When you play roulette, understanding the odds is essential to maximizing your chances of winning.

In this article, I’ll explain how roulette odds work, the differences between the variants, and how to use this knowledge to develop more effective betting strategies.

My roulette odds table

Castor type	Number of boxes	Numbered boxes	Special cases	Probability of a Single Number	Probability of an Even Bet (Red/Black, Even/Odd)	Probability of a Column/Dozen Bet
European	37	1 à 36	0	1/37 (2,70%)	18/37 (48,65%)	12/37 (32,43%)
American	38	1 à 36	0, 00	1/38 (2,63%)	18/38 (47,37%)	12/38 (31,58%)
French	37	1 à 36	0	1/37 (2,70%)	18/37 (48,65%)	12/37 (32,43%)

How do roulette odds work?

In roulette, each square has a well-defined probability. If you bet on a single number in European roulette (37 squares), your chance of winning is 1 in 37, or about 2.70%.

If I choose an even bet, such as red or black, my odds increase to 18 out of 37, or about 48.65%.

In American roulette, with its 38 slots, the probabilities change slightly. For example, the probability of winning a bet on a single number is 1 in 38, or about 2.63%.

Understanding these probabilities helps you make informed choices. Remember, each turn is independent of the previous one.

The house always has a slight edge, so betting intelligently and in moderation is the key to maximizing your gaming pleasure while minimizing your potential losses.

Probabilities for different types of castors

In this section, I’ll guide you through the different odds associated with roulette variants.

Understanding these differences will enable you to choose the table that maximizes your chances of winning and develop more informed betting strategies.

Calculating the odds on American roulette

American roulette has 38 squares: numbers from 1 to 36, a zero (0) and a double zero (00).

If you bet on a single number, you have a 1-in-38 chance of winning, i.e. about 2.63%. To calculate this probability, I divide 1 by 38. For a simple chance like red or black, you have 18 chances out of 38, since 18 squares are red and 18 are black. That’s about 47.37%.

These probabilities show that the house has an advantage due to the zero and double zero squares.

Calculating the odds on European roulette

In European roulette, there are 37 squares: numbers from 1 to 36 and a zero (0).

If you bet on a single number, you have a 1 in 37 chance of winning, i.e. about 2.70%. To calculate this probability, I divide this time 1 by 37.

For a simple bet like red or black, you have 18 chances out of 37, which comes to about 48.65%. The house still has an advantage with the zero, but it’s less since there are no double zeros.

Calculating the odds on French roulette

On French roulette, as on European roulette, there are 37 slots: numbers from 1 to 36 and a single zero (0). If you bet on a full number, you again have a 1-in-37 chance of winning, i.e. about 2.70%.

Bets on single odds are also the same, with 48.65% odds for a bet on red or black, and 32.43% for columns and dozens.

French roulette is distinguished by its Partage rule: if the ball lands on zero, you get back half your bet, reducing the house’s advantage. You also have the option of putting the house “in jail”.

This gives you an extra chance of winning. But if, on your next turn, the ball comes to rest on zero again, you’ll lose your entire bet.

Calculating the odds on English roulette

English roulette is very similar to French roulette. There are always 37 squares, ranging from 1 to 36 and a zero (0). The probabilities are also exactly the same as on the French and European roulette wheels.

As in French roulette, the “Partage” rule can be applied to reduce the house advantage.

Some examples of roulette odds

In roulette, the odds vary according to the type of bet you choose. For example, if you bet on a single number, you have a 1-in-37 chance of winning at European roulette, or about 2.70%.

If you prefer to bet on red or black, your chances are better, with 18 out of 37, or 48.65%. For a bet on a dozen (12 numbers), you have 12 chances out of 37 to win, i.e. around 32.43%.

In American roulette, the odds are slightly less favorable due to the double zero.

Pay attention to home advantage

When playing roulette, it’s crucial to pay attention to the house edge. This advantage means that, in the long run, the casino always wins.

For example, in European roulette, the house advantage is 2.70%, which is caused by the zero (0) square. In American roulette, this advantage is even higher, at 5.26%, due not only to the zero square (0), but also to the double zero (00). This advantage affects all your bets, whether on a single number, a color or a column.

If you bet 100 times €1 on single numbers at European roulette, you could theoretically lose about €2.70 because of this advantage. At American roulette, you’d lose around €5.26.

It’s important to keep this in mind to avoid excessive losses. Knowing this advantage enables you to manage your budget better and play more responsibly.

By being aware of the house edge, you can adapt your betting strategies, choose games with a lower house edge, and maximize your playing pleasure while minimizing your potential losses.

How can you make the most of probabilities?

To take advantage of the odds in roulette, it’s important to understand how they work and adapt your strategy accordingly. Firstly, I advise you to banish American roulette, as its house edge is twice that of European, French or English roulette.

To maximize your chances, focus on higher-probability bets, such as single odds (red/black, even/odd, 1-18/19-36). Although the payouts are lower, your chances of winning are better, allowing you to stay in the game longer and reduce your losses.

Don’t hesitate to use the split rule in French roulette, which reduces the house advantage on single odds.

It’s also important to manage your budget responsibly. Set betting limits and don’t chase your losses. By understanding the odds and playing carefully, you can maximize your enjoyment and minimize your losses at roulette.