Roulette is one of the most popular online casino table games. If a player is new to roulette, roulette betting basics start with understanding the two main types of wagers: inside and outside bets, each with its own roulette odds and payouts. Inside bets are single-number wagers with long odds and high pay-outs, while outside bets cover larger segments of the wheel for more frequent but lower returns.
Within the outside group sit the even-money bets: Red/Black, Odd/Even, and Low (1–18) / High (19–36). These bets have higher odds of landing, which means their volatility is lower. This is why they are considered the cornerstone of a low-risk online roulette strategy in Canada.
What Are Even-Money Bets?
An even-money bet is any wager with payout odds of 1:1. With these low-risk roulette wagers, the player risks one unit to win one unit with almost a 50% chance of these bets landing, making these wagers attractive for players who prefer long play sessions. Though sometimes commonly referred to as 50-50 wagers, every mainstream roulette wheel includes at least one green zero pocket that tilts the odds slightly against the player. The exact odds for each of these wagers are covered below.
Types of Even-Money Bets
There are three even-money bets in roulette:
Red / Black
When placing red or black roulette bets, the player places a single wager that covers all red or all black pockets.
Odd / Even
This even-money bet covers all odd or all even numbers.
Low (1 – 18) / High (19 – 36)
Splits the betting board in half.
The True Odds for Even-Money Bets
Used together or in rotation, these wagers allow the player to explore red-or-black roulette bets and other outside options without exposing their bankroll to the high variance of inside numbers. However, the actual success rate depends on the wheel design, as this affects both inside and outside bets.
Here are the different types of roulette wheels and how they affect the player’s odds:
| Variant | Zero Pockets | Win Probability (Red/Black, Odd/Even, Low/High) | House Edge |
| European | 1 | 18 / 37 or 48.65 % | 2.70 % |
| American | 2 | 18 / 38 or 47.37 % | 5.26 % |
| French* | 1 | 18 / 37 or 48.65 % | 1.35 %* |
*French tables that apply La Partage or En Prison cut the edge on even-money bets in half. La Partage is a rule where half the player’s wager is returned when a zero lands on an odd/even wager, while En Prison places the player’s even-money wager “in prison” for the next spin when zero lands. If the next spin wins, the original bet is returned. If it loses, the wager is lost.
Tips for Even-Money Bets
- Choose single-zero roulette tables when possible: European or French wheels cut the house edge from 5.26 percent to 2.70 percent, and French rules with La Partage or En Prison trim it to 1.35 percent.
- Keep each wager small: Betting 1 percent to 2 percent of the bankroll per spin helps the player weather the normal variance of roulette.
- Set a time and loss limit before playing: Walking away when either limit is hit protects the bankroll and keeps the session enjoyable.
- Skip progressive systems: While they might sound like a good idea, strategies like the Martingale betting system adjust stake size, not the underlying odds, which can drain funds quickly during a long losing streak.
- Track table rules and payouts in the lobby: If a player is new to online roulette, they need to pick an established online casino. Reputable online casinos list wheel type, minimum–maximum bets, and any special rules up front, giving the player a proper understanding of the game before placing a wager.
