Roulette wheels show red and black numbers, but there is also a green pocket that tends to catch the eye. It changes how the game works, affects the payouts, and shapes the overall probabilities.
This guide explains what the green pockets are, how they differ between European and American roulette, and what they pay. It also covers how these payouts are set, how the green pockets relate to the house edge, and clears up a few common misconceptions.
If you choose to play, set sensible limits for time and money and treat it as paid entertainment. Help is available from organisations such as GamCare and GambleAware if you ever need support.
What Is The Green Pocket In Roulette?
The green pocket is the zero on a roulette wheel. European roulette has one green pocket, marked 0. American roulette has two, marked 0 and 00. These pockets are neither red nor black, and neither odd nor even.
Their presence adds an extra outcome to every spin. That is why even-money bets, such as red or black, do not win if the ball lands on green. Players can still bet directly on the green numbers in the same way they can back any individual number.
With that in mind, what do those green numbers actually pay?
How Much Do Green Pockets Pay In European And American Roulette?
A straight-up bet on a single number, including 0 or 00, typically pays 35 to 1, with the original stake returned. So a £1 straight-up bet that wins pays £35, plus the £1 stake back.
This payout is the same in both versions of the game. What changes is the chance of winning because there are different totals of pockets: 37 on European wheels and 38 on American wheels.
Curious how casinos arrive at that 35 to 1 return?
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How Are Green Payouts Calculated?
As noted above, straight-up bets pay 35 to 1 whether you are backing 0, 00, or any other single number. The payout is standardised; it does not scale with the number of pockets. Because the true chance of hitting a single number is 1 in 37 on European wheels and 1 in 38 on American wheels, the return paid is slightly lower than the pure probability would suggest. That gap is what creates the casino’s margin.
In practice, that margin is 2.70% on European roulette and 5.26% on American roulette for single-number bets. You can check each game’s paytable to see the displayed returns, but reputable roulette variants follow this 35 to 1 convention.
Now that the return is clear, can you target the green numbers directly?
Can You Bet Directly On A Green Number?
Yes. Players can back any single number on the layout, including 0 on European wheels or 0 and 00 on American wheels. A direct wager on a green number is simply a straight-up bet and typically pays the same 35 to 1 as any other single number when it wins.
The only difference is the chance of success, which depends on whether the wheel has 37 or 38 pockets.
Green Numbers And The House Edge
Green pockets are central to how roulette is balanced. Because red, black, odd and even do not include green, those even-money bets have a built-in chance of losing that is not offset by a corresponding win. That is where the house edge comes from.
With one green pocket, European roulette has a house edge of 2.70%. With two green pockets, American roulette increases that to 5.26%. The extra green pocket, therefore, raises the margin across all bets, not just on the greens themselves.
So, how does this play out with real numbers on each wheel?
Green Payout Examples: Single Zero Versus Double Zero
On a European wheel, there are 37 pockets in total and a single green 0. A £1 straight-up bet on 0 that wins returns £35 plus the £1 stake. The chance of that happening is 1 in 37, which is about 2.70%.
On an American wheel, there are 38 pockets and two greens, 0 and 00. A £1 straight-up bet on either green that wins also returns £35 plus the £1 stake. The chance of hitting a particular green is 1 in 38, about 2.63%.
The payout is identical in both cases, but the probability differs because of the extra pocket on the American wheel.
What Are Common Misconceptions About Green Payouts?
A frequent misunderstanding is that green numbers pay more than other singles. They do not. A straight-up bet on 0 or 00 typically pays the same 35 to 1 as any other single number.
Another misconception is that green pockets somehow increase a player’s overall chances. In fact, they reduce the success rate of outside bets such as red or black, odd or even, because those bets do not include green.
There is also the belief that special staking patterns can force a positive result on green pockets. Roulette outcomes are random, and no approach can guarantee a win on any single spin.
If gambling starts to affect your well-being or finances, seek help early. Independent support is available from GamCare and GambleAware.
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Understanding how green pockets work gives you a firmer grasp of roulette’s payouts and probabilities, so you can make informed choices whenever you play.
