Roulette Bet Options: Inside, Outside & Call Bets
Every roulette spin offers dozens of betting options — from a single number paying 35:1 to a simple red/black wager at even money. Understanding the difference between inside bets, outside bets and announced bets is the foundation of playing with any kind of structure. This page covers every standard bet type, with payouts, win odds and chip placement for each. For the underlying maths, see the odds & payouts overview; for the table rules these bets exist within, see the roulette rules page.
Inside Bets — High Risk, High Reward
Inside bets are placed directly on the numbered grid. They cover fewer numbers, win less frequently, and pay considerably more when they do. These are the bets that produce the table’s biggest single-spin swings.
| Bet type | How it works | Payout | Win probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Up | Single number (0–36) | 35:1 | 2.70% |
| Split | Chip on the line between two adjacent numbers | 17:1 | 5.41% |
| Street | Chip at the edge of a row of three numbers | 11:1 | 8.11% |
| Corner (Carré) | Chip at the intersection of four numbers | 8:1 | 10.81% |
| Six Line | Chip on the border of two adjacent rows (6 numbers) | 5:1 | 16.22% |
Outside Bets — Lower Risk, Consistent Returns
Outside bets sit in the boxes around the number grid. They cover large groups of numbers, win more frequently and pay proportionally less. The natural territory of progressive systems like Martingale and D’Alembert, and a sensible starting point for anyone working through the basic rules for the first time.
| Bet type | How it works | Payout | Win probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red / Black | Bet on the colour the ball lands on | 1:1 | 48.65% |
| Odd / Even | Bet on the result being odd or even | 1:1 | 48.65% |
| Low / High | Bet on 1–18 (low) or 19–36 (high) | 1:1 | 48.65% |
| Dozens | Bet on 1–12, 13–24 or 25–36 | 2:1 | 32.43% |
| Columns | One of three vertical columns of 12 numbers | 2:1 | 32.43% |
Announced & Call Bets
Announced bets — also called call bets — are sector-based wagers exclusive to the single zero wheel. They cover groups of numbers based on their physical position on the wheel, not the table layout. Placed via the racetrack interface online, or called out to the croupier at a live table.
| Bet name | Numbers covered | Chips required | Wheel position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voisins du Zéro | 17 numbers around zero | 9 | Around the zero pocket |
| Tiers du Cylindre | 12 numbers opposite zero | 6 | Opposite side of wheel |
| Orphelins | 8 remaining numbers | 5 | Between Voisins and Tiers |
Announced bets only exist on European-style layouts — the French Roulette wheel includes the racetrack as standard. The French Roulette page covers the layout, La Partage and the full racetrack interface.
Complete Bet Comparison Table
All probabilities below are calculated on a single-zero wheel (37 pockets). The same bet types exist on European and American tables, but American odds are slightly lower because of the extra 00 pocket and the resulting 5.26% edge.
| Bet | Type | Payout | Win % | House edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Up | Inside | 35:1 | 2.70% | 2.70% |
| Split | Inside | 17:1 | 5.41% | 2.70% |
| Street | Inside | 11:1 | 8.11% | 2.70% |
| Corner | Inside | 8:1 | 10.81% | 2.70% |
| Six Line | Inside | 5:1 | 16.22% | 2.70% |
| Red / Black | Outside | 1:1 | 48.65% | 2.70% |
| Odd / Even | Outside | 1:1 | 48.65% | 2.70% |
| Low / High | Outside | 1:1 | 48.65% | 2.70% |
| Dozens | Outside | 2:1 | 32.43% | 2.70% |
| Columns | Outside | 2:1 | 32.43% | 2.70% |
Which Bet Type Should You Use?
The right bet depends on playing style and risk tolerance. Four common player profiles, and what fits each:
| Player type | Recommended bets | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Even-money outside bets | Nearly 50% win rate, lowest variance |
| Casual player | Dozens and columns | Good balance of risk and 2:1 payout |
| System player | Even-money + progression | Works with progressions like Paroli |
| Advanced player | Sector bets + corners | Covers wheel sections for bias exploitation — see advantage play |
Ready to test the math? Try every bet type risk-free in the free simulator — no signup required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between inside and outside bets?
Inside bets sit on the numbered grid itself and cover specific numbers or small groups — paying anywhere from 5:1 to 35:1. Outside bets sit in the boxes around the grid and cover large groups — paying 1:1 or 2:1. Inside bets have higher variance and lower hit rates; outside bets are the opposite. Both carry the same 2.70% house edge on a single-zero wheel.
Which bet has the best odds in roulette?
On a standard single-zero wheel, no bet has a mathematical edge over any other — every bet returns the same 2.70% house edge. The one genuine exception: even-money bets on a table with La Partage, where the edge drops to 1.35%. For pure win-rate, even-money outside bets win 48.65% of spins.
Are announced bets only available in French Roulette?
Announced bets — Voisins du Zéro, Tiers du Cylindre, Orphelins — exist on European and French tables only. They are not offered on American tables because the wheel layout is different. Many online single-zero tables provide a racetrack interface for placing these directly.
Can you combine multiple bets in one spin?
Yes. Players regularly place inside and outside bets simultaneously, or combine multiple inside bets to cover sections of the wheel. The only constraint is per-position minimum and maximum stakes. Combined bets do not reduce the house edge — each individual bet keeps its own 2.70% expectation.
What is the worst bet in roulette?
The Five Number Bet on a double-zero wheel — covering 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3 — pays 6:1 but carries a 7.89% house edge. That is worse than the 5.26% edge on every other bet at the same table. It is the only standard wager with a higher edge than its own table. Avoid it entirely; use separate straight-up bets on 0 and 00 if zero coverage is the goal.
Further Reading
