Roulette
About Roulette
Roulette is a popular casino table game where players bet on where a ball will land within a spinning wheel. Once bets are placed, the dealer spins the wheel and releases the ball in the opposite direction. When the ball settles into a numbered pocket, winning bets are paid according to the type of wager placed.
On a European wheel, there are 37 numbered pockets, 0 to 36 in three colours: red, black and green. Players can bet on a single number, groups of numbers, or even-money outcomes such as red or black, odd or even, and high (19-36) or low (1-18).
There are three main types of roulette: European, American and French. European roulette features 37 numbers, while American roulette includes an additional double zero (00), bringing the total amount of numbers to 38. French roulette uses the same 37 number wheel as European but includes two additional rules that slightly reduce the house edge. We explain these differences in more detail further on.
The numbers on the wheel follow a fixed layout, with red and black pockets arranged in alternating sequence and high and low numbers distributed evenly around the wheel. This design helps ensure balanced gameplay.
The average Return to Player (RTP) in European roulette is 97.3%, meaning the house edge is 2.70%. This edge comes from the single green 0, which prevents even-money bets such as red or black from being true 50/50 wagers. Importantly, all standard bets on a European wheel carry the same house edge, the difference lies in how often they win and how much they pay out.
Roulette Betting Guide
Roulette bets are divided into two main categories, inside bets and outside bets. Inside bets cover specific, individual numbers or groups of numbers. These offer higher payouts, but a lower win probability. Outside bets cover large areas on the table, including red/black bets, high/low bets and more. These offer lower payouts, but win more frequently.
Although payouts are different between all bets, a standard European roulette wheel will carry the same 2.70% house edge for all bets. The main difference is in the risk and volatility. Higher paying bets win less often, while even-money bets win more frequently, but smaller returns. Below is a guide explaining common types of both inside and outside bets.
Inside Bets
| Guide | Chips Cover | Term | Pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Number | Straight Up | 35 to 1 |
| 2 | 2 Numbers | Split Bet | 17 to 1 |
| 3 | 3 Numbers | Street Bet | 11 to 1 |
| 4 | 4 Numbers | Corner Bet | 8 to 1 |
| 5 | 6 Numbers | Line Bet | 5 to 1 |
Outside Bets
| Guide | Chips Cover | Term | Pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 12 Numbers | Column | 2 to 1 |
| 7 | 12 Numbers | Dozen | 2 to 1 |
| 8 | 18 Numbers | Red / Black | 1 to 1 |
| 9 | 18 Numbers | Odd / Even | 1 to 1 |
| 10 | 18 Numbers | High / Low | 1 to 1 |
Types of Bets
It is important to understand how roulette bets work, to help you choose the right level of risk you're willing to take. While every standard bet carries the same 2.70% house edge, the number of pockets you cover will determine how often a bet wins or how much they pay out.
- Fewer numbers covered - lower chance of winning, but with a higher payout.
- More numbers covered - higher chance of winning, but with a lower payout.
Below, we go over each bet type, giving you payout examples and win probability.
1 – Straight Up Bet (1 Number)
A straight up bet is where the player places their chips onto a single number. If the exact number wins, the bet wins. This comes with a payout of 35 to 1, meaning you will win 35 times your stake in profit, as well as your original bet being returned. For example, a £1 bet returns £36 in total. £35 profit plus your £1 stake back. On a standard European roulette wheel, the probability of winning is 2.70%.
2 – Split Bet (2 Numbers)
A split bet is when you place your chip on the line between two adjacent numbers on the grid, covering both. If either number hits, your bet wins. This covers 2 numbers, compared to just one in a straight up bet, increasing your odds of winning, while still offering a good payout of 17 to 1. A £1 bet wins £17, plus initial stake returned, giving you a total winnings of £18. The probability of winning on a European wheel with a split bet increases to 5.41%.
3 – Street Bet (3 Numbers)
If you place your chip on the outside edge of a row of 3 consecutive numbers, this is a street bet. It covers all 3 numbers in the row. If any 3 of those numbers hit, you will win with a payout of 11 to 1. A £1 bet wins £11 plus initial stake is returned. This gives a total winnings of £12. The probability of winning with a street bet increases slightly compared to split, up to 8.11%.
4 – Corner Bet
Place your chip at the cross point of 4 numbers that meet in a square. In the image, we use 13, 14, 16 and 17 as an example. This has a payout of 8 to 1, meaning a £1 bet wins an £8 profit, with the initial bet being returned. This gives total winnings of £9. The probability of winning with a corner bet continues to increase, moving up to 10.81%.
5 – Line Bet
A line bet, also known as a double street bet, is when you place your chip at the end of a row, between 2 rows. This then covers 6 numbers, both sides of the chip. In the image, we use the top corner connecting 21 and 24 as an example. This has a payout of 5 to 1, paying £5 when winning on a £1 bet. Total winnings are £6 with the initial stake of £1 returned. The highest probability of the inside bets, the line bet has an average 16.22% chance of winning.
6 – Column
On the far right of the board, there are 3 columns, each containing 12 numbers. Betting here is a column bet. This covers every number within the column. These pay 2 to 1, meaning a higher chance of winning, but less return for these wins. A £1 bet returns £2, plus your initial bet, so £3 total winnings. The probability of winning with a column bet is 32.43%, just slightly under 1 in 3.
7 – Dozen
For a dozen bet, you’re also betting on 12 numbers. You can choose between 1-12 (first dozen), 13-24 (second dozen), or 25-36 (third dozen). This offers the same odds as a column bet. A £1 bet returns a profit of £2, meaning total winnings with initial bet returned is £3. The probability of winning with a dozen bet is also 32.43%, just slightly under 1 in 3.
8 – Red / Black
These bets cover specific colours of the board, all available numbers in that colour. For example, if you put £1 on red, any red winning number counts as a win, and the return is 1 to 1. This means you would win £1, with total returns being £2, after bet has been returned. 0 is not included in either red or black, as it is green. The probability of winning with a red/black bet increases to 48.65%. Although you are choosing between two colours, the green 0 means the probability is slightly less than 50%.
9 – Odd / Even
For this bet, you’re placing chips on whether you think the number will be odd or even. For example, if you place £1 on even, and any even number wins, you will be paid 1 to 1 against your bet. A £1 bet returns £1, with total winnings being £2. 0 is also not included here. The probability of winning with an odd/even bet stays at 48.65%, just under 1 in 2. This comes from the green 0, bringing the probability of winning to just under 50%, as it doesn't count as either odd or even.
10 – High / Low
High / Low allows you to bet on whether you think the winning number will be between 1 to 18, or 19 to 36. This offers the same odds as the 2 previous bets, at 1 to 1, meaning £1 bet returns £1, with total winning of £2 with initial bet returned. This is the third bet with a 48.65% chance of winning. The low bet starts at 1, meaning the green 0 brings the probability of winning to just under 50%, as it doesn't count as either low or high.
Inside vs Outside Bets: Which Should You Choose?
European vs American Roulette
The main difference between the two roulette types revolves around the house edge.
European roulette wheels have 37 numbers, the single 0 being the edge. The 0 is what gives the house edge over the player. All payouts are calculated as if there were only 36 numbers, but there are 37. That extra number is 0. This gives the house a 2.7% edge over the player, meaning the average return to player (RTP) is 97.3%.
American roulette wheels contain 38 numbers, the extra being 00. This almost doubles the house edge from 2.7% to 5.26%. For better returns, European roulette has the advantage, with a higher average return-to-player. Some casinos even offer a triple-zero wheel, with a 7.69% edge to the house. At Captain Free Spins, we recommend you avoid these as much as possible.
There are also French roulette tables, although much rarer in the UK. These come with 2 special rules, explained below. Everything else remains the same, with the 37 numbers.
La Partage
La Partage, which translates to ‘The Divide’, is a unique rule found in French roulette tables. If the ball lands in the single 0, the house will return half of your original stake. For example, a £1 bet on red will return £0.50 back to you, rather than losing it all.
This rule only applies to even-money bets, red/black, odd/even, or high/low.
En Prison
Translating to ‘In Prison’, this rule keeps your bet active for another spin, if the ball lands in the 0, rather than losing it.
For example, if the player has a £1 bet on red, and the green 0 wins, the bet is left untouched and locked in for the next spin. If the next spin then lands on red, you get your full stake back (but no additional winnings). If it loses, your bet is forfeited as normal. Another green 0 means your bet will stay locked in for another spin, however this varies by casino.
This rule only applies to even-money bets, red/black, odd/even, or high/low.
Both of the above rules provide increased odds to the player. The house edge is reduced from 2.7% to 1.35%. Although both provide the same RTP, the main difference between the two is psychological. As a player, with En Prison, you have the chance to win back your stake, rather than automatically losing half with La Partage.
| Roulette Type | Numbers | House Edge | RTP |
|---|---|---|---|
| European | 37 | 2.70% | 97.30% |
| American | 38 | 5.26% | 94.74% |
| French (La Partage) | 37 | 1.35% | 98.65% |