Roulette Inside and Outside Bets
Roulette is a popular casino game with a broad range of wagers, usually grouped into 'inside bets' and 'outside bets'. Knowing how each category works, including its odds and payouts, can help you decide how to approach the table.
Inside Bets: The Basics
Inside bets can pay substantially because they have a relatively low chance of winning. They cover individual numbers or combinations of up to 6 numbers on the roulette layout. The available inside bets vary slightly between European and American roulette, since the American wheel has an additional double zero.
Types of Inside Bets
- Straight Up Bet (En plein): In French, this wager is known as “En plein” and covers one number. Place the chips in the centre of that number’s box on the roulette layout. You can make multiple ‘straight up’ bets. The winning odds are 37-to-1 on European roulette and 38-to-1 on American roulette. Both versions pay 35-to-1 for a winning ‘straight up’ bet. With the same payout, European roulette gives this wager a better chance of winning.
- Split Bet: The French name is “Cheval”. It covers two adjoining numbers connected vertically or horizontally on the layout and pays 17-to-1.
- Street Bet: Known in French as “Transversale”, this wager covers three numbers along the same horizontal line on the roulette layout and pays 11-to-1.
- Corner Bet: This bet is called “Carre” in French and covers the point where four numbers meet. Place your chips at the central point shared by those four numbers on the layout; the payout is 8-to-1.
- Double Street Bet: Called “Sixainne” in French, this wager combines two adjoining streets, each a horizontal line of three numbers. It pays 5-to-1.
- Top Line Bet (Basket Bet): Also known as the ‘five line’ bet, this wager is available only on American roulette. It covers 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3. Place the chips at the corner of 0 and 1, or at the corner of 00 and 3. The payout is 6-to-1.
- Trio Bet: This wager combines zero—or double zero on American roulette—with two other numbers. For example, a European roulette trio could cover 0, 1 and 2.
Advantages of Inside Bets
- Thrill Factor: Hitting a 'straight up' bet can make for an especially exciting moment.
- Emotional Appeal: Betting on meaningful dates or "lucky numbers" can make your choice feel personal.
Potential Drawbacks of Inside Bets
- Bankroll Drain: With higher risk, your funds may be used up quickly.
- Lower Probability: These wagers usually have a lower chance of winning.
- Combining Strategies: Mixing inside and outside bets may spread your exposure and balance potential losses.
Outside Bets: An Overview
Outside bets offer a more cautious approach: they cover larger groups of numbers and generally have a higher chance of winning. Their potential payouts are reasonable, but lower than those available from inside bets.
Types of Outside Bets
- Red or Black
A roulette table has two adjoining betting boxes on the layout. One is usually marked with a red rectangle and the other with a black rectangle. Some layouts spell out “red” and “black”, while many show only the colours.
The 36 roulette numbers are divided into 18 with a red background and 18 with a black background. A Red or Black bet predicts that the ball will land on a number displaying your chosen colour.
A winning Red or Black wager pays even money, or 1-to-1: you receive your original stake back along with an equal amount in winnings. The 0 and 00 spaces are green, so neither is red or black. A bet on either colour loses if the ball lands on 0 or 00, except where the “En Prison” rule applies in some European and French roulette games.
- Even or Odd
The 36 roulette numbers are classed as even or odd, so you can predict which kind the ball will land on. The Even box is to the left of the Red box, and the Odd box is to the right of the Black box. Both Even and Odd bets pay 1-to-1 when they win.
- Low or High
Roulette numbers are split into low (1-18) and high (19-36) groups. On the layout, the Low box is to the left of the Even box, and the High box to the right of the Odd box. Their labels read ‘1 to 18’ and ’19 to 36’.
- Dozen Bet
The wheel’s 36 numbers are arranged in three dozens. On the table, three boxes appear between the numbered positions and the even-money wagers. The first box covers numbers 1 through 12 and reads “1st 12”; the next spans 13 through 24 and reads “2nd 12”; the last covers 25 through 36 and reads “3rd 12”. Each group contains 12, 12 or 12 numbers.
Dozen bets don’t pay even money; they pay 2-to-1. Since this isn’t an even-money wager, the “En Prison” rule doesn’t apply.
- Column Bet
The wheel’s 36 numbers are arranged in three columns of 12. Each column has a dedicated betting box at the bottom of the roulette layout. All three boxes display the column-bet payout of 2-to-1.
Each row on the layout contains three consecutive numbers: 1-2-3 on the first row, 4-5-6 on the second, 7-8-9 on the third, and so on. As a result, numbers in a column are three higher or lower than the number above or below them; the first column, for example, is 1-4-7-10….
- Snake Bet
The snake bet is a special dozen wager that covers 1, 5, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 23, 27, 30, 32 and 34. Like other dozen bets, it pays 2-to-1. To place it, put your chips on the low corner of 34, next to the 19-36 bet (High even-money bet).
Advantages of Outside Bets
- Bankroll Longevity: Their lower-risk profile may suit longer playing sessions.
- Higher Chances: They generally offer better winning odds than inside bets.
- Versatility: Their straightforward coverage may appeal to beginners and experienced players alike.
Potential Drawbacks of Outside Bets
- Conservative Play: Their less adventurous nature may not appeal to thrill-seekers.
- Lower Returns: These wagers pay less than their inside-bet counterparts.
Strategies and Further Reading
Inside and outside bets offer different ways to structure your play. Learning about roulette strategies can provide more context for your choices. For more information, read our roulette strategies guide. You can also explore Best Online Casinos and the available online roulette games.
Summary
Roulette offers many betting options, each with benefits and drawbacks. Inside bets may bring larger payouts but carry more risk, while outside bets support a more cautious, longer playing style. Knowing the difference and considering your approach can help you read the roulette layout with more confidence.
