Photo: Image by Stefan Schweihofer from Pixabay
When it comes to roulette, we all want to see that ball landing in the 0 or 00 pocket, unless you’ve made a bet on red or black. There is something about those green pockets that is so attractive to players…maybe is the color or the big payouts that we always look for.
However, betting on green should always be done cautiously. Why? Well, just because the probability of the ball landing in the one single green or double green pockets is very low.
Yes, the payout might be big, but this doesn’t mean that it is the right strategy to go full green betting mode.
Instead, you first need to understand the probability of green pockets, and whether or not chasing those will end up profitable for you (in most cases is not).
What Are the Green Pockets?
At first glance, the roulette wheel might look like a simple game of red versus black, so why are green pockets on the wheel?
Well, the reason is quite simple - to give the house (casino) an edge. Yes, they are added to the wheel just to make the game more profitable for the casino.
Let’s take bets like odds/even or red/black. What do you think is the probability of each outcome? You’ve probability said 50-50% right?
Well, not quite. Just because the wheel has a zero or double zero if we talk about American Roulette, the odds of such bets fall down to around 47%. In other words, the remaining percentage of 50 is the so-called house edge.
In European Roulette, there is only one green pocket, which is the 0. In American Roulette, things are a bit more complex, with two green pockets: 0 and 00.
These green pockets aren’t part of the red or black sequences, so when the ball lands on one of them, every outside bet (red, black, odd, even, etc.) loses.
So, what are the chances of hitting green on roulette?
The Odds of Hitting Green
Now, let's get down to the numbers and look at the probability of hitting one of those green pockets.
In European Roulette, the wheel consists of 37 pockets: 18 red numbers, 18 black numbers, and one green zero. The probability of the ball landing on the green pocket is:
1/37 ≈ 2.7%.
This means that, on any given spin, you have about a 1 in 37 chance of hitting the green pocket.
In American Roulette, the wheel has 38 pockets: 18 red numbers, 18 black numbers, and two green pockets (0 and 00).
The probability of hitting a green pocket here is:
2/38 ≈ 5.26%.
So, the chances of landing on green in American Roulette are almost double that of European Roulette, making it an even tougher gamble.
How Do Green Pockets Affect the House Edge?
The primary function of the green pockets is to create the casino's edge. This is where the roulette wheel differentiates itself from other casino games. While most bets on a roulette wheel offer near 50/50 odds, the presence of the zero (or zeros) skews those probabilities in favor of the house.
- In European Roulette, the house edge is approximately 2.7% due to the single zero.
- In American Roulette, the house edge increases to around 5.26%, thanks to the additional double zero.
In both cases, the green pockets are what ensure the casino’s profit margin over time. While a single zero means the house gets a 2.7% advantage, two zeros mean a larger slice of the pie for the casino—an additional 2.56% edge.
This makes betting on the green pockets quite an uphill battle for players.
Why Bet on Green at All?
If the odds are stacked against you, why would anyone ever bet on green? The answer lies in the payout.
Hitting a green pocket is a longshot, but when it happens, it delivers a massive payoff: 35 to 1. That means if you place a straight-up bet on either 0 or 00 and the ball lands on it, you'll win 35 times the amount you wagered.
For example, betting $1 on green can potentially win you $35, which is a nice return on a risky bet. Imagine if you bet even more. - You’ll definitely be included in the biggest roulette winners in history.
But, of course, the low probability of success means that green bets are often considered a "high risk, high reward" strategy. In other words, if you’re feeling adventurous and are okay with the slim chances, it can add a bit of excitement to the game.
Why the House Edge Matters
Understanding the risk and reward of betting on green comes down to probability. Let’s break it down further.
- In European Roulette, where you have 37 pockets, betting on a single number (including the green 0) has a probability of 2.7%. The payout is 35 to 1, so for every $1 you wager, you stand to win $35. But with such low odds, it's clear that the real long-term winner in roulette is the house.
- In American Roulette, with the two green pockets, your probability of winning a bet on green is 5.26%. The payout is still 35 to 1, but the odds are worse due to the additional pocket. This increased risk results in the higher house edge of 5.26%.
Should You Bet on Green?
So, with all the statistics in place, is betting on green worth it? Well, that depends on your personal style and strategy. For most players, betting on the green is more of a novelty bet—something to do for fun or to break up the monotony of other, safer bets.
Some brave enough people also use the zero as a betting strategy, such as hedging strategies, but you still have to be very lucky to win a green bet.