Roulette: Probability and Payout of Every Bet (Full Table)
How much each roulette bet pays and how likely it is: straight-up 35:1, even money 1:1, dozens 2:1. The full table, the role of the zero and why no bet is "best".
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In roulette every bet has precise numbers behind it: a payout and a probability. Understanding them is the best way to consciously choose the type of play you prefer — and to dismantle the idea that there is a "clever" bet. Here is the full table and what it really means.
In one line: in roulette every bet has a precise payout and probability. A straight-up pays 35:1 but lands 1 in 37; even-money bets pay 1:1 but win nearly 50%. The house margin (the zero) is always the same: 2.7% on European.
Payouts and Probabilities (European Roulette)
| Bet | Pays | Numbers covered | Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight-up (1 number) | 35:1 | 1 | 2.70% |
| Split (2 numbers) | 17:1 | 2 | 5.41% |
| Street (3) | 11:1 | 3 | 8.11% |
| Corner (4) | 8:1 | 4 | 10.81% |
| Six line (6) | 5:1 | 6 | 16.22% |
| Column / Dozen (12) | 2:1 | 12 | 32.43% |
| Even money (red/black, odd/even…) | 1:1 | 18 | 48.65% |
Values for European roulette (37 pockets, single zero). The presence of the zero is what generates the house margin.
Why the House Always Wins: The Zero
Payouts are calculated as if there were 36 pockets, but European has 37 (due to the zero). That extra pocket is the house edge: 2.7%, identical on every bet type. On American, with two zeros and 38 pockets, it rises to 5.26%. That is why the variant choice matters more than the bet choice.
Frequency vs Size: The Real Choice
- Even money: you win nearly half the time, but amounts equal to the stake. Low volatility.
- Straight-up: you win rarely (1 in 37), but 35 times the stake. High volatility.
- Expected value is identical: no bet "pays more", only how wins are distributed changes.
And "Systems"?
Martingale, Fibonacci, D'Alembert: no betting system changes the house edge. They can change the shape of sessions (more small wins at the risk of one big loss), but over the long run the 2.7% margin remains. The topic is covered in the guide on roulette systems.
Roulette probability and payouts: FAQ
How much does a straight-up number pay in roulette?
A straight-up pays 35:1: you bet 1, you receive 36 (35 win + the stake). But on a European roulette with 37 pockets it lands on average 1 in 37, which is why the house keeps its margin.
Are even-money bets (red/black) more worthwhile?
They have the highest hit frequency (nearly 50%) and pay 1:1, but the house edge is the same as every other bet: 2.7% on European. Volatility changes, not the margin.
What is the difference between European and American?
American has two zeros (0 and 00), 38 pockets: the house edge rises to 5.26%, almost double. All else equal, European (or French) is always more worthwhile.
Is there a "best" bet?
No: all European roulette bets have the same 2.7% house edge. Only the frequency and size of wins (the volatility) change, not the expected value.
Responsible Gambling
Online gambling should be a form of entertainment, not a source of income. If you feel gambling is becoming a problem, free support resources are available:
- ADM — Responsible Gambling
- GiocoHelpline freephone: 800 558822 (free, 24/7)
- Every ADM casino offers self-exclusion tools, deposit limits and reality-check reminders of time played.