Roulette Odds Explained (With Payouts Calculator)

Ever watched the spinning wheel and thought, “What are my real chances here?” Roulette is as much about psychology as it is about probability – a blend of hope, suspense and sheer mathematics.

What if understanding the odds changed the way you play? The difference between a hunch and a strategy is simpler than you might think.

How to Calculate Your Roulette Payouts

Calculating roulette payouts is straightforward once you understand the main bet types. This section focuses on inside bets and outside bets and gives a few common examples to make the math clear.

Inside bets are placed on single numbers or small groups of numbers within the grid. These bets offer higher payouts but lower chances of winning, so the potential return is larger to reflect the increased risk. Common inside bet examples include single numbers, splits, streets and corners, each with its own payout ratio.

Outside bets are placed on larger groups of numbers or attributes such as colour, odd/even, or high/low. These bets pay less but have better chances of winning, which makes them a way to aim for more frequent, smaller wins. Typical outside bets include red/black, odd/even, high/low, dozens and columns.

A common inside bet example is a single number. The payout for a single number is 35:1. The odds of winning a single number are 1 in 37 on European roulette and 1 in 38 on American roulette.

Other inside bet payouts to be aware of are:

Split (two numbers): 17:1.
Street (three numbers): 11:1.
Corner (four numbers): 8:1.
These bets have progressively better chances of winning as more numbers are covered, and their payouts fall accordingly.

A common outside bet example is red or black. The payout for red or black is 1:1. The odds of winning are just under 50%, differing slightly between European and American wheels because of the extra zero on the American wheel.

Dozens and columns are outside bets that cover 12 numbers each and pay 2:1. These offer a middle ground between single-number inside bets and simple even-money outside bets, balancing chance and payout.

To calculate a payout, multiply your stake by the payout ratio. For example, a £10 bet on a single number that wins pays £350 (35 × £10). Apply the same method for other bet types: a £10 split that wins at 17:1 pays £170, and a £10 column win at 2:1 pays £20 in winnings.

Keep in mind that these examples show the winnings based on the payout ratio. House rules and how returns are presented can vary, so always check the specific roulette rules at the table or casino you are playing.

Which Roulette Bets Payout the Most?

The highest payout in roulette is for a single number bet, which pays 35:1. This bet covers just one pocket on the wheel, so the chance of success is small. The odds of winning this bet are 1 in 37 in European roulette or 1 in 38 in American roulette.

Another high payout is the split bet, which pays 17:1. A split bet covers two adjacent numbers on the table layout, for example 17 and 18, so you win if either number comes up. The odds of winning a split are 2 in 37 in European roulette or 2 in 38 (approximately 1 in 19) in American roulette.

The third highest payout is the street bet, which pays 11:1. A street bet covers three numbers in a row on the layout, such as 4, 5 and 6, and wins if any of those three numbers appear. The odds of winning a street are 3 in 37 in European roulette or 3 in 38 in American roulette.

These payouts reflect the balance between the size of the potential return and the probability of winning. European wheels give slightly better chances to the player than American wheels because they have a single zero rather than a zero and double zero, which affects the stated odds.

What Are the Best Roulette Bets to Make?

The best roulette bets are those with the most favourable odds, but your choice depends on personal preference. Do you prefer bets that give the highest chance of winning, or those that offer the biggest payouts?

If you want higher payouts, inside bets may suit you. They pay more but have lower chances of winning, so wins are less frequent and typically smaller in number. Outside bets pay less but generally give better odds of a win and tend to produce steadier results over time.

One key factor to bear in mind is the wheel type. European wheels with a single zero usually offer a lower house edge than American wheels with a double zero, which affects the overall value of any bet you place. Always consider the house edge when choosing bets and gamble responsibly.

Inside bets include:

A Straight Up bet paying out at 35:1.
A Split bet paying out at 17:1.
A Street bet (betting within a row of 3 numbers, such as 17, 18, 19) paying out at 11:1.

These inside bets cover fewer numbers and therefore produce less frequent wins, but the potential payouts are higher when they hit.

Outside bets include:

Red/black, odd/even, and high/low paying out at 1:1.
Column bet paying out at 2:1.
Dozens paying out at 2:1.

Outside bets cover larger groups of numbers, so they tend to win more often but with smaller returns. Balance your risk appetite and bankroll accordingly, and remember that no strategy can overcome the house edge.

What Are the Odds in Roulette?

Roulette is a game of chance. In online versions an independent random number generator (RNG) determines the outcome of each spin, so the odds are the same on every spin.

The same principle applies to live and in-person roulette. The wheel is spun and the ball dropped into it; each pocket is the same size and has an equal chance of catching the ball.

That gives odds of 1 in 37 for any specific number in European and French roulette, and 1 in 38 in American roulette. In percentage terms, a single-number bet pays out with a probability of about 2.70% in European/French roulette and about 2.63% in American roulette.

Because each spin is independent, previous results do not change the odds of the next spin. The presence of the zero pocket (and the double zero in American roulette) is what creates the house edge, even though every individual number has an equal chance on any given spin.

Roulette Bet Types

Roulette has over 20 bet types grouped in different groups depending on their position on the wheel, colour or whether they are odd or even numbers, to mention a few. We’ll explore some of these bets below:

Outside Bets

Outside bets have lower payouts but better odds of winning. They include:

Red or black: you’re wagering that the ball will land on either black or red. This bet pays out 1:1.
Odd or even: you’re wagering that the ball will land on either odd or even numbers. The payout for this bet is 1:1.
High or low numbers: you’re wagering that the ball will land on either low (1-18) or high (19-36) numbers. The payout for this bet is also 1:1.

Outside Bet Odds

It’s important to note that while outside bets have better odds of winning, the payouts are lower. That means that while you may win more often, you’ll also win less money overall. Below are some of the odds for outside bets.

Red or black: the odds of winning are just under 1 in 2.
Odd or even: the odds of winning are just under 1 in 2.
Columns or dozens: the odds of winning are just under 1 in 3.

Inside Bets

Inside bets have higher payouts but lower odds of winning. They include:

Straight up – betting on any single number, and it pays out 35:1
Split – you are betting on the line that separates two numbers. For example, 2|3. It pays out 17:1.
Street – betting on any number within a row of three numbers. It pays out 11:1.
Corner – betting on the corner that connects four numbers and wagering that 1 of these four numbers will come up. It pays out 8:1.
Line – betting on two adjacent rows of three numbers (six total) paying out at 5:1.

Inside Bet Odds

The odds of winning inside bets are lower than that of outside bets. That means while you may win more money, you are also likely to win less often. For example, the odds for some of the inside bets are as follows:

Straight up – The odds of winning are 1 in 37 or 1 in 38 for American roulette.
Split – The odds of winning are 2 in 37 or 1 in 19 for American roulette.
Street – The odds of winning are 3 in 37 or 3 in 38 for American roulette.
Corner – The odds of winning are 4 in 37 or 4 in 38 for American roulette.
Line – The odds of winning are 6 in 37 or 6 in 38 for American roulette.

Called Bets

In addition to the well-known inside and outside bets, there are also Called bets in roulette. Called bets, also known as announced or racetrack bets, are a group of special bets that cover specific sections of the wheel. They are only available in European and French Roulette.

These bets include the Voisins du Zero, Tiers du Cylindre, and Orphelins. Called bets have high payouts similar to inside bets but require betting on more numbers.

How to Increase Roulette Odds

A random number generator (RNG) determines the outcome of each spin in online roulette, and with a physical spinning wheel and ball in live roulette there is no way to increase your chances of landing a specific bet. You cannot change the inherent odds in roulette, so remember that no strategy can guarantee a win.

That said, you can make better-informed choices that affect how often you win and how much you risk. The tips below are about managing bets and choosing games with more favourable statistical characteristics, not about altering the fundamental probabilities.

Below are some practical tips to help you make informed choices when playing roulette.

Choose Your Roulette Game Wisely

There are many variations of roulette, so check which ones suit you and offer the best odds. Variants such as double ball roulette and multi-wheel roulette have different features and payout structures, so read the rules before you play.

Look for versions with standard rules and fewer special pockets. Small rule differences can affect the house edge and the expected return on your bets, so choosing a simpler variant can reduce your overall disadvantage.

Also consider table limits and minimum bets, as these affect how you can size your wagers and manage your bankroll over a session.

Place Outside Bets

Outside bets cover larger groups of numbers and therefore have a higher chance of winning than inside bets. Examples include red or black, odd or even, and high or low.

These bets pay out less when they win, but they provide more frequent, lower-value wins compared with single-number bets. That frequency can help you stretch your bankroll and experience steadier short-term results.

Keep in mind that higher frequency does not change the long-term house edge; it only changes the pattern of wins and losses.

Play European Roulette

European roulette has a lower house edge than American roulette. The European wheel has 37 pockets including a single zero, while the American wheel has 38 pockets because it includes both a single zero and a double zero.

Choosing European roulette reduces the house edge and can improve your expected return over time. When available, prefer single-zero wheels and check for any additional rule variations that might further affect the house edge.

The Bottom Line

Understanding the odds and payouts in roulette helps you make informed decisions and deepens your grasp of how the game works. Knowing the difference between single-number payouts and even-money bets, and how wheel types affect the house edge, lets you choose bets that match your goals.

Remember that roulette outcomes are random; while strategy can influence how you bet, nothing you do can change the underlying odds. The house edge remains the same over time, so short-term wins are possible but long-term losses are more likely.

Play within your limits and treat roulette as entertainment rather than a way to make money. Set a budget, stick to it, and avoid chasing losses. If you think gambling is becoming a problem, seek help from appropriate support services.

*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to this game are subject to change at any time.