The Ultimate Guide to Roulette Payouts and Odds

Welcome to the captivating world of roulette. As you can see in the video above, the spin of a wheel can lead to an exciting payoff. As a future casino professional or a passionate player, understanding the different types of bets and their payouts is a fundamental skill. This guide, an evergreen resource from Vegas Aces, will break down every bet you can make on an American Roulette table, giving you the knowledge to place your wagers with confidence.

An American Roulette wheel has 38 slots: the numbers 1 through 36, plus a single zero (0) and a double zero (00). The house edge comes from these two green slots, which cause all even bets to lose if any zero hits. Understanding this simple fact is key to mastering the game.

Let's dive into the two main categories of bets: inside bets and outside bets.

Inside Bets: Betting on the Numbers

Inside bets are wagers placed on the numbered section of the table. Their payouts are higher because the probability of winning is lower. The payout for these bets corresponds directly to where you place your chip.

• Straight Up: A bet on a single number.
  • Payout: 35:1
• Split: A bet placed on the line between two adjacent numbers.
  • Payout: 17:1
• Street: A bet on a row of three numbers, placed on the outside line of the row.
  • Payout: 11:1
• Corner: A bet on four numbers, placed where the four numbers meet.
  • Payout: 8:1
• Top Line (or Basket): A specific bet on five numbers: 0,00,1,2,3. This bet is unique to the American Roulette wheel.
  • Payout: 6:1
• Double Street: A bet on two adjacent rows of numbers, covering a total of six numbers. It's placed on the outside line where the two rows meet.
  • Payout: 5:1
• Courtesy Line: A bet on the line between the second and third dozen, specifically for covering the split between the 0 and 00 slots.

Outside Bets: Betting on Groups

Outside bets are wagers placed on the areas surrounding the numbered grid. They cover a larger range of numbers, resulting in a higher probability of winning but at a much lower payout. All outside bets will lose if the ball lands on either the 0 or 00 slot.

• Even Money Bets: These bets cover all the numbers, except the zeros, and pay even money.
  • Red or Black: Bet on whether the winning number will be red or black.
  • Odd or Even: Bet on whether the winning number will be odd or even.
  • 1-18 or 19-36: Bet on whether the winning number will be in the first or second half of the numbers.
  • Payout: 1:1
• Dozens: You can bet on one of the three dozen groups: the first dozen (1−12), the second dozen (13−24), or the third dozen (25−36).
  • Payout: 2:1
• Columns: You can bet on one of the three columns of numbers.
  • Payout: 2:1

Understanding the Odds

The payout ratios listed above are based on a fair and regulated game, but the house edge is always present due to the 0 and 00 slots. For example, the true odds of a straight up bet on a single number are 37:1, but the casino pays only 35:1. This difference is the house's profit margin.

Mastering these payouts is the first step toward becoming a skilled roulette player or dealer. It allows you to make informed decisions and recognize the value of each bet. Whether you're a player looking to improve your game or a dealer in training, this knowledge is your foundation for success.