Advice for Betting on Zero in Roulette – Probability, Payout, and Much More

Betting on zero in roulette isn’t as silly a subject for debate as it first might seem.

Like any game that has been played for centuries, roulette has a certain mystique about it. It has many myths, legends, and folklore associated with virtually every aspect of its play, wagering probabilities, and the relative luckiness and unluckiness of various wagers and other activities at the table.

For instance, roulette used to be referred to as the Devil’s Wheel because the sum of the numbers on it is 666. Quite creepy, isn’t it?

It turns out that the number 36 is very popular because it’s quite useful. Why? Well, it’s a highly composite number. That’s not me being complimentary; it means that 36 is divisible by more whole numbers than any of the lesser numbers preceding it.

But seriously, it’s the reason there are 36 ten-degree segments to a compass rose. It’s the number of inches in a yard. And if that isn’t proof enough of its mystical power, 36 is the number of races in the NASCAR Cup series.

Let’s get to the burning question here: Can you bet on zero in roulette? Yes, of course, you can. But what you really ought to be asking is, should you bet on zero in roulette? And the answer to that is a much more qualified and slightly hesitant “yes.”

It’s probably a good idea to start out with a definite idea of just how often zero hits on the roulette table. Depending on the number of zeros on the wheel, there are either 37, 38, or 39 possible locations the ball can land in any spin.

And, of course, there are a few tables in Las Vegas rolling three zero roulette.

Now, the zero pocket on the roulette wheel is identical to the pockets for the other numbers, so the likelihood of hitting zero is the same as it is for any single number wager.

The probability of zero hitting in roulette are 36-1 on a single zero wheel, 37-1 on a double zero wheel, and 38-1 on a triple zero wheel.

Incidentally, you should have noticed that the probability of double zero hitting in roulette changes when depending on whether you’re playing a two-zero table or a three-zero table. You can usually find all three wheels rolling at live online casinos.

If you want to uncover which game is better, American vs. European roulette, then read on to see what we come up with.

The probability of zero hitting in roulette may be slight, but it does happen. Interestingly enough, the zero is what makes the roulette wheel profitable for the house.

Sure, when the ball hits zero, anyone betting on it wins 35x their wager. But does that mean the house loses? Well, it certainly has to pay any wagers on zero.

But every other wager on the table loses. So while betting on zero in roulette may be profitable once every 35 spins or so, the house makes beaucoup money whenever your zero bet hits because everybody else’s wager lost.

Look at them. They’re all grinning sickly at you as you rake in your $35, even as they watch one of the dealers removing their losses from the table.

Let me say that a different way: The house is happy to pay the 35-1 zero bet because it raked all those other bets that lost. Don’t forget to practice your newfound skills at some of the top real money online roulette sites.

If you’re playing roulette in a US casino, you likely have the opportunity to bet on double zero. So, is this any better than betting on zero?

Of course not. Is it worse? Also, a big “no.” The fact is, you’re already faring more poorly than you would at a European roulette table.

Even without the zero, the house has an edge in roulette simply because it doesn’t pay real odds on wagers. For instance, both single and double zero roulette pay 35-1 on wagers on any single number — but the odds of hitting any number are 37-1 on a single zero wheel and 38-1 on a double zero wheel.

Put another way, the house edge on single zero roulette is 2.7%. On double zero roulette, that house edge doubles (5.26%). And if you’re a real glutton for punishment, you can try the triple zero roulette wheels, which give the house a 7.69% advantage.

If you want to lose money faster than the double zero wheels already provide, consider the basket bet.

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Whatever strategy you have for betting on any single number at the roulette table is just as useful when betting on zero in roulette. Zero (as well as double zero and even triple zero) will, over time, get hit the same number of times as any other single number.

Sure, you can include the zero when using the various Martingale systems, but know this: While casinos will ask you to leave if they catch you counting cards at the blackjack table, they will comp you dinner and a luxury suite if they catch you playing the martingale system at the roulette table.

And why such generosity on the part of the casino, you ask?

Neither of those are true. And even if only one of those criteria is true, you’re still going to lose. Remember the house edge. It guarantees that eventually, the house will have your house. And your car. And your shoes. Why the shoes? I dunno. They’re just vindictive that way.

Should you bet on zero in roulette, your strategy should be no different from betting on your birthday, your age, or the number of teeth your idiot brother-in-law still has. Any roulette zero betting strategy will work just as successfully.

Check out my roulette guide for more information.

Everything I’ve said in the preceding sections should have already answered this question, but let me say emphatically that you should wager on zero whenever you want — just as you would wager on any other single number.

Zero is neither a lucky nor an unlucky number, although your wager on it may be either.

Remember that the house has the edge and, in the long run, will take all your money, but you’re not playing for the long run.

Seriously, set betting and bankroll limits for yourself, and while you’re at it, set a time limit for yourself. Betting on zero at in roulette is as much fun as it is with any other number. But the excitement kind of dims toward the end of a twelve-hour roulette-a-thon.

If you’re looking for some sort of definite Thou Shalt Nots here, I have two: Always play on the single-zero wheels (European or French), and if that isn’t possible, then at least avoid basket bets. Any wager that gives the house three times the advantage it has on any single-number bet is not a wager you want to make.

Unless you’re the house, of course. In this case, these shoes are MINE.

Footnotes:

• “Anti-Prime Numbers Secretly Rule Your Life” by Popular Mechanics
• “7 Superstitions about Roulette” by GodisaGeek
• “Can you place a bet on zero in roulette” by Quora