Knowing the percentages you are up against is a very important component of becoming a decent roulette player, whether you are just beginning or have been playing the game for years. As with most table games in the world of gambling, the house has a small to moderate advantage over you as a player. Figuring out the percentages will give you a better idea of where you stand when play begins.

The Odds

The house advantage varies according to what type of roulette you are playing. On a single zero table, which is more common in Europe and is also known as the European or French wheel, the house advantage is about 2.7 percent. On a double zero table, which is more popular in the United States and is often termed the American wheel, the house advantage is about 5.26 percent. This means when a player places a five number bet -zero, double zero, one, two, and three-the house advantage is about 7.9 percent.

The house advantage is primarily gained during play when the winning bets are announced. The advantage comes into play when the winning gambler receives about one to two chips fewer than he would be paid if the casino had no advantage. The house has an advantage in most gambling games, and roulette is not an exception.

If you are going to take a spin at the roulette wheel, you also need to understand how chance will affect your bet and your payoff. If you choose to weigh your risks and want to wager it all on a single bet, then if you were to win the payout would be at a 35 to one margin. A split bet, or a bet on two numbers, pays out at a 17 to one margin. A three-way bet, also known as a street bet, pays winners at an 11 to one margin. The list goes on. Some bets pay only at a two to one margin, while others barely have any payoff.

The amount of money you win in essence is decided by chance, but the amount you lose depends on what type of bet you place. Weigh your odds against the house advantage and choose which type of wager to make from there.