Odds, Probability & Bankroll
Roulette payouts
Roulette payouts are the fixed odds a casino pays for each winning bet, expressed as a ratio such as 35:1 for a straight-up bet or 1:1 for red or black.
Key points
- Narrower bets like straight-up (35:1) pay more than broader bets like red/black (1:1).12
- The payout is based on 36 outcomes, even though a double-zero wheel has 38 pockets.1
- The 0-0-1-2-3 combination bet has a higher house edge of 7.89% under standard US rules.3
- If a bet wins, the casino pays the posted ratio; if it loses, the wager is forfeited.1
- The term 'pay table' is more commonly used for slots or video poker, not roulette.4
Common roulette payouts
| Bet type | Payout ratio |
|---|---|
| Straight-up (one number) | 35:1 |
| Split (two numbers) | 17:1 |
| Street (three numbers) | 11:1 |
| Corner (four numbers) | 8:1 |
| Six line (six numbers) | 5:1 |
| Red/Black, Odd/Even, High/Low | 1:1 |
How to calculate roulette payouts
Use the formula 36 / p, where p is the number of numbers your bet covers.1 For a straight-up bet covering one number, 36 / 1 = 35, so the payout is 35:1. For a corner bet covering four numbers, 36 / 4 = 9, but the actual payout is 8:1 — the casino keeps the difference as its edge.
On a double-zero wheel, the true odds of hitting a single number are 37:1, but the casino pays only 35:1, creating the house edge of 5.26% for most bets.3
The casino sets each bet’s payout according to how many wheel outcomes win that wager; narrower bets pay more, and broader bets pay less.12
Common questions
How does roulette payouts work?
Each bet type has a fixed payout ratio set by the casino. Narrower bets (e.g., straight-up) pay more because they are harder to hit. Broader bets (e.g., red/black) pay 1:1. If you win, you keep your original bet plus the payout; if you lose, the bet is forfeited.1
How to calculate roulette payouts?
Use the formula 36 / p, where p is the number of winning outcomes for the bet.1 For example, a split bet covers two numbers, so 36 / 2 = 18, but the actual payout is 17:1 — the casino takes one unit as its edge. A free roulette payout chart can help you check ratios quickly.
Where this term is used
Related terms
Sources
- Roulette - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org Provides the payout formula (36/p) and standard payout ratios for roulette bets.
- Play Online Roulette for Real Money or Free wizardofodds.com Confirms the relationship between bet width and payout amount.
- 輪盤賭——基礎知識 wizardofodds.com Supplies the house edge figures for standard bets and the 0-0-1-2-3 combination.
- Pay table - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org Clarifies that 'pay table' is not typically used for roulette.
Sources are drawn from regulators, universities and published research, and each one is labelled with what it actually is — a preprint is not called a paper. Bookmaker and affiliate pages are never cited here, because a page that sells betting is not a neutral authority on it.