How roulette payouts work
Roulette payouts are not estimated — they are fixed ratios set by the rules of the game and identical at every legitimate casino. When a bet wins, the profit is simply your stake multiplied by the payout ratio, and the dealer also returns your original chips. So the two formulas that drive this calculator are:
- Profit (winnings) = stake × payout ratio
- Total return = stake × (payout ratio + 1) — your winnings plus the stake you get back
For example, a $10 straight-up bet pays 35:1, so the profit is 10 × 35 = $350 and the total handed back is 10 × 36 = $360. A $10 even-money bet on red pays 1:1, so profit is $10 and total return is $20.
The standard payout table
Every "inside" and "outside" bet covers a fixed number of the wheel's numbers, and its payout is set so that it would be a fair (break-even) bet if the wheel had no zero. Those zero pockets are exactly where the house makes its money.
- Straight-up (1 number): 35:1
- Split (2 numbers): 17:1
- Street (3 numbers): 11:1
- Corner / Square (4 numbers): 8:1
- Five-number / basket (0-00-1-2-3, American only): 6:1
- Six line (6 numbers): 5:1
- Column or Dozen (12 numbers): 2:1
- Even-money — Red/Black, Odd/Even, High (19–36)/Low (1–18) (18 numbers): 1:1
Win probability and the house edge
The payout ratio is the same on both wheels, but your chance of winning is not. A European (single-zero) wheel has 37 pockets; an American (double-zero) wheel has 38. The probability a bet wins is simply the count of numbers it covers divided by the total pockets. A straight-up bet wins 1 time in 37 on the European wheel (2.70%) and 1 time in 38 on the American wheel (2.63%).
Because winning bets are paid at the "no-zero" fair ratio while the zeros still exist, the casino keeps a long-run edge. The expected value per $1 staked is −1/37 = −2.70% on a European wheel and −2/38 = −5.26% on an American wheel, and this house edge is the same for nearly every bet type. The lone exception is the American five-number bet, whose edge is 7.89% — the worst wager on the table.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a straight-up bet pay?
Why is the European wheel better than the American wheel?
Is there a bet with no house edge?
Does the total return include my original bet?
Common Tip Percentages
| Service | Typical Tip Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (sit-down) | 15–20% | 20%+ for exceptional service |
| Food delivery | 10–20% | Consider extra for long distances |
| Taxi / rideshare | 10–20% | More for assistance with luggage |
| Hotel housekeeping | $2–5/night | Leave daily, not just at checkout |
| Barber / hair salon | 15–20% | On pre-discount total |
| Pizza delivery | 10–15% or $3–5 minimum | Higher in bad weather |
General Household Budget Ratios (50/30/20 Rule)
| Category | % of Net Income | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Needs | 50% | Rent, groceries, utilities, insurance |
| Wants | 30% | Dining out, entertainment, hobbies |
| Savings / Debt | 20% | Emergency fund, retirement, extra payments |
Common Measurement Conversions for Everyday Use
| Quantity | US / Imperial | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cup | 8 fl oz | 237 mL |
| 1 pint | 16 fl oz | 473 mL |
| 1 quart | 32 fl oz | 946 mL |
| 1 gallon | 128 fl oz | 3.785 L |
| 1 lb | 16 oz | 453.6 g |
| 1 ft | 12 in | 30.48 cm |