Is Zero Odd or Even in Roulette? Guide for Beginners

When you first look at a roulette table, the green zero might catch your eye and leave you wondering how it fits into the game. It doesn’t sit with either red or black, and the obvious question follows: is it odd or even?

Roulette blends simple outside bets with more detailed inside options, and where zero sits matters for several of the most used wagers. Clearing up a few common myths helps everything else make sense.

Below, you’ll find what zero means in roulette, how it affects even-money bets, and why wheels with one or two zeros feel different to play.

What Does the Zero Mean on a Roulette Wheel?

On a standard roulette wheel, zero stands out because it’s the only green number among all the reds and blacks. It sits outside the usual groupings. It isn’t red or black, and it isn’t treated as odd or even on the table.

Zero exists to create the casino’s margin. When the ball lands on zero, most even-money bets such as red/black, odd/even, and high/low do not win. That single green pocket is what tilts the long-term return slightly in the house’s favour.

Some tables offer rules that soften this outcome on even-money bets. With La Partage, for example, if zero lands, half of an even-money stake is returned. En Prison holds the stake for one more spin. These rules aren’t universal, so it’s worth checking the table information before you start.

That raises a common follow-up: If zero is even in maths, why isn’t it counted as even in roulette?

Is 0 an Even Number in Roulette?

In pure mathematics, zero is even because it divides by two without a remainder. Roulette works differently. The “even” bet on the layout only covers 2, 4, 6 and so on up to 36. Zero is not part of that group.

The table makes this clear visually. Zero is green and set apart, while the even numbers sit in the usual red or black squares. So if the ball lands on zero, an “even” bet does not win. In the same way, zero doesn’t count as odd either. It stands on its own for betting purposes.

How Zero Affects Even Money Bets

Even-money sections look simple at first glance, but zero gives them a twist that’s easy to miss if you’re new.

Which Bets Lose When the Ball Lands on Zero?

When the ball stops on zero, outside bets on red, black, odd, even, high (19–36) and low (1–18) don’t win on a standard table. These bets pay 1:1 when successful, but zero sits outside every one of those categories.

The only bets that can succeed when zero hits are the ones that actually include it. That means a straight-up bet on 0, or a combination that covers 0 alongside neighbouring numbers on the layout.

Some tables use La Partage or En Prison to reduce the impact on even-money bets when zero lands, either by returning half the stake or holding it for the next spin. Rules vary by table, so a quick glance at the game information helps you know what to expect. And since different wheels handle zero differently, it’s useful to look at the version you’re playing next.

Does Zero Make a Difference Between European and American Roulette?

Yes, and it’s the headline difference between the two. A European wheel has one zero. An American wheel has two green pockets, 0 and 00. That extra pocket increases the total number of slots from 37 to 38.

With more green pockets, there are more outcomes that don’t fit red/black, odd/even, or high/low. That is why many games available to UK players stick to the European format with a single zero.

Online, the game type is usually shown before you join, so you can see whether it’s European or American. Knowing which you’re playing makes the next point about the house edge much clearer.

How Zero Influences the House Edge

Zero is the reason roulette has a built-in casino margin. On a European wheel there are 37 pockets, but the standard payouts are set as if there were 36. That gap creates the house edge of 2.70 percent. If a table uses La Partage, the edge on even-money bets is effectively halved to 1.35 percent.

On an American wheel, the extra 00 raises the total to 38 pockets, which pushes the house edge to 5.26 percent. The principle is the same in both cases. Zero, and the way payouts are structured around it, is what shifts the long-term return in the casino’s favour.

Understanding that framework also explains why some players choose to include zero in their number selections from time to time.

Can You Bet Directly on Zero in Roulette?

Yes. Zero is available just like any other single number. A successful straight-up bet on 0 typically pays 35 to 1, so a £1 stake would return £35 in winnings plus the £1 stake back if it hits.

Zero can also be part of combinations. Common examples include splits with 0–1, 0–2, or 0–3, which pay 17 to 1, and the first-four bet covering 0–1–2–3 on European tables, which pays 8 to 1. These options give a way to include the green pocket while also covering nearby numbers.

So, is zero odd or even in roulette? Neither. It’s separate from those groups, and that simple fact explains why even-money bets behave the way they do and why wheel type matters.

If gambling is becoming difficult to manage, help is available through organisations such as GamCare and GambleAware. Set limits that suit your situation and only wager what you can afford.

_{*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins, etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.}

_{**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.}