Roulette bet options
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 fundamental to playing roulette with any degree of strategy. This guide covers every bet type available on both European and American roulette tables.
Inside Bets — High Risk, High Reward
Inside bets are placed directly on the numbered grid of the roulette table. They cover fewer numbers and therefore pay higher rewards — but win less frequently. These are the bets that create the most excitement at the table.
| Bet Type | How It Works | Payout | Win Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Up | Bet on a 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 are placed in the sections surrounding the main number grid. They cover large groups of numbers and win more frequently — but pay less. These are ideal for beginners and for players using progressive systems like Martingale or D’Alembert.
| Bet Type | How It Works | Payout | Win Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red / Black | Bet on the ball landing on a red or black number | 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 | Bet on 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. These are placed using the racetrack interface or called out to the croupier.
| 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 |
Full guide to announced bets: French Roulette · European Roulette
Complete Bet Comparison Table
All probabilities below are for European Roulette (single zero, 37 pockets). American Roulette probabilities are slightly lower due to the extra 00 pocket.
| 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 your playing style and risk tolerance:
| 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 Martingale, D’Alembert, Paroli |
| Advanced player | Sector bets + corners | Covers wheel sections for bias exploitation |
Ready to test your knowledge? Try every bet type risk-free in our free roulette simulator — no signup required.
For complete payout calculations, use our Payout Calculator. For a deeper understanding of the math behind every bet, see our Odds & Payouts guide.