KNOW YOUR ROULETTE ODDS
- In American roulette that edge is 5.26% (in some cases, you'll find three zeros and the edge rises to 7.89%). In French roulette there is just a single zero, which immediately lowers the edge to 2.7%. French roulette comes with a La Partage rule, which cuts the house edge down to 1.35%.
- The house edge varies in French roulette depending on the type of bet you are placing. The edge is 2.70% when betting on any non-even money shot, but it lowers to 1.35% for the even money bets. This is very favorable in comparison to other casino games. American roulette.
Roulette odds provide you with the information you need to know how likely you are to win any bet. There are many different bets available on a roulette table, and each one has its own odds. These range from even money bets that pay off nearly half the time, to single number bets that are hard to hit, but which will earn you a lot of money when they do.
French Roulette uses the single-zero layout, meaning there are 37 numbers on the wheel: 1-36, as well as a zero. You can bet on any number you like at odds of 35-1, but combination bets are available, too: betting on two numbers returns 17-1, for instance, and betting on a row of three will earn you 11-1 if one of your numbers is chosen.
French Roulette Odds Game
Before diving deeper into roulette odds, however, it's important that you understand the basics of how to play roulette. Before every spin, you will have the opportunity to place as many bets as you like all around the roulette table. Each of these bets covers one or more of the numbered pockets on the roulette wheel, and comes with its own specific odds of winning.
When the croupier spins the ball around the wheel, it will eventually fall into one of these pockets. The number and color of that pocket will determine which bets win on that spin. At this point, the croupier will mark the winning number, losing bets are taken off the table, and roulette payouts are made for the remaining winning bets before the next spin.
AMERICAN VS. EUROPEAN ROULETTE PROBABILITIES
While the American and European games may seem similar at first glance, the two games actually use different roulette wheels. The American wheel has both a zero (0) and a double zero (00) on it, while the European wheel only has the single zero.
This actually makes a major difference to players. European roulette odds are much better for players, because there is one less pocket on the wheel for the ball to fall into. Since both versions offer the same roulette payouts, this means that the odds and house edge are smaller in European roulette.
Some European roulette games offer additional rules that further help the player cut into the house edge. When a casino offers la partage, that means that you will only lose half of an even money bet (meaning bets like odd/even or red/black) if the ball lands on zero.
En prison is a variation of the la partage rule. Rather than getting half of your bet back, the money will instead be put 'in prison'. after which you can win it all back If the next spin results in a win for that bet. In either case, these options offer the best odds in roulette, as they cut the house edge roughly in half.
EUROPEAN | AMERICAN | |
NO | DOUBLE ZERO | YES |
37 | NUMBER OF SECTORS | 38 |
2.7% | HOUSE EDGE | 5.26% |
97.3% | AVERAGE PAYOUT FOR 100 € | 94.74% |
ROULETTE ODDS AND PAYOUTS EXPLAINED
While there are a wide array of roulette bet types to choose from, these options can mainly be divided into two types: inside bets and outside bets. These categories get their names based on where these bets occur on the roulette table layout. Inside bets are placed on the numbers at the center of the table, while outside bets have special betting areas on the outer portion of the board.
Inside Bets
Inside bets tend to have a lower probability of winning, but they offer the biggest roulette payouts. For this reason, they are often the best way to start playing for those who are new to the game, as they give you a chance to earn a big payout on any given spin without having to risk much money on each bet.
Straight: A bet on a single number. If the ball lands on that number, the bet pays 35-1.
Split: A bet on two adjacent numbers on the roulette table. If either of those numbers hits, the bet pays 17-1.
Street: A bet on a row of three numbers on the roulette layout. If any of those numbers wins, your bet pays out at 11-1 odds.
Corner: A bet on a 'square' of four numbers on the roulette betting layout. If any of these numbers wins, the bet pays 8-1.
Six Line: A bet on two consecutive rows, covering six numbers in total. If the ball lands on any of those numbers, you'll win at 5-1 odds.
First Four: This bet is only available on European roulette tables, and covers the zero along with 1, 2, and 3. If any of those four numbers wins, the bet pays 8-1.
Trio: Like a street bet, this bet covers three numbers, but it includes one of the zeros. For instance, a player can make a trio bet covering 0, 1, and 2. If any of those numbers wins, the bet pays 11-1.
Top Line: This bet is only available on American roulette tables and covers five numbers in total: the zero, double zero, 1, 2, and 3. If the ball lands on any of those numbers, your bet pays out at 6-1 odds.
Outside Bets
Outside bets cover large sections of the wheel, giving you a better chance of winning your bet. However, they also come with smaller payouts, and may require higher minimum wagers than inside bets.
Columns: A column bet covers one of the three columns on the roulette table layout, each of which contains 12 numbers. If any of those 12 numbers wins, your bet pays 2-1 odds.
Dozens: These bets cover sets of 12 consecutive numbers: 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36. If a number in the range you bet on wins, the bet pays 2-1.
Odd/Even: These bets cover all of the odd or even numbers on the table (note that zeros do not count as either odd or even). If a matching number wins, then your bet pays out even money.
Red/Black: These bets cover all pockets – 18 each – of that color. If the ball lands on that color, you win at even money odds.
French Roulette Game
High/Low: These bets cover the range of 1-18 and 19-36. Should the ball land on a number in the range you've chosen, the bet pays even money.
Called & Announced Bets
Called and announced bets are roulette bet types that may not be familiar even to many experienced players. These are more frequently seen in European casinos, and they allow players to make bets by announcing them to the croupier. Called bets can be made on credit, while announced bets require a player to actually have the money on the table in order to make them.Typically, such bets are only offered to known players, usually high rollers. In modern roulette, announced bets are far more common than called bets, as most casinos cannot or will not allow their players to wager on credit.
While any bet can be an announced bet, this option is typically only used for complex wagers, most of which are known as the French bets. These bets cover specific portions of the roulette wheel, which takes several chips to accomplish and can be unwieldy to manage on the standard roulette betting layout. Instead, the croupier can manage those bets for players, sometimes by using the 'racetrack' layout seen on some European roulette tables.
Common announced bets include:Voisins du Zero: This bet covers 17 numbers using nine chips. Your payout will be determined by the type of bet covering the winning number: 16 chips on the corner bet, 22 on the trio, or 17 chips if one of the splits wins.
Jeu Zero: The 'zero game' covers just seven numbers using four chips. If a split wins, the bet will pay out 17 chips. If the number 26 hits, you win 35 chips.
Tiers du Cylindre: This bet covers 12 numbers that lie far away from the zero. It takes six split bets to cover these numbers, and you get a payout of 17 chips if any of them wins.
Orphelins: Made with five chips, this bet has varying payouts. The straight bet on 1 pays 35-1, while the split bets would pay 17-1.
Finals: A final bet covers every number that ends in a specific digit. These are all straight bets paying out at 35-1 odds.
Full Completes: A full complete is a true maximum bet on a single number. These bets involve heavy risks to the player, with the exact payouts depending on what number is hit, various table maximums, and which number is being maxed out.
You can find out more details on each of these on our called bets and announced bets page.
THE BEST ROULETTE BETS FOR YOUR BANKROLL
Our team of experts has years of experience playing roulette, meaning we know all the pro tips and tricks that can help you get the best roulette odds possible. One of the most important things we can share is how to make the best bets possible each time you step up to the roulette table. Here are our favorite bets in roulette:
THE WORST ODDS TO WATCH OUT FOR
While we're happy to give you tips on how to find the best odds in roulette, the best thing we can do for our players is steer them away from bets that aren't worth their time. By avoiding the worst of the worst options, you'll improve your roulette odds and have more fun playing knowing you aren't getting ripped off.
The biggest example is the Top Line or First Five bet on American roulette tables. While the odds in roulette are very consistent across almost all bets, this particular bet is an exception. This is because payouts in roulette are generally designed to be fair for a wheel with 36 pockets, with the house edge coming from the fact that there are actually 37 (European roulette) or 38 (American roulette) pockets for the ball to fall into.
On an American table, that means that whether you make a straight bet at 35-1 payout, or bet on black at even money, the house edge is 2/38, or 5.26%. However, the Top Line bet covers exactly five numbers (0-00-1-2-3), a number that 36 can't be evenly divided into. Casinos offer 6-1 on this bet, which would only be a fair bet if there were 35 pockets. The result of this is a house edge of 7.89%, which is much higher than on any other bet.
The Top Line isn't always the only sucker bet on the table. Generally, it's best to avoid unusual side bets that may be added to the game, especially in online roulette. As in other casino games, these side bets are almost always added to make more money off players and come with extraordinarily high house edges.
HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR ODDS AT ROULETTE
One of the best ways to improve your odds in roulette is by brushing up on your roulette strategy. While the results of each spin are random, roulette strategies can be used to manage your sessions and get the kinds of results you're looking for.
For instance, let's say you want to maximize your chances of booking at least a small win at the end of a session. Your best bet may be the Martingale System, which asks you to place even money bets, doubling your bet amount after a loss. On the other hand, a player looking for a huge payday would be better off trying something like the Guetting System. We cover many of these systems as well as other ways to improve your odds on our roulette strategy page.
The most important thing you can do to maximize your roulette odds is to get some practice in before you try playing for real money. If you're looking to develop your skills or test a new betting strategy, you'll want to check out the 80+ free online roulette titles which are available for you to try without risking any money.
PLAY AT THE TOP ONLINE ROULETTE SITES
At this point, you should have a strong knowledge of roulette odds and payouts, which bets you want to seek out, and which to avoid. Armed with this information, you should feel confident about playing roulette for real cash at one of our top-rated casinos.
We only recommend the most trustworthy and reputable online casinos for our readers. Any of the sites in the table below will provide you with a safe and secure place to enjoy playing roulette.
CASINO | BONUS | RTP | RATING | REVIEW | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | T&C APPLY | PAYOUT | 10 | READ REVIEW | PLAY NOW |
2 | T&C APPLY | PAYOUT | 9.6 | READ REVIEW | PLAY NOW |
3 | T&C APPLY | PAYOUT | 9.3 | READ REVIEW | PLAY NOW |
4 | T&C APPLY | PAYOUT | 9 | READ REVIEW | PLAY NOW |
5 | T&C APPLY | PAYOUT | 9.4 | READ REVIEW | PLAY NOW |
FAQ
🎲 Are roulette odds good?
While roulette odds vary depending on the type of table you are playing at, the odds are generally quite good. That's especially true when compared to other popular gambling options like slot machines, which normally have much higher house edges.
❤️ What is the best bet in roulette?
If you want the best odds in roulette, you'll want to find a European roulette table where you can take advantage of la partage rules on even money bets. Under those conditions, the house edge is just 1.35%.
🎰 What are the best roulette bet combinations?
There are many different roulette bet combinations that are effective, with the best one depending on your goals at the table. Familiarizing yourself with bet systems can help you determine what works for you, and what doesn't.
💰 How much is a roulette chip worth?
The most common value for a roulette chip in an American casino is one dollar. However, this amount can vary depending on how much you buy in for at the table. When you purchase your chips, your croupier will set a value that leaves you with a reasonable amount of chips to play with: buy in for $100, and you'll get dollar chips; start with $10,000 on the table, and each chip might be worth $100 instead.
❓ Are roulette tables rigged?
Generally speaking, roulette tables are fair. Casinos have a mathematical advantage and don't need to cheat to get roulette odds they are happy with. However, there have been plenty of cases where biased wheels have made some numbers appear more often than others – something that attentive players can take advantage of.
CASINO | BONUS | RTP | RATING | REVIEW | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | T&C APPLY | PAYOUT | 10 | READ REVIEW | PLAY NOW |
There are three main variations of roulette that you are most likely to encounter – European, American and French. While appearing similar at first glance, there are distinct differences between them, that significantly affect the game in the long term. Understanding how they are different from each other, can and will have consequences on the outcome of your games. For your convenience, we have compiled all of the important information that you should become familiar with before you begin your roulette career.
Roulette Wheels
The roulette wheel was first invented in the 17th century by French mathematician and physicist Blaise Pascal, while he was looking to create a perpetual motion machine. This version of the wheel was only primitive but it set the stage for a game that would come to dominate the casino halls of Europe. By the end of the 18th century, roulette had become an incredibly popular game. The wheel itself featured a red zero and black double zero pocket.
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In 1843 brothers Francois and Louis Blanc introduced the single zero roulette wheel in the German spa and casino town Bad Homburg. This was done to compete with the French casinos which were dominant gambling establishments in Europe. After gambling was outlawed by the local government, the Frenchmen moved to Monte Carlo, which to this day is known as one of the most prestigious gambling locations in the world, partly due to the Blanc brothers' involvement. There have been rumours and legends about how Francois Blanc acquired the secrets to roulette by making a deal with the devil. This preposterous and ridiculous notion bases its argument on the fact that when you add up all the numbers on a roulette wheel you will get 666, which is considered the Number of the Beast.
Roulette Wheels Additional TipsThe wheel is arguably the most important mechanism in a roulette table, after all, the game is named after it. It is the device where the ball spins and where the number slots are located. There are similarities and differences between the different wheels. An interesting similarity between the French and American wheels is that in ranges from 1 to 10 and 19 to 28 even numbers are colored black and odd numbers are red, whereas it is the opposite in ranges from 11 to 18 and from 29 to 36.
A very significant difference between the two versions is in how the wheel is presented. The American wheel features 36 pockets, colored red and black, as well as two pockets for the zero and the double zero (00). Both zero pockets are positioned on opposite sides of the wheel, with the same being true for every other pair of numbers. Going counterclockwise, the numbers are arranged in the following manner: 0, 2, 14, 35, 23, 4, 16, 33, 21, 6, 18, 31, 19, 8, 12, 29, 25, 10, 27, 00, 1, 13, 36, 24, 3, 15, 34, 22, 5, 17, 32, 20, 7, 11, 30, 26, 9, 28.
European and French Roulette share the same wheel layout and number distribution. Unlike American Roulette, there is only a single zero pocket on the wheel, in addition to the other 36 for the regular numbers. Naturally, this wheel features an alternating red and black color scheme, with green for the zero pocket. Going clockwise, the numbers are positioned in the following sequence: 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25, 17, 34, 6, 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, 33, 1, 20, 14, 31, 9, 22, 18, 29,7 28, 12, 35, 3, 26.
As you can see the only difference between these two types of wheels is a single pocket. While that may seem minor at first glance, it has an immense impact on the game that is certainly felt by experienced players. Below we will go further into detail about how this seemingly small detail can change the game in such a drastic way.
European Roulette
European roulette is one of the main variations of roulette that you are likely to encounter at online and European land-based casinos. This game features 36 numbers and a single zero. It is a very common version of roulette and can be found at most online casinos, as well as land-based establishments in Europe and Asia. European Roulette stands in the middle in terms of odds, with French being first with the most favorable odds, and American being third with the least favorable.
The European Roulette table layout is very cleanly presented. The number grid is laid out horizontally across the table. Beneath it, are located the Outside bets, in two rows. On the top row, you can see the three Dozen bets, while the bottom one you will find the other bets in the following order – Low, Even, Red, Black, Odd, High. The Column bets are placed on the right side of the grid.
French Roulette
French Roulette uses the same wheel and betting options found in European roulette. Both games are practically identical with the exception of two very important rules that players of the French version can benefit from.
French Roulette features some rules not found in the other versions of the game. These are ‘la partage' and ‘en prison'. La partage dictates that when you lose an Outside bet because the ball landed in the zero pocket, then you can receive half of your bet back. The en prison rule, on the other hand, gives you another chance to win back the money placed on an Outside bet when the ball lands on zero. The bet stays in the same spot and is marked as ‘en prison'. If the next spin wins you get you bet back, but if it loses then the house claims it. These rules work in the player's favor and are exclusively featured in French roulette. They give the same statistical advantage and reduce the house edge on even money bets by half down to 1.35%.
The French roulette table layout is specific and different from the American and European. The numbers grid is positioned horizontally across the table. The Outside bets are placed on both sides of it, with High, Even and Black being on top and Low, Odd and Red on the bottom. The Dozen Bets are presents on both the upper and lower right side of the grid.
American Roulette
American Roulette differs slightly from its European and French counterparts. For starters, the wheel is much different in the way the numbers are positioned and the fact that there is an extra pocket for the double zero, bringing the total number of pockets to 38. This changes the game in quite a significant way. For instance, the house edge is pushed further into the favor of the casino to an almost double 5.26%. This is due to the fact that there is an extra pocket, while the payoff ratios remain the same.
Casinos based in Atlantic City feature a version of American Roulette where you can make use of the ‘Surrender' rule. This is practically the same as ‘la partage' in French Roulette, where losing an Outside bet because the ball landed in the zero pocket allows you to keep half of your bet.
The American Roulette table layout closely resembles that of European Roulette with some minor alterations. The number grid is laid out vertically, instead of horizontally, and on its left side, you will find the zero and double zero bets. The Outside bets are also positioned beneath the grid in two rows.
Odds Comparison
As mentioned above, the use of different wheels has a significant impact on the game and it is most felt in the odds. A game of French or European roulette has a much lower house edge than one using an American wheel. This is due to the extra pocket on the American version. On a European game, there are 37 possible outcomes. When you place a Straight Up bet the chance to win is 1 in 37, meaning odds 36:1.
However, this bet pays only 35:1 if you win it. The difference between true odds and casino odds is what is referred to as the house edge. The house edge is the statistical advantage that the casino has against its players. For example, if you spin the wheel 37 times you are expected to win once and lose 36 times. If the game paid 36:1 on a winning bet you bankroll would not suffer since every win makes up for the other 36 losses. However, in reality, the game pays 35:1 when you win a single number bet.
Odds Comparison Additional TipsThat means that if you spin the wheel 37 times and win once and lose 36 times, you will leave the table with a negative balance. With this into account, we can calculate how often the house will keep your money. The difference between true odds and casino odds are 36 – 35 = 1. So 1 out of every 37 spins will be a guaranteed loss in the long run, or put simply, 1/37 = 2.7% of the time. This percentage of all money wagered at a roulette table will be kept by the house, with the other 97.3% being paid out in winnings.
French Roulette, however, features the ‘la partage' or ‘en prison' rule, where you either get to keep half of your bet or get another chance at betting in a situation where you would normally lose your money on an even money bet. Due to this fact, the house edge of this game is brought down by half at 1.35%.
Inside Bets
Inside bets tend to have a lower probability of winning, but they offer the biggest roulette payouts. For this reason, they are often the best way to start playing for those who are new to the game, as they give you a chance to earn a big payout on any given spin without having to risk much money on each bet.
Straight: A bet on a single number. If the ball lands on that number, the bet pays 35-1.
Split: A bet on two adjacent numbers on the roulette table. If either of those numbers hits, the bet pays 17-1.
Street: A bet on a row of three numbers on the roulette layout. If any of those numbers wins, your bet pays out at 11-1 odds.
Corner: A bet on a 'square' of four numbers on the roulette betting layout. If any of these numbers wins, the bet pays 8-1.
Six Line: A bet on two consecutive rows, covering six numbers in total. If the ball lands on any of those numbers, you'll win at 5-1 odds.
First Four: This bet is only available on European roulette tables, and covers the zero along with 1, 2, and 3. If any of those four numbers wins, the bet pays 8-1.
Trio: Like a street bet, this bet covers three numbers, but it includes one of the zeros. For instance, a player can make a trio bet covering 0, 1, and 2. If any of those numbers wins, the bet pays 11-1.
Top Line: This bet is only available on American roulette tables and covers five numbers in total: the zero, double zero, 1, 2, and 3. If the ball lands on any of those numbers, your bet pays out at 6-1 odds.
Outside Bets
Outside bets cover large sections of the wheel, giving you a better chance of winning your bet. However, they also come with smaller payouts, and may require higher minimum wagers than inside bets.
Columns: A column bet covers one of the three columns on the roulette table layout, each of which contains 12 numbers. If any of those 12 numbers wins, your bet pays 2-1 odds.
Dozens: These bets cover sets of 12 consecutive numbers: 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36. If a number in the range you bet on wins, the bet pays 2-1.
Odd/Even: These bets cover all of the odd or even numbers on the table (note that zeros do not count as either odd or even). If a matching number wins, then your bet pays out even money.
Red/Black: These bets cover all pockets – 18 each – of that color. If the ball lands on that color, you win at even money odds.
French Roulette Game
High/Low: These bets cover the range of 1-18 and 19-36. Should the ball land on a number in the range you've chosen, the bet pays even money.
Called & Announced Bets
Called and announced bets are roulette bet types that may not be familiar even to many experienced players. These are more frequently seen in European casinos, and they allow players to make bets by announcing them to the croupier. Called bets can be made on credit, while announced bets require a player to actually have the money on the table in order to make them.Typically, such bets are only offered to known players, usually high rollers. In modern roulette, announced bets are far more common than called bets, as most casinos cannot or will not allow their players to wager on credit.
While any bet can be an announced bet, this option is typically only used for complex wagers, most of which are known as the French bets. These bets cover specific portions of the roulette wheel, which takes several chips to accomplish and can be unwieldy to manage on the standard roulette betting layout. Instead, the croupier can manage those bets for players, sometimes by using the 'racetrack' layout seen on some European roulette tables.
Common announced bets include:Voisins du Zero: This bet covers 17 numbers using nine chips. Your payout will be determined by the type of bet covering the winning number: 16 chips on the corner bet, 22 on the trio, or 17 chips if one of the splits wins.
Jeu Zero: The 'zero game' covers just seven numbers using four chips. If a split wins, the bet will pay out 17 chips. If the number 26 hits, you win 35 chips.
Tiers du Cylindre: This bet covers 12 numbers that lie far away from the zero. It takes six split bets to cover these numbers, and you get a payout of 17 chips if any of them wins.
Orphelins: Made with five chips, this bet has varying payouts. The straight bet on 1 pays 35-1, while the split bets would pay 17-1.
Finals: A final bet covers every number that ends in a specific digit. These are all straight bets paying out at 35-1 odds.
Full Completes: A full complete is a true maximum bet on a single number. These bets involve heavy risks to the player, with the exact payouts depending on what number is hit, various table maximums, and which number is being maxed out.
You can find out more details on each of these on our called bets and announced bets page.
THE BEST ROULETTE BETS FOR YOUR BANKROLL
Our team of experts has years of experience playing roulette, meaning we know all the pro tips and tricks that can help you get the best roulette odds possible. One of the most important things we can share is how to make the best bets possible each time you step up to the roulette table. Here are our favorite bets in roulette:
THE WORST ODDS TO WATCH OUT FOR
While we're happy to give you tips on how to find the best odds in roulette, the best thing we can do for our players is steer them away from bets that aren't worth their time. By avoiding the worst of the worst options, you'll improve your roulette odds and have more fun playing knowing you aren't getting ripped off.
The biggest example is the Top Line or First Five bet on American roulette tables. While the odds in roulette are very consistent across almost all bets, this particular bet is an exception. This is because payouts in roulette are generally designed to be fair for a wheel with 36 pockets, with the house edge coming from the fact that there are actually 37 (European roulette) or 38 (American roulette) pockets for the ball to fall into.
On an American table, that means that whether you make a straight bet at 35-1 payout, or bet on black at even money, the house edge is 2/38, or 5.26%. However, the Top Line bet covers exactly five numbers (0-00-1-2-3), a number that 36 can't be evenly divided into. Casinos offer 6-1 on this bet, which would only be a fair bet if there were 35 pockets. The result of this is a house edge of 7.89%, which is much higher than on any other bet.
The Top Line isn't always the only sucker bet on the table. Generally, it's best to avoid unusual side bets that may be added to the game, especially in online roulette. As in other casino games, these side bets are almost always added to make more money off players and come with extraordinarily high house edges.
HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR ODDS AT ROULETTE
One of the best ways to improve your odds in roulette is by brushing up on your roulette strategy. While the results of each spin are random, roulette strategies can be used to manage your sessions and get the kinds of results you're looking for.
For instance, let's say you want to maximize your chances of booking at least a small win at the end of a session. Your best bet may be the Martingale System, which asks you to place even money bets, doubling your bet amount after a loss. On the other hand, a player looking for a huge payday would be better off trying something like the Guetting System. We cover many of these systems as well as other ways to improve your odds on our roulette strategy page.
The most important thing you can do to maximize your roulette odds is to get some practice in before you try playing for real money. If you're looking to develop your skills or test a new betting strategy, you'll want to check out the 80+ free online roulette titles which are available for you to try without risking any money.
PLAY AT THE TOP ONLINE ROULETTE SITES
At this point, you should have a strong knowledge of roulette odds and payouts, which bets you want to seek out, and which to avoid. Armed with this information, you should feel confident about playing roulette for real cash at one of our top-rated casinos.
We only recommend the most trustworthy and reputable online casinos for our readers. Any of the sites in the table below will provide you with a safe and secure place to enjoy playing roulette.
CASINO | BONUS | RTP | RATING | REVIEW | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | T&C APPLY | PAYOUT | 10 | READ REVIEW | PLAY NOW |
2 | T&C APPLY | PAYOUT | 9.6 | READ REVIEW | PLAY NOW |
3 | T&C APPLY | PAYOUT | 9.3 | READ REVIEW | PLAY NOW |
4 | T&C APPLY | PAYOUT | 9 | READ REVIEW | PLAY NOW |
5 | T&C APPLY | PAYOUT | 9.4 | READ REVIEW | PLAY NOW |
FAQ
🎲 Are roulette odds good?
While roulette odds vary depending on the type of table you are playing at, the odds are generally quite good. That's especially true when compared to other popular gambling options like slot machines, which normally have much higher house edges.
❤️ What is the best bet in roulette?
If you want the best odds in roulette, you'll want to find a European roulette table where you can take advantage of la partage rules on even money bets. Under those conditions, the house edge is just 1.35%.
🎰 What are the best roulette bet combinations?
There are many different roulette bet combinations that are effective, with the best one depending on your goals at the table. Familiarizing yourself with bet systems can help you determine what works for you, and what doesn't.
💰 How much is a roulette chip worth?
The most common value for a roulette chip in an American casino is one dollar. However, this amount can vary depending on how much you buy in for at the table. When you purchase your chips, your croupier will set a value that leaves you with a reasonable amount of chips to play with: buy in for $100, and you'll get dollar chips; start with $10,000 on the table, and each chip might be worth $100 instead.
❓ Are roulette tables rigged?
Generally speaking, roulette tables are fair. Casinos have a mathematical advantage and don't need to cheat to get roulette odds they are happy with. However, there have been plenty of cases where biased wheels have made some numbers appear more often than others – something that attentive players can take advantage of.
CASINO | BONUS | RTP | RATING | REVIEW | |
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1 | T&C APPLY | PAYOUT | 10 | READ REVIEW | PLAY NOW |
There are three main variations of roulette that you are most likely to encounter – European, American and French. While appearing similar at first glance, there are distinct differences between them, that significantly affect the game in the long term. Understanding how they are different from each other, can and will have consequences on the outcome of your games. For your convenience, we have compiled all of the important information that you should become familiar with before you begin your roulette career.
Roulette Wheels
The roulette wheel was first invented in the 17th century by French mathematician and physicist Blaise Pascal, while he was looking to create a perpetual motion machine. This version of the wheel was only primitive but it set the stage for a game that would come to dominate the casino halls of Europe. By the end of the 18th century, roulette had become an incredibly popular game. The wheel itself featured a red zero and black double zero pocket.
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In 1843 brothers Francois and Louis Blanc introduced the single zero roulette wheel in the German spa and casino town Bad Homburg. This was done to compete with the French casinos which were dominant gambling establishments in Europe. After gambling was outlawed by the local government, the Frenchmen moved to Monte Carlo, which to this day is known as one of the most prestigious gambling locations in the world, partly due to the Blanc brothers' involvement. There have been rumours and legends about how Francois Blanc acquired the secrets to roulette by making a deal with the devil. This preposterous and ridiculous notion bases its argument on the fact that when you add up all the numbers on a roulette wheel you will get 666, which is considered the Number of the Beast.
Roulette Wheels Additional TipsThe wheel is arguably the most important mechanism in a roulette table, after all, the game is named after it. It is the device where the ball spins and where the number slots are located. There are similarities and differences between the different wheels. An interesting similarity between the French and American wheels is that in ranges from 1 to 10 and 19 to 28 even numbers are colored black and odd numbers are red, whereas it is the opposite in ranges from 11 to 18 and from 29 to 36.
A very significant difference between the two versions is in how the wheel is presented. The American wheel features 36 pockets, colored red and black, as well as two pockets for the zero and the double zero (00). Both zero pockets are positioned on opposite sides of the wheel, with the same being true for every other pair of numbers. Going counterclockwise, the numbers are arranged in the following manner: 0, 2, 14, 35, 23, 4, 16, 33, 21, 6, 18, 31, 19, 8, 12, 29, 25, 10, 27, 00, 1, 13, 36, 24, 3, 15, 34, 22, 5, 17, 32, 20, 7, 11, 30, 26, 9, 28.
European and French Roulette share the same wheel layout and number distribution. Unlike American Roulette, there is only a single zero pocket on the wheel, in addition to the other 36 for the regular numbers. Naturally, this wheel features an alternating red and black color scheme, with green for the zero pocket. Going clockwise, the numbers are positioned in the following sequence: 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25, 17, 34, 6, 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, 33, 1, 20, 14, 31, 9, 22, 18, 29,7 28, 12, 35, 3, 26.
As you can see the only difference between these two types of wheels is a single pocket. While that may seem minor at first glance, it has an immense impact on the game that is certainly felt by experienced players. Below we will go further into detail about how this seemingly small detail can change the game in such a drastic way.
European Roulette
European roulette is one of the main variations of roulette that you are likely to encounter at online and European land-based casinos. This game features 36 numbers and a single zero. It is a very common version of roulette and can be found at most online casinos, as well as land-based establishments in Europe and Asia. European Roulette stands in the middle in terms of odds, with French being first with the most favorable odds, and American being third with the least favorable.
The European Roulette table layout is very cleanly presented. The number grid is laid out horizontally across the table. Beneath it, are located the Outside bets, in two rows. On the top row, you can see the three Dozen bets, while the bottom one you will find the other bets in the following order – Low, Even, Red, Black, Odd, High. The Column bets are placed on the right side of the grid.
French Roulette
French Roulette uses the same wheel and betting options found in European roulette. Both games are practically identical with the exception of two very important rules that players of the French version can benefit from.
French Roulette features some rules not found in the other versions of the game. These are ‘la partage' and ‘en prison'. La partage dictates that when you lose an Outside bet because the ball landed in the zero pocket, then you can receive half of your bet back. The en prison rule, on the other hand, gives you another chance to win back the money placed on an Outside bet when the ball lands on zero. The bet stays in the same spot and is marked as ‘en prison'. If the next spin wins you get you bet back, but if it loses then the house claims it. These rules work in the player's favor and are exclusively featured in French roulette. They give the same statistical advantage and reduce the house edge on even money bets by half down to 1.35%.
The French roulette table layout is specific and different from the American and European. The numbers grid is positioned horizontally across the table. The Outside bets are placed on both sides of it, with High, Even and Black being on top and Low, Odd and Red on the bottom. The Dozen Bets are presents on both the upper and lower right side of the grid.
American Roulette
American Roulette differs slightly from its European and French counterparts. For starters, the wheel is much different in the way the numbers are positioned and the fact that there is an extra pocket for the double zero, bringing the total number of pockets to 38. This changes the game in quite a significant way. For instance, the house edge is pushed further into the favor of the casino to an almost double 5.26%. This is due to the fact that there is an extra pocket, while the payoff ratios remain the same.
Casinos based in Atlantic City feature a version of American Roulette where you can make use of the ‘Surrender' rule. This is practically the same as ‘la partage' in French Roulette, where losing an Outside bet because the ball landed in the zero pocket allows you to keep half of your bet.
The American Roulette table layout closely resembles that of European Roulette with some minor alterations. The number grid is laid out vertically, instead of horizontally, and on its left side, you will find the zero and double zero bets. The Outside bets are also positioned beneath the grid in two rows.
Odds Comparison
As mentioned above, the use of different wheels has a significant impact on the game and it is most felt in the odds. A game of French or European roulette has a much lower house edge than one using an American wheel. This is due to the extra pocket on the American version. On a European game, there are 37 possible outcomes. When you place a Straight Up bet the chance to win is 1 in 37, meaning odds 36:1.
However, this bet pays only 35:1 if you win it. The difference between true odds and casino odds is what is referred to as the house edge. The house edge is the statistical advantage that the casino has against its players. For example, if you spin the wheel 37 times you are expected to win once and lose 36 times. If the game paid 36:1 on a winning bet you bankroll would not suffer since every win makes up for the other 36 losses. However, in reality, the game pays 35:1 when you win a single number bet.
Odds Comparison Additional TipsThat means that if you spin the wheel 37 times and win once and lose 36 times, you will leave the table with a negative balance. With this into account, we can calculate how often the house will keep your money. The difference between true odds and casino odds are 36 – 35 = 1. So 1 out of every 37 spins will be a guaranteed loss in the long run, or put simply, 1/37 = 2.7% of the time. This percentage of all money wagered at a roulette table will be kept by the house, with the other 97.3% being paid out in winnings.
French Roulette, however, features the ‘la partage' or ‘en prison' rule, where you either get to keep half of your bet or get another chance at betting in a situation where you would normally lose your money on an even money bet. Due to this fact, the house edge of this game is brought down by half at 1.35%.
We use the same method to determine the house edge of American roulette. The American variation features 38 possible outcomes, with numbers 1 through 36, zero and double zero. Meaning that every you can expect to win every 1 in 38 spins, which makes for 37:1 true odds. However, the American version still pays 35:1 on a Straight Up bet. The difference between true odds and casino odds are 37 – 35 = 2. With this in mind, we will lose money on 2 out of every 38 spins, or 2/38 = 5.26% of the time. The addition of the extra zero pocket nearly doubles the house edge and makes this game unfavorable.
Furthermore, American roulette features a bet not found in the French or European version. The Basket bet, where you bet on 0-00-1-2-3, pays 6:1 when in reality it should be slightly higher. The chance to lose is 33 in 38 times against 5 in 38 times to win, meaning true odds of 6.6 to 1. But the difference between the true odds and the casino odds is 6.6 – 6 = 0.6. So on an average of 7.6 spins, we will lose money on 0.6 of those spins, which translates to 0.6/7.6 = 7.8947% house edge.
What you have to take into account is that this data is meant to represent the overall advantage of the casino over the course of thousands of spins. It is only indicative of the results in the long term. It is impossible, however, to determine what can happen in the short term. This is the reason why reason why some players are able to enter a casino and leave with huge winnings. Essentially, what you should take from this is that if you play for long enough you will start to lose money. It is best to keep your roulette sessions within a reasonable time frame to avoid the negative effect of the house edge.
Bet Comparison
Roulette has some of the broadest betting options out of most, if not all, casino games. You can bet on specific numbers, groups of number, the color of the winning number, etc. Since there are several versions of roulette, it makes sense for there to be differences between their bets. For starters, European, French and American roulette feature relatively the same betting options. Below you will find a detailed account of all of the betting options and how they differ between the popular versions.
This is a bet on a single number in the grind. This bet pays 35:1 across all versions of the game. The true odds are 36:1 on French and European roulette, and 37:1 on American roulette.
A bet on two numbers from a single unit. The chip is placed on the border that separates the two numbers. This bet pays 17:1 on either version, but the true odds are 17.5:1 on French and European Roulette and 18:1 on American Roulette.
This bet covers a horizontal row of 3 numbers at the same time. The chip is placed on the leftmost side of the row. The bet has a payout of 11:1, but the actual odds of winning are 11.33:1 on European and French roulette, and 11.67:1 on American Roulette.
A bet on four adjoining numbers simultaneously. The chips are placed on the point where the four numbers meet. Winning this bet will result in a payout of 8:1. The true odds are 8.25:1 for the European and French version, and 8.5:1 on American roulette.
This bet only exists on American Roulette and it covers numbers 0-00-1-2-3. This is one of the worst bets that you can place since it features the worst odds in the game. Winning a Basket bet will net you a 6:1 payout, whereas the odds of winning one is 6.6:1. As we covered previously in the article, this bet has a 7.89% house edge, whereas other American roulette bets have only a 5.26% house advantage.
This is essentially a double Street bet. It covers 6 consecutive numbers or two rows. The chips are placed on the spot where the meeting point of the two rows. Winning a Line Bet rewards you 5:1 while having true odds of 5.167:1 on European and 5.33:1 on American Roulette.
This is a bet whether or not the winning number will belong to one of the three vertical columns. The payout ratio is 2:1, while the true odds are 2.083:1 on European and French Roulette and 2.167:1 on American Roulette.
This bet is practically identical to the Column Bet in terms of odds and payout ratios. The only difference is that you bet on a different set of 12 numbers. The three groups of numbers are 1-12, 13-24, 25-36.
Here you wager on the parity of the winning number. These two bets are identical in payout and odds. Both pay even money – 1:1, but the real chance to win a bet is 1.056:1 on European and French Roulette, with 1.11:1 being the true odds on American Roulette.
This is a bet on the color of the winning number. This bet pays even money and features true odds of 1.056:1 on European and French Roulette and 1.11:1 on the American variety.
This bet involves wagering in which group the winning number will belong. The possibilities are either between 1-18 or 18-36. These bets feature identical odds and payouts as the other even money bets on roulette.
As you can see, the American version of roulette features much worse odds than its European and French counterparts. This is due to fact that it pays the same amount of money for a winning bet, while having worse true odds. The addition of the double zero pocket has a significant influence on the return to player percentage. For example, on European roulette for every dollar that you wager you can statistically expect a return of $-0.027, whereas on American roulette that number increases to $-0.053 on all bets, with the exception of the Basket bet where the player return would be $-0.079. Statistically, American Roulette is the worst to play in terms of odds and return to player ratios.
Call Bets
Call bets, also known as announced bets, are a specific type of bets normally played on European and French Roulette. Technically, there is a difference between call and announced bets. A call bet is when the player does not have enough funds to cover the cost of their bet so the house extends credit to them on the table. Whereas announced bets are placed by the gambler using their own money.
Call bets are not permitted in some places in the world, as several jurisdictions have made it illegal to gamble on credit. Whatever the case is, these types of bets refer to wagers not generally found on the table. While some tables have specifically dedicated grids for them on the layout, most do not. They are taken at the convenience of the dealer and can be refused if they do not have time to place them.
This is a bet on all numbers placed between 22 and 25 on the wheel. There are nine of those in total and you will require that many chips to place the bet. The numbers are 22-18-29-7-28-12-35-3-26-0-32-15-19-4-21-2-25 on a single zero wheel.
Here you bet on numbers that are located close to the zero. The sequence includes the numbers 12-35-3-26-0-32-15. A minimum of four chips are required to place this bet, three on the 12-15, 0-3, 32-35 Splits and a single one for a Straight Up bet on 26.
Translating to ‘a third of the wheel' in English, this bet involves just that. You place bets on the numbers between 27 and 33, which are 12 in total. While twelve may not the be an exact third, it is the closest you can get to one-third of 37. Six chips or multiples of that number are required to place this bet. The splits you have to bet on are 5-8, 10-11, 13-16, 23-24, 27-30, and 33-36.
The numbers that make up this bet are located on two opposite sides of the wheel. Numbers 1-20-14-31-9 are located on one end, while 17-34-6 are placed on the opposite. Five chips or multiples of that are required to make this bet. A single Straight Up bet is placed on 1, and four others on the Splits 6-9, 14-17, 17-20, and 31-34.
This is a somewhat self-explanatory bet, covering a number and the four others surrounding it. This requires five chips to be wagered on each individual number. A bet on 5 and the neighbours, for instance, would be to bet on 32-10-5-24-16.
A final bet is a bet on all number ending in ‘x'. For example, when you place Final threes you wager on 3-13-23-33. The number of chips required varies between the different Finals bets. Finals 0 through 6 needs four chips, whereas Finals 7 through 9 requires only three.