Green Payouts in Roulette Explained: What Are the Green Bets?
Roulette is one of the most recognisable games found in casinos, both online and in person. While most attention goes to red and black numbers, the green pockets on the wheel play a distinct role.
Understanding how these green bets work helps make sense of payouts, table layouts, and why certain wagers behave the way they do. They also influence how the house edge is calculated.
This guide explains what green bets are, which wheels include them, how payouts are handled, and which bets specifically cover green numbers. It also looks at the house edge, how to place these bets online or in person, and includes clear examples. If you choose to play, set sensible limits and keep it enjoyable.
What Exactly Are Green Bets In Roulette?
Green bets in roulette refer to wagers placed specifically on the green pockets of the wheel. In most games, that is the single zero (0). In American roulette, both 0 and 00 are green. These are the only pockets that are neither red nor black.
A player placing a green bet is usually making a straight-up bet on 0, or on 00 in American roulette. Because the green pockets are not part of red/black, odd/even, or high/low, the ball landing on green means those outside bets do not win.
The odds of a green bet are lower than most other single-number bets simply because there is usually only one green pocket on European and French wheels, and two on American wheels. That scarcity is reflected in the payouts.
Which Roulette Wheels Have Green Numbers?
All standard roulette wheels include green pockets, although the numbers differ by version.
European and French roulette feature a single green pocket, 0, among 37 total spaces.
American roulette has two green pockets, 0 and 00, among 38 total spaces.
A few variants introduce additional green segments or special bets, but these are not typical in standard casino play.
Knowing where the green pockets sit makes the payout structure much easier to follow, which brings us to how returns are calculated.
How Are Green Payouts Calculated?
Green payouts follow the same paytable rules as other inside bets. A straight-up wager on a single number, including 0 or 00, pays 35 to 1 when it hits, plus the original stake returned.
If a bet covers two numbers with one chip, such as a split between 0 and 1 or, on American layouts, 0 and 00, the standard return is 17 to 1.
Some layouts allow a three-number bet that includes 0, known as a trio (0-1-2 or 0-2-3), which typically pays 11 to 1. There is also a four-number bet covering 0-1-2-3, often called the first four or basket, which usually pays 8 to 1. On American wheels, a five-number bet covering 0-00-1-2-3, sometimes called the top line, generally pays 6 to 1.
Paytables can vary slightly, so it is always worth checking the table information where you are playing.
What Are Typical Payouts For Green Bets?
A straight-up wager on 0 or 00 pays 35 to 1 in both European and American roulette, with your stake returned. So a £1 bet that wins would return £35 in winnings plus £1 back.
Splits that include 0, such as 0-1 or 0-2, pay 17 to 1. A £2 winning split would therefore return £34 in winnings plus the £2 stake.
Bets that cover more numbers pay less. A trio with 0-1-2 or 0-2-3 typically pays 11 to 1, while the first four (0-1-2-3) usually pays 8 to 1. On American layouts, the top-line 0-00-1-2-3 bet commonly pays 6 to 1. These returns reflect the larger number of outcomes covered.
Which Bets Specifically Cover The Green Numbers?
Only certain inside bets include the green pockets.
A straight-up bet places a chip directly on 0, or on 00 in American roulette.
A split can cover 0 and an adjacent number, such as 0-1 or 0-2, and on many American tables, 0-00 is also available as a split.
Trio bets combine 0 with two neighbouring numbers, typically 0-1-2 or 0-2-3, where offered.
The first four, also known as the basket, covers 0-1-2-3. On American wheels, the top-line bet covers 0-00-1-2-3.
Outside bets like red/black or odd/even never include the green pockets, so a separate inside wager is needed if you want coverage on 0 or 00.
How Do Green Pockets Affect The House Edge?
Green pockets are central to the house edge in roulette. They reduce the frequency with which outside bets win, because 0 and 00 are not included in those wagers.
On European and French wheels, there is one green pocket among 37 spaces, leading to a typical house edge of 2.7%.
On American wheels, there are two green pockets among 38 spaces, which raises the house edge to around 5.26%.
Knowing which wheel you are playing is therefore important. It shapes the underlying probabilities and the overall cost of betting over time.
With that in mind, how do you actually put these wagers on the table in different settings?
How To Place Green Bets Online And In Land-Based Games
Placing a green bet is straightforward in both online and physical casinos. On a digital table, players choose a chip size and place it on the 0, or on 00 if available. In land-based games, chips are placed on the same areas of the felt before the dealer closes betting.
Combined bets that include green pockets follow the usual placement rules. Splits sit on the line between two numbers, trios span the corner of three numbers, and the first four or top line sit at the relevant intersection covering those groups.
Layouts and options can differ slightly between casinos and between European and American tables, so it helps to glance at the table diagram or ask the dealer if anything looks unfamiliar.
Common Misconceptions About Green Bets
A few myths persist around greens. One is the idea that 0 or 00 is somehow “due” if it has not appeared for a while. Each spin is independent, so previous results do not influence the next outcome.
Another is that outside bets protect you against green results. They do not. The green pockets sit outside red/black, odd/even, and similar categories, so you would need a separate inside wager to cover them.
It is also sometimes assumed that green bets pay out more often. In reality, they pay higher multiples when they win because they occur less frequently than most other outcomes.
Example Bet Scenarios In European And American Roulette
Understanding how green bets work in practice may help clarify some of these points.
On a European wheel, if a player places a £2 straight-up bet on 0 and the ball lands on 0, they would receive £70 in winnings plus £2 back (totalling £72), as the payout is 35 to 1.
In American roulette, a player might bet £1 on 00 directly. If 00 comes up, the payout would be £35 plus the original stake, so £36 in total.
If a player chooses a split bet on 0 and 1 in European roulette, the payout for a winning bet is 17 to 1. For example, betting £2 would return £34 in winnings plus the original £2, for a total of £36.
The presence of green pockets means that some outside bets are not successful if the ball lands on 0 or 00. It helps to know which bets are covered before you play.
If gambling starts to affect your well-being or finances, seek support early. Independent organisations such as GamCare and GambleAware offer free, confidential help.
Play Roulette Online at Dream Jackpot
If you are considering playing roulette online, Dream Jackpot offers a straightforward, secure place to do it. You will find a range of games, including live tables with professional croupiers and RNG versions for quicker sessions.
We provide practical tools to help you manage your play, including deposit limits, reality checks, and access to your account history. These are there to support safer play and give you control.
If you would like to try roulette with us, create an account, set your preferences, and explore our tables when you are ready. Green bets are just one part of the game, and understanding them helps you make clearer choices at the wheel.
**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.
