Unlocking the Secrets of Roulette Odds: The Key to Winning

Playing roulette without knowing its odds can lead to increased risk of losses, unrealistic expectations, poor bankroll management, limited strategy, and higher exposure to the casino’s advantage.

It’s crucial to understand the odds of the game. It empowers players with the knowledge they need to approach the game strategically and enhance their overall experience at the roulette table.

In this guide, explore the fundamental concepts behind roulette odds and explore various strategies to enhance your gameplay.

Highlights of the Article

• Due to one zero pocket, European Roulette has a lower house edge than American Roulette.
• European roulette tables have two rules to reduce the house edge for even-money bets.
• American Roulette has a higher house edge than its European and French counterparts.
• Unlike French Roulette, American Roulette doesn’t usually offer “En Prison” or “La Partage” rules.
• Outside bets have better odds of winning but give smaller payouts.
• Inside bets have the least odds of winning but offer bigger payouts when you win.
• Using ‘Mathematical Expectation,’ players can determine if a chance is worth it.
• 🎲 At a mathematical level, both Simple and Multiple bets are the same.

Objective Of The Game

The objective of playing roulette is to predict and bet on the winning number or group of numbers that the ball will land on after the wheel is spun.

Understanding Roulette Odds and Probability

Roulette odds and probability are two essential concepts that dictate the outcome of each spin. 

While both terms relate to the likelihood of winning, they hold distinct meanings that profoundly impact players’ understanding of the game and their betting strategies. 

Roulette Odds

This represents the payout a player can expect to receive for a winning bet. They are usually expressed in the form of a ratio or fraction. 

For example:

• If you bet on a single number (straight bet) in American roulette, the odds are 35 to 1. 

(This means that if you win, you’ll receive 35 times your original bet in addition to getting back your initial wager.)

Roulette Probability

On the other hand, it refers to the likelihood of a specific event occurring in the game. It is usually expressed as a percentage or a fraction. 

For example:

• In European roulette, the probability of winning a straight bet on a single number is 1/37 or approximately 2.70%. 

(This means that for every 37 spins, you can expect to win once on average.)

In roulette, the outcome of each bet is determined by the probabilities associated with the numbers or types of bets chosen.

The Types of Roulette Bets and The Odds Behind Them

In the game of Roulette, wagers on the numbered spots are referred to as “inside” bets, while bets on red-black, odd-even, and high-low are categorized as “outside” bets. 

The distinction between inside and outside bets derives from the table layout and the designated areas for chip placement.

Odds for Outside Bets

Outside bets have more chances of winning but offer the least payouts.

The bets are placed on larger groups of numbers, such as red or black, odd or even, or high (19-36) and low (1-18) numbers. 

The payouts for outside bets are not particularly generous, typically offering a 1:1 payout for bets on odd or even numbers encompassing nearly half of the wheel. 

Alternatively, column and dozen bets, which cover 12 numbers on the wheel, provide a slightly better payout of 2:1, granting approximately a 1 in 3 chance of winning. 

The table shows the type of outside bets and their corresponding odds:

Side Note

If the ball settles on 0 or 00, any outside bet will result in a loss.

Odds for Inside Bets

Inside bets have lower chances of winning but offer higher payouts if successful. 

It focuses on specific individual numbers or smaller groups of numbers within the grid.

For Examples: 

• Straight (betting on a single number)
• Split (betting on two adjacent numbers)
• Corner (betting on four adjacent numbers)

Quick Tip

Stick to even-money bets like red/black or odd/even for a more balanced approach with higher winning chances.

The table shows the types of inside bets and their corresponding odds: 

Need to rely on something other than luck?

Unlock the secrets of Roulette’s mathematical intricacies and discover how numbers and probabilities intertwine to create numerous possibilities for the players to win:

Roulette’s Mathematical Model

Side Note

From a mathematical perspective, studying Roulette reveals that every bet can be seen as an experiment with two outcomes: success or failure. The probability of landing on any specific number remains the same, as all numbers have an equal chance of appearing.

Determining the profitability of a bet requires understanding the concept of mathematical expectation. 

Computation for Probability of Winning The Bets

The number of successful outcomes in a series of games follows a Binomial distribution, where “n” represents the number of games played and “p” means the probability of winning the bet.

The probability of hitting x times in n games is n combined with x, by p to the x, by (1-p) to the n-x, where p is the probability of winning and (1-p) the probability of losing:

P(x) = (nCx)(px) (1-p)n-x

n = number of games
x = number of hits
p = probability of winning
P(x) = probability of hitting the outcome x times
(1-p) = probability of losing

Example:

• Let’s consider that you’re playing a European roulette wheel with 37 numbered pockets: numbers 0-36.

Assuming you place a bet on a single number, the probability of winning (p) on a single spin is 1/37 since there are 37 total pockets on the wheel.

Now, let’s say you want to calculate the probability of winning exactly 3 times (x) in 10 spins (n). Using the binomial probability formula, we have:

P(3) = (10/3)(1/37)³ (1-1/37)³
P(3) = 0.009556 ≈ 0.196%

So, the probability of winning exactly 3 times out of 10 games in a single number bet of European roulette, with a 1/37 probability of winning each time, is approximately 0.196%. 

Quick Tip

To determine if a bet is worth it, you must know about “mathematical expectation.”

It’s about calculating the average outcome of a bet over time.

Mathematics behind Roulette Bets

Now, see all the bets or plays of both European and American Roulette to which a player can place their bet and their corresponding probability:

Simple Bets

Simple bets (outside bets) cover larger groups of numbers and offer higher chances of winning but lower payouts. For example: red/black, odd/even, and high/low.

• Red-Black: 
  1 to 1 | probability 18/37 =~ (48.6% European) (47.4% American)
• Even-Odd: 
  1 to 1 | probability 18/37 =~ (48.6% European) (47.4% American)
• Low-High (1-18/19-36):  
  1 to 1 | probability 18/37 =~ (48.6% European) (47.4% American)

Multiple Bets

Multiple bets (inside bets) cover specific individual numbers or smaller groups and have lower odds of winning but higher payouts—examples: straight, split, and corner.

• Double Dozen: 
1/2  to 1 | probability 24/37 =~ (64.8% European) (63.1% American)
• Double Column: 
1/2 to 1 | probability 24/37 =~ (64.8% European) (63.1% American)
• Dozen:
2 to 1 | probability 12/37=~  (32.4% European) (31.6% American)
• Column:
2 to 1 | probability 12/37 =~ (32.4% European) (31.6% American)
• Line/ 6 number: 
5 to 1 | probability 6/37 =~ (16.2% European) (15.8% American)
• Corner: 
8 to 1 | probability 4/37 =~ (10.8% European) (10.5% American)
• Street: 
11 to 1 | probability 6/37 =~ (8.1% European) (7.9% American)
• Split: 
17 to 1 | probability 2/37 =~ (5.4% European) (5.3% American)
• Straight Up: 
35 to 1 | probability 1/37 =~ (2.7% European) (2.60% American)

Side Note

Both Simple and Multiple bets are the same at a mathematical level. Remember that if a chance is more difficult to hit, it is rewarded better.

The Odds of Winning 3 Different Types of Roulette

Roulette’s RTP percentage is 94% to 97%, making it highly favored for its appealing combination of simplicity, thrill, and the opportunity for significant payouts.

To increase your winning chances, it is key to know that roulette has 3 variants:

1. European,
2. French, and;
3. American.

Each version has a unique wheel configuration, affecting the odds offered to players. 

They may seem similar, but their clear differences significantly affect the game’s overall outcome and should be thoroughly understood for better gameplay.

In this section, the differences between the three variants will be discussed.

European Roulette

European Roulette is one of the main forms of Roulette likely to be encountered in online and European land-based casinos.

In terms of odds, it falls in the median, as French Roulette offers the most favorable odds, while American Roulette presents the least favorable odds.

Did You Know?

European Roulette is believed to have originated in Europe, with the earliest versions traced back to France in the 17th century.

Wheel Design – European Version

European Roulette features a wheel with 37 numbered pockets labeled from 0 to 36. The numbers are distributed alternately in red and black colors. 

The inclusion of a single zero pocket (0) distinguishes European Roulette from American Roulette, which has both a single and a double zero pocket.

House Edge

Due to the single zero pocket, European Roulette’s lower house edge of 2.7% makes it more player-friendly than the American version, with its higher house edge of around 5.26%. 

Side Note

Even though European Roulette has a lower house than American, remember that is still a game of chance, and there is no guaranteed strategy for winning.

Betting Options

European Roulette offers betting options, including inside bets on specific numbers or groups and outside bets on larger sections like red/black, odd/even, or high/low.

Rules

Some European roulette tables have “En Prison” and “La Partage” rules, reducing the house edge for even-money bets. 

• En Prison – Lets players keep half their bet for the next spin.
• La Partage  – Immediately returns half the bet to the player when the ball lands on zero.

Side Note

Even though “La Partage” is beneficial, not all French roulette tables offer this rule. Make sure to check the rules before playing.

French Roulette

French Roulette is similar to European Roulette regarding wheel design, house edge, and betting options. 

Here’s a concise overview:

Wheel Design – French Version

The wheel layout is identical to the European version, with a single zero pocket (0).

In contrast to American and European Roulette, the numbers grid is horizontally positioned at the center of the table. 

Around the grid, you’ll find Outside bets like High, Even, and Black above and Low, Odd, and Red below. Additionally, the Dozen Bets are on both sides of the grid.

Did You Know?

In French Roulette, players can make “Call Bets,” also known as “Announced Bets.” These are special bets placed on specific wheel sections, and the croupier announces them.

House Edge

With only one zero pocket, French Roulette has a lower house edge of approximately 2.70%, just like European Roulette. 

Betting Options

French Roulette provides a wide range of betting options, including inside bets on specific numbers or groups and outside bets on larger sections like red/black, odd/even, or high/low.

Rules

French Roulette introduces unique rules, namely “la partage” and “en prison,” which differentiate it from other game versions. 

• La partage – If one loses an Outside bet due to the ball rolling in the zero pocket, the bettor receives half of his chance back. 
• En prison – The bet remains in place, marked as “en prison,” when the ball lands on zero. 

It allows you to win back the money placed on an Outside bet. 

These rules are exclusive to French Roulette, offering players a statistical advantage and reducing the house edge on even money bets to 1.35%.

Quick Tip

Take advantage of the “La Partage” rule when available. It decreases the house edge on even-money bets, making it a more player-friendly option.

American Roulette

American Roulette is a well-known variation of the classic casino game with its distinctive features.

The following is a concise overview of the American roulette wheel design, house edge, betting options, and rules:

Wheel Design – American Version

American Roulette resembles European Roulette in table layout but has a double zero (00) and a single zero (0). 

The number grid is vertical, and zero and double zero bets are on the left. Outside chances are below the grid in two rows.

House Edge

American Roulette has a higher house edge of approximately 5.26% compared to European and French Roulette due to the inclusion of single zero and double zero pockets.

Betting Options

Players can place inside bets on specific numbers or groups within the grid and outside bets covering larger sections like red/black, odd/even, or high/low.

Rules

Unlike French Roulette, American Roulette does not typically offer “En Prison” or “La Partage” rules.

This means that when the ball lands on zero or double zero, players lose their even-money bets unless stated otherwise by the specific casino rules.

Did You Know?

Exclusive to American Roulette, “Five-Number Bet” offers the highest house edge and is generally considered a riskier bet that covers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3.

Roulette 101: Terminologies

This glossary of roulette betting language will make it easier for beginners to easily understand the terms experienced players frequently use to place bets and describe the game’s features.

• Odds – The probability or likelihood of a particular outcome occurring and determines the payout ratio for a winning bet.
• Payout – The money a player receives as winnings for a successful bet based on the specific bet type and associated payout ratio.
• Probability – The likelihood of a particular outcome happening during the game, such as the probability of a specific number or color being the winning result.
• Straight Up – This type of bet involves placing chips on a specific number on the table layout: If the number comes up, the payout is typically 35 times the original wager.
• Split – A type of bet involves placing chips at the intersection of two adjacent numbers on the roulette layout. If either of the two numbers comes up, the payout is typically 17 times the original wager.
• Street – The bet is placed on three numbers positioned horizontally on the layout: If any of these three numbers are the winning outcome, the payout is typically at odds of 11 to 1.
• Trio – In the single-zero variant of the game, the player can bet on either of two three-number combinations: 0/1/2 or 00/2/3. If the winning result corresponds to the selected combination, the payout is typically 11 times the original wager.
• Corner/ Square – The player selects four numbers on the layout that form a square shape: If any of these four numbers are the winning outcome, the payout is typically at odds of 8 to 1.
• Basket/5 Number Bet – In the single-zero version of the game, this bet is placed on the numbers 0, 1, 2, and 3. If any of these four numbers come up as the winning outcome, the payout is typically at odds of 11 to 1.
• Line/Double Street – For this bet, two street wagers are combined, where each wager is placed on three consecutive numbers. The payout is usually 5 to 1 if any of the six numbers in those two streets win.
• Column – If any of the 12 numbers within the chosen vertical column on the table layout wins, the player’s payout is typically at odds of 2 to 1.
• Dozen – If any of the 12 numbers within the selected vertical line is the winning outcome, the player receives a payout typically at odds of 2 to 1: Vertical lines are 1-12, 13-24, and 25-36.
• High/Low – In this bet, players choose low numbers (1-18) or high numbers (19-36) and place their chips accordingly. It covers nearly half of the wheel, and if the winning outcome matches the selected range, the payout is 1 to 1.
• Even/Odd – If the winning outcome matches, they receive a 1 to 1 payout: 48.6% table coverage in European roulette / 47.4% in American roulette.
• Red/Black – This basic bet allows players to wager on all red or black numbers, with a 1 to 1 payout for a winning outcome. New players commonly favor it.
• Betting Table – The betting table in a roulette game is where players place their wagers on different numbers and betting options.
• Even Bets – Wagers placed on options such as even or odd numbers, red or black, or low (1-18) or high (19-36) numbers.
• Single Number – A single number bet in roulette is a wager placed on a specific number on the wheel and has odds of 35 to 1.
• Two Numbers – A two numbers bet in roulette is a bet put on two adjacent numbers on the wheel, with odds typically set at 17 to 1.
• Three Numbers – In the single-zero version of roulette, the player can place a wager on either the three-number combination of 0/1/2 or 00/2/3, which offers an 11:1 payout.
• Four Numbers – A wager placed on a group of four numbers forming a square on the roulette table, with odds typically set at 8 to 1.
• Five Numbers – A bet placed on a specific combination of numbers: 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3, which typically offers a payout of 6 to 1.
• Six Numbers – A wager placed on a group of six numbers, typically two adjacent rows, with odds typically set at 5 to 1.
• Inside Bets – Inside bets in roulette are wagers placed on particular numbers or groups of numbers within the central area of the table layout. It offers higher payouts but lower odds of winning compared to outside bets.
• Outside Bets – An outside bet is a wager placed outside the central numbers on the table, such as on odd or even, red or black, or low (1-18) or high (19-36).
• Zero Spiel – The “zero games” in roulette include numbers closest to 0, such as 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, and 15: The numbers are part of the “neighbors of zero” series but positioned differently within it.
• Voisins du Zéro – French term common in European casinos: It refers to a wager placed on a specific group of numbers near the zero on the roulette wheel.
• Orphelins – A “section bet” is a term commonly used in European casinos: It involves betting on a specific group of numbers that are neighbors on the roulette wheel but apart on the layout.
• Tiers – This bet involves choosing a vertical column on the roulette table layout and betting on all 12 numbers within that column: This results in a payout ratio of 2 to 1.

Roulette 101: Rules and Mechanics

Learning the rules and mechanics of any casino game is essential; this increases the chance of a player beating the game.

Comprehensive Guide on How Roulette Works

Roulette games deal with only four common elements: the ball, the roulette wheel, the roulette, and the chips. All roulette tables operated by a casino have the same basic mechanics:

• A balanced mechanical wheel with colored pockets separated by identical vanes which spins on a supporting post.
• The wheel is held within a wooden frame featuring a track along the outer edge and blocks of various designs.
• A plastic or ivory ball is spun in the track, losing momentum and falling down the frame’s face.
• The ball’s trajectory is randomly altered on three planes, causing it to bounce.
• Finally, the ball lands in one of the pockets on the spinning wheel, determining the outcome of the bets placed on the layout table.

Steps in Playing the Game

To start one set of the game, the following steps are to be observed:

1. Place a Bet: Place a chip,which is called a bet, on the designated section of the table called the “layout”.
2. Spin The Wheel: The croupier initiates the spinning of the wheel.
3. Rolling The Ball: A small white ball is introduced into the wheel and spun in the opposite direction.
4. No More Bets: The betting process continues until the croupier declares “No more bets.”
5. Clear The Losing Bets: Losing bets are cleared from the table leaving only the chips for the winning bets.
6. Pay The Winning Bets: The croupier pays the winning bets based on the payout table and the number of chips laid.
   

In a Nutshell

In roulette, luck is the ultimate factor, so there’s no perfect strategy to beat the game. 

However, depending on which roulette variation you play, you can devise a plan to increase your chances of winning using the information above.

Indeed, Roulette remains a thrilling and unpredictable game, offering excitement and the possibility of winning. 

Remember to embrace the uncertainties, enjoy the gameplay, and remember that while there is no foolproof strategy, a well-planned approach can enhance the overall roulette experience.