A Split bet at a European Roulette table covers two adjacent numbers and pays 17:1. This bet type is available on any of the 37 sectors of the wheel, with a standard RTP of 97.30%. For comparison, a Street bet, covering three numbers in a horizontal row, pays 11:1, also on the European wheel.
The difference in payouts between a Split (17:1) and a Street (11:1) bet on European Roulette reflects the number of sectors covered. A Street bet offers a slightly lower payout ratio but covers more numbers than a Split bet. Both bets contribute to the 97.30% RTP of the European wheel when the 'La Partage' rule is not in effect for inside bets.
In American Roulette, the presence of both a '0' and '00' sector increases the house edge to 5.26%. While payouts for basic bets like Straight (35:1) remain similar, the additional sector on the American wheel impacts the overall RTP, making it lower than the European version for most bet types.
rules, odds and strategy
Dozen 2:1 and Columns Overview
Bets on either the first, second, or third dozen (1-12, 13-24, 25-36) on a European Roulette wheel pay 2:1. These bets, along with column bets, cover 12 numbers each. The RTP for these bets on a European wheel is 97.30%, with a house edge of 2.70%.
Column bets also cover 12 numbers and offer the same 2:1 payout as dozen bets. The European wheel's structure provides a consistent house edge of 2.70% across these outside bets. In contrast, American Roulette, with its double zero, increases the house edge significantly for all wagers.
For example, on a European wheel, a 100 Euro bet on a dozen or column pays 200 Euro profit if successful. This payout structure is consistent across all dozen and column bets, contributing to the overall 97.30% RTP. The 'La Partage' rule, which reduces the house edge on even-money bets when a 0 appears, does not apply to these types of inside bets.
100 Euro Bankroll: 100 Rounds Simple Chances
With a 100 Euro bankroll, placing bets on simple chances (like Red/Black) for 100 rounds at a European Roulette table would involve managing the 1:1 payout. Each 1 Euro bet on a simple chance would yield 1 Euro profit if won, contributing to the 97.30% RTP.
If a player were to bet 1 Euro on Red for 100 consecutive rounds at a European Roulette table, and assuming an even distribution of wins and losses, the theoretical outcome would be influenced by the 2.70% house edge. This means that over a significant number of rounds, a small portion of the total wagered amount is expected to be retained by the house.
The 'La Partage' rule, applicable to even-money bets in French Roulette, would reduce the house edge to 1.35% in this scenario. Specifically, if the ball lands on 0, half of the bet on a simple chance is returned, mitigating potential losses and improving the player's theoretical return to 98.65% on those specific bets.
D'Alembert and Fibonacci Against the Same Table Limit
When employing betting systems like D'Alembert or Fibonacci at a European Roulette table, players must be aware of the table limits.
The Fibonacci system involves increasing bets based on a sequence where each new bet is the sum of the two preceding ones (e.g., 1, 1, 2, 3, 5). The D'Alembert system, conversely, increases the bet by one unit after a loss and decreases it by one unit after a win.
Both systems, when applied to simple chances like Red/Black (1:1 payout) on a European wheel with a 97.30% RTP, are subject to the same table limits. A player using these systems would need to ensure their progression does not exceed the maximum allowed bet, which could be as high as 2,000 EUR on certain live tables, preventing continuous progression.
Straight 35:1 vs Dozen 2:1 Hit Rate
A Straight bet on a single number in European Roulette pays 35:1 and covers one sector out of 37. The hit rate for this bet is approximately 2.70% (1/37). The RTP for Straight bets on a European wheel is 97.30%, with a house edge of 2.70%.
A Dozen bet covers 12 numbers and pays 2:1. The hit rate for a Dozen bet is approximately 32.43% (12/37). Despite the higher hit rate, the payout is significantly lower compared to a Straight bet, reflecting the increased probability of winning.
The difference in hit rate between a Straight bet (approx. 2.70%) and a Dozen bet (approx. 32.43%) on a European Roulette wheel is substantial. While a Dozen bet wins more frequently, the substantial payout of a Straight bet at 35:1 is crucial for achieving the overall 97.30% RTP. Both bet types operate under the same 2.70% house edge on standard European wheels.
Roulette bet types at a glance
Bet
Payout
Win Chance
Numbers Covered
House Edge
Roulette Französisch, innere Einsätze (La Partage gilt nicht)
Straight 35:1, Split 17:1, Street 11:1, Corner 8:1, Six Line 5:1, Dozen 2:1, Column 2:1
97.30%
Rad gleich (37 Sektoren), aber La Partage/En Prison gilt nicht für innere Einsätze – Edge bleibt europäisch
2.70%
Roulette Amerikanisch – Five Number Bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3)
Five Number 6:1 (deckt 5 von 38 Sektoren)
92.11%
Einzige Wette am amerikanischen Rad mit Edge über 5,26% – „Fallenwette“. Kein Äquivalent am europäischen Rad
Straight 35:1, Split 17:1, Street 11:1, Corner 8:1, Six Line 5:1, Dozen 2:1, Column 2:1, Rot/Schwarz 1:1
94.74%
38 Sektoren (1–36 + 0 + 00); Auszahlungen wie beim europäischen Rad, aber der zusätzliche Sektor verdoppelt den Hausvorteil
5.26%
Roulette Europäisch (einfache Null, 37 Sektoren)
Straight 35:1, Split 17:1, Street 11:1, Corner 8:1, Six Line 5:1, Dozen 2:1, Column 2:1, Rot/Schwarz 1:1, Odd/Even 1:1, 1-18/19-36 1:1
97.30%
37 Sektoren (1–36 + 0); Auszahlungen wie für 36 Sektoren – daher konstanter Edge auf ALLE Wetten
2.70%
Roulette Französisch mit La Partage (gerade Chancen)
Rot/Schwarz 1:1 (bei 0 Rückerstattung 50%), Odd/Even 1:1, Low/High 1:1; Innere Einsätze ohne La Partage: Straight 35:1, Split 17:1, Street 11:1, Corner 8:1
98.65%
Bei 0 wird die Hälfte des Einsatzes auf gerade Chancen zurückerstattet (Rot/Schwarz, Pair/Impair, Manque/Passe). En Prison gibt denselben 1,35%. Regel gilt NUR für gleiche Einsätze
1.35%
Lightning Roulette vs Classic Wheel: RTP Difference
XXXtreme Lightning Roulette, an Evolution offering, presents an RTP of 97.30% on its European-style wheel. This figure aligns with the standard European Roulette RTP, which also stands at 97.30%. The presence of enhanced multipliers and chain lightning features in XXXtreme Lightning Roulette does not negatively impact its theoretical return to player.
In contrast, American Roulette, with its double zero pocket, offers a lower RTP of 94.74%. This reduction is directly attributable to the additional '00' sector, increasing the number of pockets from 37 to 38. The house edge for American Roulette consequently rises to 5.26%, significantly higher than the 2.70% found on a classic European wheel.
The difference in RTP between a classic European wheel and variants like XXXtreme Lightning Roulette or American Roulette is substantial for players over the long term. A 2.70% house edge, as seen in European and XXXtreme Lightning Roulette, means theoretically more return compared to the 5.26% edge of American Roulette.
What Doesn't Count as Loss Protection with Zéro?
Roulette Französisch mit La Partage offers a specific loss protection for even-chance bets when the ball lands on zero. In this variant, half of the stake is returned on bets like Red/Black, Odd/Even, or Low/High. This rule effectively reduces the house edge on these specific wagers to 1.35%.
However, this 'La Partage' rule applies exclusively to even-chance bets and does not extend to any inner bets placed on the number grid. Bets like a Straight bet on a single number, or a Split bet on two numbers, do not benefit from the zero refund. These inner bets retain their standard payouts and associated house edge.
For context, standard French Roulette without La Partage applied to inner bets still maintains a favorable RTP of 97.30%, with a house edge of 2.70%. The specific application of La Partage on even chances in French Roulette is a defined rule that significantly alters the player's statistical outcome only on those particular bet types.
How the Random Generator Maps 37 Pockets
A standard European Roulette wheel features 37 pockets, numbered 1 through 36, plus a single zero. The Random Number Generator (RNG) used in online versions simulates the physical spinning of this wheel. Each spin is an independent event, meaning past outcomes do not influence future results.
The RTP for European Roulette is calculated at 97.30%, translating to a house edge of 2.70%. This edge is consistent across all bets placed on the European wheel, from single numbers to outside bets like Red/Black, which pay 1:1.
In contrast, American Roulette utilizes 38 pockets, including both a single zero and a double zero ('00'). This addition increases the house edge to 5.26%, making it a less statistically favorable option for players seeking a lower inherent advantage for the casino.
House Edge: What 2.70 Percent Actually Costs
A house edge of 2.70%, as seen in European Roulette and some live variants like Mega Roulette, represents the casino's theoretical profit margin over an extended period. For every €100 wagered on a 97.30% RTP game, a player can expect to retain €97.30 in the long run.
This means that over substantial play, the casino expects to keep €2.70 for every €100 wagered. For example, playing with a €2,000 bonus, where table games contribute 10% to wagering, the total turnover required might be €40,000. A consistent 2.70% house edge on the player's contribution would theoretically cost them €1,080 of their potential return on that turnover.
The house edge is a critical factor for players, as it directly impacts the longevity of their bankroll. A higher house edge, such as the 5.26% in American Roulette, means that more of the total money wagered is expected to remain with the casino compared to games with a lower edge.
Even Chances vs Straight: Variance Comparison
Even chance bets in European Roulette, such as Red/Black, Odd/Even, or High/Low, offer a 1:1 payout and are characterized by lower variance. These bets have a higher probability of winning on any given spin, leading to more frequent, smaller wins, and a steadier progression of funds.
In contrast, a Straight bet on a single number pays 35:1 but comes with significantly higher variance. While the potential payout is substantial, the probability of hitting a single number is much lower, meaning players will experience more frequent losses between these infrequent, high-value wins.
Roulette Französisch mit La Partage introduces a specific rule for even chances, returning half the stake on a zero. This effectively lowers the house edge on these bets to 1.35%, making them even more appealing for players focused on minimizing risk and variance, distinct from the higher risk, higher reward nature of straight bets.
European or American: Which Wheel Pays Better
The European Roulette wheel features a single zero sector, resulting in 37 total sectors. This configuration yields a Return to Player (RTP) of 97.30%, translating to a house edge of 2.70%. All standard bets on this wheel maintain this consistent edge, offering players a predictable statistical advantage.
In contrast, American Roulette includes an additional double zero sector, bringing the total sectors to 38. While payouts for standard bets remain the same as on the European wheel, the presence of the extra sector effectively doubles the house edge. This increases the casino's advantage over the player significantly.
For example, a bet on a single number (Straight) pays 35:1 on both wheels. However, the house edge on this bet is 2.70% for European Roulette and 5.26% for American Roulette due to the differing number of sectors.
Mistake: Choosing American Wheel with 5.26 Percent
The American Roulette wheel, with its 38 sectors including both a single and a double zero, presents a 5.26% house edge. This figure is notably higher than its European counterpart, which typically offers a 2.70% house edge due to the absence of the double zero.
A specific example of this disadvantage is the Five Number Bet on the American wheel, covering sectors 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. This bet carries a substantial house advantage of 7.89%, making it the least favorable wager available on that wheel.
Players opting for standard bets on American Roulette face a statistical disadvantage that can impact their long-term playing balance. The 5.26% house edge means that, theoretically, for every 100 units wagered, 5.26 units are expected to be returned to the casino.
2.70 vs 5.26 Percent House Edge
The fundamental difference in house edge between European and American Roulette wheels stems from their construction. The European wheel, with 37 sectors and a single zero, offers a house edge of 2.70%. This means for every 100 units bet, 97.30 units are theoretically returned to players over time.
Conversely, the American wheel, featuring 38 sectors and both a single and a double zero, imposes a higher house edge of 5.26%. This disparity means that, on average, 5.26 units out of every 100 wagered are retained by the casino, impacting player returns.
This 2.56% difference in house edge is significant for players. For instance, a player betting 100 units on European Roulette would theoretically lose 2.70 units, while the same bet on American Roulette would see an expected loss of 5.26 units over the long run.
Calculate Payout: Corner 8:1 Plus Bet
A Corner bet in Roulette covers four numbers. On a standard European or American wheel, the payout for a successful Corner bet is 8:1. This means for every 1 unit wagered, a player receives 8 units in winnings plus their original stake back.
When placing a 10 € Corner bet on European Roulette, a win would result in a payout of 80 € (8 x 10 €) plus the initial 10 € stake, totaling 90 €. This type of bet covers a specific block of four numbers on the layout.
The house edge of 2.70% for European Roulette applies to all bets, including the Corner bet. Over extensive play, this edge ensures the casino maintains a statistical advantage despite individual bet payouts. For the American wheel with its 5.26% edge, the same 8:1 payout applies but with a higher casino advantage.
Step-by-Step to Your First Straight Bet
Initiating a Straight bet involves selecting a single number on the roulette layout. This is the most straightforward wager, focusing all attention on one specific outcome among the available numbers, such as 7, 15, or 28.
Once a single number is chosen, the player places their chip directly on that number. The payout for a successful Straight bet is 35:1, meaning a 1 € bet yields 35 € in winnings, plus the original 1 € stake returned.
The theoretical RTP for European Roulette is 97.30%, and this applies to Straight bets as well. Therefore, for every 100 € wagered on Straight bets over a very long period, 97.30 € is theoretically returned to players, with the remaining 2.70 € constituting the house edge.