one specific number in roulette in a single spin are slightly less than 2.7%. This is reflected in the large payout however, of 35:1 on most roulette tables.

What bet has the best odds in roulette?

The bet with the best odds in roulette is generally considered to be the even-money bets, such as red/black, odd/even, or high/low. These bets have odds of slightly more than 46.3%, with a probability of slightly less than 46.3%, with the zero and double zero being the house edge.

What are the odds in American roulette?

The odds in American roulette, which has a double zero, are slightly lower than the odds in European roulette, which has only a single zero. This is because the double zero adds an extra number to the roulette wheel, which slightly decreases the player's chances of winning.

What type of roulette has the best odds?

The type of roulette game with the best odds for the player is generally considered to be European roulette, which has a single zero. This is because the single zero reduces the number of spaces on the roulette wheel that are the house edge. A double zero (and extra space in the house’s favour) increases the house edge.

What are the odds of hitting the same number 3x in roulette?

The odds of hitting the same number three times in a row in roulette are extremely low, as the probability of any one specific number coming up three times in a row is slightly less than 0.5%. The odds of hitting five reds in a row are also extremely low, as the probability of the ball landing on red five times in a row is slightly less than 2%.

What are the odds of hitting 5 reds in a row?

The odds of hitting five reds in a row in roulette are extremely low, as the probability of the ball landing on red five times in a row is slightly less than 2%. It is worth noting that the odds of any specific outcome occurring in roulette are always low, as the game relies on chance and randomness.

It is important to note that the odds of hitting five reds in a row do not affect the overall probability of the ball landing on red on any given spin.

The probability of the ball landing on red in a single spin is always slightly more than 46.3%, regardless of the previous outcomes, because as the saying goes, “the wheel has no memory”.

What are the odds of hitting green in roulette?

The odds of hitting green depends on which variation you’re playing - American or European roulette. The American roulette wheel houses two green pockets, for a single and double zero, while the European wheel is home to only one single zero green pocket.

This means that the American wheel has 38 pockets in total, while the European wheel has only 37, so the odds differ.

Odds of hitting Green in American Roulette - 5.26% (2 in 38)

Odds of hitting Green in European Roulette - 2.7% (1 in 37)

What are the odds of hitting double zero in roulette?

Well, quite frankly, they are zero if you’re playing European or French roulette as there’s simply no double green pocket to hit! In American roulette, which has the double zero, the odds of hitting double zero in a single spin are slightly less than 5.26%.

What are the odds of hitting numbers in roulette?

On a single zero roulette wheel, the odds of hitting a red or black number in a single spin are slightly more than 46.3%. This is because there are 18 red numbers, 18 black numbers, and a green pocket.

What is the safest betting system for roulette?

The safest betting system is generally the D’Alembert system, as it involves smaller bet adjustments and reduces risk compared to more aggressive strategies like Martingale.

Do online casinos offer the same odds as physical casinos?

Yes, reputable online casinos offer the same odds as physical casinos, as the roulette wheels in both types follow the same rules. However, always ensure you are playing at a licensed online casino that has been properly regulated and audited to guarantee fair play and accurate odds.

Is there any skill involved in playing roulette?

Roulette is a game of chance, so no skill will affect the outcome of a spin. However, understanding the odds and managing your bets wisely can help you minimize losses.

How does the house edge differ between roulette variants?

The house edge in European roulette is 2.7%, and in American roulette, it is 5.26%. In French roulette, even-money bets can be as low as 1.35% due to the La Partage and En Prison rules.

Can roulette odds be beaten with strategy?

While betting strategies can help manage your bankroll, they do not change the house edge or odds of winning. Roulette remains a game of chance; no strategy can guarantee long-term success.

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