Every bet type, payout, probability, and house edge in one place. American and European roulette compared side by side, with a practical overview of the six major betting strategies.
Every bet in roulette is paid at odds slightly below true probability. On American roulette, a straight-up bet pays 35:1 — but the true odds are 37:1 (37 losing pockets against 1 winning pocket out of 38 total). That gap between true odds and payout is the house edge.
On American roulette the house edge is 5.26% on all standard bets. On European roulette it is 2.70%. For every $100 wagered over time, the expected loss is $5.26 on the American wheel and $2.70 on the European wheel. The house edge applies equally to every standard bet type — inside bets, outside bets, and combination bets all carry the same expected return per dollar.
The single additional 00 pocket on the American wheel nearly doubles the house edge. European roulette is mathematically preferable for the player on every bet type where both are available.
Every standard bet type with probabilities and house edge for both wheel variants.
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| Bet Type | Numbers Covered | Payout | Prob. (American) | Prob. (European) | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outside Bets | |||||
| Red / Black | 18 | 1:1 | 47.37% | 48.65% | 5.26% / 2.70% |
| Odd / Even | 18 | 1:1 | 47.37% | 48.65% | 5.26% / 2.70% |
| Low (1–18) | 18 | 1:1 | 47.37% | 48.65% | 5.26% / 2.70% |
| High (19–36) | 18 | 1:1 | 47.37% | 48.65% | 5.26% / 2.70% |
| Dozens & Columns | |||||
| Dozen (1st / 2nd / 3rd) | 12 | 2:1 | 31.58% | 32.43% | 5.26% / 2.70% |
| Column (1st / 2nd / 3rd) | 12 | 2:1 | 31.58% | 32.43% | 5.26% / 2.70% |
| Inside Bets | |||||
| Six-Line | 6 | 5:1 | 15.79% | 16.22% | 5.26% / 2.70% |
| Corner (Square) | 4 | 8:1 | 10.53% | 10.81% | 5.26% / 2.70% |
| Street | 3 | 11:1 | 7.89% | 8.11% | 5.26% / 2.70% |
| Split | 2 | 17:1 | 5.26% | 5.41% | 5.26% / 2.70% |
| Straight Up | 1 | 35:1 | 2.63% | 2.70% | 5.26% / 2.70% |
| Special (American Only) | |||||
| Basket / Five-Number | 5 (0,00,1,2,3) | 6:1 | 13.16% | N/A | 7.89% ⚠ |
Variance describes how much results swing from session to session. While the house edge is the same across all bets, the experience of playing inside versus outside bets is very different.
Outside bets (Red/Black, Odd/Even) win roughly 47–49% of spins. They produce smaller individual swings and more predictable session results. A bankroll lasts considerably longer on even-money bets than on inside bets at the same stake.
Inside bets (straight-ups, splits) win rarely but return large multiples when they do hit. A straight-up win at 35:1 returns 36 times the stake. Session outcomes vary dramatically — the same bankroll and session length might end anywhere from zero to several hundred units depending on whether a low-probability number appeared.
The appropriate choice depends on session goals, bankroll size, and risk tolerance rather than any mathematical advantage of one over the other.
Betting strategies govern how much to wager on each spin based on previous results. No strategy alters the house edge or the probability of any individual spin. What strategies control is bet sizing progression — which affects variance, bankroll requirements, and session duration.
Same stake every spin. No progression. The baseline against which all other strategies are measured. Produces the slowest bankroll drain and the most consistent session-to-session results.
Double after a win, reset after a loss or three consecutive wins. Designed to ride short winning streaks using winnings rather than the player's own stake. Losses are capped at the base bet per sequence. Full guide →
Add one unit after a loss, subtract one after a win (floor: base bet). A gentle negative progression. Bets grow slowly during losing runs and shrink during winning runs. Full guide →
Flat bet only, but only enter after N consecutive losses on the chosen bet type. Reduces total bets placed per session, reducing total exposure to house edge per session.
Progress through the sequence 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21… on losses; step back two steps on a win. Slower to escalate than Martingale but still subject to table limit constraints on long losing runs. Full guide →
Double after every loss, reset after a win. A single win recovers all losses plus one base unit. Requires large bankroll reserves and hits table limits after 7–8 consecutive losses. Full guide →
Minimum bankroll required to survive N consecutive losses for each strategy at a $10 base bet before hitting a $500 table limit.
| Strategy | 5 Losses | 7 Losses | 10 Losses | Table Limit Hit At |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flat | $50 | $70 | $100 | Never (fixed bet) |
| D'Alembert | $75 | $105 | $150 | ~45 consecutive losses |
| Fibonacci | $130 | $340 | $1,230 | ~10 losses |
| Martingale | $310 | $1,270 | $10,230 | ~6 losses ($10 base / $500 limit) |
Our free simulator lets you test every strategy across hundreds of sessions. Set your base bet, table limit, spins per session, and bet type — then compare P&L distributions, win streaks, and max bet reached across all six strategies.
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