Roulette Inside Bets: The Ultimate Guide to Payouts, Odds & Strategy
Welcome to your definitive 2025 guide to Roulette Inside Bets! If you’re drawn to the thrilling possibility of turning a small wager into a massive payout, you’ve come to the right place. Inside bets represent the heart-pounding, high-risk, high-reward action of the roulette table. These are the wagers placed directly on the numbered grid, offering the largest payouts in the game. This guide will break down exactly what inside bets are, how they differ from their safer “outside” counterparts, and explore the odds, payouts, and strategies you need to master them.
Quick Facts: Roulette Inside Bets at a Glance
| Feature | European Roulette | American Roulette |
|---|---|---|
| Pockets | 37 (1-36, plus a single ‘0’) | 38 (1-36, plus ‘0’ and ’00’) |
| House Edge | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| RTP (Return to Player) | 97.30% | 94.74% |
| Inside Bet Payouts | 5:1 to 35:1 | 5:1 to 35:1 |
| Key Advantage | Higher Payouts | Higher Payouts |
| Key Disadvantage | Lower Probability of Winning | Lower Probability of Winning |
Understanding the Roulette Layout: Inside vs. Outside Bets
The roulette betting table is divided into two main sections. Understanding the difference is crucial for any player, as it dictates your risk and potential reward.
- Inside Bets: These are wagers made on specific numbers or small groups of numbers located within the main numbered grid. They are characterized by high payouts but a lower probability of winning on any given spin.
- Outside Bets: These are wagers made on the sections surrounding the numbered grid. This includes bets like Red/Black, Odd/Even, or Dozens. They offer much lower payouts but have a significantly higher chance of winning.
How to Make an Inside Bet: A Step-by-Step Guide
Placing an inside bet is a straightforward process, whether you’re playing at a glamorous land-based casino or online from the comfort of your home. Here’s how it works:
- Choose Your Table: Find a roulette table that suits your budget. Whenever possible, we recommend choosing a European Roulette table for its more favorable odds.
- Get Your Chips: At a physical casino, you’ll exchange cash for casino chips from the dealer. When playing online, your available balance serves as your chips.
- Select Your Bet: Decide which type of inside bet you wish to make. Will you go for a single number (Straight Up) or cover a group of numbers (like a Corner or Street bet)?
- Place Your Chips: Carefully position your chip(s) on the specific number, line, or intersection on the layout that corresponds to your chosen bet. Precision is key!
- Wait for the Spin: The dealer (or software) will spin the wheel and ball. The dealer will eventually call “no more bets,” locking in all wagers.
- Collect Winnings: If the ball lands on a number covered by your bet, you win! The dealer will pay you according to the bet’s specific payout odds.
All Roulette Inside Bets Explained: Payouts and Odds
This is the core of your inside betting knowledge. The table below details every type of inside bet, where to place your chips, and what you can expect in terms of payouts and winning probability for both major roulette variations.
| Bet Name | Description | Chip Placement | Payout | European Odds | American Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Up | A bet on a single number. | Directly on the number. | 35:1 | 2.70% (1 in 37) | 2.63% (1 in 38) |
| Split | A bet on two adjacent numbers. | On the line between the two numbers. | 17:1 | 5.41% (2 in 37) | 5.26% (2 in 38) |
| Street | A bet on a row of three numbers. | On the outer line of the row. | 11:1 | 8.11% (3 in 37) | 7.89% (3 in 38) |
| Corner / Square | A bet on a block of four numbers. | At the intersection where the four numbers meet. | 8:1 | 10.81% (4 in 37) | 10.53% (4 in 38) |
| Six Line / Double Street | A bet on two adjacent rows (six numbers). | On the outer line at the intersection of the two rows. | 5:1 | 16.22% (6 in 37) | 15.79% (6 in 38) |
| Basket / Five-Number Bet | A bet on 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. | On the corner shared by 0, 00, and 2. | 6:1 | N/A | 13.16% (5 in 38) |
CRITICAL NOTE: The Basket Bet (or Five-Number Bet) is only available in American Roulette. Due to its unique 6:1 payout, it carries the worst house edge in the entire game at a staggering 7.89%. We strongly advise all players to avoid this specific bet.
Best Roulette Inside Bet Strategy: 5 Approaches to Consider
While no strategy can overcome the house edge and guarantee a win, using a structured approach can help you manage your bankroll and volatility. Here are five popular methods for inside betting.
- The Single Number Strategy (High Volatility): This is the simplest and most high-risk approach. You focus your wagers on one or a few of your favorite “hot” or “cold” numbers and hope for a 35:1 payout. It relies purely on luck.
- The Split Bet Strategy (Balanced Approach): Instead of placing a 1-chip bet on a single number, place the same chip on the line between two numbers. This doubles your chances of winning compared to a Straight Up bet, though the payout is halved to 17:1.
- The Section Coverage Strategy: This involves placing a series of inside bets—like Splits and Corners—to cover a specific section of the betting layout. This increases your hit frequency, making the game less volatile, but it requires a larger initial stake to set up.
- Combining Inside and Outside Bets: A very popular strategy that provides a mix of safety and high-payout potential. You might place a larger bet on an even-money outside bet (like Red) and then use smaller stakes to “hunt” for a big win with a few Straight Up bets.
- Called Bets (Advanced): Found primarily in French and European Roulette, “called bets” or “announced bets” are pre-set combinations of inside bets that cover specific sectors of the physical wheel, not just the layout. Popular examples include Voisins du Zéro (“neighbors of zero”) and Tiers du Cylindre (“thirds of the wheel”).
Roulette Game Variations and How They Affect Inside Bets
The type of roulette game you play has a massive impact on your odds of winning. Here’s what you need to know.
European Roulette
This is the gold standard for roulette players. It features a wheel with 37 pockets (numbers 1-36 and a single zero ‘0’). This single zero gives the house a moderate edge of 2.7% on all bets. This is the best version for players focusing on inside bets.
American Roulette
The key difference in American Roulette is the addition of a double zero (’00’) pocket on the wheel, bringing the total to 38. While the payouts for inside bets remain the same as the European version, this extra pocket almost doubles the house edge to 5.26%, making it a much less favorable game for players.
French Roulette
Structurally similar to European Roulette with a single zero, French Roulette includes two player-friendly rules: La Partage and En Prison. While these rules only apply to even-money outside bets, they reduce the house edge on those wagers to just 1.35%, making French Roulette the overall best version of the game to play.
Online Variations (Lightning Roulette, etc.)
Modern online casinos feature exciting variants from providers like Evolution Gaming. Games such as Lightning Roulette add random multipliers (from 50x up to 500x) to Straight Up bets on every spin. This adds an extra layer of excitement and massive payout potential specifically for inside bettors.
Top Online Casinos for Roulette Players
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| [Operator Profile 1] | [Bonus Offer Details] | Excellent Live Dealer selection (incl. French Roulette) | [Review Link Placeholder] |
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Common Mistakes to Avoid with Inside Bets
Navigating the high-risk world of inside bets can be tricky. Avoid these common pitfalls to protect your bankroll and enhance your enjoyment.
- Ignoring the House Edge: Always choose a European or French table over an American one if it is available. The lower house edge gives you a mathematically better chance of winning over time.
- The Gambler’s Fallacy: Believing that a number is “due” to hit because it hasn’t appeared in a while. Every spin of the roulette wheel is an independent event with the same odds as the last.
- Making the “Basket Bet”: We’ll say it again: the Five-Number bet in American roulette has terrible odds and should always be avoided.
- Poor Bankroll Management: Betting too large a portion of your funds on a single, high-risk Straight Up bet can deplete your bankroll in just a few spins.
- Chasing Losses: Never increase your bet size to try and win back money you’ve lost. This is a dangerous path that often leads to bigger losses.
Bankroll Management for Inside Betting
Smart bankroll management is the key to longevity and fun when playing roulette. Follow these simple tips for responsible play.
- Set a Budget: Before you even approach the table, decide on a fixed amount you are comfortable losing. This is your session bankroll. Once it’s gone, walk away.
- Use Betting Units: Divide your total bankroll into smaller, equal “units” (e.g., 1-2% of the total). Your inside bets should be a fraction of one unit, allowing you to withstand losing streaks.
- Know When to Quit: Set a win goal and a loss limit for your session. If you hit either one, it’s time to cash out and take a break.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is an inside bet in roulette?
An inside bet is any wager placed directly on the numbers (0-36) on the roulette table layout. This includes bets on a single number (Straight Up), two adjacent numbers (Split), a row of three (Street), and other small combinations. They are known for offering high payouts but have low odds of winning.
Is it better to play inside or outside roulette?
This depends entirely on your playing style and goals. Outside bets are better for longer play sessions and more frequent, smaller wins, as they have a nearly 50% chance of hitting. Inside bets are better if you are chasing a large payout and are comfortable with higher risk. Your chance of winning is much lower, but the potential reward is far greater.
What is the smartest bet in roulette?
The “smartest” bet from a mathematical perspective is an even-money outside bet (like Red/Black or Odd/Even) on a French Roulette table that utilizes the La Partage or En Prison rule. This reduces the house edge to its lowest possible point of 1.35%. For inside bets, all wagers (except for the American Basket Bet) share the same house edge, so none is technically “smarter” than another.
What do inside numbers pay on roulette?
The payouts for inside bets are determined by how many numbers your wager covers:
- Straight-Up (1 number): 35 to 1
- Split (2 numbers): 17 to 1
- Street (3 numbers): 11 to 1
- Corner (4 numbers): 8 to 1
- Six Line (6 numbers): 5 to 1
Are there any illegal bets in roulette?
There are no “illegal” bet types on the roulette board itself. All standard bets described on the layout are perfectly legal to make. However, actions such as “past-posting” (placing a bet after the ball has already landed) or physically interfering with the wheel are considered illegal cheating.
Responsible Gambling Reminder: Always play within your means and for entertainment purposes only. Set limits, stick to them, and never gamble with money you cannot afford to lose. If you feel you may have a gambling problem, please seek help from a professional organization.
