In order to improve your roulette skills, having a clear understanding of odds and payouts is essential. This article aims to clarify the differences between European and American roulette, and how they affect the advantage the house has. Furthermore, it provides a comprehensive analysis of roulette odds, payouts, and the house edge.
American vs. European roulette odds
Although American and European roulette may seem alike, with many similarities between them such as the presence of a ball, a wheel, and various betting options presented in a similar layout, there is a key difference. The factor that sets them apart is the exclusive presence of an additional green pocket in American roulette.
The game of European roulette is played with 36 pockets, which are colored black and red, and one green pocket for the number zero. In contrast, American roulette has 36 pockets of red and black, but it also includes two green pockets: one for zero and another for double zero. This seemingly small but significant difference greatly affects the chances of winning.
The probability of the ball landing on the number 10 in European roulette is 1 out of 37, due to the presence of 37 numbered pockets on the wheel. Conversely, in American roulette, the odds increase slightly to 1 out of 38.
It is crucial to understand that the payout for placing a bet on a single number in both types of roulette tables is 35:1. Nevertheless, it should be emphasized that this payout is intentionally set to favor the house. In American roulette, the inclusion of an additional zero space magnifies this advantage to 5.26%, whereas in the European version, it stands at 2.7%.
Is there any way to lower the house advantage in French roulette, which only has one green zero pocket? One rule that can help is the “la partage” rule, where players can get back half of their original bet for even-money wagers (high-low, red/black, even/odd) if the ball lands on zero. Another version of this rule is called “en prison” or “in prison” in English. If you placed an even-money bet and the ball lands on zero, you can choose to keep your bet for the next round.
In addition to its distinctiveness, American roulette presents a special wager known as the “five number” bet. This particular bet encompasses the numbers 1, 2, 3, along with the two zeros. Despite its attractive 6:1 payout, this bet carries a 7.9% house edge, making it initially appealing but not recommended for long-term play.
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What are the different payouts in roulette?
Whether you choose to play roulette at a brick-and-mortar establishment or through an online casino platform, you will come across different types of bets. These bets are typically divided into two categories known as inside and outside bets, which are named after their respective positions on the table layout.
In terms of winning chances, inside bets hold a significantly lower probability than outside bets. On the contrary, outside bets offer a greater likelihood of winning, yet their payouts are lower when compared to inside bets.
Payouts for inside bets
- Placing a straight bet entails wagering on a particular number, and if the ball lands on that number, you secure a victory. The reward for this wager is 35 times the sum you initially placed.
- When a bet is made on two numbers that are next to each other either horizontally or vertically, it is called a split. For instance, 8 and 9 can be a split. If the bet is successful, the payout will be at a ratio of 17 to 1.
- A street bet refers to a wager placed on a sequence of three consecutive numbers, for example, 4, 5, and 6. Should the bet be successful, the payout ratio is 11:1.
- In order to participate in the Square bet, select four numbers that create a corner on the table, such as 17, 18, 20, and 21. This specific bet provides a payout ratio of 8:1.
- The double street, also known as the six-line, is a bet where you wager on six consecutive numbers that cover two horizontal rows. To place this bet, just position your chip on the intersection of the two rows. If you win, the payout ratio is 5:1.
- The Trio bet is comparable to the street bet, with the distinction of including the number zero. For example, it encompasses the numbers 0, 1, and 2. This bet has a payout ratio of 11:1.
- In American roulette, the exclusive top line or basket bet involves wagering on a combination of five numbers: zero, double zero, 1, 2, and 3. If luck is on your side, the payout ratio for this bet stands at 6:1.
Payouts for outside bets
- Are you interested in placing a wager on whether the ball will land in a slot with an even or odd number? Please note that the number zero is excluded. If you win, the payout will be the same as your bet, resulting in a 1:1 ratio.
- In the game of roulette, you have the option to select either red or black. Apart from zero, all numbers on the roulette wheel are categorized as either red or black. The wheel consists of an equal number of 18 black and 18 red pockets, resulting in a perfectly balanced distribution. This kind of bet is known as an even-money bet, guaranteeing a payout of 1:1.
- Does it fall under the low or high category? A low bet is considered a win when the ball lands on any number between 1 and 18, whereas a high bet includes numbers 19 to 36. Both bets have a payout ratio of 1:1.
- You are given the choice to place a bet on one of the three dozens available: the first dozen (1-12), second dozen (13-24), or third dozen (25-36). Each bet has a payout ratio of 2:1.
- Placing a bet on a vertical column of 12 numbers, known as “Columns,” grants the same payout as a dozens bet, with odds of 2:1.
Roulette payouts and odds chart
Which bets in roulette offer the best odds? The following table presents a detailed overview of the main roulette bets, outlining their payouts and the probability of winning each bet. It is worth noting that European roulette has a lower house edge of 2.7%, while American roulette has a higher house edge of 5.26%.
| Bet Type |
Payouts | European Roulette Odds | American Roulette Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight | 35:1 | 2.7% | 2.6% |
| Split | 17:1 | 5.4% | 5.3% |
| Street | 11:1 | 8.1% | 7.9% |
| Square (corner) | 8:1 | 10.8% | 10.5% |
| Double Street | 5:1 | 16.2% | 15.8% |
| Trio | 11:1 | / | / |
| Six Line | 5:1 | 16.2% | 15.8% |
| Top Line (American) | 6:1 | / | 13.2% |
| Even/Odd | 1:1 | 48.6% | 47.4% |
| Red/Black | 1:1 | 48.6% | 47.4% |
| Low/High | 1:1 | 48.6% | 47.4% |
| Dozens | 2:1 | 32.4% | 31.6% |
| Columns | 2:1 | 32.4% | 31.6% |
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How to calculate roulette payouts
Calculating the payout odds in roulette is a simple process. Simply observe the number of pockets on the wheel and the range of numbers included in a specific bet.
The formula below calculates the odds of a straight bet in European roulette, with the symbol “?” indicating the numbers covered by the bet:
- In order to rewrite the given expression, we start by simplifying the numerator: 36 – ? = 36 – ? Next, we divide the numerator by the denominator: (36 – ?) / ? = (36 – ?) / ? Finally, since any number divided by itself equals 1, we can rewrite the expression as: (36 – ?) / ? = (36 – ?) / 1 Therefore, the rewritten expression is: odds = (36 – ?) / 1
The odds for a straight bet in roulette are 35 to 1, implying that the probability of winning is 35 times less than the probability of losing. Similarly, a split bet has odds of 17 to 1, indicating that the chances of winning are 17 times lower compared to losing.
House edge in roulette
Feeling intimidated by the mathematics behind understanding the roulette house edge is unnecessary. To illustrate this, let’s consider the European roulette wheel and the straight bet.
European roulette offers 37 possible numbers to bet on, giving you a 1 in 37 chance of selecting the correct one. However, even if you do win, the casino will only pay out 35 times your wager. As a result, for every dollar you bet, you will make a profit of $35, totaling $36 when you include your initial stake. The $1 difference (37-36) represents the house’s advantage.
To convert the house advantage into a percentage, divide it by the total options and then multiply the result by 100.
- When converting 1/37 to a percentage, we multiply it by 100. This results in 0.0270270 x 100 = 2.70270, which can be approximated as 2.7%.
The casinos ensure their advantage by withholding the true odds of the game from players.
Standard deviation and roulette
The standard deviation is a measure of how much the values deviate from the mean. In this context, the mean represents the average number of wins expected over several spins. The standard deviation shows the typical amount of variation from this average.
To calculate the mean, one needs to consider the number of spins, the chances of winning, and the chances of losing. For example, to determine the mean of the black/red bet over 100 spins, divide the number of successful outcomes by the total outcomes and multiply by 100. In this scenario, it would be 18 successful outcomes out of 37 total outcomes, multiplied by 100, resulting in 48.648 instances out of 100.
Now, let’s delve into variance, which denotes the divergence of probabilities from the average. To determine variance, we multiply the number of spins by the likelihood of winning and the probability of losing. In simpler terms, we multiply the mean by the probability of losing. In the case of this specific wager, the probability of losing is 19/37 or roughly 0.5135. When we multiply this figure by 48.648, the result is 24.981. By taking the square root of this value, we arrive at the standard deviation, which is approximately 4.998.
Tips for limiting losses in roulette
Understanding the odds and payouts for each bet is essential to fully understand roulette. While the attractive payouts of inside bets may be tempting, it is generally wiser to choose outside bets because they have a better chance of winning, even if the payouts are lower.
Furthermore, to avoid substantial losses while playing roulette, whether in an online setting or at a brick-and-mortar casino, it is crucial to refrain from making hefty bets. The key to maintaining a grip on your gambling tendencies lies in prudently managing your bankroll and only placing wagers that you are at ease losing. Additionally, if possible, it is recommended to opt for European roulette over its American counterpart as it offers a favorable difference in house edges.