Roulette Odds
Single zero, double zero, and the one bet to avoid
In roulette, the wheel decides your cost before you place a chip. Every standard bet on a given wheel carries the same house edge, so the most important choice is which table you sit at.
The house edge by wheel
| Wheel | House edge |
|---|---|
| Single zero (European), with la partage or en prison on even-money bets | 1.35% on those bets |
| Single zero (European) | 2.70% |
| Double zero (American) | 5.26% |
| Triple zero | 7.69% |
| Double zero, the five-number bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3) | 7.89% |
Why the zeros matter
A straight-up number pays 35 to 1. On a 37-pocket single-zero wheel, true odds would be 36 to 1; on a 38-pocket double-zero wheel, 37 to 1. The gap between what the bet pays and what it should pay is the house edge, and each extra zero widens it. Find a single-zero wheel if you can, and skip the five-number bet on an American wheel: it is the worst bet on the table.
Betting systems
Martingale, d'Alembert, Fibonacci and the rest rearrange your bets but never change the edge on any spin. A doubling system wins small amounts often and loses large amounts occasionally, and table limits make sure the large loss eventually comes.
Practice it free
The free roulette simulator lets you place any bet and see its odds before you play for real.
Go further
Carry the strategy to the table on a printable strategy card, or get every number worked out in The Complete Roulette Strategist.
More free guides
All six games are in the free casino simulators.
Gambling carries real risk of loss, and no strategy removes the house edge on these games. Play only where it is legal and you are of age. If gambling stops being fun, call 1-800-GAMBLER. See the disclaimer.