Betting on red or black is a common strategy in roulette games. Here, you'll learn how these roulette odds work and the best way to profit from them.
The reason many people play roulette games is because of the massive betting options they have. Red or black is one of the easiest and most popular bets in any roulette game. The even-money odds of winning in this bet make it a top choice for beginners and low stake players in the US. Like other casino games, the house always wins in the long, whether you play European roulette or American roulette.
Read our complete guide to understand the logic behind black or red odds in roulette and the advantages of choosing them over other systems.
How Black or Red Odds Work in Roulette
A standard roulette wheel has 37 pockets (European & French versions) and 38 pockets in the American Version. The single zero and double zero pockets are marked green, and they always represent the casino's edge in the game. The rest of the pockets on the roulette wheel are marked in red and black. In many roulette games, the red and black pockets are arranged in the following pattern:
- Black Numbers: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29, 31, 33, and 35.
- Red Numbers: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 30, 32, 34, and 36.
As you are aware, a bet on red or black wins only if the ball lands on the selected pocket. For instance, if you choose to bet on black and the ball lands on 23, you lose money.
How to Play Black or Red Roulette Bets
A roulette game features a wheel and table with a marked layout where betting chips are placed. The table layout will vary depending on the roulette version you are playing. Moreover, a roulette table is divided into two main sections, marked as the inside bets and outside bets.
The red and black bets are labeled at the center of the outside wagers on the layout of most roulette tables, except for the French version. The red pockets are located on one side of the grid and the black pockets on the opposite side. Betting on the red or black is simple in the version since you only need to place chips on one or the other.
Black and Red Payout Odds
For beginners, you should understand that the red and black wager falls under the outside bets category. These bets are part of the other four even money bets, including high or low and odd or even money bets. The even-money bets cover a total of 18 numbers on the grid, and each of them has payout odds of 1:1. This implies that if you stake $100 on black and you win, you keep the original bet and keep the $100 you win, but if you stake $100 on red and lose, you get nothing in return.
Though the amount you win from red or black is smaller, it is considered the safest strategy across all online casinos. Additionally, these bets hit more frequently than the inside wagers. The probability of winning in European roulette is 48.6%, and the winning probability in American roulette is 47.4%.
The House Edge in Black and Red Odds
Every casino game has a house advantage. The percentage is a representation of what the player is expected to lose over time in a given game. A quick example; if the house edge of the game is 5%, it means you will lose $5 for every $100 you bet with.
Unlike many casino games, the figures in roulette are gotten by comparing the actual payout odds and the true probability of winning bets. Nevertheless, the precise edge on black and red wagers depends on the variant you are playing. The single zero roulette layout has a house edge of 2.7%, while its double zero counterparts have an advantage of 5.26%. The significant variation between the house edge is caused by the single zero and double zeros in the two roulette wheels.
Other Even Money Roulette Betting Odds
As earlier mentioned, other different roulette bet types are available to choose from. These wagers are:
- High and Low Bet: These bets cover low numbers (1-18) and high numbers (19 to 36) on a roulette wheel.
- Odd or Even Bet: These bets cover numbers that are marked odd or even on the roulette table.
The Bottom Line
Whether you choose to bet on black or red, the roulette probability of winning is the same. We highly recommend reading casino reviews before playing roulette at any site. Also, make sure the casino is fully licensed and regulated.
