If you’ve ever taken a seat at a roulette table, you might have noticed those standout green numbers. They’re not just there for decoration; they play a key part in how the game works.
Many players focus on the reds and blacks, but green pockets add an extra layer of interest. They often raise questions for those who haven’t played much before: what do they mean, why are they there, and what happens if the ball lands on one?
Whether you’re completely new or just curious about what makes these numbers different, this guide explains what the green pockets represent, how they affect payouts, and why they shape the game the way they do.
What Are The Green Numbers In Roulette?
On a roulette wheel, most numbers are either red or black, but you’ll also spot green slots with a specific purpose.
In European roulette, there is one green number: zero (0). It stands apart from the red or black groups. American roulette has two green numbers: zero (0) and double zero (00). The double zero adds an extra green pocket to the wheel.
These green sections ensure there is always at least one outcome that is not covered by red, black, odd, even, high, or low. That single design choice is what keeps the game balanced between player bets and the house.
While attention often goes to the red and black outcomes, knowing what the green numbers represent helps explain the game’s structure. Once that is clear, the next point to understand is how these pockets pay when you back them.
How Do Green Payouts Work For A Straight-Up Bet?
A straight-up bet in roulette is when a chip is placed directly on a single number. That can be any number on the table, including zero.
If you pick zero and the ball lands there, the payout is 35 to 1. For every £1 staked, the win is £35 plus the original £1 back, for a total of £36. The green numbers follow the same straight-up payout as every other number on the wheel.
It really is that straightforward. A chip on zero that hits is paid the standard straight-up odds. The same applies to double zero on an American wheel. With payouts covered, it helps to see why the greens carry more weight than a single bet might suggest.
Why Do Green Numbers Affect The House Edge?
Green numbers shape the overall maths of roulette. Even-money bets such as red or black can look close to a 50-50 split, but zero is neither red nor black. That extra outcome is why the true chances differ from the headline bet types.
In European roulette, there are 37 numbers in total: 18 red, 18 black, and a single green zero. If the ball lands on zero, red and black bets do not win. This gap between the payout odds and the actual probabilities is what gives the house an edge on every spin.
American roulette adds double zero, creating 38 numbers. The extra green pocket makes each individual outcome slightly less likely and increases the house advantage compared with the European wheel.
In short, green numbers are the reason the game’s payouts do not perfectly match the true chances of each bet. That difference also explains why wheel variants matter.
European Versus American: Green Numbers And Payout Differences
The main difference between European and American roulette is the number of green spaces. European has one green zero; American has two, the zero and the double zero.
European roulette therefore has 37 pockets in total, while American has 38. That small change affects the underlying probabilities and increases the house edge on the American version.
Despite this, the straight-up payout stays the same on both wheels. A winning chip on zero or double zero pays 35 to 1, just like any other single number. In practice, many players prefer European roulette because having only one green pocket gives slightly better overall odds. Knowing which wheel you are on sets the stage for how you might choose to place your chips.
Can You Bet Specifically On Green Numbers?
Yes, a bet can be placed directly on the green numbers. It works in exactly the same way as for any other number on the table.
A straight-up bet places a chip on zero in European roulette, or on zero or double zero in American roulette. There is no separate betting area for green; the boxes for 0 and, where applicable, 00 sit with the rest of the number grid.
Green numbers can also be part of combination bets where the layout allows. For example, a split covering zero and one is made by placing a chip on the line between them, and some tables offer corner-style bets that involve zero alongside adjacent numbers. With that in mind, greens do more than influence single-number bets; they also affect how even-money wagers are settled.
How Do Green Numbers Impact Even-Money Bets?
Even-money bets are the simple wagers on red or black, odd or even, or high or low. They come close to an even split, but zero sits outside all of these categories, so the split is not exact.
La Partage and En Prison Explained
When zero appears, even-money bets usually lose in full unless a table uses one of two rules: La Partage or En Prison.
La Partage is a French rule often used with European wheels. If zero lands on an even-money bet, half of the stake is returned and half is taken.
En Prison is another rule that can apply when zero hits. The stake is held on the layout for one more spin instead of being taken immediately. If the held bet then wins on the next spin, the stake is returned without additional winnings.
These rules only apply when zero lands and only on even-money bets. Not every table offers them, but when they do, they soften the effect that the green pocket has on those wagers.
How Are Green Numbers Shown On The Wheel And Table Layout?
Green numbers are easy to spot on the wheel. The single zero pocket is painted green, while the other pockets alternate between red and black. On an American wheel, the double zero pocket is also green.
On the betting layout, a rectangular space marked 0 sits at the top of the number grid. On American layouts, a 00 space sits alongside it. Both are coloured green to match their pockets on the wheel.
The remaining numbers appear in red and black across the main grid, while the green boxes sit slightly apart at the edge. This layout keeps things clear: anyone who wants to back zero or double zero can see exactly where the chip needs to go.
Understanding how they are shown on both the wheel and the table brings everything full circle, highlighting why the greens matter to payouts, probabilities, and how bets are settled.
**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.