Roulette Odds & House Edge
Last updated: 26 September 2026
If you want better value in real money roulette, there is one simple habit that matters more than most betting systems: check the number of zeros.
This guide explains the house edge for European, French, American and triple-zero roulette, what La Partage and En Prison do and how different bet types affect your chances and payouts.
Quick Picks: Popular Casinos for Roulette
Recommended Roulette Casinos
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| Casino | Roulette Providers | USA? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas USA | SpinLogic, Visionary iGaming | ✅ | Players in most countries |
| Lucky Elf | Evolution, Lucky Streak | ❌ | Live roulette fans |
| Decode | Arrow's Edge, Pragmatic Play | ✅ | Players seeking more choice |
| Luxury | Games Global, Pragmatic Play | ❌ | Premium roulette collection |
Casino Beacon Opinion
We favour single-zero roulette whenever it is available. European roulette has a 2.70% house edge, compared with 5.26% for standard American roulette, while French tables offering La Partage or En Prison can reduce the edge on even-money bets to about 1.35%. The wheel you choose matters more to the maths than any betting system.
Best Online Casinos for Roulette
These casinos cover the full spread of roulette types, from classic European and American to French and modern variants with multipliers and side bets.
Las Vegas USA
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Lucky Elf
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Roulette House Edge Cheat Sheet (Best to Worst)
The number of zero pockets has a direct effect on the house edge. Single-zero roulette offers better odds than double-zero or triple-zero versions, while some French roulette rules can reduce the edge further on even-money bets.
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| Roulette Type | Zero Pockets | House Edge | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| French roulette | 0 | ~1.35%* | Even-money bets with La Partage or En Prison |
| European roulette | 0 | 2.70% | Single-zero roulette |
| American roulette | 0, 00 | 5.26% | Traditional double-zero roulette |
| Triple-zero roulette | 0, 00, 000 | 7.69% | Additional 000 pocket |
*The ~1.35% figure applies to even-money bets when La Partage or equivalent En Prison rules are available.
European vs American Roulette: Why One Extra Pocket Matters
European roulette uses 37 pockets (0-36). American roulette uses 38 pockets (0-36 plus 00). That extra pocket is the reason the house edge nearly doubles.
- European roulette: single zero, house edge 2.70%
- American roulette: 0 and 00, house edge 5.26%
If both versions are available, European roulette gives you better long-term odds. Its 2.70% house edge is almost half the 5.26% edge on a standard American double-zero wheel.
Want the bigger picture? See our roulette variants guide for modern twists like Lightning roulette and Double Ball roulette.
French Roulette: La Partage and En Prison (Explained Simply)
French roulette looks like European roulette (single zero), but some French tables offer special rules on even-money bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low).
La Partage
If the ball lands on 0, you lose only half your even-money stake. This reduces the effective house edge on those even-money bets to about 1.35%.
En Prison
If 0 hits, your even-money stake is held ('imprisoned') for the next spin. If your bet wins on that next spin, you get your stake back. If it loses, you lose it. In practice, it improves the value of even-money bets compared to standard European roulette.
Triple-Zero Roulette (0, 00, 000): Why It's Usually Poor Value
Triple-zero roulette uses 39 pockets, adding 000 alongside 0 and 00. On a standard triple-zero wheel, this increases the house edge to 7.69%, compared with 5.26% for American roulette and 2.70% for European roulette.
Do Roulette Odds Change by Bet Type?
Different roulette bets have different chances of winning and different payouts, but on a standard wheel the house edge is generally determined by the roulette variant rather than whether you choose an inside or outside bet.
- Outside bets: Bets such as red/black, odd/even and high/low win more often but pay 1:1.
- Inside bets: Bets on individual numbers or small groups of numbers win less often but offer higher payouts.
- House edge: On standard European and American roulette, most common bets carry the same house edge.
Bet type therefore changes the balance between hit frequency and payout size, not the underlying mathematical advantage held by the casino.
For help setting stakes and session limits, see our roulette bankroll tips.
Common Roulette Payouts
Standard roulette payouts depend on how many numbers your bet covers. A straight-up bet on one number pays the most, while broader bets pay less because they have a higher chance of winning.
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| Bet Type | Numbers Covered | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Straight-up | 1 | 35:1 |
| Split | 2 | 17:1 |
| Street | 3 | 11:1 |
| Corner | 4 | 8:1 |
| Six-line | 6 | 5:1 |
| Dozen / Column | 12 | 2:1 |
| Even-money | 18 | 1:1 |
Some modern roulette variants use multipliers, altered payouts or additional side bets. Check the game's paytable before placing a bet.
How to Choose a Roulette Table Online
Before placing a bet, check the wheel, table limits and game rules. A few quick checks can help you avoid a higher house edge or a table that does not suit your bankroll.
- Look for fewer zeros: Choose single-zero roulette over double-zero or triple-zero versions where possible.
- Check for French rules: La Partage or En Prison can reduce the house edge on qualifying even-money bets.
- Check the limits: Make sure the minimum and maximum bets suit your bankroll.
- Choose RNG or live: RNG roulette plays faster, while live dealer roulette uses a streamed table and dealer.
- Read bonus terms: Roulette may be excluded from a bonus or contribute less towards wagering requirements.
Roulette Odds & House Edge FAQ
What roulette table has the best odds?
French roulette with La Partage or En Prison can reduce the house edge on qualifying even-money bets to about 1.35%. Standard European roulette has a 2.70% house edge.
What is the house edge in European vs American roulette?
European roulette has a 2.70% house edge. Standard American roulette has a 5.26% house edge because it adds a second zero pocket.
Do roulette odds change depending on what bet I make?
On standard European and American roulette, most common bets have the same house edge. Outside bets win more often but pay less, while inside bets win less often and pay more.
Is triple-zero roulette worse than American roulette?
Yes. Standard triple-zero roulette has a 7.69% house edge, compared with 5.26% for American roulette and 2.70% for European roulette.
What do La Partage and En Prison mean in roulette?
They are French roulette rules that apply to qualifying even-money bets when zero lands. La Partage returns half your stake, while En Prison holds your stake for the next spin and can return it if that bet wins.