Even-money bets: almost half the wheel at 1 to 1
Red or black, odd or even, and 1–18 or 19–36 each cover 18 numbers and pay 1 to 1. Zero loses all of them. On a single-zero wheel each bet wins 48.6% of the time; on a double-zero wheel, 47.4%.
Reviewed Oct 14, 2026
Answer first
90s| Bet | Covers | Pays | Edge single zero | Edge double zero |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red or black | 18 numbers | 1 to 1 | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Odd or even | 18 numbers | 1 to 1 | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| 1–18 or 19–36 | 18 numbers | 1 to 1 | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| With La Partage | 18 numbers | 1 to 1 | 1.35% | — |
Key numbers
Even-money bets in four numbers
In short
Key takeaways
- All even-money bets have the same edge on the same wheel.
- La Partage or En Prison halves the edge on single-zero tables.
- Long streaks happen often; past spins do not change the next spin.
- Even-money bets give the slowest, steadiest swings at the table.
On the wheel
Even-money groups
Red (sample)
18 red numbers in all
Black (sample)
18 black numbers in all
Zero
Loses every even-money bet
Red and black do not follow odd and even exactly.
Streak odds (single zero)
| Losses in a row | Chance |
|---|---|
| 3 | About 14% |
| 5 | About 3.6% |
| 8 | About 0.5% |
| 10 | About 0.13% |
Over a long session, long streaks become likely.
Why zero matters
Without zero, even-money bets would be fair. The single green pocket turns 18 of 36 into 18 of 37, which creates the 2.70% edge.
A second zero doubles the green pockets and nearly doubles the edge.
Cost per hour at $10
| Wheel | Spins per hour | Average loss |
|---|---|---|
| Single zero | 40 | About $10.80 |
| Single zero, La Partage | 40 | About $5.40 |
| Double zero | 40 | About $21.04 |
Speed varies by table.
La Partage and En Prison
With La Partage, you get half your even-money bet back when zero hits. With En Prison, the bet is held for one more spin and returned if it wins.
Both cut the edge to about 1.35%. They are common in Europe and on some online tables.
Sequence
Placing an even-money bet
Step 01
Pick a box
Red, black, odd, even, low or high.
Step 02
Place chips
On the outside box.
Step 03
Watch the spin
Zero loses.
Step 04
Collect or repeat
1 to 1 payout.
Betting systems
Martingale and similar systems often use even-money bets. They change how wins and losses are spread, but not the edge.
Table limits stop doubling after a few losses.
Your turn
Even-money terms
Manque
French name for 1–18.
Passe
French name for 19–36.
Rouge / Noir
Red / black.
En Prison
Bet held after zero.
Columns and dozens compared
Dozens and columns cover 12 numbers and pay 2 to 1 with the same edge as even-money bets. They hit less often, about 32% of spins, so swings are larger.
Choose by the swing you prefer, since the cost is the same.
Even-money results over 100 spins ($10 each)
| Wheel | Average wins | Average losses | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single zero | 48.6 | 51.4 | About −$27 |
| Single zero, La Partage | 48.6 | 48.7 + 2.7 half losses | About −$13.50 |
| Double zero | 47.4 | 52.6 | About −$53 |
Averages; real sessions swing above and below.
Common mistakes
- Chasing streaks
- Past spins do not matter.
- Playing double zero
- Look for single zero.
- Ignoring La Partage
- It halves the edge.
- Doubling without a limit
- Limits stop systems.
Keep reading
Related pages
Go play
Where to play in Las Vegas
Tap a resort — each row opens that casino’s White Gambling page (hours, game mix, floor facts). Venues with this game in official counts, sorted high to low.
Open a casino page
Real listings · not adsAfter the 90 seconds
Questions before and after you play
A 90-second guide cannot cover every table moment. Tap a group, then a question — answers are short paragraphs, not one-liners.
01Basics
What are even-money bets in roulette?
Red or black, odd or even, and 1–18 or 19–36. Each pays 1 to 1. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
What happens on zero?
All even-money bets lose, unless La Partage or En Prison applies. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
Which even-money bet is best?
They all have the same edge on the same wheel. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
02Odds
What is the chance of red?
About 48.6% on single zero and 47.4% on double zero. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
How common are long streaks?
Five losses in a row happen about 3.6% of the time in any five-spin stretch. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
Does La Partage help?
Yes. It cuts the edge to about 1.35%. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
03At the table
Where do I place the bet?
On the outside boxes along the edge of the layout. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
Do online tables offer La Partage?
Some French roulette games do. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
Can I bet red and black together?
You can, but zero loses both. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
Sources
- Wizard of Odds — Roulette Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry)The gaming industry’s standard reference for casino-game math, by actuary Michael Shackleford. Not an official registry; our calculators compute these numbers independently. · accessed Oct 14, 2026Edges
- Wizard of Odds — Roulette basics Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry)The gaming industry’s standard reference for casino-game math, by actuary Michael Shackleford. Not an official registry; our calculators compute these numbers independently. · accessed Oct 14, 2026Bets
- Nevada Gaming Control Board · accessed Oct 14, 2026Approved games and gaming revenue reports
- National Council on Problem Gambling — Help and resources Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Free, confidential help: call or text 1-800-GAMBLER