Roulette Odds Explained: Why Red/Black Isn't 50/50

Roulette is among the most popular games in casinos, and the first bet most beginners try is red or black. It seems like a coin flip: half the wheel is red, half is black, so the odds must be 50/50, right? 

Not quite. Roulette odds are shaped by more than just the color of the pockets. Understanding how these odds work is key to choosing the right tables and getting more value from your bankroll.

In this guide, we’ll discuss Roulette odds and show you how to get the most value from every spin on Jackpot.bet.

How Roulette Wheels Work on Jackpot.bet

Before you can understand the odds, you need to know how the Roulette wheel itself is set up. The design changes depending on the version of Roulette you’re playing, and those small differences affect your chances.

European Roulette (Single Zero)

The European wheel has 37 pockets: 18 red, 18 black, and a single green zero. Because of that zero, betting on red or black gives you a win probability of about 18 out of 37 spins, or roughly 48.65%.

American Roulette (Double Zero)

The American wheel looks almost the same, but it adds one extra pocket: a double zero. Such a small change creates 38 total slots, which drops the chance of hitting red or black to 18 out of 38 spins, or about 47.37%.

French Roulette (Special Rules)

French Roulette uses the same 37-pocket layout as European. However, it includes special rules like La Partage and En Prison. 

The rules give players back part of their stake when the ball lands on zero. As a result, the house edge is lower, making red/black bets slightly more favorable.

Roulette Odds on Even Money Bets: Why Red/Black Isn’t 50/50

In casinos, the term “Even money” means you win the same amount you stake. For example, if you put $10 on red and it hits, you walk away with a $10 profit. 

At first, this feels like a perfect 50/50 bet, just like flipping a coin. But Roulette isn’t that simple. The difference lies in the green zero pocket, and in American Roulette, the extra double zero. 

The pockets don’t count as red or black, and whenever the ball lands there, your even-money bet loses. Such a single detail shifts the balance away from true 50/50.

To illustrate, on a European wheel with 37 slots, your chance of winning a red/black bet is 18 out of 37 spins, or about 48.65%. On a $10 bet, that small gap means you’ll lose slightly more often than you win over time. 

In contrast, on an American wheel with 38 slots, the odds fall even further to 47.37%. It may look close to 50/50, but those missing percentages are precisely where the casino’s advantage is.

House Edge and Expected Value

Roulette odds explain how much the casino expects to keep. The built-in advantage is called the house edge, and it works differently depending on the wheel you choose:

European Odds

On a European wheel, the house edge is about 2.70%. It means for every $10 you wager, the long-term average loss is 27 cents. It doesn’t sound like much, but over hundreds of spins, those cents add up quickly. 

For this reason, experienced players prefer European tables; they stretch your bankroll further compared to other versions.

American Odds

Switching to an American wheel increases the edge to 5.26%, nearly double. Here, a $10 bet carries a long-term expected loss of about 53 cents. 

The difference comes from the extra double-zero pocket, which creates more losing outcomes. Over time, this higher edge means your money runs out faster, even though the game feels the same.

Pro Tip: Roulette always carries a house edge, but not every casino game does. Check out our guide on True Craps Odds Bet Explained: 0% House Edge Strategy for one of the rare bets with no casino advantage at all.

European and American Odds Comparison Table

If you want the lowest edge possible, our Jackpot.bet Originals Roulette is worth trying. Since it’s provably fair, you can confirm the results yourself, making it one of the most transparent ways to experience Roulette online.

Why Roulette Odds Matter for Beginners

A 2-5% difference in the house edge doesn’t seem like much at first, but it makes a huge impact once you start playing regularly. Over dozens or even hundreds of spins, that small percentage slowly chips away at your bankroll.

Therefore, picking the right Roulette variant is essential. A European or French wheel keeps more money in your pocket compared to an American wheel, where the double zero drains your balance faster.

On Jackpot.bet, you’ll find versions with fairer odds, giving beginners a better starting point to enjoy the game responsibly. So, the key takeaways for beginners are:

• European and French wheels offer a lower house edge than American.

• Even a few percentage points matter over time.

• Choosing smarter tables helps your bankroll last longer.

Common Misconceptions About Roulette Odds

Many beginners run into the same traps when trying to outsmart the game. Although these myths may seem convincing at first, they overlook how the Roulette wheel odds truly work.

The common misconceptions are as follows:

Gambler’s Fallacy

One of the most widespread myths is the Gambler’s Fallacy. Imagine the ball landing on black 5 times in a row; many players assume red is now “Due.” 

However, that’s not how probability works. Each spin starts fresh, with the same odds as the one before it. 

The wheel doesn’t keep track of results, and past streaks don’t change what happens next. Consequently, believing otherwise can push players into making bigger and riskier bets for no real reason.

Betting Systems

Some gamblers turn to betting systems as a way to beat the odds. The Martingale is the most famous example: double your bet after every loss so that one win recovers everything.

On paper, it looks clever, but in practice, the house edge remains the same. Also, long losing streaks aren’t rare.

But when they happen, you can hit table limits or drain your bankroll before you recover. In the end, no betting system can erase the advantage built into those zero pockets.

How to Make Smarter Roulette Decisions on Jackpot.bet

Once you understand Roulette odds, you can start making choices that give you the best chance to enjoy the game longer. The key is about reducing its impact wherever possible. 

Choosing smarter tables and managing your play can make a big difference.

• Choose European or French versions: They offer better odds than American Roulette because of the single zero.

• Know the payout structure: Even-money bets aren’t valid 50/50, so it pays to understand exactly what you’re risking.

• Set a budget: Choose the amount you’re prepared to lose before you start playing, and don’t go beyond it.

• Practice with free or demo games: This helps you see how the math works in action before risking real money.

Conclusion

Red/black bets may look like a simple coin flip, but Roulette odds tell a different story. The green zero pockets shift the balance, leaving players with a 48.65% chance on European wheels and 47.37% on American.

That small difference is what gives the house its edge, and it adds up quickly over many spins. The key for beginners is making informed choices. 

Picking European or French tables, understanding payouts, and managing your bankroll won’t change the odds. But they do help you play smarter and enjoy the game longer.

On Jackpot.bet, these options are available so that you can put that knowledge into practice and get more value from every spin.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best odds for Roulette?

The best odds are found on a European or French Roulette wheel. With only one zero, red/black bets win about 48.65% of the time. 

French rules, such as La Partage, can slightly improve these odds by refunding part of your stake when the ball lands on zero.

Does Roulette pay 35 to 1?

Yes, a single-number bet in Roulette pays 35 to 1. It means if you place €10 on one number and it lands, you’ll win €350 in profit along with your €10 stake back. 

The catch is that the odds of hitting a single number are very slim, which is why the payout is set so high.

Is Roulette really a 50/50 chance?

Even-money bets like red/black or odd/even appear to be 50/50, but they’re not. The zero (and double zero in American Roulette) means the true odds are slightly lower: about 48.65% in European and 47.37% in American.

Is it possible to improve your odds at Roulette?

You can’t change the built-in house edge, but you can choose wheels with better rules. European and French Roulette offer higher winning chances than American Roulette. 

Managing your bankroll and avoiding risky side bets also helps you play smarter and stretch your money further.