Roulette tables often draw attention to the green 0 or 00 pockets. These bets can feel a little mysterious, and many players are unsure what a win on these numbers actually pays.
This guide explains payouts for betting on 0 or 00, how returns are calculated, and what affects them. It also covers European versus American wheels, the main bet types that involve 0 and 00, and how table rules can shift outcomes. You will also find clear examples for common stakes, plus how split, corner and the American five-number bet work.
Continue reading for straightforward answers on payouts for 0 and 00. If you choose to play, set sensible limits and keep control of your spend.
A straight-up bet in roulette is a wager placed on a single number, including 0 or 00. It covers one individual pocket on the wheel.
If 0 or 00 is the outcome, a straight-up bet pays 35 to 1. For every £1 placed, the win is £35, and the original stake is also returned. For example, a £2 bet would pay £70 in winnings plus the £2 stake, for a total of £72.
Both European (single zero) and American (double zero) roulette use the same payout for a straight-up bet. The difference lies in how many pockets are on the wheel, which affects the chance of hitting any single number.
With the payout rate set, the next step is to work out profit and total return for any stake.
To work out the profit on a straight-up bet, multiply the stake by 35. A £1 stake yields £35 profit, a £5 stake yields £175, and so on.
The total return is the profit plus the original stake. So a £1 stake that wins returns £36 in total, and a £5 stake returns £180.
This same approach applies to other bet types that involve 0 or 00. Just use the relevant payout odds for that bet instead of 35 to 1.
To put numbers to that, here are a few common stake examples.
For a straight-up bet on 0 or 00 at 35 to 1:
These figures apply to straight-up bets only. Other bet types that include 0 or 00 use different odds and therefore produce different returns.
Of course, 0 and 00 can also feature in combined bets. Here is how those work.
Yes, there are ways to include 0 or 00 in combined bets, although not every format applies in the same way as it does for numbers 1 to 36. Splits and certain corners are available on European wheels, while American wheels add a special five-number bet. Traditional line bets do not include 0 or 00 on European tables.
Understanding these options helps you see how coverage and payouts change when you involve the green pockets.
A split bet covers two neighbouring numbers. On a European wheel, 0 can be split with 1, 2 or 3 by placing the chip on the line between them. On an American wheel, 00 can be split with its adjacent numbers in the same way. The payout for a split is 17 to 1. For example, a £2 split that wins returns £34 in winnings plus the £2 stake, totalling £36.
A corner bet covers four numbers. The notable example that includes 0 on a European wheel is the 0-1-2-3 corner, placed at the shared corner of those numbers. This pays 8 to 1. For instance, a £5 corner that wins returns £40 in winnings plus the £5 stake, for a total of £45. On American wheels, the usual way to include both 0 and 00 with 1, 2 and 3 is the special five-number bet rather than a standard corner.
Knowing these payouts makes it easier to compare straight-up bets with combined bets that include the green pockets.
In American roulette, the five-number bet is unique to the double zero layout. It covers 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3 and is placed at the point where the borders of these numbers meet on the layout.
The payout for this five-number bet is 6 to 1. A £5 stake that wins returns £30 in winnings plus the £5 stake, totalling £35. The rate is lower than other inside bets because the wager covers more numbers at once.
Payouts are one part of the picture. The wheel layout also changes how often those wins might occur.
European roulette has 37 pockets in total, including a single green 0. A straight-up bet on 0, therefore, has a 1 in 37 chance of winning.
American roulette has 38 pockets, adding a green 00. A straight-up bet on either 0 or 00 has a 1 in 38 chance of winning per number.
Although the straight-up payout is 35 to 1 on both wheels, the additional pocket on American tables reduces the chance of any single number hitting. That difference feeds directly into the average outcome over time.
Expected value shows the average result of a bet over many spins. For a £1 straight-up bet on a European wheel, a win returns £36 in total and occurs 1 time in 37 on average, while the other 36 outcomes lose £1 each. That works out to about minus 2.7p per £1 bet.
On an American wheel, a £1 straight-up bet returns £36 when it wins and does so 1 time in 38 on average, with 37 losing outcomes. The long-run result is about minus 5.3p per £1 bet.
These figures reflect the built-in edge of each wheel. Beyond the core maths, certain table rules can also influence what happens when 0 appears.
Some European and French tables use “La Partage” on even-money bets such as red/black or odd/even. If the ball lands on 0, half of the even-money stake is returned instead of losing it all.
Another rule is “En Prison.” When 0 lands on an even-money bet, the stake is held on the layout for the next spin. If that next outcome wins, the original stake is returned. If it loses, the stake is forfeited.
These rules apply to even-money bets only. They do not change the 35 to 1 payout on a straight-up bet on 0, nor do they alter split or corner payouts. American tables typically do not offer La Partage or En Prison, so when 0 or 00 appears, even-money bets usually lose the full stake.
Table minimums and maximums also matter, as they set the range you can stake on single numbers and combinations. It is worth checking the posted limits and rules before you start.
If gambling starts to affect your well-being or finances, seek support early. Independent organisations such as GamCare and GambleAware provide free, confidential help.
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**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.