Roulette bets fall into two groups. Inside bets go on the numbers in the middle of the table and cover between one and six numbers. They win less often but pay more. Outside bets go in the boxes around the edge and cover 12 or 18 numbers. They win often but pay less. The chances below are for the European wheel (37 pockets).
Inside bets
Straight up: one number, pays 35 to 1
Put the chip in the middle of a single number, including 0. It's the hardest bet to win (1 in 37) and the biggest payout. A $10 straight-up bet that wins returns $360: $350 winnings plus your $10.
Split: two numbers, pays 17 to 1
Put the chip on the line between two numbers that touch, either side by side (like 17 and 20) or one above the other (like 17 and 18). You win if either number comes up (1 in 18.5).
Street: three numbers, pays 11 to 1
A street is one short row of three numbers, such as 7-8-9. Put the chip on the outer edge of the row, next to the dozens. Wins 1 in 12.33.
Corner: four numbers, pays 8 to 1
Also called a square. Put the chip on the point where four numbers meet, such as the centre of 17, 18, 20 and 21. Wins 1 in 9.25.
Six line: six numbers, pays 5 to 1
Two neighbouring streets at once, such as 7 to 12. Put the chip on the outer edge where the two rows meet. Wins 1 in 6.17.
Bets with zero
- Trio (0-1-2 or 0-2-3, pays 11 to 1): chip where zero meets the two numbers.
- First four (0, 1, 2, 3, pays 8 to 1): European wheel only. Chip on the corner where 0 and 1 meet the edge of the table.
- Basket (0, 00, 2, pays 11 to 1): American wheel only.
- Top line (0, 00, 1, 2, 3, pays 6 to 1): American wheel only. This is the one bet with a worse house edge than the rest of the table, so it's best avoided. See odds and house edge.
Outside bets
Red or black, pays 1 to 1
Bet on the colour of the winning number using the red or black diamond. 18 numbers are red and 18 are black, so this wins just under half the time (1 in 2.06). The zero is green, so it loses.
Odd or even, pays 1 to 1
Bet that the number will be odd or even. Zero counts as neither, so it loses.
Low or high (1-18 or 19-36), pays 1 to 1
Bet on the lower or upper half of the numbers. Zero loses.
Dozens, pays 2 to 1
Bet on 1-12, 13-24 or 25-36. Wins 1 in 3.08. A $10 dozen bet that wins returns $30.
Columns, pays 2 to 1
The table has three long lines of 12 numbers. Bet on one with the box at its end, marked 1st, 2nd or 3rd. For example, the 1st column is 1, 4, 7 ... 34. Wins 1 in 3.08.
All bets at a glance
| Bet | Numbers | Pays | Chance to win | House edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight up | 1 | 35 to 1 | 2.7% (1 in 37) | 2.70% |
| Split | 2 | 17 to 1 | 5.4% (1 in 18.5) | 2.70% |
| Street | 3 | 11 to 1 | 8.1% (1 in 12.33) | 2.70% |
| Trio | 3 | 11 to 1 | 8.1% (1 in 12.33) | 2.70% |
| Corner | 4 | 8 to 1 | 10.8% (1 in 9.25) | 2.70% |
| First four (0, 1, 2, 3) | 4 | 8 to 1 | 10.8% (1 in 9.25) | 2.70% |
| Six line | 6 | 5 to 1 | 16.2% (1 in 6.17) | 2.70% |
| Dozen | 12 | 2 to 1 | 32.4% (1 in 3.08) | 2.70% |
| Column | 12 | 2 to 1 | 32.4% (1 in 3.08) | 2.70% |
| Red or black | 18 | 1 to 1 | 48.6% (1 in 2.06) | 2.70% |
| Odd or even | 18 | 1 to 1 | 48.6% (1 in 2.06) | 2.70% |
| Low or high | 18 | 1 to 1 | 48.6% (1 in 2.06) | 2.70% |
Combining bets
You can place as many bets as you like before each spin. Many players cover a colour and a few favourite numbers, or a dozen and a column (the two overlap on four numbers, which then pay both bets). Combining bets changes how often you win and how much, but not the house edge: every combination keeps the same small advantage for the wheel. Try it in the game; the numbers each chip covers light up as you point at them.