Understanding Roulette Wheel Odds, Payouts and Probabilities

Roulette is an online casino game where probability and mathematical odds take centre stage. Before each round, you can bet on which colour or number the roulette ball will land on and, if your selection is correct, you win!

Several different bet types are available, with RNG-powered variants and live tables providing unique payout opportunities. 

As a beginner roulette player, you should familiarise yourself with the various roulette odds tied to popular games. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know when it comes to playing top-rated roulette titles online for the first time.

How Roulette Odds and Probabilities Work

So, what are the odds on roulette being a profitable game as a first-time player? We cover fundamental roulette odds and payouts in this clear-cut breakdown.

Probability Basics

Probability determines the likelihood of landing a positive result during any roulette bet. You can calculate your probability of winning across various bets by accounting for the number of colours or figures included in your wager.

Traditional European roulette is played using 37 individual pockets – for simplicity’s sake, let’s say you bet on the ball to land on one number (known as a straight-up bet). In this instance, you would divide the number of chosen outcomes (one) by the total number of spaces where the ball could land (37).

• Chosen outcomes (1) ÷ total possible outcomes (37) = your probability (2.70%)

Simply apply this formula to all roulette bets to calculate your chances of a return!

House Edge

House edge is the profit that a casino operator expects to make on each bet. This varies depending on the game. 

In a sentence, this means that your true probability of winning may sit slightly lower than the probability suggests.

Payouts vs Winning Chances

Money earned through a specific outcome is known as your payout. Each possible roulette result carries an independent payout ratio. For example, European roulette straight-up wins are paid at 35:1.

The lower your probability of winning, the greater your potential payout. Similarly, stronger probabilities are tied to smaller payouts, as they’re more likely to occur. 

Why Odds Differ Between Bet Types

Odds for inside bets (bets involving individual or small groups of numbers) carry higher odds than outside bets (bets on colours/odd or even/high or low). This is because outside bets are far likelier to come good than inside bets.

Roulette Chances for Different Bet Types

Two different primary bet types are available while playing roulette: inside bets and outside bets. Let’s uncover your payout probability for bets within both categories.

Inside Bets

With weaker probability due to there being fewer possible winning outcomes, inside bets are generally considered the more difficult bet type compared to outside wagers. However, inside bets distribute better returns than outside bets when they do come good.

Let’s evaluate inside bets and their average estimated probability:

• Straight-up bets (2.7%): A bet on the roulette ball to land on one number.
• Split bets (5.41%) : Bets on the roulette ball to land on either of two numbers.

Outside Bets

Outside bets offer improved probability at the cost of payout ratios:

• Red/Black (48.65%): Predict whether the ball will land on either red or black squares.
• Odd/Even (48.65%): A bet on whether the ball will land on an odd or even number.
• Dozens (32.43%): Bets on the ball landing on any of 12 sequential numbers.
• Columns (32.43%): Wagers on the ball to land on any of 12 numbers in a given column.

To learn more about how different game variants could influence potential outcomes, check out our in-depth Roulette Table & Layout guide.

European vs American Roulette Odds

Both European and American roulette are popular casino and live casino variants available at Buzz Bingo – and each carries its very own probabilities.

European Roulette Odds

European roulette is typically regarded as the more lucrative variant due to it only using one ‘zero’ compared to American roulette’s two zeros. With 36 numbers available to bet on and just one zero – totaling 37 pockets – your roulette chances of winning are automatically mathematically higher in European roulette.

The singular zero also gives European roulette an advantage over its American counterpart when it comes to house edge, at 2.7% compared to 5.26%.

Payout ratios remain fixed across all outcomes – but you’ll benefit from more generous probabilities in European roulette.

American Roulette Odds

American roulette uses a double zero pocket (00), which adds an extra non-paying outcome for players. Consequently, the house edge for this variant sits at around 5.26% per bet – almost twice that of European roulette.

That additional zero also negatively impacts roulette odds for every outcome. For example, the probability of winning a straight-up bet drops to 2.6%, down from European roulette’s 2.7%. 

Which Variant Should You Pick?

The fact of the matter is this, mathematically, European roulette provides better winning probabilities than American roulette. 

And although they share similar mechanics, both roulette variants are played on distinctly unique wheels. So, which variant is best-suited to beginners?

If you’ve never played roulette before, European roulette is the clear winner. Boasting a lower house edge and improved payout probabilities, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better alternative. 

FAQs About Roulette Odds and Roulette Chances

What Are Roulette Odds?

Roulette odds determine your chance of winning if a certain outcome occurs during a bet.

How Do I Start Calculating Roulette Odds?

You can calculate the probability of winning by dividing the total number of possible outcomes by the number of results in your bet.

Are Roulette Wheel Odds The Same For Every Game?

Roulette odds and payouts can vary depending on the game you’re playing. It’s worth exploring the game’s winning probabilities and possible payouts before placing your first bet.