Roulette is a popular casino game worldwide for its exciting format and multiple chances of winning big. Understanding roulette odds is crucial for making informed decisions while playing. As a game of chance, the odds determine how frequently you might win or lose.
There are three main versions of roulette: American, European, and French. Each version has different rules, odds, and house edges that significantly affect your chances of winning. Players can choose the variant that provides better odds and potentially more favorable outcomes by comparing these versions.
In this guide, we’ll learn more about the odds and house edges of these roulette variants to help you make better betting decisions.
What is Online Roulette?

Online roulette is a virtual version of the classic casino game you can play on Betcha. Players place bets on where they think a spinning ball will land on a numbered wheel. Depending on the variant, the wheel has 37 or 38 slots, and the ball can land on any of these numbers, either red, black, or green for the zero.
Below is a brief overview of how it works:
- Bets: Players place their bets on various outcomes, such as a specific number, a color (red or black), or a range of numbers.
- Spin: Once all bets are placed, the wheel spins and a ball is dropped onto the spinning wheel.
- Outcome: The ball eventually lands on one of the numbered slots, determining the winning outcome.
- Payouts: Winning bets are paid out according to the odds associated with the bet type.
American roulette features 38 pockets, including two zeros, leading to a higher house edge of 5.26%. With 37 pockets and a single zero, European roulette offers better odds with a house edge of 2.7%.
French roulette uses the game's original version, which features a similar wheel to European roulette but with additional betting opportunities.
Understanding of the House Edge
The house edge refers to the percentage the casino expects to make from each bet in the long run. This edge is based on the game's structure and affects your chances of winning. In roulette, there are three main types of wheels:
- American Double-Zero Wheel: This wheel has 38 pockets (numbers 1 to 36, a single zero 0, and a double zero 00). The extra 00 pocket increases the house edge.
The house edge in American roulette is 5.26%. For every 100 units wagered, players can expect to lose 5.26 units on average.
- European Single-Zero Wheel: This wheel has 37 pockets (numbers 1 to 36 and a single 0). This version has a lower house edge of 2.7%.
For every 100 units wagered, players can expect to lose 2.7 units on average. The absence of a double zero pocket makes this game more favorable for players.
- French Single-Zero Wheel: This classic version of the game stands out for its player-friendly rules and lower house edge.
Like European roulette, it features a wheel with 37 pockets and a single zero, giving it a base house edge of 2.7%. However, French roulette includes two unique rules—"La Partage" and "En Prison"—that can further reduce the house edge to 1.35% on even-money bets.
Odds for Common Bets in All Three Versions
Let’s spark a light on the odds for common bets in American, European and French roulette:
Bet Type | American Roulette Odds | European Roulette Odds | French Roulette Odds |
Red/Black | 46.37% | 48.6% | 48.6% (with La Partage) |
Odd/Even | 46.37% | 48.6% | 48.6% (with La Partage) |
1-18/19-36 | 46.37% | 48.6% | 48.6% (with La Partage) |
1-12/13-24/25-36 | 31.58% | 32.4% | 32.4% |
Single Number | 2.63% | 2.7% | 2.7% |
Combination of 2 Numbers | 5.26% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
Combination of 3 Numbers | 7.89% | 8.1% | 8.1% |
Comparison between American, European, and French Roulette Odds
The key difference between American, European, and French roulette you can find at Betcha World is the extra double zero pocket in American roulette. This addition increases the house edge and makes the game less favorable for players. In all versions, the payout for a single number bet is the same (35-to-1), but the odds of winning are better in French roulette.
American Roulette Odds
The odds of landing on a single number in American roulette are 1 in 38 because of the 38 pockets. However, the payout for a win is 35 to 1, not the 37 to 1 you might expect from the odds. The difference between the odds and payouts creates the house edge that keeps the casino profitable.
European Roulette Odds
European roulette works similarly, but the odds are slightly more favorable to players due to the single zero. With 37 pockets instead of 38, the probability of winning is a bit higher. The house edge in European roulette is only 2.7%, meaning you lose less in the long run than in American roulette.
French Roulette Odds
French Roulette offers better odds than other versions due to its unique rules and layout. The game features 37 pockets, numbers 1-36, and a single zero. This results in a house edge of 2.7%, lower than American Roulette's 5.26%.
A key aspect is the La Partage rule. If the ball lands on zero, players who made even-money bets (such as red/black or odd/even) receive half of their bet back. This reduces the house edge to 1.35% for these bets, giving players better odds.
Difference Between Roulette Odds and Probabilities
Many people confuse probability and odds, but they are different concepts. In roulette:
- Probability measures the chance of a specific number showing up in roulette. For example, betting on number 17 in American roulette gives you a probability of 1 in 38, or about 2.63%. This reflects the likelihood of hitting that number out of all possible outcomes.
- Odds represent the ratio of losing compared to winning. With a single number bet in American roulette, the odds of winning are 37-to-1 since 37 other numbers could come up instead of your chosen number. However, the payout for hitting a single number is only 35-to-1, creating a built-in advantage for the casino.
It’s important to know that roulette odds are based on long-term play. In the short term, anything can happen. You could win several times in a row or lose for many spins. However, the results will tend to match the calculated odds over time.
Short-Term vs. Long-Term Play
In the short term, roulette outcomes can appear highly variable and random. You might experience a streak of wins or endure long stretches without a single win. This randomness is attributed to variance, which influences all casino games. While variance affects individual outcomes, the house edge remains a constant factor. It ensures that the casino always makes a profit over the long run, regardless of short-term fluctuations.
Whether you play a single spin or hundreds of spins, the house edge is consistent. Over time, the more you play, the more your results align with the statistical odds. This is why maintaining consistent success in roulette over time is challenging.
For example, if you play 100 rounds of roulette at Betcha, the outcomes may not precisely match the probability of each bet. You might experience several consecutive wins or losses. Nonetheless, as the number of rounds increases, the results tend to converge toward the expected probabilities, making it challenging to achieve consistent wins over time due to the inherent house edge.
Roulette Table Odds on Proposition Bets
Roulette offers many betting options, each with different odds. Let's compare two of them with suitable examples:
- Red/Black Bet: One of the most straightforward bets in roulette is red or black. Players bet whether the next spin will land on a red or black number. On an American wheel, there are 18 red numbers, 18 black numbers, and two green pockets (0 and 00).
This gives you a nearly 50/50 chance of winning, but the green pockets lower the odds to 46.37%. European and French roulette has only one green pocket, so the odds are better at 48.6%.
- Single Number Bet: Betting on a single number in roulette is a high-risk strategy. Although it offers a substantial payout of 35:1, the odds of hitting that number are only 2.63% on an American roulette wheel.
This means that while the potential reward is significant, the chances of winning are low. As a result, you’re more likely to lose in the long run despite the attractive payout. This makes single-number bets a riskier choice compared to other betting options.
Which Roulette Version is Better for Players?
Choosing European and French roulette at Betcha is generally a wiser decision. The key difference between European, French, and American roulette lies in the number of zeros on the wheel. European and French roulette has one zero, while American roulette has a zero and a double zero. This extra zero in American roulette increases the house edge, meaning the casino has a more significant advantage over players.
This difference may seem minor for casual players who play occasionally for fun. However, for regular or serious players, the reduced house edge in European and French roulette can significantly impact their long-term results. With each bet, the lower house advantage in European and French roulette saves money, especially when playing over many sessions.
While European and French roulette offers better chances of winning, the house edge still exists to ensure the casino's long-term profits. Therefore, playing European and French roulette helps reduce losses and makes the experience more favorable for regular players.