Roulette Bets and Odds: A Complete Guide
Every roulette bet explained with payouts and odds: inside and outside bets, European vs American vs French roulette, La Partage, and why no bet beats the house edge.
Key takeaways
- European roulette has one zero (2.70% house edge); American roulette has two zeros (about 5.26%).
- On a given wheel every standard bet has the same house edge; bet choice only changes how often and how much you win.
- French rules such as La Partage halve the loss on even-money bets when zero lands, lowering the edge to about 1.35%.
- Past numbers have no effect on future spins.
Roulette is easy to follow and offers dozens of bet types, which makes it a good game for understanding how casino odds work. This guide lists the bets, their payouts and their real probabilities. For a wider overview of live tables, see our JKB Asia casino guide.
The wheel variants
| Variant | Pockets | Zero pockets | House edge (standard bets) |
|---|---|---|---|
| European | 37 | 0 | 2.70% |
| French (with La Partage) | 37 | 0 | 2.70% (1.35% on even-money bets) |
| American | 38 | 0 and 00 | 5.26% (7.89% on the five-number bet) |
Where you have a choice, the single-zero wheel is the better deal mathematically.
Inside bets
| Bet | Numbers covered | Payout | Probability of winning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight up | 1 | 35 to 1 | 2.7% |
| Split | 2 | 17 to 1 | 5.4% |
| Street | 3 | 11 to 1 | 8.1% |
| Corner | 4 | 8 to 1 | 10.8% |
| Six line | 6 | 5 to 1 | 16.2% |
Outside bets
| Bet | Numbers covered | Payout | Probability of winning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red / Black | 18 | 1 to 1 | 48.6% |
| Odd / Even | 18 | 1 to 1 | 48.6% |
| 1–18 / 19–36 | 18 | 1 to 1 | 48.6% |
| Dozen | 12 | 2 to 1 | 32.4% |
| Column | 12 | 2 to 1 | 32.4% |
Zero is not red, black, odd or even, which is why even-money bets win slightly less than half the time.
Why every bet has the same edge
Each payout is set as if the wheel had 36 pockets, but it has 37. Take a straight-up bet of RM1: you win RM35 once in 37 spins on average and lose RM1 the other 36 times. Over 37 spins that is +35 − 36 = −RM1, or −2.70% of the RM37 staked. Do the same sum for any other standard bet and you get the same figure.
La Partage and En Prison
On French-rule tables, if zero lands, even-money bets either lose only half (La Partage) or are held for the next spin (En Prison). Both cut the house edge on those bets to about 1.35%. Not every table offers them; the rules screen will say.
Special live roulette variants
Some live games add random multipliers to certain numbers on certain spins. To fund those, straight-up bets often pay less than 35 to 1 in normal rounds. The overall edge can differ from standard roulette, so read the paytable before playing.
Roulette variants and table rules available under the JKB Asia name have not been independently verified. Information may vary and should be confirmed through the relevant official source.
Myths to ignore
- “Red is due.” The wheel has no memory; after five blacks, red is still 48.6% on a European wheel.
- “Hot numbers.” Recent results boards show what happened, not what will happen.
- “Cover the table and you can't lose.” Covering more numbers raises how often you win and lowers how much; the edge stays the same.
Conclusion
Choose single-zero roulette when you can, look for La Partage if you play even-money bets, and pick bets for the kind of session you want rather than any belief they are “better”. Our betting systems guide explains why progressions like Martingale don't change the maths.
Frequently asked questions
Which roulette bet has the best odds?
On a European wheel all standard bets have the same 2.70% edge. Even-money bets under La Partage rules are lower, at about 1.35%.
Can I predict roulette numbers?
No. Properly operated wheels produce independent results, and digital roulette uses a random number generator.
Gambling involves real financial risk and is never a reliable way to earn money. Only take part if you are an adult, it is legal where you live, and you are using money you can afford to lose. If gambling is causing stress, see our responsible gambling page for support options.
