Types of Roulette Bets

Players can place different roulette bets, no matter which variant they prefer. Learning what your options cover, what the chances of winning and the payout of each one are will make you a better player and help you make more consistent decisions. In this roulette bets explained guide, we will do exactly that and make sure you know about the best bets to make in roulette.

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Types of bets on the roulette table

Excluding the side bets in the exotic variants, all online roulette bets in the three basic variants of the game (European, American, French) are either “inside” or “outside”. This means the following:
 

Inside Bets

Bets in the inside category pay out between 6x and 35x, but because they cover fewer numbers, your chances of winning range from 16.20% to 2.70% (in the single-zero version of the game, the range will be 15.80% to 2.60% in the double-zero variants).
 

Outside Bets

Bets in the outside category pay out either 1x or 2x, so their winning potential is lower. However, since they cover 12 or 18 numbers, they offer a 32.40% or 48.60% chance of winning in single-zero roulette and 31.60% or 47.40% in double-zero roulette.

Types of bets on the roulette table

This distinction is not made according to roulette bets' names. Technically, what determines whether a bet is “inside” or “outside” is its position on the table. However, the inside-outside distinction means more than that. There are also roulette special bets, also known as “announced” or “called”, and we will explain them in detail below.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of inside vs outside bets?

All roulette bets fall into either the “inside” or “outside” category in terms of their placement on the table, the level of risk involved, and the payouts. In order to determine the best roulette bets, it is important to understand the factors that make this distinction. In the image below, you can see the key elements that differentiate between inside and outside bets.

Type of Bet Inside Bets Outside Bets
What Are They? Bets placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers on the layout. Bets placed on larger sections of the table or entire categories of numbers.
Examples Straight-up, Split, Street, Corner, Line Red/Black, Odd/Even, High/Low, Columns, Dozens
Risk High risk due to lower odds of winning Lower risk due to higher odds of winning
Payouts High payouts (up to 35:1 for Straight-up) Lower payouts (up to 2:1 for Columns and Dozens)
Probability of Winning Lower probability, typically below 10% Higher probability, close to 50% (in even-money bets)
Best For Players looking for big payouts and high volatility Players seeking stability and consistent wins
House Edge Higher house edge due to lower winning probability Lower house edge, especially for even-money bets

This distinction allows you to identify both safe and best bets in roulette based on factors such as risk level and payout potential. In this context:

  • Inside bets always pay bigger, but your chances of winning are lower. They are ideal for players who don't mind taking risks and are after big payouts.

  • Outside bets always pay less, but you have a better chance of winning. They are ideal for players who want to play it safer and prefer, for example, European roulette small bets. 

It is impossible to say that one is better than the other. You need to make a choice based on your playing style and budget. If you have a limited budget and don't want to go above minimal risk, go for outside bets. If you feel adventurous and want to try your luck at winning big, you can play with inside bets.

Visualization of roulette bets

The above definitions will give you an idea of what bets in roulette are and what they cover, but it is better to see the positions of the bets on roulette table. We have designed a picture bets for roulette tool to help you do this easily. Use the tool below to see the position of each bet on the table visually and find the answer to the question “how to place bets on roulette table”.

Select Bet Type
1. Straight up (35:1)

In the table below, you can see the betting options in the basic roulette variants, their payouts, and what your chances of winning are based on the number of zeros on the wheel. We have used the odds and payout amounts from this table in our tool above. Please note that this data may vary in games with multiplier payouts or exotic variants: our tool is designed to take only vanilla versions of the game into account.

Bet Payout Odds (european and french) Odds (american)
Straight up 35 to 1 2.70% 2.60%
Split 17 to 1 5.40% 5.30%
Street 11 to 1 8.10% 7.90%
Corner 8 to 1 10.80% 10.50%
5 Numbers 6 to 1 - 13.20%
Six Line 5 to 1 16.20% 15.80%
Column 2 to 1 32.40% 31.60%
Dozen 2 to 1 32.40% 31.60%
Even/Odd 1 to 1 48.60% 47.40%
Red/Black 1 to 1 48.60% 47.40%
High/Low 1 to 1 48.60% 47.40%

Announced and Call Bets

There are also some special types of bets. They go by many different names - racetrack, called, French, or announced. The most common term is “announced bets,” and they are most commonly found in the French variant of roulette. However, it is also possible to come across them in some European variants.

In any case, announced bets are a special category of roulette wheel bets and cover different segments on the wheel. This means that each bet contains multiple outcomes, but the numbers they cover are determined by their position on the wheel, not on the table. This is the reason why a special area called “racetrack” is dedicated to these bets on the game table. In this context, there are four basic types of announced bets:

  • Tiers du Cylindre 
  • Voisins du Zero 
  • Orphelins 
  • Jeu 0

For most players, these are the best bets in roulette, as they offer a satisfying chance of winning and payouts. They always consist of a combination of different types of bets and require a large number of chips to be placed. For example, for Voisins du Zero (neighbors of zero), you use 9 chips to place a bet that covers 17 numbers, with 0 in the middle. Tiers du Cylindre (third of the wheel) consists of 6 split bets and covers 12 numbers. Orphelins (orphans) is a combination of 4 split and 1 straight bet. Jeu Zero (zero game) is a combination of 3 split and 1 straight bet. The amount of all these bets will vary depending on the number and value of chips used.

Visualization of announced bets in roulette

Some bets in roulette are based on different segments of the wheel and are called announced. For some players, these are the best bets for roulette strategy, as they cover a large number of outcomes and have satisfying payouts. You can use the RouletteDoc tool below to see what these types of bets in roulette look like visually and how they appear on the table.

Select Bet Type
Visualization of announced bets in roulette
Bets Odds Numbers Covered Payouts
Voisins du Zéro 45,95 % 17 x15 / x9
Orphelins 21,62 % 8 x31 / x13
Tiers du Cylindre 32,43 % 12 x12
Jeu du Zéro 18,70 % 7 x32 / x14

Final splits

With a “final” bet, you choose numbers ending in the same digit. For example, you place 4 chips on 2, 12, 22, and 32 (and this is called the final 4). Or you can place a 3-chip bet on 7, 1,7, and 27, which is called a final 3. Some players base their roulette betting strategy on these bets.

A “final split” bet is actually a split bet that you can place on numbers that have the same last digit. For example, let's consider the digits 2-3. For these numbers, you can place split bets on: 2–3, 12–13, 22–23, and 32–33. This is also a four-chip bet, and some players who like the French variant consider it one of the best bets on roulette. In the RouletteDoc tool below, you can visually see what this bet looks like.

Select Bet Type
Final splits

FAQ about roulette table bets

  • Which bets are less risky?

    The safest bets in roulette are those that pay even money (red/black, odd/even, low/high). This is because they offer the highest winning chance in almost all variants, and that’s why they are also called smart roulette bets. 

  • Can you place several types of bets simultaneously?

    Yes, combining different bet types in a single round of roulette is fine. Unless specified otherwise, there is no limit to that: you can even cover the entire table if you want. 

  • What roulette bets are safer?

    There are no 100% safe bets, but in terms of winning chances, best bets for roulette are red/black, low/high, or odd/even. They cover 18 numbers in total and in single zero variants, offer a 48%+ winning chance. 

  • Can I use a betting strategy to beat roulette?

    No roulette system can overcome the casino’s built-in edge. However, to limit your losses and manage your budget more carefully, you can compare the roulette bets' expected value and prefer safer bets, for example.

  • What are the minimum and maximum bets for each type of roulette bet?

    Roulette minimum and maximum bets are different in each game and each casino; there are no fixed values in this regard. The minimum limit, however, never goes below 0.10. The maximum limit varies heavily – in VIP tables, there may even be no limit. 

  • Can I place multiple bets at once in roulette?

    Yes. There are multiple bets you can make in roulette, and you can place several of them at the same time. The only limitation is your budget.