European Roulette Odds and Payouts
One zero. 2.70% edge. La partage cuts it to 1.35%. The rest is math you can verify.
The House Edge
European roulette has 37 pockets: numbers 1 through 36 plus a single zero. Every payout on the table is calculated as if there were 36. A straight-up bet pays 35:1. A dozen pays 2:1. Even-money pays 1:1. Every one of those payouts assumes 36 numbers, and the wheel holds 37.
That one extra pocket, the green zero, is the gap between the odds the casino pays and the odds on the wheel. It does not belong to any color, any dozen, any column, or any even-money bet. When the ball lands on zero, the house collects on every outside bet on the table.
The math resolves to one fraction: 1/37. That is 2.70% of every dollar wagered, on every bet, on every spin. A straight-up bet on number 17 has the same house edge as a bet on red. The payouts differ, the hit frequency differs, but the expected cost per dollar is identical.
American wheels add a second zero pocket. Same payouts, 38 pockets instead of 37. The house edge jumps to 5.26%, nearly double. Over 1,000 spins at $10, that is $256 in extra losses for no added entertainment value. If both wheels are available, European is the only rational choice. For the full breakdown, see the American roulette odds analysis.
| Bet Type | Covers | Payout | Probability | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Up | 1 | 35:1 | 2.70% | 2.70% |
| Split | 2 | 17:1 | 5.41% | 2.70% |
| Street | 3 | 11:1 | 8.11% | 2.70% |
| Corner | 4 | 8:1 | 10.81% | 2.70% |
| Six Line | 6 | 5:1 | 16.22% | 2.70% |
| Dozen / Column | 12 | 2:1 | 32.43% | 2.70% |
| Red / Black / Odd / Even / High / Low | 18 | 1:1 | 48.65% | 2.70% |
The house edge column is the same on every row. That is the structural point: the payout ratios are all calibrated so that zero costs you exactly 1/37 per unit wagered regardless of what you bet on. Outside bets hit more often but pay less. Inside bets pay more but hit less often. The expected loss per dollar is identical.
La Partage and En Prison
These are the only rules in roulette that change the house edge. Both apply exclusively to even-money bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low) when zero hits.
La partage: when zero lands, you lose half your even-money bet and get half back. No decision to make. The expected value calculation changes from −1/37 to −0.5/37, cutting the house edge from 2.70% to 1.35%.
En prison: when zero lands, your even-money bet is "imprisoned" for one more spin. If it wins on the next spin, you get it back with no profit. If it loses, the casino takes it. The effective house edge is also 1.35% when the variant returns half on a second zero.
At 1.35%, $10 per spin over 100 spins costs $13.51 in expected losses, roughly half what standard European roulette takes and a quarter of what American charges. If a table offers la partage or en prison, even-money bets are the only bets worth considering.
Bet Builder
Place any combination of bets on the table below. The slip calculates total wagered, expected value per spin, and cost over 100 spins.
Where to Play European Roulette
Multiple European roulette providers including live dealer tables that offer la partage on even-money bets. That drops the house edge to 1.35%, the lowest available on any standard roulette table. Crypto deposits, instant withdrawals.
Play at StakeEuropean, French, and speed roulette across dozens of providers. Live and RNG tables at every stake level. The largest casino game library among crypto-friendly operators, with roulette variants most sites do not carry.
Play at BC.GameOzoon is the 2026 rebrand of Bovada. The most established casino option for US players. European roulette available on both live dealer and digital tables. If you are in the US and want single-zero roulette, this is the most reliable option.
Play at OzoonSession Bankroll Simulator
How much should you bring for a session of N spins? Roulette has a fixed negative expectation, so long-term profit is off the table. The simulator shows how wide the variance window is for a given session length.
Over 200 spins at $10 per spin, the expected loss is $54.05. The standard deviation for the session is $141.42, which means 95% of outcomes fall between $-331 and $+223.
Despite the negative edge, you will still finish ahead roughly 35% of the time. That is variance masking the house advantage in shorter sessions. It does not change the math; it only delays the cost.
Bring at least $331 for this session. That covers the lower bound of the 95% range and gives you roughly a 97.5% chance of lasting the full 200 spins without going broke.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the house edge in European roulette?
What are the best odds in roulette?
Is European roulette better than American?
Can you beat roulette?
Casino games carry a mathematical house edge. No strategy, system, or pattern of play can overcome this edge over the long run. If you gamble, do so with money you can afford to lose and set strict session limits before you begin.
If gambling is causing financial stress or affecting your relationships, contact the National Council on Problem Gambling (1-800-522-4700) or GambleAware (0808-8020-133 UK). Help is free and confidential.
