Roulette offers more betting options than almost any other casino game. You can bet on single numbers, groups of numbers, colors, odd/even, and various combinations. Each bet type has different payouts and probabilities, but they all share one thing: the house edge remains constant. Understanding how different bets work helps you choose options that match your preferences. Some players prefer frequent small wins from outside bets. Others chase the excitement of rare but large payouts from inside bets. Both approaches are valid, but knowing the math behind each bet helps you make informed decisions. This guide breaks down every standard roulette bet type, explains the odds and payouts, and clarifies why the house edge stays the same regardless of which bets you choose.
Inside Bets: High Risk, High Reward
Inside bets are placed on the numbered grid of the table layout. They offer larger payouts but win less frequently.
Straight Up (Single Number)
What it is: Bet on any single number including 0 (and 00 in American roulette)
How to place it: Put your chip directly on the number
Payout: 35:1
Probability:- European: 1 in 37 (2.7%) - American: 1 in 38 (2.63%)
Example: Bet $10 on number 17. If it hits, you win $350 plus your $10 back ($360 total).
When players use it: Chasing big wins, playing lucky numbers, or spreading small bets across multiple numbers.
Split Bet
What it is: Bet on two adjacent numbers (horizontally or vertically)
How to place it: Put your chip on the line between two numbers
Payout: 17:1
Probability:- European: 2 in 37 (5.4%) - American: 2 in 38 (5.26%)
Example: Bet $10 on the line between 5 and 8. If either hits, you win $170 plus your $10 back.
Street Bet
What it is: Bet on three consecutive numbers in a horizontal row
How to place it: Put your chip at the edge of the row
Payout: 11:1
Probability:- European: 3 in 37 (8.1%) - American: 3 in 38 (7.89%)
Example: Bet on the row containing 13, 14, 15. Any of these three numbers wins.
Corner Bet (Square)
What it is: Bet on four numbers that meet at a corner
How to place it: Put your chip at the intersection where four numbers meet
Payout: 8:1
Probability:- European: 4 in 37 (10.8%) - American: 4 in 38 (10.53%)
Example: Bet on the corner where 11, 12, 14, and 15 meet.
Line Bet (Six Line)
What it is: Bet on six numbers covering two adjacent rows
How to place it: Put your chip at the intersection of two rows at the edge
Payout: 5:1
Probability:- European: 6 in 37 (16.2%) - American: 6 in 38 (15.79%)
Example: Bet on rows containing 1-6 or 25-30.
Five-Number Bet (American Only)
What it is: Bet on 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3
How to place it: Put your chip at the corner of 0/00 and the first row
Payout: 6:1
Probability: 5 in 38 (13.16%)
Important: This is the worst bet in roulette, with a house edge of 7.89% instead of the standard 5.26%. Avoid this bet.
Outside Bets: Lower Risk, Lower Reward
Outside bets cover larger groups of numbers and pay smaller amounts but win more frequently.
Red or Black
What it is: Bet on all 18 red numbers or all 18 black numbers
How to place it: Put chips in the red or black diamond on the layout
Payout: 1:1 (even money)
Probability:- European: 18 in 37 (48.6%) - American: 18 in 38 (47.4%)
Example: Bet $10 on red. If any red number hits, you win $10 plus your $10 back ($20 total).
Note: 0 and 00 are green, so they lose for both red and black bets.
Odd or Even
What it is: Bet on all odd numbers (1, 3, 5... 35) or all even numbers (2, 4, 6... 36)
How to place it: Put chips in the "Odd" or "Even" box
Payout: 1:1
Probability:- European: 18 in 37 (48.6%) - American: 18 in 38 (47.4%)
Note: 0 and 00 don't count as odd or even for betting purposes.
High or Low (1-18 / 19-36)
What it is: Bet on low numbers (1-18) or high numbers (19-36)
How to place it: Put chips in the "1-18" or "19-36" box
Payout: 1:1
Probability:- European: 18 in 37 (48.6%) - American: 18 in 38 (47.4%)
Dozens
What it is: Bet on the first dozen (1-12), second dozen (13-24), or third dozen (25-36)
How to place it: Put chips in one of the "1st 12," "2nd 12," or "3rd 12" boxes
Payout: 2:1
Probability:- European: 12 in 37 (32.4%) - American: 12 in 38 (31.6%)
Example: Bet $10 on the first dozen. If any number 1-12 hits, you win $20 plus your $10 back ($30 total).
Columns
What it is: Bet on one of three vertical columns of 12 numbers each
How to place it: Put chips in the box at the bottom of the column (usually marked "2 to 1")
Payout: 2:1
Probability:- European: 12 in 37 (32.4%) - American: 12 in 38 (31.6%)
The three columns are:- Column 1: 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34 - Column 2: 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, 35 - Column 3: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36
Why the House Edge Is the Same for All Bets
No matter which bet you choose (except the five-number bet in American roulette), the house edge remains constant.
How this works:The casino pays you slightly less than the true mathematical odds for each bet.
Example with straight-up bet (European):- True odds: 36 to 1 (37 numbers, you bet on 1) - Casino payout: 35 to 1 - The difference creates the house edge
Example with red/black (European):- True probability: 48.6% (18 out of 37) - Should pay: slightly more than 1:1 to be mathematically fair - Casino payout: 1:1 - The difference creates the same house edge
The result:- European roulette: 2.7% house edge on all standard bets - American roulette: 5.26% house edge on all standard bets (except five-number, which is worse) This means choosing straight-up bets versus red/black doesn't change your long-term expected loss. It only changes the frequency and size of wins.
High Variance vs Low Variance Bets
While the house edge is the same, bets differ in variance (volatility).
Low variance bets (outside bets):- Win frequently but pay small amounts - Bankroll lasts longer - Steadier experience with smaller swings
High variance bets (inside bets):- Win rarely but pay large amounts - Bankroll can disappear quickly or grow rapidly - More dramatic swings
Example:If you make 100 spins betting $10 on red each time, you'll win about 48 times and lose about 52 times, staying relatively close to your starting bankroll with small fluctuations. If you make 100 spins betting $10 on a single number each time, you might hit it 2-3 times (or not at all), creating wild swings in your balance. For more on variance, see our guide on [volatility in casino games](#).
Combination Betting Strategies
Many players combine multiple bet types in the same spin.
Common combinations:- Cover most of the table with various bets - Bet on dozens or columns plus specific numbers - Use outside bets for "coverage" and inside bets for "excitement"
Important reality:Combination betting doesn't change the house edge. Each bet still has the same mathematical expectation. You can't design a combination that overcomes the casino's advantage. Combination betting can make the game more interesting and create different win/loss patterns, but it doesn't improve your odds.
Special European Rules
Some European roulette tables offer additional rules that reduce the house edge on even-money bets:
La Partage: If 0 hits on an even-money bet, you get half your bet back - Reduces house edge to 1.35% on even-money bets
En Prison: If 0 hits on an even-money bet, your bet stays for the next spin - Also reduces house edge to 1.35% on even-money bets These rules apply only to red/black, odd/even, and high/low bets. They make European roulette with these rules the best option available.
Which Bets Should You Make?
There's no "best" bet from a mathematical perspective (except avoiding the five-number bet in American roulette).
Choose based on preference:If you want frequent small wins: Outside bets (red/black, odd/even, dozens, columns)
If you want rare big wins: Inside bets (straight up, split, corner)
If you want balanced play: Mix of outside bets for steadier action and a few inside bets for excitement
If you want the lowest house edge possible: Play European roulette with La Partage or En Prison and stick to even-money bets (1.35% house edge) For more on choosing the right version, see our comparison of [European vs American roulette](#).