Roulette odds explained: European vs American
Roulette looks simple, but the wheel you choose changes your odds.
The wheels
| European | American | |
|---|---|---|
| Pockets | 1–36 + 0 (37) | 1–36 + 0 + 00 (38) |
| House edge | 2.70% | 5.26% |
The extra 00 pocket nearly doubles the house edge. If both versions are available, European roulette is the better deal.
Common bets (European wheel)
| Bet | Covers | Pays | Chance to win |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight up | 1 number | 35:1 | 2.7% |
| Split | 2 numbers | 17:1 | 5.4% |
| Street | 3 numbers | 11:1 | 8.1% |
| Dozen / Column | 12 numbers | 2:1 | 32.4% |
| Red/Black, Odd/Even, 1–18/19–36 | 18 numbers | 1:1 | 48.6% |
On a standard wheel, almost every bet carries the same house edge — the zero is what pays the house.
Betting systems don’t work
Martingale (doubling after every loss) and similar systems change how you lose, not whether the house edge applies. A losing streak plus table limits can wipe out a bankroll fast.
Tip
Some tables offer a rule that returns half of even-money bets when the ball lands on zero, which lowers the edge on those bets. Check the game rules screen.
Play within your limits. If gambling stops being fun, call ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600 (free, 24/7) or self-exclude from all regulated Ontario sites with BetGuard.