Summary:
Our comprehensive guide to roulette bets covers how to bet on roulette and the various types of bets available. It provides an introduction to playing roulette, explains the different types of bets (inside, outside, and call bets), and details the specific bets within each category. The guide includes information on the payout, odds, and house edge for each type of bet.
Table of Content:
Welcome to the wonderful world of roulette betting. Getting started in this most beloved casino game is quite easy. Playing online or in a live casino can seem daunting at first, but trust us, the learning curve is an easy one to climb and well worth it for the entertainment to come!
Each spin of the wheel is an opportunity to bet. When you see PLACE YOUR BETS, the table is ready for you. It’s go time – position your chip(s) on your desired bet. Make your choices as there’s a limited time to do so. Once that ball begins to roll, listen and watch for BETS CLOSED as this indicates no more wagers can be placed on this spin. Don’t worry, as long as you get one chip in the game, you’ve got a chance.
When the roulette ball hits a pocket, the winning number is declared and other bets can begin to payout. Take note that if you’re in a bricks & mortar casino, the next round of betting won’t be allowed until all winning bets are cleared from the table. Playing an online casino is much more intuitive, so not to worry!
And just like that, you’ve got yourself in the groove of how to navigate through betting rounds in roulette. Now, it’s time to deep dive into your betting options, from inside straight bets to French call bets, let’s get into them.
From single number straight-up bets to a snake bet of zig zagging chips, roulette is full of betting opportunities and fun. To get started, it helps to know that all roulette bets fall into one of three categories; inside bets, outside bets and a more elusive series of call bets.
Inside and outside bets are determined by where they’re placed on the betting grid. Inside bets are placed within the inner section of the betting table itself, while outside bets are made on the outer perimeter. Inside bets have bigger payouts with the highest wins for single number bets as well as groupings and overlapping numbers, but remember, with greater reward comes greater risk.
If you’re new to the game and want a lower risk play, start with outside bets. These bets are placed on the perimeter of the betting grid and are perfect for beginners. Bets like red/black or odd/even fall into this category, offering lower odds and lower payouts, but your bankroll may thank you, benefiting from marginal wins and lighter swings!
Call bets, also known as announced bets, are an entirely different beast and cover sections of the roulette wheel. You’ll find call bets on European and French roulette tables, and they’ll become quite recognizable as many are named en français.
Roulette offers a range of betting options to kick up your adrenaline, and inside bets are at the heart of the action. Focused on individual numbers and small groups, inside bets allow wagering on specific outcomes within the wheel's numbered grid.
Let’s start with the basics – a single-number bet, aka the Straight-Up bet. To make this simple inside bet, simply drop your chip directly on the centre of your chosen number’s square. If your lucky number comes in, you’ll enjoy the highest return of any roulette bet at 35:1.
It’s this high return that makes this single-number pick such a riveting bet despite its low probability of a hit. With odds of 2.6% to 2.7% and a house edge of 2.7% on European roulette, or 5.26% on an American roulette table. It’s less favourable for players who enjoy smaller, more frequent wins to build a bankroll while having fun slowly - but it sure is exciting!
Payout: 35:1
Odds: 2.6% to 2.7%
House edge: 2.7% on European roulette and 5.26% on American roulette.
Ready to spice things up with a bit more action? A Split Bet covers two numbers and essentially divides your wager into two. Note the two numbers of choice need to sit adjacently on the betting grid. To make this bet, a chip is placed on the line separating the two. If either number hits – cha-ching – you’re a winner, and will score a payout of 17:1.
This bet offers better odds than a Straight-up Bet, with a probability of hitting between 5.3% and 5.4%, and a house edge of 2.7% on European roulette, or 5.26% on American roulette. While it's a fantastic way to increase your chances compared to betting on just a single number, it's still not the highest probability bet - but its balance of excitement and security makes it a popular choice for those who like a little more action without going all-in.
Payout: 17:1
Odds: 5.3% and 5.4%
Now we’re getting into fun bets that cover a wee bit more of the wheel, increasing your coverage yet decreasing payout potential. Street bets take three horizontal numbers on opposite side of the betting grid and cover them using one chip. To make this bet, place the chip on the outer line at the lower value end of the row.
Roulette payout: 11:1
Odds: 7.9% and 8.1%
Of all of the table games available online and at casino venues, few attract bettors quite like roulette. One of the game’s greatest draws is its range of betting options. There are 37 or 38 numbers to bet on and a whole host of available combinations to vary each bet and cover different parts of the wheel. In fact, on a standard European table, you have just over 100 betting options for one chip. At some tables, the racetrack will offer even more!
In this guide, we’re focusing on a bet that covers three successive numbers on the wheel. The street bet is often forgotten by players, especially new ones, as the betting zone is neither inside nor outside. Regardless, placing a street bet or multiple street bets can potentially be advantageous compared to some other forms of roulette betting. This is what you need to know about placing a street bet in roulette.
Classed as an inside bet, a street bet in roulette is a wager placed on any of the 12 three-number lines that run consecutive numbers. The first street bet on the board, from left to right, covers numbers 3, 2, and 1, while the street bet on the far-right backs numbers 36, 35, and 34. If you’re playing French roulette, the street bet is known as the Transversale Plein, which directly translates to “full transverse.”
The bet is technically placed right on the edge of the inside betting area, in between the outside bets and single numbers at the foot of the inside betting area. When you place a street bet, you’re backing all three of the numbers in the street on the next spin. Say you bet on the street of 7, 8, and 9. If the ball lands on either a 7, 8, or 9, you’ll win the street bet.
Placing a street bet in roulette can be a bit fiddly online. You see, the line for a street bet crosses three outside bets as well as 12 individual numbers. You need to put the chip halfway onto the number that starts the street of three that you want to bet on, as well as halfway on its adjacent outside bet. Don’t worry; this won’t require an extra chip as you won’t be betting on the outside bets of 1st 12, 2nd 12, or 3rd 12 as well.
In most non-live online casino roulette games, you can hover the mouse, or tap and hold on the betting table. Doing this will usually illuminate the numbers that you’re about to bet on, just like it does in Real Auto Roulette. Just wait until the street lights up and then click or tap to place your first chip on that street. That said, on some tables, you can get away with placing the chip halfway on the street’s larger number and off of the betting area.
Regardless of which street you bet on, the payout odds are 11:1. So, if you place two chips worth one coin each on the street of 28, 29, and 30, and the ball lands on 29, you’ll get a payout of 24 coins. This return is for the 11:1 on each of the two coins, as well as the two coins being returned for your winning bet. When you look at the probability odds of a street coming in, it potentially looks to be a sound bet for its return potential.
The ratio odds of a street bet coming in on any spin of the European or French roulette wheel is 11.33 to 1, or an 8.1% chance. As the wager returns 11:1, it aligns rather closely to the likelihood of it coming in at 11.33 to 1. However, this changes slightly if you play double-zero American roulette. The extra zero pocket drags the house edge from around 2.7% to 5.26% and the likelihood of a street bet coming in down to 7.9%.
As an inside bet, the only real limitations on a street bet in roulette are the bet size rules. Usually, inside bets are capped at around 10-15% of the maximum bet on an even-money outside bet. If you’re playing new live variants with potential multipliers, like Mega Fire Blaze Roulette or Quantum Roulette Live, the maximum bet limits may be lower still.
Every spin of the roulette wheel is completely randomized, so don’t try to apply strategy to any form of the game. Still, we do have a few tips to help boost your betting. For one, avoid double-zero tables as the extra green pocket puts you at a needless disadvantage compared to single-zero games.
If you like to cover as much of the table as you can and still get a decent return when you win, for only street bets, back five at a flat bet. This is one of the advantages of the street bet as you can place several for one spin and each covers three numbers. A win will return 12 coins for the cost of five, mitigating up to two losses in a row.
One of the disadvantages of the street bet is that it backs successive numbers numerically rather than portions of the wheel, as you can on the racetrack. To some, this is a disadvantage as you end up with a scattered bet. That said, if you're one who follows hot and cold numbers, a fair time to place a street bet would be when low or high numbers have gone hot or cold. Still, every outcome is completely random.
Looking to cover a bit more ground with an inside bet? The Corner Bet, also known as the Square Bet, is your ticket. This bet covers a block of four numbers that meet at a single corner. To place this bet, drop your chip at the intersection of the four numbers you want to bet on. If any of these numbers hit, you’ll enjoy a payout of 8:1.
With a probability of landing between 10.5% and 10.8%, and a house edge of 2.7% on European roulette, or 5.26% on American roulette, this bet gives you a solid chance of winning compared to single-number bets, and even Splits. It’s a great choice for players looking to increase their coverage on the wheel while still aiming for decent returns, striking a beautiful balance between risk and reward.
Payout: 8:1
Odds: 10.5% and 10.8%
If you’re familiar with the Street Bet covering three numbers in a row, then we should describe a Line Bet as an inside bet that covers two adjacent rows. Quick math tells you that’s a six-number bet. Simply place a chip on the outer corner of the line dividing the two rows of numbers and hope for the best.
This bet offers better odds than single-number, or even Corner Bets, with a probability of winning between 15.8% and 16.2%, and a house edge of 2.7% for European roulette, or 5.26% for American roulette. The Line Bet is a solid choice for those looking to cover a larger range of numbers with a single wager, ideal for players who want to increase their chances of hitting a winning number while still enjoying a good payout and much more coverage.
Payout: 5:1
Odds: 15.8% and 16.2%
You guessed it, this bet covers five numbers. Specifically, it's a Five Number, also known as a Basket Bet, that covers 0, 00 and 1, 2, 3. With a zero and double zero mentioned, it’s obviously only available on American roulette tables – which is OK, given it offers low odds and a higher house edge than you’d expect. To place this outside bet, position your chip on the corner where the 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3 numbers meet on the roulette table.
The payout for this bet is 6:1, which is relatively high compared to other bets, but keep in mind that the odds of winning are 13.2%, with a house edge of 7.89% on American roulette. This high house edge reflects the increased risk of this bet, which can be less favourable for players aiming for a lower house edge - yet, it’s still going to dish out a moderate to high return if it hits.
Payout: 6:1
Odds: 13.2%
Zig-zagging its way across the betting grid covering 12 numbers, it’s clear why this bet is named after a serpent. There’s simply nothing linear about it. The Snake Bet gets its name from the winding pattern it covers on the roulette table, just like a snake would slither across the felt.
To place this stretching snake bet, you’ll need to cover 12 numbers straight up: 1, 5, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 23, 27, 30, 32 and 34. It’s all over the place, but essentially covers one-third of the wheel (just like a column or dozen bet). When it’s available, a roulette table may even have a snake graphic on the betting table that you follow along, dropping chips on each spot.
With a payout of 2:1 and odds of approximately 33.33%, the Snake Bet offers a more diverse coverage than single-number bets. The house edge varies based on the roulette version, with 2.7% for European, and 5.26% for American roulette.
Payout: 2:1
Odds: 5.4% and 2.7%
For new players of roulette or simply players who like to take it easy - outside bets offer a balance of excitement with the steady potential for even-money wins that can slowly build up your bankroll. These bets cover larger chunks of the wheel - like colours, odd/even numbers, or high/low ranges - for a nearly 50/50 chance to win. Now, we say ‘nearly 50/50’ as you’ll always have those pesky zeros to deal with, whether you’re playing in a European or American wheel.
One of the most popular bets in roulette, this one banks on a colour - red or black - coming in, rather than a number. On each roulette betting grid, online or at a physical casino, you’ll see a red and black box on the outer edge. Placing a chip on the red box covers the 18 red pocket numbers in play while placing one within the black box covers the 18 black numbers. Remember, it’s not quite a 50/50 dream bet as there’s at least one green pocket that can put a wrench in your payday plans!
This bet offers a payout of 1:1 and has odds of nearly 48.7% on European roulette and 47.4% on American roulette, with a house edge of 2.7% or 5.26% respectively. It’s ideal for beginners or seasoned players who prefer frequent, smaller wins rather than the high-risk, high-reward bets.
Payout: 1:1
Odds: 47.4% and 48.7%
In the Odd/Even bet, you choose whether the winning number will be odd or even. Now, keep in mind that the 0, and 00 on the American roulette wheel count as neither odd nor even - they’re simply known as losers for this bet.
This outside bet is made by placing your chip in the designated odd or even area on the betting layout. It pays 1:1, with odds of about 47.4% on European and American roulette, and has a house edge of 2.7% or 5.26%, respectively. This bet offers a straightforward way to bet on a large number of outcomes, making it a popular choice for consistent, albeit modest, wins.
Payout: 1:1
Odds: 47.4% and 48.6%
The High/Low bet is a prediction of whether the winning number will fall in the range of 1-18 (Low) or 19-36 (High). To place this outside bet, position your chip on the respective High or Low boxed areas of the betting board. With a payout of 1:1, the odds are around 47.4% for both European and American roulette, and the house edge is 2.7% or 5.26%. It’s a favoured bet for beginners and players looking for frequent wins via a simple, easy-to-understand wager.
Payout: 1:1
Odds: 47.4%
Looking at the roulette betting grid in terms of columns, you'll see three long columns, each containing 12 numbers. A Column Bet covers all 12 numbers in the column of your choice. To place this bet, simply put a chip on the box labeled ‘2:1’ at the end of the chosen column."
The columns themselves aren't labeled with specific sets of ranges (like 1-12, 13-24, etc.) as you’d find with the Dozens bet; instead, the numbers are organized into columns based on their position in the grid. So, to place this outside bet, place your chip on the area corresponding to one of the columns.
Column Bets offer a 2:1 payout with odds of approximately 32.4% on both European and American roulette, with a house edge of 2.7% or 5.26%. This bet provides a good balance between risk and reward, giving you a wider range of numbers to cover for a higher payout.
Payout: 2:1
Odds: 32.4% and 31.6%
The Dozens bet is a wager on one of three groups of 12 numbers: 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36. To place a Dozens Bet, you simply put your chip on the corresponding box labeled “1st 12,” “2nd 12,” or “3rd 12.” Each of these bets covers 12 sequential numbers and offers a payout of 2:1.
This outside bet pays 2:1 and has odds of about 32.4% on both European and American roulette, with a house edge of 2.7% or 5.26%. It’s a strategic choice for players who want to cover a broad range of numbers with a reasonable payout.
Payout: 2:1
Odds: 32.4% and 31.6%
Call Bets, or French Bets, can often seem complicated, but they become easier over time especially when gazing at the betting felt. Call bets in European and French roulette, offer a more strategic layer to roulette betting. These bets are placed on a special racetrack layout, reflecting the number sequence on the roulette wheel, to allow players to cover specific segments with precision. Typically, they’re for the more seasoned roulette player as they involve a deeper understanding of the lay of the land, so to speak.
Of the Call Bets, Voisins du Zéro or Neighbours of Zero covers the largest section of the wheel, using all 17 numbers on the European/French wheel that neighbour zero. To make this bet, however, you’re going to need to be well-versed on many of the inside bets we got into above - which is why this line of betting is more for the seasoned roulette player.
To place this bet, start at 22, move through zero, and finish at 25 to cover this group of numbers. You'll need nine chips placed across a combination of Split, Corner, and Basket Bets. Each number, if it hits, pays out its respective amount.
Got zero game? This may be your bet as it’s a mini version of the Voisins du Zéro. A combination of Split Bets and a Straight Up Bet, it’s not overly complicated. This bet covers numbers 12 through 15 surrounding zero. That’s 7 numbers that get covered with just four chips placed as follows:
For the un francophone Canadians, the direct translation of Tiers du Cylindre means ‘thirds of the wheel’. So, it’s a bet that breaks the roulette wheel into three distinct sections. For this bet, have six chips ready to cover the following Split Bets: 5/8, 10/11, 13/16, 23/24, 27/30, and 33/36.
That’s a total of 12 numbers covered with odds that sit roughly 32.4% on European and American roulette, with a house edge of 2.7% or 5.26%. This bet is perfect for those who want to target a significant portion of the wheel - the one that’s opposite Voisins du Zéro.
Looking at the wheel with French glasses, this bet covers the ‘orphaned’ or leftover numbers not included in Voisons or Tiers. This is an eight-number bet requiring five chips in a mix of simple bets on the following odd numbers:
The Neighbours roulette call bet is pretty self-explanatory as it covers neighbouring numbers on the wheel - how friendly, eh? To place this call bet, start by choosing one number, then banking it with bets on its two neighbouring numbers on either side for a total of five bets. All bets are straight up, paying 35:1 so you’ll need five chips to make a go at this one.
Odds are around 13.2% on European and 12.9% on American roulette, with a house edge of 2.7% or 5.26%. It’s a versatile bet for those who want to cover a number and other numbers in its ‘hood’.
Also known within the French betting circle as ‘Finales’, which can easily be translated to ‘final’. This bet is only available on the single zero wheel and is based on the final (or last) digit or exact number of your choosing. Let’s say that’s 6. Your numbers of choice would then be 6, 16, 26, and 36. These are placed as Straight Bets, paying 35:1.
Odds are about 2.6% on European and 2.7% on American roulette, with a house edge of 2.7% or 5.26%. This bet is for those who want to place a comprehensive wager on a single number and its related outcomes.
Each drop of the ball on the roulette wheel signifies one betting round. The betting opens and its your opportunity to predict where that little steel ball will roll. Maybe into a red or black pocket? Red? Or your favourite number 7. Place your bets using chips on the betting grid and position them as you desire - you’ve got all the time to do this until the wheel features the ball begins to slightly slow down and the betting closes. Then it’s a waiting game to see where it drops and what number wins!
Both odds and bankrolls come into play here. If you’re looking for the most common bet, it’s an outside bet to the likes of red/black, odd/even or high/low. These are even money bets paying 1:1 payouts and offering almost a even payout odds or 50/50 shot. Now, if you want to maximize your payday, the straight up bet on a single number is your ticket to a 35:1 cashout.
Applying a strategy or system to your bets in roulette is often a smart play. For starters, it keeps your emotions at bay, increases your ability to weather any swings and it keeps your bankroll in check with a plan to follow. The Martingale strategy is popular because of its simplicity. Just keep in mind your personal limits when giving any system a whirl.
Safe in gambling often refers to minimizing risk. If you look at it with that perspective, then outside bets like red/black or odd/even are a great starting point and safe bet. These offer around 48% odds but because of that, it’s even money when you win (1:1). A slow roll to big profits, but hey, you’ve got time right?
Of the 36 numbers in roulette, no single number stands apart from the pack. Roulette is a game of chance and favours no number in the long run! A fun way to start is to use your newly learned roulette bets that cover chunks of the wheel, like dozen and column bets or even smaller bets with less risk, the outside bets to get safely started with roulette layout.
Many players who are looking for long enjoyable roulette sessions stick to outside bets. Why? They offer even money but odds hover at around 48%. The goal is to enjoy a slow incline of profits with minimal risk.
With 36 numbers in play and at least one zero pocket, anything above 18 can seem excessive. At some point, realize you're really stretching your bankroll around and with each additional wager, better odds of your net profit decreases if you’re lucky enough to strike a win.
You can cover the table in a flurry of bets, but keep in mind that you’re risking quite the stash each spin in the hopes of small profit. If you covered all 36 numbers with losing bets of $1 and one hits, its a 35:1 payday so its a little non sensical to bet’em all!
There’s table max limits, but there’s no limits on how you wish to attack the betting grid within them. But, use caution. Cover bets allow you to spread the risk around the table, but they carry a lot of bankroll weight.
What you really need to know here, and hopefully we’ve hammered this home, is that the American wheel has an extra green pocket that houses the double zero. With two zeros in play, the house edge is slightly higher than European and French tables - so every single American roulette bet is a little worse for wearer than its Euro counterparts. But since best is often safe and less risky, any of the outside bets offering even money are good bets to get started with.
Absolutely, so long as you’re playing an American roulette table, as that is the only roulette table layout, where you’ll find the green double zero pocket in play. It’ll give you a top payout rate of 35:1. Note, you can also cover all zeros (0 & 00) with a split bet and hope for a 17:1 payout.
Roulette tables are interesting when it comes to min and max bets. Playing at a bricks & mortar, you’ll usually find a variety of table stakes, whereby the max is often x1,000 the minimum. So a $5 min table would likely see maximum single bet of bets capped at $5k. Playing online, there’s no standing room limitations so you may come across a roulette game where the stretch in between min and max is much greater.
Much like slot machines, poker and other casino table games, the minimum bet is dependent on the table limits you choose. When playing roulette, a minimum bet means the minimum wager per spin. Let’s say the minimum is $5. This means you’ll need to place $5 total on the same table side, per spin - this could be 5 x $1 bets, 1 $5 bet on red, etc.
This really depends on what type of bet you’re making - an outside bet? Inside bet? Let’s say you dropped $100 on your favourite number. That’s a straight up inside bet that pays 35:1, so you’d win $3500. Now, if you took that same $100 and dropped it on red, as a 2:1 outside bet you’d walk away with $200.
Well, you could but the real question is why? Betting on both red and black is essentially betting against yourself.
Well, there’s 18 of each colour. So, if you assume that the ball acts independently every spin, then your chances are pretty even stevens here if you're choosing between colours. The only time one colour may trump another is if you’re pulling probability into play and see that one colour is dominating the roulette wheels or history board.
Many players use a doubling strategy known as the Martingale. With this system, players double up their wager every time they lose in the hopes of instantly recouping losses when the tides turn to a win. Once they do win, however, the wager is returned to its original amount. This betting system is sustainable only if your bankroll can handle losing streaks.
First up, let’s clarify some lingo. There’s no dealer at a roulette table, rather a ‘croupier’ is in charge of overseeing bets, issuing chips, and spinning the wheel. The Croupier handles the casino chips and is not allowed to wager.
When the ball starts to slow down its roll, the croupier will verbally announce ‘no more bets’, and if the player wins they have any flair they may swipe their hand across the table. If you’re playing online, Bets Closed may appear across your screen. No matter where you’re playing, this signifies that no more bets can be placed on this particular spin or ‘round’.
The two column strategy. Yes, it’s bettable. It’s a hedging strategy that will cover ⅔ of the table. With paydays of 2:1 on column bets, it is considered low variance, meaning you’ll likely experience frequent wins but a lower pace of payouts and profit.
A line bet covers six numbers and that’s why it’s also referred to as the six-number bet or double street. It consists of six numbers connected vertically on the betting grid. To help you visualize this, the first three line options are 1-6, 4-9 and 7-12 as options. Line bets pay 5:1.
A split bet is a fun one. It’s a way to use one chip to cover two numbers and bonus, they don’t need to be sequential to each other, just adjacent on the betting grid. It pays 17:1.
There are several popular bets in roulette, but the most common one is the Red or Black bet. This is an even-money bet where players wager on whether the ball will land on a red or black number. This bet is popular among new players because it's easy to understand and has a 50/50 chance of winning.
The first five bet, also known as the basket bet, is a bet on the numbers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. It is only available on American roulette wheels and has a payout of 6 to 1.
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