Zero is a unique number in roulette, treated differently to all the others. Many wonder whether backing zero could make a difference to their game, or how zero bets actually work.
This blog post explores what a zero bet is, the various types available, how they are placed, and what the possible payouts and odds might be. It also looks at how zero affects the house edge and clears up a few common myths.
Whether someone is new to roulette or just wants to know more about zero bets, the following sections provide clear and straightforward information. Keep reading to make informed choices and understand how zero fits into a careful approach to roulette.
What Is a Zero Bet in Roulette?
A zero bet is simply a wager placed on the number zero on the roulette wheel. In European and French roulette, there is one green zero pocket, while American roulette features both a zero (0) and a double zero (00).
Zero stands out because it is neither red nor black, and is not included in odd or even, high or low, or other group bets. Placing a bet directly on zero is known as a straight-up bet. It is also possible to include zero using special bets like neighbour bets, which cover zero and the numbers next to it on the wheel.
Zero bets are one part of a wider set of options. They are notable because of how the green pocket interacts with other rules on the table, but no bet or strategy can guarantee a win, as each spin is independent.
With that in mind, here are the main ways people choose to back zero.
Types Of Zero Bets
There is more than one way to place a bet on zero in roulette. Some bets focus only on zero, while others include nearby numbers on the wheel. Each type of bet has its own layout and potential outcomes.
Neighbour And Call Bets
Neighbour bets are wheel-based bets that cover a chosen number and the numbers either side of it. A typical zero and neighbours bet covers five numbers in total on a European or French wheel: zero plus the two immediately to the left and right. Variations exist, so some games allow a wider spread of neighbours.
Call bets, sometimes called announced bets, group larger wheel sections. Voisins du Zéro is the classic example, covering the arc of numbers surrounding zero. In many live and online games this can be placed via a racetrack panel, and the dealer or software allocates the chips across each number in the pattern.
These bets let someone cover several outcomes in one move, but each covered number still needs its own chip value. That means the overall stake is higher than a single-number bet, and only the numbers actually hit in the pattern will pay.
Straight-Up Zero Bet
A straight-up bet on zero means placing a chip directly on the zero square on the betting layout. It covers only zero, with no other numbers included.
This is the most straightforward way to back zero. The payout is higher than group bets because it rests on a single pocket, which means it also wins less often than broader coverage.
Payouts And Odds For A Zero Bet
The payouts and odds for betting on zero depend on the bet type and the version of roulette being played.
A standard straight-up bet on zero in European or French roulette pays 35 to 1. For example, a £1 stake on zero returns £35 in winnings plus the £1 stake if it hits. The same payout applies in American roulette, although the extra double zero changes the underlying probability.
If zero is included through wheel-based patterns like neighbours or Voisins du Zéro, any winning number within the group pays according to how the chips were placed. Where those patterns use straight-up chips on each number, a hit pays 35 to 1 on that number. If zero is part of a layout bet instead, the usual table odds apply, such as:
- Split with zero, like 0-3 in European roulette, paying 17 to 1
- Street or trio formations that include zero, paying 11 to 1 where available
The chance of any single number, including zero, is 1 in 37 on a European or French wheel and 1 in 38 on an American wheel. Knowing these figures helps put the returns into context.
Understanding the basic maths leads naturally to the next point: how zero shapes the house edge.
How Do Zero Bets Affect The House Edge?
The house edge in roulette comes from the presence of the green zero pocket. Because even-money bets like red or black do not include zero, the single green pocket in European and French roulette gives the house an advantage of about 2.7% across standard bets.
American roulette adds a second green pocket, double zero. That extra outcome lifts the house edge to roughly 5.26% on most bets.
Some French roulette tables use rules that act when zero appears on even-money wagers:
- La Partage returns half of an even-money stake when zero hits
- En Prison holds an even-money stake for the next spin if zero appears
Either rule effectively reduces the house edge on those even-money bets to around 1.35%. These rules do not change the edge on straight-up zero bets or other number bets, but they are useful context when weighing up how zero influences the game overall.
Zero bets themselves do not remove or add to the house edge. The edge is built into the wheel and the paytable. Whether someone backs zero or another number, the relationship between payout and the number of pockets determines the long-term maths.
With that big picture covered, how might someone decide whether to include zero in their play?
When Should You Bet On Zero?
Choosing to bet on zero usually comes down to personal preference and how someone likes to spread their chips. There is no pattern or timing that makes zero due, so the decision is more about coverage and interest than prediction.
Some players like to add zero when they are building wheel-based coverage, using neighbours to include the pockets around it. Others place an occasional straight-up chip on zero alongside broader layout bets to balance their mix of outcomes and potential returns. Both approaches simply trade frequency for size of payout.
Whatever the style, it helps to understand the odds and the volatility that comes with single-number bets. Staying within a budget and being mindful of table limits keeps decisions practical rather than reactive.
That naturally raises the next question.
Does Betting On Zero Improve Your Chances?
No. As noted earlier, each spin is independent, and every number has the same chance on that spin. On a European wheel, zero has a 1 in 37 probability. On an American wheel, it is 1 in 38. Those figures match any other single number.
Betting on zero is one option among many, but it does not provide an advantage over other numbers or bet types.
If you still want to include zero in your mix, here is how it typically works at the table and online.
How To Place A Zero Bet At A Live Table Or Online
At a live table, chips placed on the green zero square show a straight-up zero bet. Where neighbour or call bets are available, the player can either announce the pattern for the dealer to allocate across the racetrack numbers or use dedicated betting panels where offered. Minimums and maximums apply per table and can differ for inside bets, neighbours, and announced patterns.
Online, the betting grid and, often, a racetrack view make it straightforward to add zero. Selecting a chip value and clicking zero places a straight-up bet. Choosing neighbours or Voisins du Zéro spreads chips across the relevant numbers automatically, with the stake divided according to the game’s preset pattern. Rules and bet limits vary by game, so it is worth checking the paytable and help section before playing.
On American layouts, zero can also appear in specific combination bets unique to that version, and the presence of double zero changes the set of adjacent layout bets that include zero. The paytable in the game provides the exact odds for each permitted option.
Common Myths About Betting On Zero
Several beliefs about zero do the rounds, but they do not hold up to scrutiny.
One myth is that zero is more likely after a run of reds or blacks. Past spins do not influence future results, so a streak does not make any outcome due.
Another belief is that zero offers better odds or special winning opportunities. It does not. A straight-up on zero carries the same probability as any other single number on that wheel.
Betting systems sometimes claim to target zero more effectively. While a system may change staking or coverage, it cannot alter how often zero appears.
If you choose to play roulette, keep stakes affordable for you and treat it as paid entertainment. Set personal limits that fit your circumstances and take breaks. If gambling starts to affect your well-being or your finances, seek support early.
Independent organisations such as GamCare and GambleAware offer free, confidential help for anyone who needs it.
