Roulette first-five bet: same numbers, $2 less on a win

The first-five bet pays less than five equal straight bets on exactly the same numbers. On a standard double-zero wheel, both cover 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3. Both win on five of the wheel's 38 outcomes.

Put $10 on first five and a hit earns $60 profit. Put $2 on each of those five numbers and a hit earns $62 profit after the four losing chips are counted. You risk the same $10 and get the same chance of a hit.

Five separate bets return $72 when one wins

Wizard of Odds' roulette paytable lists first five at 6 to 1 and a straight bet at 35 to 1. Those are profit payouts. The winning stake also comes back.

The $10 first-five bet returns $70 in total: $60 profit plus its $10 stake. With five $2 straight bets, one winning chip returns $72: $70 profit on that chip plus its $2 stake. The other four chips lose $8. Against your total $10 outlay, the net profit is $62.

On one spin	$10 first five	Five $2 straight bets
Numbers covered	0, 00, 1, 2, 3	0, 00, 1, 2, 3
Chance of a hit	5 in 38	5 in 38
Total returned on a hit	$70	$72
Net profit on a hit	$60	$62
Loss on a miss	$10	$10

Both miss on the other 33 numbers. This comparison assumes the table allows $2 straight bets and uses those exact payouts. A higher minimum per number can prevent the comparison at a $10 total stake.

The expected cost differs by $26.32 over 100 spins

At $10 per spin, 100 spins put $1,000 through the game. The first-five house edge is 7.89%, giving an expected loss of $78.95. The straight-bet arrangement has a 5.26% edge, giving an expected loss of $52.63.

The difference is $26.32. These are long-run averages across repeated sessions. They do not say how much you will lose in your next 100 spins.

The straight bets still have a house edge. Covering five numbers does not make them profitable, and a previous miss does not improve the next spin's chance on a fair wheel.

Check the wheel and the displayed payouts

This calculation applies to a 38-pocket double-zero wheel. Single-zero wheels and games with bonus multipliers need separate calculations. Read the game's paytable before using either figure.

Our roulette calculator compares the cost of its supported bets and wheel types. Use the worked table here for this exact first-five comparison.

For the calculation, each pocket has probability 1/38. Expected loss on first five is (33 × $10 − 5 × $60) ÷ 38 = $0.78947 per spin. Five straight bets give (33 × $10 − 5 × $62) ÷ 38 = $0.52632. Multiply each by 100, then round to cents.

Calculation and source checked September 21, 2026. Published September 21, 2026. Updated September 21, 2026.