Roulette Odds - Full Guide for All Player Skill Levels

Roulette is one of the longest-running casino games, with a history stretching back to 18th century France. In all that time, no one has devised a fool-proof method of winning this game of chance. However, gamblers can employ betting strategies that should help maximize potential wins and mitigate losses. While it is a game of chance, many aspects of roulette revolve around mathematics, statistics, and odds that create the house edge, which is the built-in casino advantage. In this roulette guide, our casino experts at Casinos.com cover everything you need to know about roulette odds and how to use them. Read this page to learn how to play roulette and how exactly roulette statistics work, and what you should pay attention to while placing bets at the roulette table.

Before we get into specifics, let's look at the two most popular roulette games and how they differ from each other. When it was first introduced in Paris, the roulette wheel sported 38 numbered sections, including two slots for the bank marked by a zero and a double zero. However, in the mid-19th century, another wheel was devised which removed the double zero. This improved a player’s odds of winning from 38/1 to 37/1.

Fast forward to the present day, and the wheel featuring the single zero is commonly known as European Roulette, while American Roulette reintroduced the double zero to increase the house edge. However, the payouts on both games for winning bets are similar, causing the European and American roulette games to have a house edge of 2.7% and 5.26%, respectively. This means that the casino will keep a much more significant portion of wagers when offering the American version of the game. Therefore, roulette statistics clearly dictate that savvy players should focus on playing European Roulette whenever available. So before you have placed a bet, the best strategy is to choose European roulette or one of its variants from one of our recommended online casinos below.

The difference between American and European Roulette is quite apparent, but we will also demonstrate it by showing you the impact it makes on each roulette bet. Before looking at odds, it is essential to understand the difference between the two main types of bets available in a roulette game. Inside bets are bets placed on specific numbers, while outside bets are placed on occurrences (e.g., red-black, high-low, odd-even, etc.). The table below contains the roulette payout for each inside and outside bet, along with the odds for each option to occur.

Outside Bet Odds

Outside bets are the bets made on the outer skirts of the roulette betting table. With higher outcome probabilities than individual-number bets, outside bets also offer a lower payout. Outside bets include even/odd, red/black, and low/high, all of which are even money bets. Meaning you can expect to double your stake if you win while having a slightly under 50% chance of hitting. Column, row, and dozen bets offer a 2:1 payout and land just under 1 in 3 times. These bets are slightly more volatile than the even-money bets, and they are placed by players looking to take more risk for a slightly higher roulette payout.

Inside Bet Odds

Named after their interior position on the roulette table, inside bets are wagers made on individual numbers. Roulette statistics differ for the various inside bets you can make. As you can see in the roulette odds guide table above, these include straight bets, split bets, corner bets, basket bets, and more. These bets are all made by placing chips on the actual numbers or the lines between the numbers. The roulette odds of each inside bet probability are relatively low. For example, a winning straight-number bet on European Roulette is an event that occurs only 2.7% of the time. But corresponding to the higher risk, a handsome payout of 35:1 is awarded in case of a win. Many roulette players bet on multiple straight numbers at once or use split or corner bets to reduce risk.

We have already mentioned that there are different roulette games available, each offering different odds and probabilities. If you are looking to play online roulette for free, you should try to maximize your chances of winning by reducing the house edge by playing the games with the most favorable statistics. Here are some of the roulette games you will most commonly find in live casinos or online casino sites:

• European Roulette: A popular roulette version with a 2.7% house edge and favorable roulette odds.
• American Roulette: Common in casinos in North America, the game almost doubles the casino's advantage to 5.26% by featuring two zero pockets.
• French Roulette: A roulette wheel with special rules for even money bets that are very favorable to players, with even-money bets carrying a house edge as low as 1.35%.
• Multi-Wheel Roulette: An roulette game that lets you bet on multiple roulette wheels at once and thus hedge your risk on outcomes of multiple bets and wheels.
• Multi-Ball Roulette: A roulette game with multiple balls spinning within the wheel, sometimes also featuring special jackpots. Although there are more chances to win with more balls landing in different pockets with each spin, lower payouts compensate for higher odds.

If you want to make sure you are getting the most out of your roulette sessions, you need to try and maximize your roulette odds every time. While no formula will guarantee that you win, there are several things you can do to increase your chances of winning at the roulette table:

• Choose the right game: Not every roulette variation offers the same odds. Make sure you choose the games with the best roulette odds if you want to win more often.
• Understand the game statistics: Knowing the roulette statistics may help you win. While you should not think a number is more likely to land at one point (gambler's fallacy), knowing the statistics and your probability of landing a winning bet will help you bet with more consistency.
• Only bet with money you can afford: Never wager money you cannot afford to lose. Gambling with money that is meant for your living expenses can cause you problems and stress and will put your mental and financial physical well-being at risk.
• Apply roulette strategies: Our roulette experts at casinos.com offer several popular roulette betting systems and strategies. Check out the top roulette betting systems in the section below and learn how to use them to increase your chances of winning the next time you play at the roulette tables.
• Use casino bonuses and promotions: Any roulette bonus or extra money you can get from the casino will get you started at the tables and make your bankroll last longer. It is especially true when playing online roulette, but live casinos sometimes offer valuable promotions on live dealer roulette as well. However, as many bonuses do not include roulette games, always check the casino's terms and conditions before playing.

As with every form of gambling, luck plays a big part in winning at the roulette tables. Still, if you are looking to boost your odds, applying the best strategy for roulette might help. There are several popular roulette strategies out there that you can use. While these won't guarantee your bets come out right or decrease the house edge, they can help to increase your chances of winning. Also, they will make your gameplay a lot more immersive and exciting.

The Martingale Strategy

Although it might initially seem counter-intuitive, the Martingale method pushes you to double your bet after a loss. You don’t bet on a specific number but rather on one of the ranged bets that Roulette allows – this could be red or black, odd or even numbers, or the lower numbers (1-18) and upper numbers (19-36).

Play on a Roulette wheel with a low minimum bet limit and start making small bets. If you win, repeat the same wager for the same value. If you lose, double the same bet, so if you’re betting on black, keep doing so until you win again or reach the maximum bet limit. The larger bets should, in theory, allow you to recoup your losses, but there is also a chance you’ll run out of money.

The Reverse Martingale Strategy

The reverse strategy of the above has you double your wager after a win and lower it after a loss. This betting strategy relies on the idea of hitting a mythical hot streak that remains red hot for a long time. This is often referred to as Gambler’s Fallacy, as the odds don’t change based on what has occurred in previous spins. This strategy also relies heavily on the player’s ability to walk away; if gamblers keep doubling their bet until they lose, they’ll end up losing everything.

The D’Alembert Strategy

Named after French theorist Jean le Rond d’Alembert, this strategy shares some similarities with the Martingale method but is generally considered to carry a lower risk. Rather than doubling your bets after wins or losses, the D’Alembert system suggests increasing the bet by one after a loss and decreasing it by one after a win. Unlike the Martingale strategy, this one recommends walking away from the Roulette wheel when the number of wins matches the number of overall losses.

Fibonacci Strategy

This strategy is based on the mathematical Fibonacci Sequence, a sequence known to occur often in math, science, and nature. Every number in the sequence is the sum of the previous two numbers, spiraling into larger numbers the further you go along the scale. The Fibonacci strategy takes that rule and applies it to the wager on the Roulette wheel. You arrive at the next number in the sequence by adding together the two previous numbers. The sequence looks like this: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55…

Like the Martingale and D’Alembert strategies, this method advises players to increase their bet after a loss, moving along the Fibonacci Sequence. If you manage a win, then you move back two places along the scale. The one advantage this has over D’Alembert is that it’s possible to lose more games than you have won and still walk away with a positive balance. However, the major disadvantage is that you could very quickly reach the maximum bet limit.

Labouchere Strategy

The Labouchere system is a somewhat more complex strategy that still involves trying to manipulate your roulette odds. You need to decide how much you want to win and create a list of numbers that add up to the required win. Add the biggest and the smallest number on the list together and make that your wager. Anytime you win, remove the two numbers from the list. Anytime you lose, add the entire amount lost to the bottom of the list, and keep wagering. Labouchere is highly volatile but will get you where you want to go very fast if you have a winning streak.

James Bond Strategy

Who doesn't want to play roulette like the legendary 007? The famous agent's betting system includes covering a good part of the roulette wheel. Betting 14 units on numbers 19 through 36, 5 units on numbers 13 through 18, and a single unit on 0, you give yourself many winning options. However, you will lose 20 units at once if the spin is a losing one. The system may work well for Mr Bond, but it won't really help you change your roulette odds in the long run.

We wish that our roulette experts that wrote this guide could have helped you predict winning outcomes and negate the house edge. But as roulette is a game of chance, beating the house edge is simply impossible. Instead, our team at Casinos.com wrote this guide to try and give you the best fighting chance by applying some exciting betting strategies and understanding how roulette odds work. Now that you know about roulette statistics, available bets, and what payouts you can expect, all that's left to you is to sign up for one of our recommended casinos, claim a generous welcome bonus and start playing roulette yourself. The next time you think of playing American Roulette or hear someone talk about the gambler's fallacy, remember this guide and go back to betting in the most profitable way possible. But always keep in mind that, like all forms of gambling, playing roulette should be seen purely as entertainment and never as a proven way to earn money. Always gamble responsibly, so you can come back to have fun at the roulette tables again.