This guide explains what roulette green payout refers to and why green pockets matter to both probability and payouts. It separates two ways to measure risk: long-term expected loss and short-term volatility, so you can choose bets that match your goals. The article uses standardized wheel math for single-zero and double-zero layouts and provides clear numeric examples you can follow to compute expected value and variance for typical $100 stakes. Where rules vary, it stresses checking the table before betting.

By house edge the American five-number basket is the worst common wager on double-zero wheels.

Straight-up single-number bets, including green, produce the highest variance and the largest short-term bankroll swings.

La partage and en prison can halve the house edge on even-money bets where they apply.

What 'roulette green payout' means: basic definitions and why the green numbers matter

When people say roulette green payout they usually mean the payout you get for a straight-up bet on the green pocket, the single 0 on European wheels or 0 and 00 on American wheels. The straight-up payout for any single number, including green, is 35:1, while the chance to hit that number is 1/37 on a single-zero wheel and 1/38 on a double-zero wheel, facts explained in standard game descriptions Encyclopaedia Britannica roulette entry and 888casino's guide.

A green pocket is special because it is the casino edge built into the wheel. Red and black numbers split roughly half the wheel, but the zero or zeros are neither red nor black and make even-money and many grouped bets lose slightly more often than they would on a fair even split Wikipedia roulette overview.

Quick glossary: payouts, probability, house edge, variance. Payouts describe how much you win when a bet succeeds, probability is the chance it will succeed, house edge is the average percentage you lose over the long run, and variance measures how wildly outcomes swing from hand to hand.

Difference between green pockets (0 and 00) and red/black numbers. The presence of one or two green pockets changes win probabilities for many bets even though the listed payout for a straight-up remains 35:1; that mismatch between probability and payout is what creates a house edge Encyclopaedia Britannica roulette entry.

Calculate expected value for a single wager

Result is expected value for one bet

How roulette payouts and probabilities are calculated

Start with the straight-up example because it is easiest to translate into expected value. A straight-up pays 35:1, so if you stake 1 unit and win you receive 35 units of profit plus your original stake in most live tables. The probability to win is 1/37 on a single-zero wheel and 1/38 on a double-zero wheel, which makes the expected value per unit negative by the wheel's house edge Wizard of Odds European roulette.

Simple arithmetic shows why the house makes money. Multiply the chance to win by the payout and subtract the chance to lose; the result is negative and proportional to the house edge. Payout tables and the underlying pocket counts are standardized across most regulated live and RNG tables, so the same calculation applies broadly Wizard of Odds American roulette.

Another way to see it without algebra: on a European wheel every 37 spins each number should appear roughly once, so a 35:1 payout means winners are paid less than fair odds. That shortfall is the house edge expressed as a percentage of stakes and it scales linearly with how much you wager on average per spin.

House edge versus variance: two ways to define 'riskiest' in roulette

House edge measures expected loss per unit staked over the long run. On a single-zero wheel the standard house edge for most bets is about 2.70 percent, while on a double-zero wheel it is about 5.26 percent; these figures come directly from the wheel pocket counts and standard payouts Wizard of Odds European roulette.

Which roulette bet is the riskiest: the green straight-up or the five-number basket?

It depends on the risk definition: by house edge the American five-number basket is worst; by volatility straight-up single-number bets, including green, are riskiest.

Variance or standard deviation measures how widely results will swing around that long-term expectation in the short term. A bet with high variance produces larger, rarer wins and more frequent moderate losses; a low-variance bet produces smaller, steadier gains or losses. Technical work on roulette variance shows single-number straight-ups maximize standard deviation per unit staked among common bets Wizard of Odds appendix on standard deviation.

That difference means two bets can share the same house edge but feel completely different. One may drip losses slowly, the other may offer occasional big paydays but larger short-term drawdowns. Which is riskiest depends on whether you care about long-run expectation or short-term swings.

Which bets carry the worst house edge (risk by expected loss)

When risk is defined by expected loss the worst common table bet on American double-zero wheels is the five-number basket bet covering 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. That particular bet has a house edge of 7.89 percent on the American wheel, higher than the roughly 5.26 percent applied to most other wagers, making it the least favorable choice by expected loss Wizard of Odds American roulette.

On European single-zero wheels most standard bets carry a 2.70 percent house edge. However where la partage or en prison rules are offered for even-money bets, the effective house edge on those bets can be about half that amount, around 1.35 percent, which materially changes expected-loss comparisons for conservative players Wizard of Odds European roulette.

Make the distinction explicit when choosing a table: if your primary objective is minimizing expected loss, avoid the five-number basket on American wheels and prefer single-zero games or even-money bets where la partage is in effect.

Where 'roulette green payout' looks tempting but is costly: the basket and green-number comparison

It is natural to look at green-number straight-ups and think the huge payoff feels attractive, but attractiveness and expected loss are distinct. A $100 straight-up on 0 or 00 on an American wheel still carries the underlying house edge of the wheel on non-basket straight-ups, so the long-run expected loss equals that edge multiplied by stake Wizard of Odds American roulette.

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Compare that to the five-number basket on an American wheel: the basket's worse house edge makes that particular $100 wager costlier on average than a straight-up on green, even though the straight-up has much higher variance. In short, the basket is worst by expected loss, while straight-ups are riskiest by volatility. Funded Plays

Why straight-up green bets are the riskiest by volatility

Straight-up single-number wagers, including bets on green pockets, are binary outcomes with a large positive payoff on win and a full loss on failure. That payoff skew produces the highest standard deviation per unit staked among common roulette bets, which is why they are riskiest when the chosen risk metric is volatility Wizard of Odds appendix on standard deviation.

To see the intuition, note that hitting a single number pays 35 times the wager while the probability is about 1 in 37 or 1 in 38. The combination of low probability and large payoff creates rare big swings rather than steady, predictable changes to your bankroll.

Minimal 2D vector infographic comparing probability versus payout for 1 of 37 and 1 of 38 roulette green payout with side by side bars and simple icons

In practical terms that means repeated straight-ups can give you spectacular spikes and steep drawdowns over short sessions. For players with small bankrolls or short time horizons, the variance can be the primary risk to manage even if the long-term expectation remains the same as for other non-basket bets.

Worked numeric examples: EV and variance for $100 stakes

Close up of stacked casino chips beside green zero and double zero wheel pockets with sharp focus on 0 and 00 markings roulette green payout

Example A: $100 straight-up on a European wheel. With a win probability of 1/37 and a payout of 35:1 the expected value of a single $100 bet is approximately negative $2.70, equivalent to the European house edge of about 2.70 percent multiplied by the stake Wizard of Odds European roulette.

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Before betting, always check the table rules and whether the wheel is single-zero or double-zero; small rule differences change expected loss calculations.

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Example B: $100 straight-up on an American wheel. Using the 1/38 win probability and the same 35:1 payout, that $100 wager has an expected loss of about $5.26, matching the American wheel's common house edge on most non-basket bets Wizard of Odds American roulette.

Basket comparison: a $100 five-number basket on an American wheel has a larger expected loss than a $100 straight-up because the basket's house edge is roughly 7.89 percent. That means the average loss on the basket exceeds the straight-up average loss even though the straight-up is far more volatile Wizard of Odds American roulette.

Variance outline: a quick standard-deviation sketch shows straight-ups concentrate probability mass on a large positive outcome and a frequent negative outcome, which pushes the standard deviation higher than for even-money bets. The appendix on roulette variance details these calculations and how they change with pocket counts Wizard of Odds appendix on standard deviation.

How special rules like la partage and en prison change the picture

La partage and en prison are table rules that reduce the effective house edge on even-money bets by returning or deferring half the stake when zero appears. Where they are applied on single-zero wheels, the effective house edge for those bets can drop to about 1.35 percent, which makes even-money play significantly more favorable from an expected-loss perspective Wizard of Odds European roulette.

These rules do not apply universally and are typically offered only at selected European-style tables. Always verify local table rules before assuming they lower expected loss for even-money play; the presence or absence of these rules matters for bet selection and bankroll planning.

Decision criteria: how to choose which roulette bets fit your goals

Start by clarifying your objective. If you aim to minimize long-term loss, prioritize lower house edge options: choose single-zero games and avoid the five-number basket on American wheels. If you want volatility and the chance of a large short-term windfall, straight-ups deliver that at the cost of greater short-term drawdowns Wizard of Odds American roulette.

Checklist of factors to compare: house edge, variance, session length, bankroll size, and table rules such as la partage. Also confirm whether the game is live or RNG and that advertised payouts match the expected math for the pocket count Investopedia roulette odds guide. See the Funded Plays blog for our posts and updates.

Practical rule of thumb: conservative play focuses on low house edge and low variance; speculative play focuses on high variance and accepts a larger chance of rapid drawdown.

Common mistakes and pitfalls to avoid when assessing roulette risk

Confusing volatility with long-term expectation is the most common error. High variance does not alter the house edge; it only changes how results are distributed in the short term. Over multiple sessions the house edge governs expected loss regardless of volatility choices Wizard of Odds appendix on standard deviation.

Another frequent mistake is failing to check whether a table is double-zero or single-zero. That simple difference changes the house edge materially and can turn a seemingly reasonable strategy into an expensive one for the player Wizard of Odds American roulette.

Finally, promotional or novelty tables sometimes use nonstandard payouts. When payouts deviate from the usual 35:1 for straight-ups you must recompute EV from the local payout table rather than relying on standard assumptions.

Practical examples and scenarios: what a typical session looks like for different goals

Short-session volatility player. A player chasing high short-term upside might place repeated straight-up bets on single numbers, including green, accepting frequent small losses in hope of a large payoff. Expect large, abrupt bankroll swings that can both create headlines and deplete a small bankroll quickly Wizard of Odds appendix on standard deviation. See BetMGM's discussion of betting on green for another perspective BetMGM article.

Long-session conservative player. A player focused on minimizing expected loss will prefer single-zero tables and even-money bets when la partage is available, keeping per-spin wagers moderate relative to bankroll and avoiding the five-number basket on American layouts Wizard of Odds European roulette.

Both scenarios depend on session length and bankroll. Short sessions amplify variance effects; longer sessions make the house edge the dominant factor in expected results.

Quick checklist: how to compare roulette bets at a glance

Immediate checks before you sit down: confirm wheel type (single-zero or double-zero), ask or confirm whether la partage or en prison applies, check payout tables, and verify whether the five-number basket is available on American wheels Wizard of Odds American roulette.

Questions to ask the dealer or check online rules: Is this European or American roulette? Do you apply la partage or en prison to even-money bets? Are payouts standard 35:1 for straight-ups? Is this RNG or live and does it use a standard payout table? These quick checks prevent costly assumptions.

Conclusion: summarizing the riskiest roulette bets and what to do next

Bottom-line answer: by house edge the American five-number 0-00-1-2-3 basket is the worst common bet; by variance the riskiest options are straight-up single-number bets, including green, because they maximize standard deviation per unit staked Wizard of Odds American roulette.

Both metrics matter. If you care about long-term expected loss, avoid the basket on double-zero wheels and prefer single-zero tables or even-money bets where la partage applies. If you seek big short-term swings, straight-ups deliver that but bring much higher bankroll volatility Wizard of Odds appendix on standard deviation. Learn about how Funded Plays evaluates challenges how Funded Plays evaluations work.

Before you play, verify game variant and table rules, size bets relative to bankroll, and treat examples here as illustrations of mathematical principles rather than promises of outcome.

Is betting on 0 or 00 worse than betting on red or black?

By house edge a single-number straight-up shares the wheel's standard edge, but on American wheels the five-number basket has a higher house edge; red/black even-money bets usually have lower variance and similar or lower expected loss on single-zero tables.

Does the 35:1 payout mean straight-ups are fair?

No. The 35:1 payout is lower than true fair odds implied by the pocket counts, which creates the house edge even though the listed payout is large.

How can I check which wheel type a table uses?

Ask the dealer or check the table/game description online for single-zero versus double-zero and for rule labels like la partage or en prison before placing bets.

If you want to experiment with strategy or test how variance affects short sessions, start with small, tracked wagers and keep records of wins and losses. Always confirm table rules and treat examples here as mathematical illustrations rather than guarantees. For players focused on skill-based challenges rather than traditional wagering, structured simulations and evaluation programs can be helpful practice environments.