Roulette may look simple at first glance, but the green 0 and 00 pockets change more than you might think.
They shape the possible payouts, the odds, and the house edge, which in turn affects what you might take home.
This guide breaks down what 0 and 00 could mean for your bets and how to read the small print that matters.
Every roulette wheel has a green 0. Only American roulette adds a 00.
If you place a straight-up bet on 0 or 00 and the ball lands on your chosen number, you are paid at the single-number rate, typically 35 to 1.
Most outside bets, such as red/black, odd/even, and high/low, lose when the ball lands on 0 or 00 because those pockets are not part of those groups.
Some single-zero tables may use rules, such as La Partage or En Prison on even-money bets, which can potentially return half your stake, or hold it for the next spin if the ball lands on 0. Availability varies, so be sure to check the table rules shown on the game.
Knowing this can help if you compare tables, which we’ll cover next.
A straight-up win on 0 or 00 usually pays 35 to 1, plus your stake back.
So, a successful £1 bet returns £36 in total. This applies on both single-zero (European) and double-zero (American) wheels, unless the paytable states otherwise.
Some versions might tweak the rules or potential payouts. Before you play, you might want to read the paytable in the game menu. It lists the exact returns for each bet, and you can see how that table handles 0 and 00.
Single-zero roulette (European) has 37 pockets: numbers 1 to 36 and a single 0.
Double-zero roulette (American) has 38 pockets: numbers 1 to 36, plus 0 and 00. The hit rate is the chance of a bet winning, based on the number of possible pockets. Because there is an extra pocket compared with single-zero roulette, the hit rate for every bet is slightly lower, which in turn increases the house edge.
On single-zero wheels, the house edge is about 2.70%. On double-zero wheels, it rises to about 5.26%.
In the UK, you will most often find single-zero games online and in betting shops, sometimes with French rules that change the outcome of even-money bets when 0 appears, such as returning part of the stake, or holding it for the next spin. If in doubt, check the wheel diagram or the rules panel before placing any chips.
Yes. 0 and 00 are usually treated as standard numbers for straight-up bets, which can typically pay 35 to 1 with your stake returned, if successful.
The difference is not in the payout, but in how often they might hit. Because American roulette has 38 pockets instead of 37, any single number, including 0 or 00, is less likely to land on an American wheel.
If a game uses a different paytable, it will be shown in the rules. Check there to confirm the potential returns for that table.
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The house edge comes mainly from the green pockets, as they sit outside the even-money groups.
With one green pocket, the European wheel holds about a 2.70% edge. With two green pockets, the American wheel moves to about 5.26%.
If you see La Partage or En Prison rules on even-money bets, the effective edge on those bets can drop to about 1.35% on single-zero tables when 0 appears. Again, check the table rules to see if these features apply.
On a European wheel with 37 pockets, the chance of landing on any stated number, including 0, is 1 in 37, about 2.70%.
On an American wheel with 38 pockets, the chance for any single number, including 0 or 00, is 1 in 38, about 2.63%.
It’s important to remember that roulette outcomes are random and cannot be predicted. As noted earlier, reading the rules and paytable will tell you how the table treats results such as 0.
Some inside bets include 0 or 00 directly. The main ones are:
Each option has its own odds and payout potential, which you can confirm on the game’s paytable.
Payouts depend on the bet type and the number of pockets covered.
If a game uses different terms or layouts, the paytable in the help section should show the exact figures for that version.
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