Guide to Mastering Roulette Bets and Odds

Roulette is considered one of the most iconic casino games, not only in Australia but also on a global scale So, knowing the exact odds and payouts for each type of bet on the roulette table can give you an advantage when playing the game at online casinos. Essentially, knowing the odds is working out the risk of each type of bet versus the potential rewards of your bet coming up on the wheel. To master roulette bets and odds, we guide you through the different betting types, discuss the odds for roulette game variations, the house edge, and more. Read on to learn more to increase your chances of winning big.

The estimated online roulette payouts are expressed in the form of x:1. This simply means that if you win, you will receive an x amount for every $1 you bet. The payout odds differ depending on the type of bet and the roulette wheel. To understand the odds, let’s first explore the roulette game variations.

There are various types of roulette games, such as European, American, and French. Each of these game types has different odds per game.

European Roulette

European Roulette is a variation of Blaise Pascal’s original French Roulette game. Changes were made to the game when the French form grew in popularity and spread to the big cities. In this version of roulette, there is a single zero on the wheel. The payouts for single-number bets are 35:1.

American Roulette 

American roulette is one of the most popular roulette game types. American roulette has a double zero and a single zero, which increases the total number of slots to 38 instead of 37. The payout on a single number is 35:1, but the odds of winning are lower due to more possible outcomes.

French Roulette

Although French roulette is comparable to other variations of roulette, particularly European roulette, it does have certain distinct features. For instance, in French roulette, the game features “la partage, ” meaning if the ball lands on zero, you will get half of your even money bets back. The other difference is a feature called “en prison”, which some casinos may offer. If the ball lands on zero, your even-money bets will be held for the next spin. If you win on the following spin, you will get your full stake back. However, if you lose, you will lose your bet. 

As you can see, the variation of the roulette game you play directly affects your chances of winning and how much you can win. Generally, European and French roulette have better odds than American roulette, especially for even money bets. However, you should also consider other factors, such as your preference, budget, and strategy, when choosing a roulette game. 

You can place several types of bets on both American and European roulette wheels. In both versions, you can place inside bets directly on numbers or a combination of numbers, with options such as straight-up bets, split bets, street bets, corner bets, and six-line bets. Outside bets are placed on larger groups of numbers or colours, including red or black, odds or evens, high or low, dozens, and columns. The main difference is the 00 in American roulette.

While European and French roulette are similar, they are not identical. As with any roulette game, you can place outside bets, inside bets, and call bets, which we go into detail further on. The main differences between European and French roulette are the rules, such as La Partage and En Prison.

In European roulette, the single zero on the wheel gives it a house edge of 2.7%. If you bet $100, the online casino will keep back $2.70 on average. The payout on a single number in European roulette is 35:1, so for every $1 you bet as a straight bet, there is a chance you can get $35 back plus your original bet.

American roulette, on the other hand, as explained earlier, has two zeros apart from a single zero, which increases the house edge to 5.26%. So, if you decide to bet $100, theoretically, the online casino should keep $5.26 on average. When it comes to French roulette, the house is 1.35%, and this is based on the two rules of la partage and en prison.

Outside Bets

An outside bet is a bet that often provides the best chance of winning. These are bets placed on odd or even numbers, black or red numbers, 1-18 or 19-36. Half of all successful bets in a roulette game stem from outside bets.

While outside bets provide good odds and pay out more frequently, they are not incredibly generous, usually around 1:1. There are outside bets that offer slightly better payouts, including column and dozen bets. These bets include 12 numbers of the roulette wheel with a payout of 2:1.

The outside bets are bets placed on a certain set of colours or numbers located outside the roulette table. Any outside bets are lost if the ball lands on 0 (and 00 for American roulette). Some of the most popular outside bets include the following:

Red or black – This bet is based on your chosen colour and offers a payout of 1:1 if correct.

Odd or even – With a payout of 1:1, you bet on an odd or even number.

Low or high – You are paid out even odds of 1:1 on a correct bet. The ball must land on 1-18 for low bets, while high bets are 19-36.

Column – This bet is paid out 2:1 when you correctly bet on a number that appears in a particular column. This column is based on the table layout, which features three columns with 12 numbers each.

Dozens – This bet also features a 2:1 payout when bet on the ball landing the first, second or third numbers. The first set is 1-12, the second is 13-24, and the third is 25-36.

Inside Bets

Inside bets are another common type of bet made when playing European or American roulette. These bets are trickier to win than outside bets but promise more substantial rewards. Here, bets are placed on any number located inside the roulette table.

Again, these better have lower odds but better rewards and payout less frequently. That said, the house advantage on either bet remains the same. Below, we look at some common inside bets.

Straight bets – If you bet on a single number, also known as a straight bet, the payout is 35:1 and winning on this number means you will get $35 in return. The odds are 37:1 when playing a double zero roulette game and 36:1 on a single zero roulette wheel. 

Split bets – Here, you bet on two adjacent numbers for the chance to land a payout of 17:1. 

Street bets – This bet offers a payout of 11:1. When making a street bet, you place a bet on three numbers in a row.

Corner bets – A corner bet is a bet on four numbers joined together on every corner. Also called a square or quarter bet, the payout is 8:1.

Basket bets – This is a bet on five numbers with a payout of 6:1.

Double street bets – Also called a line bet, here you place a bet on two adjoining rows of numbers. The payout is 5:1.

Call Bets

A call bet is a type of bet available when playing certain game variations, namely French and European roulette. Called bets are different from the other bets mentioned as they are grouped by position on the roulette wheel instead of the table.

Outside bets in roulette are a popular choice for players due to the higher probability of winning. These bets involve betting on larger groups of numbers and colours. While the payouts for outside bets are lower than inside bets, the increased chances of winning make them an attractive option for many players. For example, betting on red or black provides almost a 50% chance of winning in European roulette. However, remember that while the probabilities are higher, the payouts may be smaller, typically at 1:1 for these types of bets. So, while you may win more frequently, the amount you win will be smaller compared to the larger payouts offered by inside bets.

Inside bets offer the potential for significant wins but come with a lower probability of success. These sorts of bets consider betting on specific numbers or a set of numbers. In addition, the odds of winning an inside bet are lower based on the specific nature of these bets, but bear in mind that the payouts can be much higher. For instance, if you are placing a straight-up bet on a single number, there is a chance you can win 35:1. This shows you that inside bets are riskier, but they can lead to substantial payouts if luck is on your side. 

Depending on the type of roulette game and the casino you choose to play at, there are different maximum and minimum bets. These figures are usually displayed on the roulette table online. To give you a rough idea of the minimum and maximum bets across the board, we show you the estimates here:

Minimum Bet

Some online roulette games can be played with an incredibly low minimum bet of just $0.10. However, the leading online casinos often offer betting limits similar to those at land-based casinos, with minimum bets starting at around $4-$5 to $10 as the lowest bet.

Maximum Bet

The maximum bets can vary significantly per casino and software provider. For example, the limit may reach up to $5,000 to $100,000. On the other hand, in live dealer roulette by NetEnt, the maximum bet is $75,000. 

Online roulette and live roulette games are quite similar, with the main differences being in betting limits, table designs, and the presence of a live dealer. While the latter offers a more immersive and realistic experience, both versions are played in the same way. 

Online Roulette Betting Limits

• Low limit – The low limit in online roulette games lets you bet as little as $0.10 per spin, up to a maximum of $50. These are suitable for beginners and casual players who want to enjoy the game without risking too much money.
• Standard limit – These are online roulette games with a minimum bet of $1 and a maximum of $500. Players who want a moderate risk and reward level often opt for these betting limits.
• High limit – With high online roulette betting limits, the minimum bet can start at $10, with a maximum of around $5,000 to $6,000. These may appeal to high rollers who prefer a higher level of excitement and challenge.
• VIP limit – In online roulette games with VIP betting limits, the betting range can start at $25 up to a maximum of $100,000. These are suitable for VIP players and elite gamblers.

Live Roulette Betting Limits

To indicate betting limits at live dealer casinos, we will look at some figures from software providers. 

• Evolution – This games provider has a wide range of live roulette tables, including American, European, French, Lightning, Auto, and more. The betting limits vary from $0.10 to $10,000, depending on the game and the casino. Some online casinos also offer exclusive tables with higher limits of up to $500,000 per spin for VIPs.
• Playtech – Playtech offers different live roulette games, and the betting limits vary between $0.50 to $500 for most games. However, some casinos may offer limits of up to $6,000.
• Authentic Gaming – The betting limits are usually around $0.20 to $250 with Authentic live roulette games. A few casinos may also offer limits of up to $5,000 for this software provider’s live roulette games. 

The general formula to calculate payouts in roulette is as such:

Payout = Bet amount x Payout Ratio + Bet Amount. 

The total payout made to a player in a single round equals the sum of the payouts of all the bets in that round. Another way to calculate the payout is by dividing the number 36 by the total number of squares your bet covers, then subtracting one from that result. The value you get after subtracting 1 is the payout rate of the bet. Remember that these are just general guidelines, and the exact details may vary depending on the rules of the roulette game you are playing. 

It is always a good idea to understand the odds to help improve your chances of winning. While there is no quick-fix or guaranteed way to win roulette, there are ways to maximise your chances of success and minimise your losses. By learning a few tricks of the trade, you can even enjoy better opportunities to walk away with a payout. While following a roulette strategy is key to improving your overall gaming experience, here are some tips when playing online roulette for real money.

Understand Roulette Odds

There are different bets in roulette, and each bet offers different and varied odds. That said, understanding the different odds is vital for making your bankroll last and minimising losses.

Understand the Different Roulette Games

Like different bets and odds, there are other types of roulette games, including variations of American, French and European versions. Ensure you know the difference between these variations, the odds for each variation, and the rules.

American roulette features an additional 00 slot, which massively affects odds and can be the difference between a significant win or a major loss. Learn the rules before choosing a roulette game.

Outside versus Inside Bets

If you want to improve your chances of winning, consider outside bets. While these bets offer smaller returns, they often have better odds and payout. Opt for the minimum bet allowed, and even though the payout may not be substantial, it can add up and boost your bankroll over time.

If you’re a low-risk player keen on earning a payout, place a bet on two equal outside bets. While this won’t result in life-changing wins, it is a fun way to potentially score some wins without suffering huge losses.

Choose European Roulette

European roulette features the lowest house edge compared to other roulette variants. As a new player, you may consider opting for European roulette if you can, although these are probably the most common game versions found at online casinos.

Roulette is a thrilling casino game that offers many betting options and strategies. Whether you prefer to play online or live, you can improve your chances of winning by understanding the odds and probabilities of different bets, choosing the right type of roulette based on your preferences, and managing your bankroll wisely. This guide provides essential information and tips to master roulette bets and odds. Remember always to play responsibly.