If you've ever watched a roulette wheel spin, the green pocket(s) — 0 and sometimes 00 — catch the eye. They play a special role in the game and affect both betting options and the casino’s advantage.
This article explains what happens when you bet on 0 or 00, how payouts are calculated, the difference between European and American wheels, and the bets that include these numbers. Read on to see exactly what a successful bet on 0 or 00 pays and why these pockets matter.
What Happens If You Bet on 0 or 00 in Roulette?
A bet placed directly on 0 or 00 is a straight-up bet, which means you are backing that single number to come in. If the ball stops in the chosen green pocket, the bet wins; if it lands anywhere else, the bet loses.
Those green pockets are treated as single numbers for straight-up bets. On a European wheel there is one 0; on an American wheel there are both 0 and 00. That difference changes how often those pockets appear and therefore affects the overall odds.
In practical terms, betting on these pockets is the same as betting on any single number on the layout, but the frequency with which they occur depends on the wheel type you choose to play.
Payouts for Zero and Double Zero Explained
A successful straight-up bet on 0 or 00 pays at the same rate as any single-number win: typically 35 to 1. That payout means a £1 wager returns £36 in total — £35 profit plus the original £1 stake.
This payout remains the same whether you back 0 on a European wheel or 0 and 00 on an American wheel. What changes between the two versions is the chance of the ball landing in those pockets, not the straight-up payout itself.
Always be aware that some tables or rule sets may display slightly different options for other bet types that include the zero pockets, so check the table details before placing chips.
European vs American Roulette: The Differences in 0 and 00 Payouts
European roulette uses a single green pocket, 0, giving the wheel 37 slots in total. American roulette adds 00, creating 38 slots. The straight-up payout for 0 or 00 remains 35 to 1 on both wheels.
The extra pocket on the American wheel means a slightly lower probability of any single number appearing, which is why the choice of wheel affects your overall chances even though single-number payouts don’t change.
If you prefer a setting with marginally better odds of a single number appearing, the European wheel is the more favourable option because it has fewer total pockets.
How Are Roulette Payouts Calculated?
Payouts depend on the type of bet and how many numbers it covers. A straight-up bet covers one pocket and therefore has the highest single-number payout, while bets that cover larger groups of numbers pay at lower ratios.
To find the return for a winning bet, multiply your stake by the payout odds and then add back your original stake. For example, a £2 straight-up bet that wins at 35 to 1 produces £70 in winnings plus the £2 stake, totalling £72.
Croupiers or the table display will settle bets after the ball lands and indicate the odds for each bet type. Understanding these payout relationships helps you compare the relative value of different wagers on the roulette layout.
Common Myths About 0 and 00 in Roulette
Players often think zero pockets become “due” after a run of other numbers, or that a wheel can develop predictable streaks. In reality, each spin is independent, and previous results do not influence what happens next.
Another frequent misconception is that betting systems can reliably increase the chances of hitting 0 or 00. Systems may change bet sizes or patterns, but they cannot alter the underlying probabilities built into the wheel.
Some players assume that 0 and 00 hit more often than other numbers. The green pockets are not favoured by design; their role is to alter the odds for certain outside bets and to create the casino advantage described in the next section.
Those misconceptions can affect how someone approaches the game, so it’s helpful to separate lived intuition from how the probabilities and rules actually operate.
Which Bets Cover 0 or 00 on the Roulette Table?
There are several ways to include 0 or 00 in your betting without staking on them directly. The simplest is the straight-up bet, where you place chips on the number itself.
Split bets cover two adjacent numbers, such as 0 and 1, 0 and 2, or 0 and 3 on a European layout. On American tables, splits can involve 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3 in various combinations. A top line or basket bet on American wheels covers five numbers at once: 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3; this bet has its own payout structure.
Other bets that interact with the zero pockets include certain corner or street bets that sit next to the green pocket on the layout. Each of these alternatives covers more numbers and therefore pays less per unit staked than a straight-up bet.
Knowing which bets include the zero pockets helps you tailor your play to the kind of risk and return you prefer.
House Edge: How 0 and 00 Affect Your Chances
The presence of 0 and 00 is the key reason casinos retain a long-term advantage in roulette. In European roulette, the single zero produces a house edge of about 2.7 percent because even-money bets lose when the ball lands on zero.
American roulette, with both 0 and 00, increases that house edge to around 5.26 percent. The extra green pocket shifts the balance so that the expected return for players is lower than on the European wheel.
These percentages describe long-term averages rather than what will happen in any short session. Knowing the house edge for the version you play is useful when comparing tables and understanding the mathematical relationship between payouts and probabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions About 0 and 00 Payouts
Below are clear answers to common questions about betting on the green pockets and what to expect from payouts and rules.
What do you win if you bet on 0 or 00 in roulette?
A successful straight-up bet on 0 or 00 generally pays 35 to 1, so a £1 stake returns £36 in total.
Does betting on 0 or 00 increase my chances of winning?
No. These pockets are single-number bets and have the same single-number probabilities as any other number on the wheel used. The difference between European and American wheels affects probability, not the single-number payout.
Are there any special rules for 0 or 00?
Some tables offer rules that apply to even-money bets when the ball lands on zero, which can reduce the effective loss for those bets. Such rules are not universal, so check the table information where you are playing.
Where can I get help if I’m worried about my gambling?
If gambling becomes a concern, confidential support and information are available from recognised organisations such as BeGambleAware. Setting personal limits and keeping play within them helps maintain control and enjoyment.
Thank you for reading. If you’d like, I can review a specific roulette table’s rules or explain how different bets compare in expected return.
**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.