Ever wondered what really happens when you place a bet on 0 or 00 in roulette? You are not alone. These green numbers change the game and are worth understanding.
If you have spotted those single and double zeroes on the wheel and want to know the likely payouts and your chances of winning, this article walks through the facts clearly and without jargon. Read on to learn how these pockets affect your bets and what to watch for when choosing a table.
What Is the Significance of 0 and 00 in Roulette?
The numbers 0 and 00 are special pockets on the roulette wheel, usually shown in green rather than red or black. They are not part of the red/black, odd/even, or high/low groups, so when the ball lands on one of them many common bets lose.
Their primary function is to give the house an edge. European roulette has a single 0, while American roulette includes both 0 and 00. That extra pocket on American wheels changes the mathematics slightly and raises the house advantage compared with the European wheel.
Because these pockets are outside the standard groups, they alter the expected returns for most bets. Knowing how they work helps you compare tables and choose the style of roulette that best fits your preferences.
If you want to see how that affects what you win, the next section explains payouts for bets placed directly on those green numbers.
How Do Payouts Work on 0 and 00 Bets?
A straight-up bet placed on 0 or 00 covers just that single pocket. The payout for a straight-up win is 35 to 1. Practically, a £1 winning straight-up bet returns £35 in winnings plus the original £1 stake, so you receive £36 in total.
This payout applies uniformly to any single-number bet on the table, whether it is a red number, black number, or one of the green pockets. Because the prize is the same, the deciding factor between wheels is the probability of the ball landing on that particular pocket.
Straight-up bets can seem appealing because of the high multiplier, yet the chances of hitting are low compared with bets that cover more numbers. The next section looks at those actual chances on different wheels.
What Are the Odds of Winning on 0 or 00 in Roulette?
The probability of a straight-up win on 0 or 00 depends on the wheel type. European roulette has 37 pockets: numbers 1 to 36 plus a single 0. That gives a 1 in 37 chance for a bet on 0, which is about 2.70% per spin.
American roulette has 38 pockets: numbers 1 to 36 plus 0 and 00. For a straight-up bet on either green pocket, the chance is 1 in 38, approximately 2.63% each spin.
These percentages explain why the extra 00 matters. Even though the payout stays the same, the probability of success is slightly lower on the American wheel. With that in mind, the next section compares these single-number bets with other common wagers on the table.
Comparing Roulette Odds: 0, 00, and Other Bets
Straight-up bets on any single number, including 0 or 00, carry the same payout but the lowest chance of winning. Other wagers cover more numbers and therefore offer higher chances but lower returns.
For example, even-money bets such as red/black, odd/even, or high/low cover 18 numbers on a European wheel. Their chance of success there is 18 in 37, about 48.6%, and the payout is 1 to 1. Bets that cover intermediate groups of numbers - split, street, corner, dozens - sit between straight-up and even-money bets in both coverage and payout. The more numbers a bet includes, the more likely it is to pay out, but the smaller the payout relative to the stake.
Understanding these trade-offs can help you pick bets that match the balance of risk and reward you prefer. Next, we will look at what happens to different types of bets when a green pocket is spun.
What Happens If 0 or 00 Comes Up on Different Bet Types?
When the ball lands on 0 or 00, only bets placed directly on those numbers win the straight-up payout. Outside bets such as red/black, odd/even, and high/low normally lose because the green pockets are not part of those groups.
If your bet covers a green pocket as part of a combination, the payout follows the standard rules for that bet. For instance, a split that includes 0 or 00 pays at the split rate, which is lower than a straight-up payout. On American wheels there are specific bets such as the top line or basket that include both green pockets alongside some neighbouring numbers; these have distinct payouts reflecting their coverage.
Knowing how each wager behaves when a green pocket appears helps you anticipate results and choose bets that align with your strategy.
Why Do Roulette Wheels Have 0 and 00?
The inclusion of 0 and 00 is a deliberate part of roulette’s design. Without them many bets would pay out at near true odds and the casino would have no built-in advantage. The green pockets slightly reduce the expected return on most bets, which is how the house retains a small margin over time.
This design choice is why European and American wheels have different long-term percentages in favour of the house. The extra pocket on American wheels increases that margin. It is not a flaw of the game but a structural element that defines roulette’s risk and reward profile.
To address common misunderstandings, the next short section separates fact from myth.
Common Myths About 0 and 00 in Roulette
A few persistent misconceptions tend to circulate among players. One is that choosing 0 or 00 somehow offers a secret edge. In truth, they carry the same payout and the same underlying probability as any other single number. Another is the idea that a number is due to appear after a sequence of spins. Each spin is independent, and previous results do not change future probabilities.
Clearing up these points helps set reasonable expectations before you place bets.
Roulette 0 and 00 Payouts: European vs American Tables
Both European and American roulette pay 35 to 1 for a straight-up win on 0 or 00. The key difference is the wheel composition. European wheels have one green pocket, American wheels have two. That extra pocket reduces the chance of a win on any single-number bet in the American format.
Other bets that include the green pockets are paid according to the layout and rules of the particular table. When comparing tables, focus on pocket count and the presence or absence of any special rules that might affect even-money bets.
With that in mind, the final section explains a couple of rules you might encounter in UK venues that influence how even-money stakes are handled when 0 appears.
Are There Any Special Rules in UK Casinos for 0 or 00?
In some European-style and French roulette games you may come across two rules that modify the outcome for even-money bets when 0 appears. These rules do not remove the house advantage but can reduce losses on those specific wagers.
- La Partage: When an even-money bet loses because the ball lands on 0, half the stake is returned to the player rather than the whole stake being lost. This applies only to even-money bets.
- En Prison: If 0 comes up, the even-money bet can be left on the table for the next spin. If it wins on the following spin, the original stake is returned. If it loses, the stake is lost.
These rules are more common on tables that use the single 0 format and are rarely applied where both 0 and 00 are present. Always check which rules apply at your table before playing so you understand how outcomes are settled.
Whether you prefer European or American roulette, knowing how 0 and 00 affect payouts and probabilities helps you make informed choices and enjoy the game with a clear sense of what to expect.
**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.