My journey into the gambling world began with poker, so the importance of knowing the odds of any bet I make is ingrained in my mind. While I understand that some (or most) casino players don’t know the odds for the games they play, I can’t understand why they wouldn’t want to know.
Knowing the odds and house edge of a casino game reveals the long-term expectation for each bet you place, and this is as important in a game like poker, as it is in blackjack, baccarat or, ultimately, roulette.
So, in this article, let’s embark on a quick journey through all the roulette odds, so that next time you play, you’ll know exactly what you’re betting on.
Roulette Odds: How the House Edge Affects Probabilities
The house edge is a simple way of understanding how much the casino expects to make in the long run from a particular game. This advantage can be calculated mathematically for most casino games. For example, since we don’t know the pay tables of all slot machines, it is difficult to calculate the edge for these games. But that’s not the case with roulette:
- In American double zero roulette, the house edge is 5.26%.
- In European single zero roulette, the house edge is 2.7%.
This means that for every $100 wagered, players can expect to lose $5.26 in American Roulette and $2.70 in European Roulette.
This difference is easily explained by the extra zero (0) in European Roulette and the extra zero and double zero (0, 00) in American Roulette.
But how exactly do we calculate this advantage, and how does it translate into roulette odds?
For example, European Roulette has 36 numbered pockets from 1 to 36, plus a green zero, for a total of 37 numbered pockets. Let’s say you bet on number 24. Since you’re betting on one number out of 37, the probability of winning is 1 in 37. But the odds aren’t 1 in 37.
When you bet on a single number, you have one chance of winning and 36 chances of losing. In other words, the odds of winning are 1 to 36, as there is one winning outcome (24) and 36 losing outcomes (all other numbers). Let’s take a closer look.
European Single-Zero Roulette Odds
In European Roulette, the probability of winning a single number bet is 1 in 37. Odds, however, reflect the expected ratio of wins to losses, meaning that for each win, you’re expected to lose 36 times.
So, how does the casino ensure it has an edge? Simple: by paying out 35 to 1 on a winning number instead of the fair 36 to 1.
The maths behind the house edge is also simple. That ‘missing’ unit is divided by the total of 37 possible outcomes, then multiplied by 100 to get the house edge percentage. This gives a rounded house edge of 2.7% for European Roulette.
Here are the odds for each possible bet in European Roulette:
| Bet | Payout | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Red | 1:1 | 48.6% |
| Black | ||
| Even | ||
| Odd | ||
| 1-18 (Low) | ||
| 19-36 (High) | ||
| 1-12 | 2:1 | 32.4% |
| 13-24 | ||
| 25-36 | ||
| Single Number | 35:1 | 2.7% |
American Double-Zero Roulette Odds
On the American wheel, the maths is the same, but with an additional pocket: the double zero (00). So, when betting on a single number, you have one chance of winning and 37 chances of losing. This means that the odds against you are 37 to 1, and the probability of winning is 1 in 38.
The house edge in American Roulette is even higher than in European Roulette because of this extra pocket. Despite the worse odds, the casino is still paying 35 to 1 on a straight-up win, shorting the player by two units compared to a fair payout of 37 to 1.
Using the same formula to calculate the house edge, we divide these 2 ‘missing’ units by the total of 38 possible outcomes, multiply the result by 100, and get a rounded house edge of 5.26%.
Here are the odds for each possible bet in American Roulette:
| Bet | Payout | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Red | 1:1 | 46.37% |
| Black | ||
| Even | ||
| Odd | ||
| 1-18 (Low) | ||
| 19-36 (High) | ||
| 1-12 | 2:1 | 31.58% |
| 13-24 | ||
| 25-36 | ||
| Single Number | 35:1 | 2.63% |
Understanding Roulette Odds: The Basics and Beyond
Roulette odds, while seemingly straightforward, are more nuanced than they appear. As we saw above, the European wheel has odds of 36 to 1, while the American wheel has odds of 37 to 1. However, this doesn’t mean that you’re guaranteed to win once every 37 or 38 spins. These numbers represent the expected outcomes over the long term, over thousands of spins.
In the short term, Roulette outcomes can vary widely. A player could win several times in 20 or 30 spins, or they might only win a handful of times… or not at all. The numbers begin to even out as the number of spins increases, and your winnings (or losses) will reflect the percentages mentioned above.
Roulette odds remain the same whether you’re betting on one spin or a thousand. Players may win in the short term, but it’s impossible to outsmart the game’s maths.
Odds on Roulette: The Example of Red or Black
Roulette odds are consistent across all bets, including even money bets such as “red or black,” “odd or even” and “high or low.”
Theoretically, these bets pay one unit for each unit wagered, suggesting even odds. But in reality, it’s not quite one-to-one due to the green zero pockets. On an American wheel with both 0 and 00, players will win 18 times and lose 20 times over many spins.
The odds here are effectively 20 to 18, giving the house a 5.26% edge! Meanwhile, on a European wheel with only one zero, the odds are closer, at 19 to 18, giving the house, as you might guess, a slightly smaller 2.7% edge.
Roulette Odds: Conclusion
Ultimately, roulette odds are fixed, and understanding how they translate into actual payouts can help players make informed decisions. But remember, the odds are always in the casino’s favour.
So, while it’s true you can’t beat the odds, you can play smart. Use one of our top 3 Roulette strategies to get the most out of your game, and, above all, have fun!
