Bet, payout, probability
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The complete payout table
| Bet | Covers | Payout | European Win % | American Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Up | 1 number | 35:1 | 2.70% | 2.63% |
| Split | 2 adjacent numbers | 17:1 | 5.41% | 5.26% |
| Street | 3 numbers in a row | 11:1 | 8.11% | 7.89% |
| Corner | 4 numbers (square) | 8:1 | 10.81% | 10.53% |
| Six Line | 6 numbers (two rows) | 5:1 | 16.22% | 15.79% |
| Column | 12 numbers (a column) | 2:1 | 32.43% | 31.58% |
| Dozen | 12 numbers (1-12, 13-24, 25-36) | 2:1 | 32.43% | 31.58% |
| Red / Black | 18 numbers (one colour) | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
| Odd / Even | 18 numbers (parity) | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
| High / Low | 18 numbers (1-18 or 19-36) | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
Why European always beats American
The payouts are identical between the two wheels. What changes is win probability — because American roulette adds a second green pocket (the double-zero, "00") to the wheel. With 38 pockets instead of 37, every bet wins slightly less often on American while paying the same odds.
The result: European has a house edge of 2.70% on every bet. American has 5.26% on every bet (with one exception: the "five-number bet" on American, which somehow has a 7.89% edge). For the same stake, you lose money roughly twice as fast on American as on European. There is no version of roulette mathematics where playing American is the better choice. Always look for European — every major SA casino offers both.
The "even money" misconception
Red/black, odd/even and high/low are called "even money" bets because they pay 1:1. They are not actually 50/50 bets. On a European wheel, red has 18 pockets out of 37 — 48.65% probability. The remaining 1.35% is where the house edge lives.
This catches recreational players constantly. They see "even money" and assume coin-flip mathematics. The 1.35% gap between 48.65% win probability and 1:1 payout is precisely the casino's edge — and it compounds across every spin.
The truth about betting systems
The fixed-payout, fixed-probability nature of roulette means no betting system — Martingale, Fibonacci, D'Alembert, Labouchère — can change the long-term expected value. Every bet has the same 2.7% (European) or 5.26% (American) edge against you. Systems just rearrange your variance.
Use our Martingale simulator to see exactly why doubling-after-loss systems collapse. Use our bankroll calculator to size your roulette bets correctly within your overall gambling discipline.
Continue learning
- Complete roulette guide — strategy, history, all the rules.
- House edge comparison — roulette vs other casino games.
- Martingale simulator — why systems fail.
- All casino guides