Roulette Odds and Bets Explained for Aussies
Quick guide to roulette odds and bets — learn how different roulette bets work, which give better odds, which offer big payouts, and why the house always has an edge.
Quick guide to roulette odds and bets — learn how different roulette bets work, which give better odds, which offer big payouts, and why the house always has an edge.
Roulette looks really simple. A wheel spins, and a ball drops. But the difference between just spinning and actually understanding roulette odds can mean a lot for how long your balance lasts.
This roulette odds guide will walk you through roulette bets explained in plain language, show you which ones give better chances, and which ones mostly feed the house.
And if you want somewhere safe to play, we already keep a list of Australian casinos with best roulette games.
You choose a number, a colour, or a group of numbers, place your chips, and the outcome is decided in one spin. That alone is a big reason Aussie players like it.
The best online casinos in Australia have made it even more attractive. You can open a live table with an actual dealer, or play a fast RNG version that uses certified software.
There are a few key reasons roulette stays popular in Australia:
It is easy to understand at first glance.
You can pick your own risk level, from safe outside bets to risky single numbers.
Payouts are clear. A straight-up bet pays 35 to 1, a red or black bet pays 1 to 1.
Before you start Googling advanced roulette betting odds or special side bets, you need to understand the simple bets first.
Three things matter most at the start:
Online casinos usually offer two main wheel types.
European Roulette
37 pockets in total.
Numbers 1 to 36 plus a single green 0.
House edge around 2.7% on most bets.
American Roulette
38 pockets in total.
Numbers 1 to 36 plus green 0 and green 00.
House edge jumps to about 5.26%, almost double European.
How the Table Layout Works
In the centre, you have a grid with numbers 1 to 36.
On the side or bottom, you have sections for red, black, odd, even, high, low, dozens, and columns.
Understanding Inside vs Outside Bets
Here is the simple way to think about it:
Inside bets = higher risk, higher payout.
Outside bets = lower risk, lower payout.
Now, let us go through roulette bets explained in full.
These sit on the numbered grid. They are the heart of more risky roulette bets for Aussies who like bigger hits.
You place a chip directly on a single number, for example, 17.
If the ball lands on that exact number, you win.
Payout is 35 to 1 on European and American roulette.
Straight-up bets are the classic “lucky number” bets. The odds of hitting one number in European roulette are 1 in 37, but the game pays as if it were 1 in 36, which is where the house edge lives.
You place a chip on the line between two neighbouring numbers, for example, between 17 and 20.
If the ball lands on either number, you win.
Payout is 17 to 1.
Split bets are a way to cover two numbers with one chip. The chance of hitting is higher than a straight-up bet, but the prize is smaller.
You place a chip at the end of a row of three numbers, for example, 16, 17, 18.
If any of those three numbers hit, you win.
Payout is 11 to 1.
Streets are useful if you like a group of three numbers in a line.
You place a chip on the cross where four numbers meet, for example, 16, 17, 19, 20.
Any of those four numbers gives a win.
Payout is 8 to 1.
Corner bets are popular because they cover a nice cluster of the table without feeling too expensive.
You place a chip on the edge where two streets meet, covering six numbers, such as 16 to 21.
If any of those six numbers land, you win.
Payout is 5 to 1.
Six-line bets are almost a bridge between inside and outside. They still sit on the number grid but cover quite a big area.
Outside bets sit around the edge of the grid. These are the best roulette bets for players who want steady action and fewer dry spells, especially in a long session.
You bet on all red numbers or all black numbers.
On a European wheel, you win about 18 times out of 37 spins on average.
Payout is 1 to 1.
This is one of the classic “even money” bets. The real chance is slightly under 50% because of the green zero, but red or black still gives some of the friendliest roulette odds.
You bet on all odd numbers or all even numbers.
Green zero is neither odd nor even, so it is a loss for both.
Payout is 1 to 1.
Odd or even feels similar to red or black.
Low covers 1 to 18.
High covers 19 to 36.
Again, you lose on zero.
Payout is 1 to 1.
High or low bets are a simple way to pick which half of the wheel you think will hit more often in a short run.
You bet on 1 to 12, 13 to 24, or 25 to 36.
Each dozen covers 12 numbers.
Payout is 2 to 1.
Dozens sit in the middle zone. They do not hit as often as red or black, but when they land, you get a stronger return.
The grid has three vertical columns of numbers.
You choose one column and bet on all 12 numbers in it.
Payout is also 2 to 1.
Columns are similar to dozens in roulette betting odds. The main difference is which numbers you cover.
On many European roulette tables, you will see a second layout shaped like an oval or racetrack. This is where so-called call bets live. They are more advanced and focus on sections of the wheel instead of neat blocks on the grid.
These bets are:
“Neighbours of zero”. This covers a large section of numbers around the zero pocket on the wheel. It uses several chips spread across splits and corners to cover that arc.
Usually called “Tiers”. This covers about one-third of the wheel that sits opposite zero. It uses split bets to cover this section.
“Orphans”. This bet covers the numbers that sit outside the two main sections above. It is made with a mix of straights and splits.
A lot of roulette odds guides make things harder than they need to be. Think of roulette like this:
You choose numbers or groups of numbers.
The casino pays you more when the odds of hitting are low.
It pays you less when the odds of hitting are high.
The difference between the true odds and the payout is the house edge.
Roulette odds are your chances of winning.
Let’s explain it simply through an example… On a European wheel, the ball has 37 pockets.
If you bet on one number, your chance is 1 in 37.
If you bet on red, you cover 18 numbers, so your chance is 18 in 37.
The casino knows all this, of course. That is why the payouts never match the true odds. They always pay a little less. That “little less” is the casino’s long-term edge.
Here’s an example:
A straight-up bet has 1 in 37 true odds.
But the casino pays you 35 to 1, not 36 to 1.
That missing 1 unit is the house advantage.
Same for red/black:
Odds of landing red are 18 in 37 (almost 50%).
But you lose when the ball hits 0.
That single green pocket is the house edge.
The house edge is the casino’s built-in advantage. On:
European Roulette, it is 2.7%.
American Roulette, it jumps to 5.26%.
Here’s why:
Version | Pockets | House Edge | Why It Matters |
European | 37 total | 2.7% | Better long-term results |
American | 38 total (0 + 00) | 5.26% | Almost double the cost |
It is not about superstition or “feeling lucky.” It is pure maths. European roulette gives you:
Better long-term odds.
A smoother balance over time.
Fewer unnecessary losses because of the extra zero.
If you learn nothing else from this roulette odds guide, remember this one rule:
American roulette makes your money disappear faster.
Best roulette bets are usually two things:
Bets that last longer
Bets that still have a chance of hitting something decent
These are the safest bets:
Red/Black: Covers 18 numbers. Simple, steady, and ideal for beginners.
Odd/Even: Same idea as red/black. Very similar odds, same payout.
High/Low (1-18 or 19-36): Another even-money bet that keeps your session smooth.
These add some excitement without turning your bankroll into chaos.
Dozens: 12-number blocks like 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36. They pay 2 to 1. Hit often enough to be fun.
Columns: Also cover 12 numbers, arranged vertically on the table.
These are the “hero bets.” Fun but unpredictable.
Straight-Up: One number. Pays 35 to 1. Thrilling when it hits. Painful when it doesn’t.
Split Bets: Two numbers. A tiny bit safer but still very swingy.
These are the bets that look fancy, but cost you more than they’re worth.
As explained earlier, the 00 pocket nearly doubles the house edge. Avoid unless you truly have no other option.
This one is only on American wheels. It covers 0, 00, 1, 2, 3.
Players often try it because it “covers five numbers,” but the house edge here jumps to around 7.9%, which is awful.
Avoid this bet 100% of the time.
Call bets like Orphelins or Tiers look cool because they cover wheel sections, but the payout makeup is messy and rarely worth it for new players. They can be fun once you know the wheel well, but they are not the “best odds casino games” type of bets.
Always check the wheel type before betting.
Half of online casino losses happen because players didn’t notice the 00.
Mix a steady outside bet with a tiny inside bet.
It keeps the gameplay fun without draining your balance.
Take breaks every 10-15 spins.
Roulette feels fast. Pausing helps you reset.
Stop chasing patterns.
Red showing 6 times in a row does not mean black is “due.”
Switch tables if the interface feels laggy.
Lag kills the fun and causes misclicks.
Use autoplay carefully.
It is easy to lose track when the spins happen too quickly.
Only play live casino roulette when your internet is stable.
Dropped connections on live tables can delay bets or void rounds.
Roulette is a simple casino game, but when you understand the odds, it becomes a lot more interesting. You don’t have to memorise everything we talked about here, just the big ideas:
European wheel = better odds
Inside bets = high risk, bigger hits
Outside bets = more predictable.
And you can get back to this roulette odds guide whenever you need a quick cheatsheet. To make things easier, we have already collected all the best roulette casinos for Aussies. They’re all tested by our team.
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The single zero removes a lot of the casino’s edge. You will still win and lose in streaks, but over time, the European wheel treats your bankroll far more gently.
If you play at licensed Aussie casinos, yes. The wheels are either run by real dealers or by audited RNG software.
Look at how many numbers it covers. More numbers usually mean steadier returns. If a bet pays huge, it usually means the chance of hitting it is tiny.
The odds do not change. Live roulette feels slower and more social. Digital roulette is faster and good for short sessions.
9.2 / 10
