Roulette looks complicated when you first see the table. There are numbers everywhere, different colours, rows, columns, and betting areas that seem to have their own rules. The good news is that you do not need to memorize everything before making sense of the game.
The easiest way to understand roulette is to stop looking at the table as one large puzzle and divide the bets into two main groups: inside bets and outside bets.
Inside bets are placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers. Outside bets cover larger sections of the table, such as red or black, odd or even, and high or low numbers.
Once you understand this distinction, most of the roulette layout becomes much easier to read.
Whether you are learning before visiting a casino or exploring roulette online, knowing what each betting area means can help you make more informed decisions about your stake and understand what happens when the wheel stops.
Key TakeawaysInside bets cover specific numbers or small groups, generally offering higher payouts but lower winning probabilities.Outside bets cover broader categories, including red or black, odd or even, and high or low. European roulette has 37 pockets, while American roulette has 38, affecting the house edge. French roulette may offer special rules, such as La Partage or En Prison, on qualifying bets. Before playing roulette online, check payouts, understand the rules, set a budget, and never chase losses. |
Start With the Wheel, Not the Betting Table
Before looking at individual bets, it helps to understand what determines the result.
A roulette wheel contains numbered pockets. In European roulette, there are 37 pockets: numbers 1 through 36 plus a single zero. The European roulette wheel therefore has a different mathematical structure from the American version.
An American roulette wheel contains 38 pockets because it includes both 0 and 00, along with numbers 1 through 36.
The difference may look small, but that additional 00 affects the odds and house edge.
French roulette also uses a single-zero wheel, but the game can include special rules such as La Partage and En Prison on certain even-money bets.
So before placing a bet, one of the smartest things a beginner can do is check which roulette variant is being played.
What Is a Roulette Bet?
A roulette bet is simply a wager predicting where the ball will land or which category the winning number will belong to.
You might predict one exact number, such as 17.
Or you might choose something broader, such as:
- Red or black
- Odd or even
- 1–18 or 19–36
- A particular dozen
- A particular column
- A small group of neighbouring numbers
Each type of bet has its own payout and probability.
Generally, bets covering fewer numbers have larger payouts but lower chances of winning, while bets covering more numbers have smaller payouts but occur more frequently.
That relationship is one of the most important ideas to understand before exploring online roulette bets.
Inside Bets: More Specific Predictions
Inside bets are located within the numbered section of the roulette layout.
They allow you to choose one number or a relatively small combination of numbers.
Think of an inside bet as saying:
“I want to predict a specific part of the table.”
There are several common types.
Straight-Up Bet
A straight-up bet is one of the simplest roulette bets.
You place your chip directly on one number.
For example, you could choose 7, 17, or 32.
If the ball lands on your selected number, the standard payout is 35 to 1.
The attraction is obvious: one winning number can produce a relatively large payout.
The trade-off is that the probability of hitting that particular number is low.
On a standard European wheel, a single number has a 1-in-37 chance of appearing on any given spin.
On an American wheel, the probability is 1-in-38.
Split Bet
A split bet covers two numbers that are next to each other on the table layout.
For example, you might place a chip across the line separating 14 and 17.
If either number wins, the bet pays.
The standard payout is 17 to 1.
A split therefore gives you two possible winning numbers instead of one, but the payout is lower than a straight-up bet.
Street Bet
A street bet covers three consecutive numbers in a row.
For example:
1–2–3
or
22–23–24
The standard payout is 11 to 1.
This can be useful if you want to cover several adjacent numbers without making a larger number of individual bets.
Corner Bet
A corner bet covers four numbers that meet at the same point on the layout.
For example:
1, 2, 4 and 5
The standard payout is 8 to 1.
It offers a wider coverage area than a street bet but has a lower payout.
Six-Line Bet
A six-line bet covers six numbers across two adjoining rows.
For example:
1–6
The standard payout is 5 to 1.
This is another way of increasing your number coverage while accepting a smaller payout.
Outside Bets: Cover More, Win More Often
Now we come to the other major category.
Outside bets cover larger groups of numbers and are positioned around the outside of the main numbered grid.
These bets generally have higher chances of winning than individual-number bets, but their payouts are smaller.
That does not mean they guarantee profits. Roulette outcomes remain random, and the zero or zeros affect the underlying mathematics.
Red or Black
This is probably the most recognizable roulette bet.
You choose either red or black.
There are 18 red numbers and 18 black numbers on a standard wheel.
But the zero is neither red nor black.
On an American wheel, the 00 is also neither red nor black.
A winning red or black bet typically pays 1 to 1.
It is easy to understand, but the presence of zero means the probability is not exactly 50/50.
Odd or Even
You can also bet on whether the winning number will be odd or even.
For example:
- Odd: 1, 3, 5, 7…
- Even: 2, 4, 6, 8…
Again, zero does not count as either odd or even for standard roulette betting purposes.
These bets generally pay 1 to 1.
High or Low
High/low bets divide the numbers into two groups:
- Low: 1–18
- High: 19–36
A successful high or low bet generally pays 1 to 1.
This is another straightforward option for beginners who do not want to choose individual numbers.
Dozens and Columns: The Middle Ground
Not every roulette bet needs to be extremely narrow or extremely broad.
Dozens and columns sit somewhere in between.
Dozen Bets
The table is divided into three groups:
- 1st dozen: 1–12
- 2nd dozen: 13–24
- 3rd dozen: 25–36
Each dozen contains 12 numbers.
A winning dozen bet normally pays 2 to 1.
This gives you considerably more coverage than a straight-up number while offering a higher payout than even-money bets.
Column Bets
The numbered layout also contains three columns.
Each column contains 12 numbers.
You can place a bet on one of these columns, and a winning column bet normally pays 2 to 1.
Dozens and columns can be useful for players who want something between an even-money bet and a highly specific inside bet.
A Simple Example of How Bets Work
Imagine you are playing European roulette and decide to place three different bets on one spin:
- $5 on number 17
- $5 on red
- $5 on the second dozen
Your total stake is $15.
Suppose the ball lands on 17.
Number 17 is:
- A winning straight-up number
- Red
- Part of the second dozen
That means all three bets win.
The straight-up bet pays according to its 35-to-1 payout, the red bet pays 1-to-1, and the dozen pays 2-to-1.
This example also demonstrates something important: one winning number can satisfy several different betting conditions at the same time.
However, placing multiple bets also increases the total amount you have at risk on that spin.
Why the Roulette Variant Matters
A beginner might see several tables and assume they are all mathematically identical.
They are not.
The European roulette wheel has one zero, while the American roulette wheel has both 0 and 00.
That difference changes the house edge for many standard bets.
French roulette is also worth understanding because the French roulette table can offer rules such as La Partage or En Prison on qualifying even-money bets, depending on the specific game.
European Roulette
- 37 pockets
- Single zero
- Standard house edge of about 2.70%
American Roulette
- 38 pockets
- Single zero plus 00
- Standard house edge of about 5.26%
French Roulette
- 37 pockets
- Single zero
- May feature La Partage and/or En Prison rules
For beginners, European and French roulette are often worth learning about because their single-zero structure is mathematically more favourable than standard American roulette.
Inside vs Outside Bets: Which Should a Beginner Choose?
There is no universally “best” roulette bet.
Your choice depends on what you want from the game.
If you like the excitement of selecting specific numbers and are comfortable with less frequent wins, inside bets may appeal to you.
If you prefer broader coverage and more frequent winning outcomes, outside bets may feel more comfortable.
But remember an important distinction:
A higher chance of winning an individual spin does not mean a guaranteed profit over time.
For example, a red bet can win more frequently than a straight-up number bet, but it still carries the house edge.
Roulette is designed so that the casino has a mathematical advantage under standard rules.
What Changes When You Play Online?
The betting principles remain essentially the same when you move to roulette online.
You still choose your wager, select a betting area, and wait for the result.
The major difference is the interface.
Instead of placing physical chips on a table, you normally select a chip value and click or tap the desired betting position.
Many online games also display:
- Your current stake
- Your selected bets
- Potential payouts
- Previous results
- Betting countdowns
- Minimum and maximum limits
These features can make the game easier to navigate, particularly for someone learning how different bets work.
However, always check the specific game rules. Online roulette variants can differ in their betting limits, features, and payout structures.
A Beginner-Friendly Way to Learn Roulette Bets
Learning roulette becomes easier when you understand one bet type at a time. Start with the wheel, explore simple bets, and gradually learn more complex options.
Step 1: Know the Wheel
Learn how European, American, and French roulette differ. European wheels have one zero, American wheels have zero and double zero, and French rules may offer additional conditions.
Step 2: Start With Simple Bets
Begin with red or black, odd or even, and high or low. These outside bets cover larger groups of numbers and are straightforward to identify on the table.
Step 3: Explore Dozens and Columns
Dozens cover groups of twelve numbers, while columns divide the table into three vertical groups. Learn their layouts, number coverage, and standard payouts before placing bets.
Step 4: Learn Inside Bets
Inside bets target specific numbers or smaller groups. Practise identifying straight-up, split, street, corner, and six-line bets, and understand how many numbers each selection covers.
Step 5: Check the Payouts
Each bet type has a standard payout based on its coverage. Learn the payout schedule and remember that larger payouts generally correspond to less frequent winning outcomes.
Step 6: Review Table Rules
Before playing, check the roulette variant, minimum and maximum stakes, payout schedule, and any special rules. These details help you understand the conditions before risking money.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make
Learning roulette means understanding the bets and avoiding common misconceptions.
Chasing losses: A losing spin does not make a win more likely on the next spin. Increasing stakes to recover losses can quickly increase spending.
Believing in patterns: Several consecutive red results do not mean black is due. Each spin is independent in a fair roulette game.
Overlooking the zero: The zero gives the house its advantage, so even-money bets aren't truly 50/50.
Confusing payouts with probability: A 35-to-1 payout on a single number does not mean it is likely to win. Higher payouts reflect lower odds.
Forgetting the total stake: Placing several bets on one spin increases the combined amount at risk. Add up all your chips before confirming your bets, and stay within your budget.
Understanding Bets Is More Important Than Memorizing Strategies
Roulette has generated countless betting systems, from simple staking methods to complicated progressions.
But no betting system can change the underlying probability of the wheel.
The first priority for a beginner should therefore be understanding what the bet covers, how likely it is to win, and what it pays.
Once those basics are clear, you can decide which betting style fits your preferred pace and budget.
This is particularly important with online roulette because the convenience of digital play can make it easy to place one bet after another without taking a moment to review what you are actually wagering.
Final Thoughts
Roulette bets fall into two main categories: inside bets, which target specific numbers or small groups, and outside bets, which cover broader groups for generally smaller payouts.
Wheel type matters too. European roulette has one zero, American roulette has 0 and 00, and French rules can affect certain bets.
When playing roulette online, learn the table, understand the payouts, check the rules, and set a budget before playing. Knowing these basics makes roulette easier to follow and helps you make informed choices.
Responsible Gambling
Roulette should be treated as entertainment, never as a way to earn money or recover previous losses. Set a firm budget before playing, use only money you can afford to lose, and stop when you reach your limit. Avoid borrowing money, chasing losses, or playing when upset or under pressure. Remember that every spin is uncertain, and no betting strategy can guarantee a win.
If playing starts affecting your finances, relationships, mood, or daily responsibilities, consider taking a break and seeking support. GambleAware offers guidance on recognising gambling-related harm, managing spending, and finding help. You can also explore its tools and support resources, including information about self-exclusion and blocking tools.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not provide financial advice or guarantee any outcome. Roulette results are random, and losses are possible regardless of the bet selected. Rules, payouts, and available features may vary by platform and wheel type. Check the applicable terms and local laws, and only participate if you meet the legal age and eligibility requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the two main types of roulette bets?
Roulette bets are mainly divided into inside bets and outside bets. Inside bets cover specific numbers or small groups, while outside bets cover larger groups such as red or black, odd or even, and dozens.
2. Which roulette bet has the highest payout?
A straight-up bet on a single number typically offers the highest standard payout at 35 to 1. However, it also covers only one number, making the chance of winning lower than broader bets.
3. What is the difference between inside and outside bets?
Inside bets focus on specific numbers or small combinations, while outside bets cover larger sections of the table. Inside bets generally offer higher payouts, while outside bets generally offer more frequent winning outcomes.
4. Are roulette bets the same when playing roulette online?
The basic bets and payout structure are generally the same, although the exact rules can vary by game. Online roulette simply lets you place your bets digitally instead of using physical chips.
5. Is European Roulette better than American Roulette for beginners?
From a standard mathematical perspective, European Roulette has a lower house edge because it has one zero instead of the American wheel's 0 and 00. The specific table rules should still be checked before playing.
