Support UkraineIn roulette, some bets pay less than others but offer a higher chance of winning. Bets that pay even money are the best example of this. Below, we will answer the question of what does even mean in betting and talk about the most important things you need to know about these bets.
Even Money Bets in Online Roulette
What is an Even Money Bet?
Even money meaning is not about the chances of winning. In other words, if you are asking “is roulette a 50/50 chance game,” the answer is no – there isn’t a bet that offers such a ratio anyway. It simply means that the player will get a payout equal to the wager he placed (1:1).
In roulette, each bet has a different payout value. For example, a straight bet pays 1:35, so if you bet 1 CAD and win, you get paid 35 CAD (35x). Even bets pay 1:1, meaning if you bet 1 CAD and win, you still get a 1 CAD payout (1x). “Even” here means that the player will get a payment equal to the money he placed.
Basics of Even-Money Bets
We answered the question of “what does even money mean” above. So that you can understand what this means in roulette, let's list the bets that pay 1:1 in the game. Each of these is an even money bet example and is found in all variants of the game:
- Red/Black
- Odd/Even
- Low (1-18)/High (19-36)
Each of these bets covers a total of 18 numbers. For the same reason, their chance of winning for European roulette is 48.64% (18/37), while for American roulette, it is 47.37% (18/38). These are the bets that always offer the highest odds and lowest payout.
Why is Evens Betting Advantageous for Players?
Evens betting odds are higher than other options, which is naturally more advantageous for the player. For example, your chance of winning a straight bet is 2.70% in the European variant. Even column/dozen bets that allow you to cover 12 numbers have a chance of 32.43%. Even money bets offer a 48.64% chance of winning on each spin.
In the long run, this will allow you to win more often and lose less. For the same reason, they are a good choice for all types of players, but those playing on a limited budget will benefit from them the most.
Strategies for Evens in Betting
You can find the answer to the question “what does even odds mean” above: these bets are a much better option than others in terms of chances of winning. For the same reason, they would also be a good choice for these strategies:
- Martingale System: Doubling Up After Losses – Double the bet after each losing spin and continue doing so until you win.
- The D’Alembert Strategy: Increasing Bets Gradually – If you lose, increase the bet amount by 1 unit, if you win, decrease it by 1 unit.
- Fibonacci: Use the Golden Ratio – As long as you are losing, keep increasing the bets according to the Fibonacci sequence (1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, etc.).
- Labouchere: Split Martingale – Create a series of numbers that add up to the amount you want to win and use the sum of the first and last numbers in this series to determine the bet amount. If you win, clear the relevant numbers. If you lose, add the loss amount to the end of the sequence and continue.
House Edge and Even Bet: The Link Between Them
The house edge affects all bets in roulette, and this also applies to even money bets. However, since they cover more numbers, these are the bets with the lowest house edge. In this regard, European roulette is a better option compared to the American variant because there are 37 numbers on the wheel instead of 38, resulting in a lower edge.
Special Rules: La Partage and En Prison
It is possible to lower the house edge even further by choosing variants played according to French rules. This is because these variants use one of two rules that work to the player's advantage:
- La Partage: If the result is 0 and the player loses because he placed a bet that pays 1:1, he gets half his wager back.
- En Prison: If the result is 0 and the player loses because he placed a bet that pays 1:1, he is considered to have placed the same bet on the next spin.
Bankroll Management for Even Money Bets
Even if you prefer these bets, you should continue to try to manage your budget efficiently. A good way to do this is to divide all your money into groups of ten and try to extend your playing time. For example, if you have 1.000 CAD, don't spend it all on a single red/black bet. Instead, create 100 groups of 10 CAD and bet 100 times: this will allow you to use your money more efficiently.
Evens Bet Difference Between Online and Live Roulette
These bets do not differ between RNG (online) and live variants of the game. They mean the same thing in both and make the same payouts. However, in live games, it is the croupier who controls the game, not the player, and the gameplay is slower. Also, keep in mind that some live roulette games may have special side bets and/or rules based on even money.
Avoiding Common Mistakes with an Even Money Bet
You can increase your chances of winning with these bets, but this does not mean that you can catch a “winning streak”. Don't chase your losses and continue to play responsibly. Remember that getting high odds is not a guarantee: you cannot beat the house edge in the long run.
Conclusion: Making the Most of Money on Bets That Pay 1:1
The main advantage of these bets is that they offer a strategy that everyone can easily use: by simply trying your luck on options that pay 1:1 (and opting for the European variant), you can get the highest possible chance of winning. So, if you are not sure what to do, even bets are the best option and are suitable for all types of bankrolls. But this does not mean that you can act irresponsibly: remember that roulette is a game of chance and do not take unnecessary risks.