At first glance, roulette payouts may seem like nothing more than fixed numbers printed on the table, but understanding them properly reveals an important part of how the game itself works. Each payout reflects the nature of the bet, the number of numbers it covers, and the level of risk involved. In this article, we explain how roulette payouts work, how they are calculated, and why they do not fully reflect the true odds, while also highlighting the differences between bet types and the various versions of the game
What Are Roulette Payouts?
Roulette payouts are the ratios set by the casino to determine how much you win when a bet on the roulette table is successful. In simple terms, these ratios tell the player how much they will earn for every dollar wagered if their prediction is correct. These payouts are not random. They are linked to several factors, which is why they can vary, especially in some modern roulette versions. The main factors include the following
- Bet difficulty
- The number of numbers covered by the bet
That is why understanding roulette payouts does not only help you estimate your potential winnings, but also gives you a clearer picture of the level of risk behind each betting option on the table
Payout Ratio
On every roulette table, the payout chart includes odds such as 35:1. This means you win 35 units in net profit for every 1 unit wagered if your prediction is correct. So, if you place $1 on a single number and the roulette ball lands on that number, it means you win $35 in profit, in addition to getting your original $1 stake back
- You will receive $35 in profit
- You will also get your original $1 stake back
The same applies to a 1:1 payout ratio. It means that if your bet wins, you receive a profit exactly equal to the amount you wagered. For example, if you bet $10 on red or black and win, you earn $10 in net profit, and your original stake is returned as well
So, in practical terms, a roulette payout ratio shows how much profit you will receive compared to the amount you wagered, not the total amount that will be returned to your balance after the round ends
The Difference Between Net Profit and Total Return
This is one of the most common points of confusion for new players on roulette sites, as many tend to mix up net profit with the total amount received after a winning bet.
| Net Profit | Total Return |
|---|---|
| The amount the player actually wins on top of the original stake | The net profit plus the original stake |
| It does not include the value of your original bet | It includes the original bet once it is returned to you |
| If you bet $10 on a 1:1 wager and win, the net profit = $10 | In the same example, the total amount returned = $20 |
How Are Roulette Payouts Determined?
Roulette payouts are not set at random. They are based on a clear logic that combines mathematical probability with the level of risk involved in each bet. The payout ratio is determined by the number of numbers covered by the player’s wager according to a fixed mathematical formula. However, this formula does not represent complete mathematical fairness, because the casino always keeps a margin that gives it a built-in advantage over the long run.
That is why the more precise a bet is, and the lower its chances of winning, the higher the payout will be. On the other hand, the payout becomes lower when the bet covers a larger portion of the layout.
The Mathematical Formula Behind Roulette Payouts
As mentioned earlier, roulette payouts are not set in a perfectly fair way, since the casino always keeps a margin for profit. This is where the term house edge comes from, although that is not our main focus here.
In standard roulette, payouts are effectively calculated based on 36 numbers only, even though the European roulette wheel contains 37 numbers and the American roulette wheel contains 38 numbers. The extra numbers, 0 and 00, are ignored in the payout formula as if they did not exist. This is what makes the odds not entirely fair and creates the house edge
That is why most roulette payouts can be derived from one simple formula: divide 36 by the number of numbers covered by the player’s bet, then subtract 1
Payout = (36 ÷ X) – 1, where X is the number of numbers covered by the player’s wager
- If the bet covers only one number, the payout is 35:1.
- If the bet covers two numbers, the payout becomes 17:1.
- If the bet covers three numbers, the payout becomes 11:1.
These are not arbitrary figures, but direct results of a fixed formula that helps preserve roughly the same profit margin for the casino across most bets
Why Don’t Roulette Payouts Reflect the True Odds?
In European roulette, the wheel has 37 pockets, so if you bet on a single number, basic logic says the true chance of winning is 1 in 37. If the game were completely fair, the net payout should be close to 36:1, because you lose in 36 outcomes and win in 1. However, the casino pays only 35:1. The same principle applies to the other bets as well
- The fair odds for a bet on two numbers are about 17.5:1, but the actual payout is 17:1.
- The fair odds for a four-number bet are 8.25:1, but the actual payout is 8:1.
It is this gap between the fair odds and the actual casino payouts that allows us to calculate the house edge in European roulette, which is usually 2.70%
In American roulette, the standard payouts remain almost the same, even though the number of pockets rises to 38 because of the extra 00. As a result, the house edge jumps to 5.26%. In other words, the casino does not change the payout table, but instead increases the gap between the payout and the true odds. That is why American roulette is considered less appealing by many players compared with other versions of the game
Roulette Payouts Table for Inside Bets
Inside bets are wagers placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers within the table layout. That is why their roulette payouts are higher than those of outside bets, since they cover fewer possible outcomes
| Bet Type | Numbers Covered | Payout Ratio | Formula | Net Profit ($1 Bet) | Total Return ($1 Bet) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Up | 1 | 35:1 | (36 ÷ 1) – 1 = 35 | $35 | $36 |
| Split | 2 | 17:1 | (36 ÷ 2) – 1 = 17 | $17 | $18 |
| Street | 3 | 11:1 | (36 ÷ 3) – 1 = 11 | $11 | $12 |
| Corner | 4 | 8:1 | (36 ÷ 4) – 1 = 8 | $8 | $9 |
| Six Line | 6 | 5:1 | (36 ÷ 6) – 1 = 5 | $5 | $6 |
Roulette Payouts Table for Outside Bets
Outside bets cover a larger number of outcomes, which is why they offer a higher chance of winning than inside bets. However, the trade-off is a lower return. Despite the different forms these bets can take, the logic behind calculating their payouts still depends on the number of numbers each option covers
| Bet Type | Numbers Covered | Payout Ratio | Formula | Net Profit ($1 Bet) | Total Return ($1 Bet) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red / Black | 18 | 1:1 | (36 ÷ 18) – 1 = 1 | $1 | $2 |
| Odd / Even | 18 | 1:1 | (36 ÷ 18) – 1 = 1 | $1 | $2 |
| High / Low | 18 | 1:1 | (36 ÷ 18) – 1 = 1 | $1 | $2 |
| Column | 12 | 2:1 | (36 ÷ 12) – 1 = 2 | $2 | $3 |
| Dozen | 12 | 2:1 | (36 ÷ 12) – 1 = 2 | $2 | $3 |
When Do Roulette Payouts Differ from One Game to Another?
It is important to note that roulette payouts are not always identical across all games, because some versions move away from the traditional payout table. This difference is especially clear in roulette games that use pre-round multipliers, such as Lightning Roulette, where the standard Straight Up payout is reduced in exchange for the chance to win large multipliers on selected numbers
It also appears in some versions of Mini Roulette and in certain electronic roulette machines that use a payout table different from that of classic roulette. For this reason, every player should check the payout table inside the game itself before playing, because the difference may lie in the payout ratios, not just in the look of the table
These differences are especially noticeable in some roulette titles from providers such as Evolution and Pragmatic Play, both of which offer versions that use multipliers or payout mechanics that differ from traditional roulette
