Roulette Bet Types at a Glance
Every roulette bet falls into one of two categories: inside bets (placed on specific numbers or small groups) and outside bets (covering larger portions of the wheel). Inside bets offer higher payouts but lower probability; outside bets are more likely to land but pay less.
| Bet Type |
Numbers Covered |
Payout |
Euro Probability |
US Probability |
| Straight Up | 1 | 35:1 | 2.70% | 2.63% |
| Split | 2 | 17:1 | 5.41% | 5.26% |
| Street | 3 | 11:1 | 8.11% | 7.89% |
| Corner (Square) | 4 | 8:1 | 10.81% | 10.53% |
| Five Number (US only) | 5 | 6:1 | — | 13.16% |
| Six Line | 6 | 5:1 | 16.22% | 15.79% |
| Column / Dozen | 12 | 2:1 | 32.43% | 31.58% |
| Red / Black | 18 | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
| Odd / Even | 18 | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
| Low (1–18) / High (19–36) | 18 | 1:1 | 48.65% | 47.37% |
European vs American Roulette: Why It Matters
The core difference between European and American roulette is one pocket: the double zero (00). European roulette has 37 pockets (0–36); American has 38 (0, 00, 1–36). That single extra pocket nearly doubles the house edge — from 2.70% in European to 5.26% in American. Over a long session, this difference is substantial.
For every $100 wagered, European roulette costs you an expected $2.70 in the long run; American roulette costs $5.26. If you're playing online casino roulette in Canada, always choose the European variant when given the option. Many Canadian online casinos offer both, and some live-dealer tables add the La Partage rule, which cuts the European edge in half on even-money bets (to just 1.35%).
How Expected Value Works in Roulette
Expected Value (EV) is the average amount you can expect to win or lose per dollar staked over a large number of spins. It's calculated as: EV = (probability of winning × profit) − (probability of losing × stake). Because the house edge is baked into every roulette outcome, the EV on every standard bet is negative — meaning the casino is statistically guaranteed to profit over time.
For a $100 straight-up bet on European roulette: EV = (1/37 × $3,500) − (36/37 × $100) ≈ −$2.70. This doesn't mean you'll lose $2.70 every spin — you'll either win $3,500 or lose $100 — but averaged across thousands of spins, you'll trend toward losing $2.70 per $100 wagered.
Tips for Canadian Online Roulette Players
Stick to European roulette. The house edge difference between European (2.70%) and American (5.26%) is one of the most impactful decisions you can make at a roulette table. There is no strategic reason to play American roulette when European is available.
Avoid the Five Number bet. The American five-number bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3) has a house edge of 7.89% — worse than any other roulette bet. It pays 6:1 but is a mathematically poor choice every time.
Manage your bankroll. Roulette is a negative-expectation game regardless of bet type. Set a session budget, stick to it, and treat any wins as a bonus. No betting system — Martingale, Fibonacci, D'Alembert — can overcome the house edge over the long run.
What is the house edge in roulette?
The house edge is the percentage of each bet the casino expects to keep over time. In European roulette it is 2.70% on all bets except the Five Number bet (which doesn't exist in European). In American roulette it is 5.26% on all bets except the Five Number bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3), where it rises to 7.89%. The house edge is built into the payouts — the true odds of winning are slightly worse than what the casino pays out.
Does the Martingale system beat roulette?
No. The Martingale (doubling your stake after every loss) cannot overcome the house edge. While it may produce short-term wins, it requires unlimited bankroll to survive a losing streak, and table limits cap how many times you can double. Every bet still has negative expected value regardless of how it is sized or sequenced.
What is La Partage and how does it affect the house edge?
La Partage is a rule on some European roulette tables where, if the ball lands on zero, you get half your stake back on even-money bets (Red/Black, Odd/Even, 1-18/19-36). This halves the house edge on those bets from 2.70% to 1.35%, making it one of the best bets in any casino. Look for it at live-dealer tables on Canadian online casino platforms.
Are online roulette games fair?
Licensed Canadian online casinos use certified Random Number Generators (RNGs) audited by independent labs like eCOGRA, iTech Labs, or GLI. These ensure each spin is statistically independent and conforms to the published odds. Live-dealer roulette uses real physical wheels streamed in real time — the same physics as a land-based casino. Always play at licensed operators regulated by provincial or federal Canadian gaming authorities.
Can I calculate the exact payout for any stake?
Yes — that's exactly what this calculator is for. Select your wheel type and bet type, enter your stake, and the calculator shows your total return, net profit, win probability, house edge, and expected value. The payout formula is always: Total Return = Stake × (Payout Ratio + 1). For example, a $50 stake on a Straight Up bet pays 35:1, so Total Return = $50 × 36 = $1,800.