Table of Contents
How Roulette Payouts Work
Roulette payouts are determined by the number of slots covered by each bet. The payout ratio is calculated as (36/n) - 1, where n is the number of slots the bet covers. This formula applies to both American and European wheels, but the actual probabilities differ because the American wheel has 38 slots (0, 00, 1-36) while the European wheel has 37 slots (0, 1-36).
The difference in the number of slots is what creates the house edge. Since payouts are calculated as if there were 36 numbers, the zero(s) represent the casino's advantage. The European wheel's single zero gives the house a 2.70% edge, while the American wheel's double zero nearly doubles it to 5.26%.
Payout Formulas
Bet Types & Payouts
| Bet Type | Numbers | Payout | American Prob. | European Prob. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Up | 1 | 35:1 | 2.63% | 2.70% |
| Split | 2 | 17:1 | 5.26% | 5.41% |
| Street | 3 | 11:1 | 7.89% | 8.11% |
| Corner | 4 | 8:1 | 10.53% | 10.81% |
| Line | 6 | 5:1 | 15.79% | 16.22% |
| Dozen/Column | 12 | 2:1 | 31.58% | 32.43% |
| Even Money | 18 | 1:1 | 47.37% | 48.65% |
House Edge
The house edge is the mathematical advantage the casino has over the player on every bet. For American roulette, the house edge is 5.26% on all bets except the five-number bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3), which has a higher 7.89% edge. European roulette has a consistent 2.70% house edge. Over time, the casino will retain approximately this percentage of all money wagered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is European roulette better than American?
Yes, statistically. European roulette has a house edge of 2.70% compared to 5.26% for American roulette. This means for every $100 wagered, you lose an average of $2.70 on a European wheel versus $5.26 on an American wheel over the long run.
What is the best bet in roulette?
All bets on a standard roulette wheel have the same house edge (except the five-number bet in American roulette, which is worse). The choice between inside and outside bets is about risk preference: inside bets offer higher payouts with lower probability, while outside bets offer more frequent but smaller wins.