Ever wondered what happens when the roulette ball lands on 0 or 00? These green pockets are a key part of the game and they shape both payouts and your chances.
Whether you are new to the wheel or a regular at the table, understanding how 0 and 00 work helps you choose bets that suit your style. The difference between these greens and the red and black numbers is simpler than it first seems.
Curious about how much you could win if the ball drops into 0 or 00, and why those pockets are there at all? Here is what matters, explained clearly.

The 0 and 00 are unique pockets that give the house its edge. A European wheel has a single green 0 and 37 total pockets, while an American wheel has both 0 and 00 for 38 total pockets.
These greens are not part of red or black. So if you bet on colours, odds or evens, and the ball lands on 0 or 00, that bet loses. This is one of the main ways the house edge appears.
Payout tables do not change when the ball lands on these pockets. A straight up still pays 35:1, and other standard bets keep their usual returns. What changes is the hit rate. With an extra green pocket on the American wheel, there is one more outcome that makes most bets miss, so the chance of a win is slightly lower.
To put numbers on it, a straight up has a 1/37 chance on European roulette (about 2.70%) and 1/38 on American roulette (about 2.63%). Even-money bets (red/black, odd/even) win 18/37 on European and 18/38 on American. That is why the typical house edge is about 2.70% on European wheels and about 5.26% on American wheels, reflecting theoretical RTPs of roughly 97.30% and 94.74% respectively.
Some European tables may offer rules such as la partage or en prison on even-money bets, which can reduce the effective house edge when zero hits. Rules vary by table, so always check the game rules and paytable before you play. Returns are theoretical and outcomes are random; no strategy can guarantee a profit.
In short, 0 and 00 reduce winning probabilities rather than the listed payouts. That difference becomes clearer when you compare the two main wheels.
At first glance, European and American roulette appear much the same; however, the American wheel includes an extra green pocket, the 00. The posted payout table is typically identical in both, for example 35:1 for a single number, even though the underlying wheel layouts differ.
Because the European wheel has only one green 0, the chance of any given bet winning is slightly higher than on the American wheel. The additional 00 on the American layout creates one more losing outcome for most bets, which increases the built‑in house advantage.
To put numbers on it, the typical house edge is about 2.70% on European roulette and about 5.26% on American roulette. The payouts do not change, but the probabilities do: for instance, a straight‑up number has a 1 in 37 chance on European (approximately 2.70%) versus 1 in 38 on American (approximately 2.63%).
If value is important to you, many players prefer the European wheel because it offers a lower house edge for the same displayed payouts. Always check the specific table rules where you play, as variations can exist and may affect the expected return.
Remember that all roulette outcomes are random and independent, and no strategy can guarantee a win or alter the stated odds. Comparisons between the main bet types therefore focus on identical payouts but slightly different hit frequencies across the two wheels.
Inside bets are wagers placed on the individual numbers and their immediate combinations on the table layout. They can return larger wins, but they land less often and typically carry a higher house edge than outside bets.
Payout figures are shown as “to‑1”, meaning the listed amount is the win, with your original stake returned in addition. Probabilities are based on a single spin and do not change from spin to spin.
A straight bet is when you bet on just one number by placing your chip directly on it. It covers only that single outcome.
Payout: 35:1 (total return 36x stake)
Probability:
European roulette: 1 in 37 (about 2.7%)
American roulette: 1 in 38 (about 2.6%)
A split bet covers two numbers that touch on the layout. Place your chip on the line between them to include both.
Payout: 17:1 (total return 18x stake)
Probability:
European: 2 in 37 (about 5.4%)
American: 2 in 38 (about 5.3%)
A street bet is betting on any row of three consecutive numbers. Position the chip on the outer edge of the row to cover all three.
Payout: 11:1 (total return 12x stake)
Probability:
European: 3 in 37 (about 8.1%)
American: 3 in 38 (about 7.9%)
A corner (square) bet covers four numbers that meet at one corner. Place the chip on the shared intersection to include all four.
Payout: 8:1 (total return 9x stake)
Probability:
European: 4 in 37 (about 10.8%)
American: 4 in 38 (about 10.5%)
A six line (double street) bet covers two adjacent rows, six numbers in total. Place the chip on the edge where the two rows meet.
Payout: 5:1 (total return 6x stake)
Probability:
European: 6 in 37 (about 16.2%)
American: 6 in 38 (about 15.8%)
Note: European wheels have a single zero, while American wheels add a double zero (00). This reduces the probability of hitting any inside bet on American wheels and increases the house edge. Table rules may vary, so always check the specific game information.
If that feels a bit high risk, the next group of bets swaps size for frequency and may suit a steadier approach. Results are random, past spins do not influence future outcomes, and you should only gamble what you can afford to lose. Consider setting limits and taking breaks.
Outside bets cover larger groups of numbers. They land more frequently than many inside bets but pay less per hit, which some players find suits lower‑volatility play. Outcomes are always random and no bet type can guarantee returns or reduce the house edge.
A column bet covers all 12 numbers in any vertical column, and a dozen bet covers 12 numbers in a row, such as 1 to 12, 13 to 24, or 25 to 36. These bets exclude the green zero pockets.
Payout: 2:1 (winnings paid at 2 to 1, with your stake typically returned)
Probability (theoretical):
European roulette: 12 in 37 (about 32.4%)
American roulette: 12 in 38 (about 31.6%)
Actual game rules may vary by table or variant, so always check the paytable before placing a wager. Probabilities are long‑run mathematical expectations and do not predict short‑term results.
Even‑money bets include red or black, odd or even, and high or low (1 to 18 or 19 to 36). As with columns and dozens, zero pockets are not included in these outcomes.
Payout: 1:1 (even money, with your stake typically returned on a win)
Probability (theoretical):
European: 18 in 37 (about 48.6%)
American: 18 in 38 (about 47.4%)
Remember that the presence of green pockets creates the house edge. On European wheels (single zero) the house edge is about 2.70% (RTP about 97.30%), while on American wheels (zero and double zero) it is about 5.26% (RTP about 94.74%).
All figures are indicative for standard wheels and are provided for information only. Set limits, play responsibly, and never wager more than you can afford to lose.
The 0 and 00 are what give the casino its advantage. Without them, even-money bets would be truly even and the house would not make a profit over time. Because these zero pockets are not covered by most even-money bets, they tip the odds slightly in favour of the house whenever the ball lands there.
In European roulette, the house edge is about 2.7%. Over the long run, that means an average loss of around £2.70 for every £100 wagered. Put another way, the theoretical return to player (RTP) is roughly 97.3%, although short-term results can be higher or lower due to variance.
American roulette, with both a 0 and 00, raises the house edge to about 5.26%, which is roughly £5.26 per £100 bet on average. This larger edge means the expected return is lower than on a single-zero wheel, and that gap can add up over many spins.
Some tables with single-zero wheels may use rules such as la partage or en prison on even-money bets, which can reduce the edge on those specific wagers to around 1.35%. Always check the table rules, as small differences can materially change the expected return.
One extra pocket might look small, but over many spins it matters. Knowing this, it helps to understand how to read payouts and chances on your own, and to remember that outcomes are random and past spins do not influence future results.
Figures for house edge and RTP are theoretical and calculated over the long term. They are not a guarantee of what will happen in any single session. Only stake what you can afford to lose and consider setting limits to help you play responsibly.
Once you know the bet type, working out potential returns is straightforward. Check the table’s paytable or layout for the listed payout (often shown as a ratio, such as 35:1). These payouts are fixed by the rules of the game; outcomes remain random and cannot be predicted.
To estimate a return, multiply your stake by the payout ratio to find the winnings, then add back your original stake to get the total return. For example, a £5 single number at 35:1 pays £175 in winnings, and when you include the returned £5 stake the total back to you is £180.
As another illustration, a £10 even‑money bet (such as red/black on European roulette) pays 1:1, so a win returns £10 in winnings plus your £10 stake, for £20 in total. These calculations are examples only and exclude any bonuses or fees.
To gauge the chance of a hit, compare the number of winning pockets with the total on the wheel. A single number in European roulette has 1 winning pocket out of 37 in total, so the chance is 1 in 37. For a larger group such as red or black, count the 18 matching pockets out of 37 on a European wheel (remember, 0 is neither red nor black).
Wheel type matters. On an American wheel with 38 pockets (0 and 00), the same bets have slightly lower chances (for example, red/black is 18 out of 38). The listed payouts do not change with the wheel type, which is why the house retains an edge.
Because the house edge applies, the actual probabilities are always slightly below what the listed payouts might imply over time. Returns to player (RTP) and house edge vary by bet and wheel, and results are random and independent—past spins do not influence future outcomes.
Play responsibly: set limits, only stake what you can afford to lose, and avoid chasing losses. These calculations are for understanding potential outcomes and should not be taken as advice or a guarantee of profit.
In both online and land‑based casinos, standard roulette payouts are typically the same for each bet type. An even‑money bet, a straight‑up, or a corner bet pays the listed amount regardless of the venue or whether you’re playing RNG or live dealer roulette.
What does change is the wheel and table rules. A European wheel (single zero) offers better odds than an American wheel (double zero), because the extra green pocket reduces your probability of winning, even though the paytable itself does not change. Some French variants may include rules such as la partage or en prison on even‑money bets, which can improve the effective return without altering the stated payout multiples.
Reputable online casinos licensed by the UKGC must ensure games are fair and transparent. That includes clear display of the paytable and rules within the game, publication of RTP information where applicable, and the use of independently tested random number generators for digital outcomes. Live dealer games are also subject to oversight and audit to help ensure integrity.
In practice, you can expect the same listed payouts wherever you play, but your expected return depends on the wheel type, house edge, and any table‑specific rules. Always review the game info screen before placing a bet, check table limits, and avoid optional side bets if you do not understand their risk.
Gambling should be fun. Choose licensed sites, set sensible deposit and time limits, take regular breaks, and never chase losses. If play stops being enjoyable, use safer gambling tools such as reality checks, time‑outs, or self‑exclusion, and seek support if needed. Must be 18+.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.