Roulette Payouts. How Much You Can Win on Different Bets

The Mechanics of Roulette Payouts

Roulette is one of the most recognizable casino games, played in venues around the world and across online platforms. While the rules are simple, the game offers a wide range of betting options, each with its own risk-reward ratio.

At the heart of roulette betting lies the distinction between inside bets and outside bets. Inside bets, which focus on individual numbers or small clusters, offer the highest payouts but come with significantly lower probabilities of success. In contrast, outside bets cover broader sections of the table, increasing the likelihood of winning at the expense of lower returns.

However, regardless of the bet placed, the house edge remains a defining factor—2.7% in European roulette and 5.26% in American roulette, the latter due to the presence of an additional double zero (00).

Inside Bets

Inside bets offer the biggest payouts in roulette, but they also carry the lowest chances of success. These bets focus on specific numbers or small groups, making them harder to win but significantly more rewarding when they do.

Straight-Up Bet (35:1 Payout)

A straight-up bet is placed on a single number. It’s the riskiest wager on the board, but it offers the biggest reward.

• Odds of winning: 2.70% (European) / 2.63% (American)
• Winning amount: A €10 bet wins €350, plus the original wager, for a total of €360.

Split Bet (17:1 Payout)

A split bet covers two adjacent numbers. This improves the odds slightly while still offering a strong payout.

• Odds of winning: 5.41% (European) / 5.26% (American)
• Winning amount: A €10 bet wins €170, total return €180.

Street Bet (11:1 Payout)

A street bet is placed on three numbers in a row. This provides a middle ground between risk and reward.

• Odds of winning: 8.11% (European) / 7.89% (American)
• Winning amount: A €10 bet wins €110, total return €120.

Corner Bet (8:1 Payout)

A corner bet covers four numbers that form a square on the betting grid.

• Odds of winning: 10.81% (European) / 10.53% (American)
• Winning amount: A €10 bet wins €80, total return €90.

Six-Line Bet (5:1 Payout)

A six-line bet covers two adjacent rows, meaning it includes six numbers.

• Odds of winning: 16.22% (European) / 15.79% (American)
• Winning amount: A €10 bet wins €50, total return €60.

Outside Bets

Outside bets cover larger sections of the roulette board, offering better chances of winning at lower payouts.

Column Bet (2:1 Payout)

A column bet covers one of the three vertical columns on the betting layout, each containing 12 numbers.

• Odds of winning: 32.43% (European) / 31.58% (American)
• Winning amount: A €10 bet wins €20, total return €30.

Dozen Bet (2:1 Payout)

A dozen bet is placed on 12 numbers, divided into three groups: 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36.

• Odds of winning: Same as column bet
• Winning amount: A €10 bet wins €20, total return €30.

Even-Money Bets (1:1 Payout)

These bets cover nearly half the table, making them the safest options in roulette. They include:

• Red or Black

• Odd or Even

• High (19-36) or Low (1-18)

• Odds of winning: 48.65% (European) / 47.37% (American)

• Winning amount: A €10 bet wins €10, total return €20.

While these bets may seem close to a 50/50 proposition, the presence of the zero (and double zero in American roulette) gives the house a slight edge.

Betting Strategies

Roulette is fundamentally a game of chance, yet numerous betting strategies aim to improve results through structured wagering.

Martingale System

One of the most well-known strategies, the Martingale system, involves doubling bets after each loss to recoup previous losses and secure a small profit once a win occurs.

While effective in theory, this approach requires a substantial bankroll and is vulnerable to long losing streaks, which can quickly deplete funds or hit casino table limits.

Reverse Martingale (Paroli)

A more aggressive variation, the reverse Martingale, doubles bets after wins instead of losses, aiming to capitalize on streaks. However, its reliance on continuous success makes it equally risky, as losing just once after a series of wins erases progress.

D’Alembert System

For players seeking a less volatile strategy, the D’Alembert system adjusts wagers by increasing them slightly after a loss and decreasing them after a win. While this method mitigates the rapid losses of Martingale, it also yields smaller profits.

Fibonacci Strategy

The Fibonacci strategy is a progressive betting system based on the famous Fibonacci sequence—a series of numbers where each value is the sum of the two preceding ones (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, etc.). It is often used in roulette to manage losses and control risk, particularly on even-money bets such as Red/Black, Odd/Even, or High/Low.

James Bond Strategy

Popularized by the fictional spy, this strategy divides a €200 bet as follows:

• €140 on high numbers (19-36)
• €50 on 13-18
• €10 on zero

The variety of roulette bets ensures that players can tailor their approach based on risk tolerance and strategy. Inside bets provide the allure of large payouts but carry lower probabilities of success. Conversely, outside bets offer higher chances of winning but with reduced financial rewards.

Despite the appeal of betting systems, no strategy eliminates the house edge, reinforcing roulette’s nature as a game of probability. The best approach remains a disciplined betting strategy, bankroll management, and an understanding of the odds—ensuring that, win or lose, players can enjoy the game responsibly.