Key takeaways
- European roulette has one zero and a 2.70% house edge. American has two zeros and a 5.26% edge.
- Every standard bet has the same house edge, so choosing a bet changes how you lose, not how much on average.
- Payouts are slightly lower than true odds, and the gap is the casino's profit.
- Betting systems such as the Martingale cannot change the maths.
- Whenever you can, choose a single-zero wheel, and a table with La Partage if you can find one.
How the game works
A roulette wheel has numbered pockets, and a dealer or the software spins a ball around the rim. When it settles in a pocket, that number wins. Before each spin you place chips on the table layout to back one number, a group of numbers or a colour.
A European wheel has the numbers 0 to 36, which is 37 pockets. Eighteen are red, eighteen are black and the zero is green. American roulette adds a second green pocket marked 00, making 38. That extra pocket is the reason the American game costs about twice as much to play.
Inside and outside bets
Bets fall into two groups. Inside bets are placed on the numbers themselves, and pay more because they win less often. Outside bets cover large groups of numbers and pay less.
| Bet | Numbers covered | Pays | European win chance | Fair odds (for reference) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight up | 1 | 35 to 1 | 2.70% | 36 to 1 |
| Split | 2 | 17 to 1 | 5.41% | 17.5 to 1 |
| Street | 3 | 11 to 1 | 8.11% | 11.3 to 1 |
| Corner | 4 | 8 to 1 | 10.81% | 8.25 to 1 |
| Six line | 6 | 5 to 1 | 16.22% | 5.17 to 1 |
| Dozen or column | 12 | 2 to 1 | 32.43% | 2.08 to 1 |
| Red or black, odd or even, high or low | 18 | 1 to 1 | 48.65% | 1.06 to 1 |
The gap between the payout and the fair odds is where the house edge comes from. Fair odds on a single number would be 36 to 1, since there are 36 losing pockets for every winning one. The casino pays 35 to 1, so it keeps the difference.
Where the house edge comes from
On a European wheel, the zero is the casino’s edge. Here is the maths for a single-number bet.
Worked example: a straight-up bet
Worked example: an even-money bet
Every standard bet on a European wheel carries the same 2.70% edge, and every standard bet on an American wheel carries 5.26%. The only exception is the American five-number bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3), which is worse at 7.89%.
European, American and French roulette
| Feature | European | American | French |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pockets | 37 (one zero) | 38 (0 and 00) | 37 (one zero) |
| House edge | 2.70% | 5.26% | 2.70%, or 1.35% on even-money bets with La Partage |
| Layout | Numbers and outside bets | Same, with 00 | Same, with French labels |
| Where you find it | UK, Canada, most online casinos | US, some Canadian and online casinos | Premium tables |
French roulette often comes with La Partage. When the ball lands on zero, even-money bets lose only half their stake.
Worked example: La Partage
How to play a round
- 1
Choose a table
Pick a European or French wheel at a licensed casino, and check the table limits suit your budget.
- 2
Buy in and select a chip
Pick your chip value. Online, you click the number or area on the layout to place it.
- 3
Place your bets
You can bet on several areas in one round. Remember that each bet adds to your total risk.
- 4
Wait for the spin
When betting closes, the ball is launched. You cannot change bets after that.
- 5
Collect or lose
Winning bets are paid at their odds, with your stake returned. Losing chips are removed.
Why systems do not work
Many players use staking systems, such as the Martingale, where you double your stake after each loss to recover earlier losses. The idea is that eventually a win returns everything plus a profit.
Worked example: Martingale on red
Live and special variants
Live dealer roulette streams a real wheel from a studio. Some game-show variants add random multipliers on certain numbers but cut the base payout on straight bets in return, below the standard 35 to 1. Always read the paytable and house edge for the version you pick, since the standard figures here do not apply. In the UK, the £5 online slot stake cap does not apply to roulette, so check the table limits and your own budget instead.
To understand how these numbers fit other games, read our guide to RTP and house edge. If you want to play, see licensed options for the UK, US and Canada.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between European and American roulette?
European roulette has a single zero (37 pockets) and a 2.70% house edge. American roulette adds a double zero (38 pockets) and a 5.26% edge, so it costs about twice as much to play.
What is the best bet in roulette?
No bet beats the house edge, because every standard bet has the same 2.70% edge on a European wheel. Even-money bets lose less often per spin, while straight-up bets pay more but hit rarely.
What is La Partage?
It is a rule on some French and European tables where you get half your even-money stake back when the ball lands on zero. It cuts the edge on those bets to 1.35%.
Does the Martingale system work?
No. Doubling after each loss cannot change the house edge, and a long losing run can hit table limits or your bankroll before you recover.
How do roulette bets pay?
A straight-up number pays 35 to 1, a split 17 to 1, a street 11 to 1, a corner 8 to 1, a six line 5 to 1, dozens and columns 2 to 1, and red or black, odd or even, high or low 1 to 1.
Are the roulette numbers random online?
Licensed RNG roulette is tested by independent labs. Live dealer roulette uses a real wheel and ball, streamed from a studio, with the result read from the wheel.
About the author
Daniel WardFounder and Editor
Daniel Ward founded BettingSeeker and is responsible for everything published on it. He has spent his career in SEO and content for online betting and casino comparison sites, and today leads SEO for a portfolio of gambling comparison sites across several countries.
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