Roulette Zero & Double Zero Payouts Explained: Win Amount Guide
Feeling confused by the different payouts in roulette, especially when it comes to zero and double zero? You’re not alone. Many players find it tricky to work out how much they can actually win when the ball lands on those all-important green pockets.
Whether you’re spinning the wheel online or at your local casino, understanding the impact of zero and double zero can make a real difference to how you approach the game.
In this post, we’ll break down exactly how these bets work, why your chances change depending on the wheel, and what you could win from each one. If you want to play with clear expectations and avoid surprises, keep reading. Everything you need is right here.
What Is The Difference Between Zero And Double Zero In Roulette?
Zero and double zero are the green pockets on a roulette wheel, but they are not the same thing. The key distinction is which version of roulette you are playing and how that affects the mathematical edge held by the house.
A European roulette wheel has a single green zero (0). By contrast, an American roulette wheel has two green pockets: a zero (0) and a double zero (00). That extra pocket increases the number of losing outcomes for most bets, which raises the house edge on American wheels.
As a guide, the typical house edge is around 2.70% on European roulette and about 5.26% on American roulette. The pay table is generally the same on both versions, but the probability of winning each wager changes when a second green pocket is added. Over time, this means the expected return to players is lower on American wheels.
Because European roulette has only one zero, the casino’s advantage is lower than on a wheel with both zero and double zero. This does not guarantee individual results, but it can inform your choice of game if you prefer a lower house edge. Always remember that roulette is a game of chance and outcomes are random.
In short: single zero usually indicates European (or French) roulette, while zero plus double zero indicates American roulette. Once you know which wheel is in use, you can make more informed decisions about the bets you place and the level of risk you accept.
When the ball lands in a green pocket, most standard bets that do not include that number will lose. A straight-up bet on 0 or 00 pays 35:1, and combination bets that cover the pocket (for example, splits or corners where available) are settled at their usual odds if they include the winning number.
Some European or French tables may apply rules such as La Partage or En Prison to even-money bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low) when zero hits. These rules can result in half your stake being returned, or your stake being held for the next spin, which slightly reduces the house edge on those specific wagers. These variations are not typically available on American wheels.
Gambling should be conducted responsibly. Set limits, never wager more than you can afford to lose, and consider the house edge and game rules before you play.
How Are Payouts Calculated When Zero Or Double Zero Hits?
When the ball lands on zero or double zero, what you receive depends on the specific bet you placed and the rules in force at that table. European (single zero) and American (zero and double zero) wheels handle green-pocket outcomes in broadly similar ways, but table rules can vary. Always check the on‑screen paytable or the table placard before you play.
A straight‑up bet placed directly on zero, or on double zero in American roulette, pays 35 to 1. This is profit; your original stake is returned in addition. For example, a £1 stake that wins pays £35 plus your £1 stake back, for a total return of £36. The same principle applies to larger stakes (e.g., £2 returns £72 in total).
If you made an outside bet such as red, black, odd, even, high, low, dozens or columns, a zero or double zero outcome is not a winner and, under standard rules, the stake loses in full. However, some European/French‑rule tables apply “la partage” (half your even‑money stake is returned when zero hits) or “en prison” (your even‑money stake is held for the next spin and settled then). These rules are not universal and must be clearly stated where offered.
There are also inside bets that can include green pockets. On American tables you can split zero and double zero, which pays 17 to 1, and combinations like the 0–00–1–2–3 “top line” (when available) pay 6 to 1. On single‑zero layouts, splits such as 0–1, 0–2 or 0–3 pay 17 to 1, the trio 0–1–2 pays 11 to 1, and the corner 0–1–2–3 pays 8 to 1. Availability depends on the layout and house rules.
That covers the core maths. To put this in context: a £5 split on 0–1 that wins returns £85 in total (£80 profit plus £5 stake), while a £10 even‑money bet on red at a la partage table would see £5 returned to you if zero lands. House edge differs by wheel type and rules (for example, single‑zero games typically have a lower edge than double‑zero), so consider this when choosing where to play. Outcomes are random and never guaranteed; set limits and only stake what you can afford to lose.
Examples: Typical Win Amounts For Common Bets When Zero Or Double Zero Hits
Let’s look at a few clear examples of what you could win if zero or double zero comes up, depending on your bet type. Payouts below reflect common rules, but tables can differ by casino and by whether you’re playing European (single zero) or American (double zero) roulette.
All returns are illustrative. Outcomes are random, and examples do not guarantee future results. Always check the paytable on your specific game before staking.
Straight-Up Bets
A straight-up bet means you put your chip directly on zero or double zero. If you bet £1 and win, you’ll get £35 plus your £1 back, for a total return of £36. The same 35 to 1 payout ratio applies at other stake sizes; for instance, £2 would return £72 in total.
Availability depends on the wheel: European layouts have a single zero, while American layouts offer zero and double zero as separate straight-up options. House rules can vary, so confirm the maximum and minimum stakes at your table.
Split And Street Bets
A split bet covers two numbers next to each other, such as zero and one, or zero and double zero on American layouts. If the winning number is one of the two you covered, a £1 split typically pays £17, plus your £1 stake, so £18 in total. The payout scales with your stake (e.g., £5 would usually return £90).
A street is a three-number bet. When zero is part of an allowed three-number combination under the table’s rules, it pays 11 to 1. For example, a £1 bet that includes zero as one of three eligible numbers returns £11 plus your £1 stake, totalling £12. Not all layouts permit every zero-based street, so check the markings on the felt.
Corner, Line And Column Examples
A corner bet covers four numbers that meet at a corner on the layout, for example 0, 1, 2 and 3. If any of these four land, a £1 corner pays £8, plus your £1 stake returned, for £9 overall. Some wheels restrict which zero combinations count as a valid corner; follow the table diagram.
Standard six-line bets cover two adjacent rows of three numbers each. These do not include zero, so a zero or double zero outcome would not be a winner for a regular six-line. On American wheels there is a special top-line bet that covers 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3. This pays 6 to 1 if one of those five numbers hits, so a £1 bet would return £6 plus your £1 stake. Note that the top-line often carries a higher house edge than many other inside bets.
Column bets pay 2 to 1 when a number from the chosen column lands. Zero and double zero sit outside the columns, so a spin ending in green is not a column win. The same applies to dozen bets; neither zero nor double zero is included.
These examples show how zero and double zero interact with different bet types. Next up, what does a green outcome mean for the outside bets most players start with? Remember to review the paytable and table layout, and only stake money you can afford to lose.
How Do Outside Bets Pay When Zero Or Double Zero Occurs?
When the ball lands on zero or double zero, most outside bets do not win. The green pockets are not classified as red or black, they are not odd or even, and they are not included in any dozen or column. This applies on European (single zero) wheels and, where present, on American wheels that also include double zero.
As a result, if you have a £5 bet on red or on even numbers and the ball lands on a green pocket, you lose that stake. The same outcome applies to high or low bets, and to first, second or third dozen. Column bets are treated the same way and also lose when zero or double zero hits.
Some European tables use rules such as La Partage or En Prison for even‑money outside bets only (red/black, odd/even, high/low). If zero lands under La Partage, you receive half your stake back and the round ends for that bet. Under En Prison, your stake is held “in prison” for the next spin; if the next result wins for your chosen even‑money category, the original stake is returned, and if it loses, the stake is forfeited. These rules do not apply to dozens or columns.
Availability of these rules varies by game and operator, and they are usually not offered on American roulette with double zero. This difference affects the house edge: as a general guide, European roulette is typically around 2.70% house edge, which can be reduced to about 1.35% on even‑money bets when La Partage applies. American roulette is commonly around 5.26%. Actual figures can vary by variant, so always check the game rules and paytable.
Always review the specific table rules before placing a bet so you understand how zero or double zero is handled. Outcomes are random and no strategy can guarantee a win. Set limits, bet responsibly, and only gamble what you can afford to lose.
How Does Zero Or Double Zero Affect House Edge And Payout Percentages?
Zero and double zero have a big impact on your long‑term chances. They are not just normal numbers. They give the casino its built‑in advantage, known as the house edge, because they are winning pockets for the house on most outside bets.
In European roulette, which has a single zero and 37 pockets in total, the house edge is about 2.7%. Over a large number of spins, the casino expects to keep around £2.70 for every £100 wagered. This corresponds to a theoretical Return to Player (RTP) of roughly 97.3%.
On American wheels with both zero and double zero (38 pockets), the house edge rises to about 5.26%, so the expected hold is roughly £5.26 per £100 bet. The related RTP is approximately 94.74%. These figures are long‑term averages based on the game mathematics and are not guarantees of what you will experience in any single session.
The pay table is the same on both wheels; what changes is the probability of each outcome, which is why a single‑zero game generally carries a lower house edge. Always review the layout and the payout table together so you understand how often each type of bet is expected to win versus what it pays.
Some single‑zero tables may also use rules such as la partage or en prison on even‑money bets, which can reduce the effective house edge further. Check the specific table rules and limits before you play, and remember that results vary due to chance. Never stake more than you can afford to lose.
How To Read A Roulette Payout Table For Zero And Double Zero
A roulette payout table explains how much each wager may return, including bets that involve the green pockets. Identify your bet type on the table — such as straight-up, split or corner — and note the payout shown as a ratio. Payouts are usually listed “to 1”, meaning the profit excludes your original stake unless the table states otherwise.
A straight-up bet on zero or double zero typically pays 35 to 1. Splits that include zero pay 17 to 1, and any three-number combinations that include zero (for example 0-1-2 or 0-2-3 on a single-zero layout) pay 11 to 1.
On American layouts with both zero and double zero, there may also be a special five-number “basket” bet covering 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3, which usually pays 6 to 1. Check whether this option is offered and how it is labelled, as availability and naming can vary.
Outside bets like red, black, odd or even show a 1 to 1 payout, but green pockets are excluded from those wins. Columns and dozens pay 2 to 1, and again zero and double zero are not part of those groups unless a specific house rule says otherwise.
The presence of zero (and double zero) is what creates the house edge, so the type of wheel matters. European or single-zero games and American or double-zero games have different probabilities even when the payout ratios look the same.
Layouts and optional rules can vary by game and venue. Some tables offer rules such as La Partage or En Prison that affect even-money bets when the ball lands on zero, changing how losses are handled. Always read the on-screen rules and pay table before you stake, so you know exactly how zero or double zero is treated where you are playing.
Consider table limits and any maximum payout caps shown on the pay table. No betting strategy can change the underlying odds, and outcomes are random. Only bet what you can afford to lose and take breaks if you need to.
Common Misconceptions About Zero And Double Zero Payouts
It is easy to get mixed up about how zero and double zero affect roulette payouts, so let’s clear up a few common myths. This information is for clarity only; outcomes are random and past results do not influence future spins.
One misconception is that zero and double zero pay out more than other numbers. In reality, a straight-up on these green pockets pays the same as any other single number at 35 to 1, meaning a total return of 36 units for 1 unit staked.
Some tables may describe returns differently, but the principle is the same: a single-number win on 0 or 00 is not a special or boosted payout. Always check the displayed pay table for the game you are playing.
Some players think outside bets such as red or odd include zero or double zero, but they do not. Those green pockets are not part of any colour or even-or-odd bets, so your stake loses if the ball lands there.
On certain European or French variants, specific rules such as la partage or en prison may apply to even-money bets when the ball lands on zero, potentially returning half your stake or holding it for the next spin. These rules do not apply to double zero, and they are not universal, so confirm the table rules first.
Another misunderstanding is that the odds are the same on European and American wheels. Because of the extra double zero, American roulette reduces the chance of winning each bet, even though the pay table looks identical.
As a guide, the house edge on European roulette is typically around 2.70%, while on American roulette it is around 5.26%. The return to player (RTP) therefore differs between wheels even when the posted payouts match.
Finally, there is the idea that focusing on zero or double zero somehow turns the edge in the player’s favour. These numbers help create the house edge; they do not remove it, and no staking system can change the fundamental probabilities.
Understanding how zero and double zero work can help you read the table correctly, set realistic expectations, and avoid surprises when green appears. If you choose to play, do so responsibly: set limits, never chase losses, and only gamble if you are 18 or over.
**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.