Roulette Complete Bet Payouts Explained | Wheel Odds & Winnings Guide
Roulette has several different betting options, and understanding how payouts and probabilities work can make the game easier to follow. A complete bet combines several inside wagers around a chosen number, with each component having its own payout and probability.
Whether you’re new to roulette or simply want to understand how complete bets work, this guide explains the relevant payouts, wheel odds and differences between roulette variants.
The information below is intended to explain how roulette bets work. Roulette is a form of gambling, and outcomes are determined by chance. No betting strategy can guarantee a profit or change the underlying probabilities.
What Is a Complete Bet in Roulette?
A ‘complete bet’ is a type of roulette wager that combines the inside bets associated with one selected number. Depending on the table and rules, this can include a straight-up bet, splits, a street, corners and six-line combinations covering the chosen number.
Rather than placing each component separately, a complete bet can represent several underlying wagers. Each component is still treated as an individual bet and has its own payout if the relevant numbers win.
For example, a complete bet centred on 17 can include a straight-up bet on 17, splits involving 17, a street covering 16–18, corners that include 17 and a six-line covering the relevant two rows.
The precise way a complete bet is offered can vary between roulette tables and providers, so players should check the table rules before placing a wager.
How Do Complete Bet Payouts Work?
When a complete bet is placed, the total stake is distributed across the individual inside bets that make up the wager. Each component is settled according to its own result and published payout.
For a number such as 17, the component wagers may include:
- a straight-up bet on 17
- splits involving 17
- the street covering 16–18
- corners that include 17
- a six-line covering the relevant six numbers
If 17 is the winning number, the straight-up component wins and qualifying split, street, corner and six-line components can also win. Each winning component is paid according to its stated payout.
The total amount returned therefore depends on the individual stakes assigned to the component bets and the applicable payout rates. Table limits can also affect the amount that can be wagered on particular bets.
Because the exact construction of a complete bet can vary, check the specific table rules and betting limits before playing.
Types of Complete Bets & Their Winnings
Complete bets are based on combinations of inside wagers. Understanding the individual bet types makes it easier to see how the overall wager is constructed and how different payouts relate to the number of pockets covered.
Inside Bets: Payouts & Odds
Inside bets cover one number or a small group of numbers. They generally offer higher payouts than outside bets because fewer pockets qualify for a win:
- Straight Up (one number): Pays 35 to 1. On a European roulette wheel, there are 37 possible pockets, so the probability of the selected number winning is 1 in 37.
- Split (two numbers): Pays 17 to 1 and covers two numbers.
- Street (three numbers): Pays 11 to 1 and covers three numbers.
- Corner (four numbers): Pays 8 to 1 and covers four numbers.
- Six Line (six numbers): Pays 5 to 1 and covers six numbers.
A complete bet combines several of these wagers around a selected number. If the winning number is covered by more than one component, the relevant components can each produce a return.
The payout is not the same as the probability of winning. For example, a straight-up bet pays 35 to 1, while its probability on a European wheel is 1 in 37.
Outside Bets: Payouts & Odds
Outside bets cover broader groups of numbers and generally have lower payouts:
- Red or Black, Odd or Even, High or Low: Pays 1 to 1. On a European wheel, each of these bets covers 18 of the 37 pockets.
- Dozens or Columns: Pays 2 to 1 and covers 12 of the 37 pockets.
Outside bets are not normally included in a traditional complete bet, which is based on inside wagers. They are nevertheless useful to understand when comparing different roulette bets.
Roulette outcomes are random, and there is no guaranteed way to win. Set a gambling budget before playing, keep stakes within what you can afford to lose and avoid chasing losses.
What Are the Odds of Winning Each Complete Bet?
A complete bet does not have one single probability or payout because it consists of multiple individual wagers. Each component has its own number of covered pockets and therefore its own probability of winning.
Using European roulette, which has 37 pockets consisting of 0 and numbers 1–36:
- Straight Up: 1 in 37
- Split: 2 in 37
- Street: 3 in 37
- Corner: 4 in 37
- Six Line: 6 in 37
These figures describe the probability of the relevant number or numbers being selected on a single spin. Previous spins do not change the probability of the next spin.
The overall outcome of a complete bet depends on which number lands and which component wagers cover it. A player may therefore receive several winning component payouts from one spin, depending on the construction of the wager.
The wheel used also matters. American roulette has 38 pockets because it includes both 0 and 00, while European and French roulette use a single-zero wheel with 37 pockets.
How Do European, French, and American Roulette Affect Payouts?
The main differences between roulette variants are the number of pockets and, in some games, additional rules affecting particular bets.
European Roulette has 37 pockets: one zero and numbers 1–36. Standard inside-bet payout ratios include 35 to 1 for a straight-up bet, 17 to 1 for a split and 11 to 1 for a street.
French Roulette also uses a single-zero wheel. Some French roulette games offer rules such as La Partage or En Prison on qualifying even-money bets. These rules can affect what happens when the ball lands on zero, so the specific table rules should always be checked before playing.
American Roulette has 38 pockets because it includes both 0 and 00. The additional pocket changes the probability of individual outcomes and results in a higher house edge on many standard bets compared with single-zero roulette.
The published payout for a particular bet can remain the same across variants even though the probability of winning changes. This is why checking both the wheel type and the table rules is important.
Common Myths About Roulette Payouts
Roulette is surrounded by betting myths, but the mathematics of the game remains the same regardless of betting patterns.
One common misconception is that a number becomes “due” after not appearing for a long time. Roulette spins are independent events, so previous results do not make a particular number more likely to appear on the next spin.
Betting systems such as Martingale or Fibonacci do not change the probability of an outcome or remove the house edge. They only change how a player’s stakes are arranged over a series of bets and can expose players to larger losses.
Another misconception is that a complete bet guarantees a profitable result. It does not. A complete bet simply combines multiple inside wagers around a selected number, and the overall result depends on the number that lands and the stakes placed on each component.
Understanding the underlying probabilities can help players make informed decisions, but it cannot predict the result of an individual spin.
How Are Roulette Payouts Calculated?
Roulette payouts are calculated using the stake assigned to an individual bet and the published payout ratio for that bet.
For example, a £1 straight-up bet paying 35 to 1 produces £35 in winnings if the selected number wins. The original £1 stake is also returned, giving a total return of £36.
Other standard examples include:
- Split (two numbers): 17 to 1 — a £1 winning stake produces a £17 profit plus the £1 stake, for a £18 total return.
- Street (three numbers): 11 to 1 — a £1 winning stake produces a £11 profit plus the £1 stake, for a £12 total return.
- Corner (four numbers): 8 to 1 — a £1 winning stake produces a £8 profit plus the £1 stake, for a £9 total return.
- Six Line (six numbers): 5 to 1 — a £1 winning stake produces a £5 profit plus the £1 stake, for a £6 total return.
- Outside bets at 1 to 1: a £1 winning stake produces a £1 profit plus the £1 stake, for a £2 total return.
With a complete bet, the relevant component stakes are assessed separately. The overall return is the combined return from any winning components, including applicable returned stakes.
Always check the individual table rules, because the way a particular complete bet is constructed and settled can vary.
Finding Fair Roulette Tables in the UK
If you choose to gamble online or at a licensed gambling venue in Great Britain, check that the operator is licensed by the Gambling Commission (UKGC).
Licensed operators are subject to regulatory requirements covering areas such as player protection, game fairness, advertising and complaints procedures. However, a UKGC licence does not mean that a player is guaranteed to win or that gambling will be profitable.
Before playing online, check the operator’s licence information and the rules for the particular roulette game. The UKGC’s public register can also be used to check whether an operator is licensed and to view relevant regulatory information.
It is important to distinguish regulation from a guarantee of outcomes. Roulette remains a game of chance, and even a properly regulated game can result in losses.
Players should also be cautious about gambling with operators that are not licensed to provide gambling services in Great Britain. Using an appropriately licensed operator provides access to the regulatory protections that apply to licensed gambling businesses.
If gambling stops feeling like entertainment or you find yourself spending more than you intended, consider taking a break and using available gambling-management tools or support services.
FAQ: Roulette Bets, Payouts, and Odds
Many players have questions about how roulette bets, payouts and probabilities work. The answers below cover some of the most common points.
What’s the biggest payout in roulette?
The largest standard payout on a conventional roulette table is usually the straight-up bet, which pays 35 to 1. A £1 winning straight-up bet therefore produces a £35 profit plus the original £1 stake, for a £36 total return.
Special or non-standard bets may have different rules, so check the specific game information before playing.
Are roulette odds different at every casino?
The underlying probabilities depend on the roulette variant rather than the individual casino. A European wheel has 37 pockets, while an American wheel has 38.
However, individual games can have different rules, betting limits or features. Check the game’s information before placing a bet.
Can betting systems improve my chances?
No betting system can change the mathematical probability of a roulette outcome or remove the house edge.
Systems can change the size and timing of your stakes, but they do not guarantee a profit and can result in larger losses.
How can I check a table’s fairness?
For gambling in Great Britain, check whether the operator is licensed by the UKGC and review the rules and game information provided for the specific roulette game.
Regulation is designed to provide safeguards and oversight, but it cannot make a random game predictable or guarantee that individual results will be favourable.
What happens if the ball lands on zero?
Zero is a numbered pocket and can win a straight-up bet placed on 0.
For outside bets such as red or black, odd or even and high or low, zero normally does not qualify as a winning number. The exact treatment can depend on the roulette variant and rules, particularly in French roulette where rules such as La Partage or En Prison may apply to qualifying even-money bets.
Always check the rules displayed for the particular game before placing a wager.
Roulette involves risk, and there is no guaranteed way to make money from playing. Set a budget, keep your stakes within what you can afford to lose and treat gambling as entertainment rather than a source of income.
**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.