Before placing a bet at the table, learning the roulette odds could certainly be a worthwhile venture. For example, players can discover which variations of the game have a lower house edge or which bets have better odds than others. In this guide, we will be covering everything related to roulette odds, making it perfect for both beginners and seasoned players!
Table of Contents:
- Understanding Roulette Odds, Probability and Payouts
- Odds for Different Roulette Bets
- Can You Improve Your Odds in Roulette?
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions about Roulette Odds
Understanding Roulette Odds, Probability and Payouts
When looking into the likelihood of different outcomes occurring in roulette, there are three main factors to take into account.
What are Roulette Odds and Probability?
Firstly, let’s get our heads around what we mean by ‘Roulette Odds and Probability’. When we talk about roulette odds, we are referring to the chance of a specific event happening. It is the likelihood that the ball will land on a particular number or colour.
On the other hand, ‘Probability’ is the mathematical way of expressing the chances of something happening. It can either be shown as a percentage, a fraction, a decimal, or a ratio, with all four being interchangeable.
What are Roulette Payouts?
Understanding the payouts associated with each bet can help you decide where to place your chips. They represent the potential winnings that will be awarded to the player should the bet be successful. Naturally, the higher the potential payout, the lower the odds and probability will be.
Odds for Different Roulette Bets
When placing a roulette bet, players are presented with two different categories. Each of these consists of its own group of bets, as covered below!
Inside Bet Roulette Odds
Inside bets are the ones that can be found on the inner part of the betting area. These include straight-up bets, which have the highest payout in standard roulette variations, alongside the lowest odds and probability. Let’s evaluate all of the possible options, with the numbers being relevant to the European variation of the game.
| Type of Bet | Probability of Success | Payout Odds |
| Straight up (1 number) | 2.70% | 35 to 1 |
| Split (2 numbers) | 5.40% | 17 to 1 |
| Street (3 numbers) | 8.10% | 11 to 1 |
| Corner (4 numbers) | 10.80% | 8 to 1 |
| Six line (6 numbers) | 16.20% | 5 to 1 |
Outside Bet Roulette Odds
As many players would expect, outside bets are the options that can be found on the outer part of the betting table. Players can find some of the most popular selections in this category, including even-money bets such as red or black. The roulette odds chart for these bets is shown below, with all figures referencing a European roulette table.
| Type of Bet | Probability of Success | Payout Odds |
| 1-12 (First Dozen) | 32.40% | 2 to 1 |
| 13-24 (Second Dozen) | 32.40% | 2 to 1 |
| 25-36 (Third Dozen) | 32.40% | 2 to 1 |
| Even or Odd | 48.60% | 1 to 1 |
| High or Low | 48.60% | 1 to 1 |
| Red or Black | 48.60% | 1 to 1 |
Can You Improve Your Odds in Roulette?
So, now that we know the odds and potential payouts for various betting options, is there any way that players can improve their chances of success? No, you can’t improve you odds while playing roulette, but there are roulette strategies that could help minimise losses.
Carefully Picking Roulette Tables and Bets
First up, picking the type of roulette table you wish to sit at is crucial. There are two main versions to choose from, European and American, with the odds being rather different due to the extra 00 pocket being introduced on an American roulette wheel. When looking at the house edge of these variations, European roulette is approximately 2.70% in favour of the casino, while this figure sits at 5.26% with American roulette tables.
There is also one bet in American roulette that is incredibly unfavourable, known as the ‘Basket Bet’. It involves laying chips on 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3, with the potential payout sitting at 7 to 1. While this might not sound too bad in principle, it comes with an incredibly large house edge of 7.89%. In terms of standard roulette games, this is the worst bet in terms of house edge.
Know The Rules
Once you’ve found a table that suits your preferences, the next step is to comprehensively understand the rules. Some variations of the game, such as Lightning Roulette and Football Studio Roulette, will have unique rules that a player should look at before placing bets.
Use Bonuses
The last roulette odds tip in this article is to use casino bonuses, should they apply to roulette. Players can make their funds go further with such promotions. However, it’s essential to read the terms and conditions before committing.
Here at Heart Bingo, we have a range of bonus offers that are updated on a regular basis. These are valid across a wide variety of games, with some promotions being eligible for use across our extensive catalogue of online roulette games!
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Conclusion
Understanding the difference between roulette odds, probability, and payouts is crucial to grasping your overall chance of a successful session. Of course, roulette is a game of chance. However, players can make decisions to better suit their bank roll. This can include roulette variations that have a low house edge, such as European roulette, while also avoiding unfavourable options, such as the basket bet.
Finally, to round up this guide, it’s important to mention that players should always set a limit for their session before placing a bet. Heart Bingo also offer a range of Safer Gambling tools, such as deposit limits and reality checks, all designed to keep players safe and in control at the tables!
Frequently Asked Questions about Roulette Odds
Roulette odds reference the likelihood of an event happening on the table. For example, the odds of a bet on black being successful are 48.60% on a European roulette wheel.
The higher the odds of a bet being successful, the lower the potential payout. Of course, the opposite is also true. This allows each player to find a bet that matches their preferences and their bankroll.
European roulette, due to only one zero pocket being present, offers better odds than the American alternative. When comparing the house edge, it sits at 2.70% and 5.26%, respectively.
While you cannot increase your roulette odds once a bet has been placed, smarter decisions can help players throughout a session. Picking tables and bets with a lower house edge can be a great starting point.
The bet in roulette with the highest payout odds is a ‘straight up’ bet. In essence, players are picking a single number from the wheel, with the potential payout being 35 to 1.
