Even though there are 37/38 pockets on a roulette wheel (depending on whether you play European or American roulette), odds are calculated based on 35 pockets. That is the maximum payout, secured by winning a straight up bet. Naturally, this means that the house always has an edge.
If you don’t already know how to calculate odds, you’ll be glad to hear that it’s very easy. You simply divide the number 36 by the number of squares your bet covers. Once you’ve done this, subtract one from that figure. This will give you the payout odds. Here is an example to show you how it’s done:
Let’s say you have placed a £10 straight up bet on the number 5. As you have only bet on a single number, your calculation is 36/1 = 36 – 1 = 35 for odds of 35:1. If it’s your lucky day, your bet will return £360 (including your original £10 bet).
While it’s quite easy to calculate the odds and payouts in roulette, our chart makes it easy for you to follow without effort. If you need a more in-depth understanding of roulette before checking out the odds, then you should read our expert roulette guide.