Roulette8 min read

Roulette Payouts Explained: Bet Examples and House Edge

Article byHeather Ferris

Roulette payouts tell you how much a winning bet earns. A $5 straight-up bet at 35 to 1 wins $175; with the original $5 stake, the total return is $180. This guide explains the payout calculations and house edge. For a quick reference, use our free roulette payout chart.

For standard roulette bets, covering fewer numbers generally means a higher payout and a lower chance of winning. Covering more numbers means a smaller payout and a higher chance of winning. Both the bet you choose and the type of roulette wheel affect your winning probability.

European roulette uses a single zero (0), while American roulette uses both a single zero (0) and a double zero (00). That extra zero nearly doubles the casino’s advantage.

Online casinos at https://online-casinosbe.com/ offer the convenience of playing from home with a wide range of roulette options. Players can find both European and American roulette games, along with tips on how to choose the right and safe online casino. Exploring various online platforms helps players find the best odds, enjoy secure gambling experiences, and maximize their chances of winning.

Players looking to compare roulette odds to other casino games can explore our Blackjack Strategy Guides to see how decision-based games differ from pure chance games.

How Roulette Payouts Work

A roulette payout written as “35 to 1” means a winning bet earns 35 times the amount wagered, with the original stake returned separately. To calculate the winnings, multiply the wager by the payout multiplier.

Winnings = bet amount × payout multiplier

For example, a $10 split bet paying 17 to 1 wins $170. The original $10 stake is also returned, making the total return $180.

The tables below show standard payouts and winning probabilities for single-zero European and double-zero American roulette. These figures assume a fair wheel and standard payouts; special table rules can change the house edge.

While payout tables show what you can win, understanding the mathematical probability of each bet is equally important. For a deeper dive into the house edge and hit frequencies, you can check these roulette odds to better inform your betting strategy.

What is the payout for a single number in roulette?

A straight-up bet on one number pays 35 to 1. For every $1 wagered, a winning bet earns $35, and the original $1 stake is returned. This also applies to a straight-up bet on 0, or on 00 where available.

Inside Bets

Bet Type Numbers Covered Payout European Win % American Win %
Straight Up 1 35 to 1 2.70% 2.63%
Split 2 17 to 1 5.41% 5.26%
Street 3 11 to 1 8.11% 7.89%
Corner 4 8 to 1 10.81% 10.53%
Double Street 6 5 to 1 16.22% 15.79%
Basket (American only) 5 6 to 1 N/A 13.16%

Outside Bets

Bet Type Numbers Covered Payout European Win % American Win %
Red / Black 18 1 to 1 48.65% 47.37%
Odd / Even 18 1 to 1 48.65% 47.37%
High / Low 18 1 to 1 48.65% 47.37%
Dozen or Column 12 2 to 1 32.43% 31.58%

Winnings vs. Total Return

Winnings are the profit earned by a successful bet. Total return includes those winnings plus the original stake.

  • Winnings = bet amount × payout multiplier
  • Total return = winnings + original stake

For example, a winning $10 bet on red pays 1 to 1:

  • Original stake: $10
  • Winnings: $10
  • Total return: $20

The $20 total return is not $20 in profit: $10 of it is the money originally wagered. If a standard bet loses, the stake is lost and the return is $0, unless a special table rule provides a refund.

Roulette Payout Examples

Here is what a winning $5 bet returns at each standard payout:

Winning Bet Stake Payout Winnings Total Return
Straight Up $5 35 to 1 $175 $180
Split $5 17 to 1 $85 $90
Street $5 11 to 1 $55 $60
Corner $5 8 to 1 $40 $45
Basket (American only) $5 6 to 1 $30 $35
Double Street $5 5 to 1 $25 $30
Dozen or Column $5 2 to 1 $10 $15
Red / Black, Odd / Even, High / Low $5 1 to 1 $5 $10

For a $5 corner bet, multiply $5 by 8 to calculate $40 in winnings, then add the original $5 stake for a $45 total return.

Roulette Payouts by Number of Chips

The table below shows winning chips only, excluding the original chips wagered. It assumes all chips have the same value. Multiply the winning-chip count by the chip denomination to calculate dollar winnings.

Number of Chips Straight Up Split Street Corner Basket Double Street
1 35 17 11 8 6 5
2 70 34 22 16 12 10
3 105 51 33 24 18 15
4 140 68 44 32 24 20
5 175 85 55 40 30 25
6 210 102 66 48 36 30
7 245 119 77 56 42 35
8 280 136 88 64 48 40
9 315 153 99 72 54 45
10 350 170 110 80 60 50
11 385 187 121 88 66 55
12 420 204 132 96 72 60
13 455 221 143 104 78 65
14 490 238 154 112 84 70
15 525 255 165 120 90 75
16 560 272 176 128 96 80
17 595 289 187 136 102 85
18 630 306 198 144 108 90
19 665 323 209 152 114 95
20 700 340 220 160 120 100

For example, three $5 chips on a split represent a $15 wager. A win pays 51 chips, worth $255 in winnings. Including the original three chips, the total return is 54 chips, or $270.

For a separate quick-reference resource, use our free roulette payout chart.

American vs. European House Edge

The house edge is the casino’s expected profit as a percentage of the amount wagered over many bets. It comes from the difference between the payout and the true odds against winning. It does not predict the result of an individual spin or session.

European Roulette House Edge

European roulette has 37 pockets: numbers 1–36 and a single zero.

  • Probability of hitting one number: 1 in 37
  • True odds against hitting that number: 36 to 1
  • Standard straight-up payout: 35 to 1
  • Standard house edge: 2.70%

Under standard rules, the bets listed above have the same 2.70% house edge on a European wheel. Special rules such as la partage can reduce the house edge on even-money bets, so check the rules at the table.

American Roulette House Edge

American roulette has 38 pockets: numbers 1–36, a single zero, and a double zero.

  • Probability of hitting one number: 1 in 38
  • True odds against hitting that number: 37 to 1
  • Standard straight-up payout: 35 to 1
  • Standard house edge for most bets: 5.26%

The extra zero increases losing outcomes without increasing standard payouts. The five-number basket bet, covering 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3, is an exception: its 6-to-1 payout produces a higher house edge of 7.89%.

With standard payouts and no special refund rules, single-zero European roulette offers a lower house edge than double-zero American roulette.

Why Higher Payouts Do Not Mean Better Odds

A larger payout does not mean a bet is more likely to win. On an American wheel, a straight-up bet pays 35 to 1 but wins on only 1 of 38 pockets. A bet on red pays 1 to 1 but wins on 18 of 38 pockets.

Inside Bets: Larger Payouts, Less Frequent Wins

Inside bets are placed on the numbered grid and include straight-up, split, street, corner, and double-street bets. They cover fewer numbers and generally produce less frequent, larger wins.

For the same amount wagered on each spin, these bets have greater volatility than even-money outside bets. That means larger swings in results, not a better expected return.

If you are unfamiliar with these terms, our Casino Lingo Dictionary explains the bet types used on the casino floor.

Outside Bets: Smaller Payouts, More Frequent Wins

Outside bets cover larger groups of numbers. Red/black, odd/even, and high/low each cover 18 numbers and pay 1 to 1. Dozens and columns cover 12 numbers and pay 2 to 1.

Even-money bets win more frequently and have lower volatility than straight-up bets of the same size. Under standard rules, however, they have the same house edge: 2.70% on a European wheel or 5.26% on an American wheel.

Win Frequency and House Edge Are Different

A straight-up bet is less likely to win than a bet on red, but its larger payout balances that lower win frequency to give the same standard house edge. The American five-number basket bet differs because its 7.89% house edge is higher than the usual 5.26%.

Compare the chance of winning, the payout, and the house edge separately. More frequent wins do not guarantee a profit.

For more explanation, read our beginner’s guide to roulette odds.

Beginner Roulette Tips

  • Check the number of zeros and the table rules before playing.
  • Distinguish winnings from total return when calculating a payout.
  • Remember that outside bets win more often but still carry a house edge.
  • Check the five-number basket bet separately: its house edge is higher than most American roulette bets.
  • Set a budget and remember that betting systems do not change the house edge.

Understanding roulette payouts helps you check calculations and compare bets, but it does not remove the casino’s mathematical advantage.

Learn More About Casino Odds

Do roulette payouts include the original bet?

Payouts stated as “to 1” describe winnings only. For example, a winning $5 bet paying 35 to 1 earns $175 in winnings. With the original $5 stake returned, the total return is $180.

Do roulette payouts change based on the bet?

Yes. Standard bets that cover fewer numbers generally pay more but win less often. Bets covering more numbers pay less but win more frequently.

Is European roulette better than American roulette?

With standard payouts and no special refund rules, European roulette has a lower house edge of 2.70%, compared with 5.26% for most American roulette bets. The American five-number basket bet has a higher house edge of 7.89%.

Are outside bets safer in roulette?

Outside bets win more frequently and generally have lower volatility than inside bets of the same size, but they can still lose. Under standard rules, switching from a straight-up bet to an even-money outside bet does not reduce the house edge.

Can a roulette betting system remove the house edge?

No. On a fair wheel, changing bet sizes or following previous results does not change the probabilities or remove the built-in house edge.

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