Key takeaways
- European roulette has 37 pockets (one zero); American has 38 (0 and 00).
- House edge: 2.70% European vs 5.26% American, on almost every bet.
- Outside bets win often and pay little; inside bets win rarely and pay a lot.
- No betting system can beat the zero.
Roulette is pure chance, and that's its charm. There's nothing to memorise, it's easy to join in, and every spin is a little show. But one choice really does matter: which wheel you play.
European vs American roulette
| European | American | |
|---|---|---|
| Pockets | 37 (1–36 + 0) | 38 (1–36 + 0 + 00) |
| House edge | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Expected loss per ₱1,000 wagered | ₱27 | ₱52.60 |
Payouts are identical on both wheels, but the extra 00 pocket means you win less often. Choose European (or French, which can be even better thanks to the "La Partage" rule) whenever it's available.
Roulette bets and payouts
Outside bets
| Bet | Covers | Payout | Win chance (European) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red / Black | 18 numbers | 1:1 | 48.6% |
| Odd / Even | 18 numbers | 1:1 | 48.6% |
| 1–18 / 19–36 | 18 numbers | 1:1 | 48.6% |
| Dozens | 12 numbers | 2:1 | 32.4% |
| Columns | 12 numbers | 2:1 | 32.4% |
Inside bets
| Bet | Covers | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Straight up | 1 number | 35:1 |
| Split | 2 numbers | 17:1 |
| Street | 3 numbers | 11:1 |
| Corner | 4 numbers | 8:1 |
| Six line | 6 numbers | 5:1 |
On the American wheel, avoid the "Top Line" or five-number bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3). It has an even worse 7.89% edge.
Do roulette systems work?
Martingale (double after every loss), D'Alembert, Fibonacci: all of these change when you win and lose, not how much you lose on average. Martingale also runs into table limits and your budget fast. A run of eight losses on Red, which happens more often than people think, would need a bet 256 times your first one. The mathematics is laid out clearly in the Wikipedia roulette article.
Smart roulette habits
- Pick European or French wheels.
- Decide your total spend for the session, then divide it into small bets. Our bankroll guide shows how.
- Treat "hot" and "cold" number boards as entertainment. The wheel has no memory, as our house edge article explains.
- Online, choose live dealer roulette from PAGCOR-licensed operators so you can see the real wheel.
Compare roulette with other games in our best table games ranking, or look up a term like "en prison" in the glossary.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best bet in roulette?
On a European wheel every standard bet has the same 2.70% edge. On French tables with La Partage or En Prison, even-money bets drop to about 1.35%, making them the best value.
Why does American roulette have a higher house edge?
The extra 00 pocket adds a 38th outcome without changing payouts, so the house edge rises from 2.70% to 5.26%.
Can you predict roulette numbers?
No. On a fair wheel every spin is independent, and past results do not affect future spins.
Keep reading
- House Edge Explained: Why Small Percentages Matter at the Table
- Live Dealer Table Games: How Real-Time Casino Streams Work
- Sic Bo Guide: How to Play the Classic Three-Dice Game
- Bankroll Management for Table Games: A Simple Plan That Works
- The Complete Table Games Guide
- Table Games Glossary
AI-assisted content: This page was drafted with the help of AI tools, then reviewed, fact-checked and edited by Jash Jacinto. Game rules and odds can vary by operator, so always check the rules shown at your table. How we create content.