The Best Roulette Bets for New Players

The Types of Roulette Bets for European, French and American Tables

There are three main versions of the game – European, French and American Roulette. The European and French Roulette variants of the game have the same number of coloured-numbered pockets. American Roulette, however, has an additional pocket, which means the house edge increases slightly, but there are also additional bets that you can place.

In European and French Roulette, there are 37 pockets in total. Numbers 1 to 36 are all either black or red. The 37th pocket is a green 0, which is neutral. In American Roulette, all of the numbers are included but there is also an additional green 00, the 38th pocket. The other main difference between the games is the layout of the numbers on the Roulette wheel.

All versions of Roulette have the same standard bets. There are two main categories of bets for Roulette. The game has various Inside and Outside Bets. Below, we will explain the difference between the two and what options they offer to players.

Inside Bets

The Inside Bets of European and American Roulette are bets that are placed on the numbers within the betting area. There are a variety of different Inside Bets in this area, including:

• Straight Up Bets – a bet on a single number.
• Split Bets – a bet on two adjacent numbers.
• Street Bets – a bet on three numbers in a row.
• Corner Bets – a bet on four adjacent numbers that share a corner on the betting area.
• 5-Number Bets – a bet on the 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3 in American Roulette.
• 6-Number Bets – a bet on two streets, covering a total of six numbers.

Outside Bets

The Outside Bets of European and American Roulette are wagers that are placed on the perimeter of the numbered betting area on the table. The Outside Bets of Roulette include:

• Column Bets – a bet on a column of numbers, covering twelve numbers in total.
• Dozen Bets – a bet on twelve numbers that make up a dozen. Players can bet on the first dozen, second dozen or third dozen numbers.
• Odd or Even Bets – a bet on all of the even or odd numbers on the wheel.
• Black or Red Bets – a bet on all of the black or red numbers on the wheel.
• High or Low Bets – a bet on all of the Low (1-18) or High (19-36) numbers on the wheel.

The Odds and Payouts of Winning your Bet

Roulette has many types of bets that all offer different multipliers. Obviously, the harder it is to win your bet, the higher your bet will pay out. Below, we look at the odds that each bet has of winning. However, the odds will differ slightly for European and French Roulette to American Roulette. This is because of the additional green 00.

In European and French Roulette, the single green 0 gives the casino a 2.7% house edge. In American Roulette, the house edge is slightly higher, as there is a 0 and 00. The house edge for the 38-pocket game is 5.26%.

Nevertheless, despite the increased house advantage, all three games offer the same payouts. The payouts for all three variants of Roulette include:

Inside Bets

• Straight Up Bets – have a 2.70% chance of winning for European and French Roulette and a 2.60% chance of winning for American Roulette that pays 35:1.
• Split Bets – have a 5.4% chance for European and French and a 5.3% chance for American Roulette that pays 17:1.
• Street Bets – have an 8.1% chance for European and French Roulette. They have a 7.9% chance for American Roulette that pays 11:1.
• Corner Bets – have a 10.8% chance for European and French Roulette. They have a 10.5% chance for American Roulette that pays 8:1.
• 5-Number Bets – have a 13.16% chance for American Roulette that pays 6:1.
• 6-Number Bets – have a 16.2% chance for European and French Roulette. They have a 15.8% chance for American Roulette that pays 5:1.

Outside Bets

• Column Bets – have a 32.4% chance for European and French Roulette. They have a 31.58% chance for American Roulette that pays 2:1.
• Dozen Bets – have a 32.4% chance for European and French Roulette. They have a 31.58% chance for American Roulette that pays 2:1.
• Odd or Even Bets – have a 48.6% chance for European and French Roulette. They have a 47.4% chance for American Roulette that pays 2:1.
• Red or Black Bets – have a 48.6% chance for European and French Roulette. They have a 47.4% chance for American Roulette that pays 2:1.
• High or Low Bets – have a 48.6% chance for European and French Roulette. They have a 47.4% chance for American Roulette that pays 2:1.

The Best Roulette Bets

Roulette is known for its incredibly rewarding payouts for various bets. Many casino games will require different strategies or methods of playing to improve your chances of winning. However, the simplicity of Roulette makes betting straightforward and potentially rewarding. Read through the next section to learn about the best Roulette bets that you can place.

Even Money Bets

The most popular type of bets in Roulette are Outside Bets and in particular even money bets. Even money bets are wagers that pay out 1:1 and have an almost 50% chance of winning. By this, we are referring to bets on odd or even numbers, red or black, or high or low outcomes.

As seen above, European and French Roulette offer a slightly greater chance of winning your even money bets as they have odds of 48.6%. American Roulette, with the additional 00, is slightly less with odds of 47.4%.

Although the odds of winning even money bets are just under 50%, the payout of these bets is still 1:1. Thus, if you place $10 on red, and the ball lands on a red numbered pocket, you will win $10, plus your initial $10 stake.

Column and Dozen Bets

Most Roulette players place Outside Bets for European, French and American variants of the game. Outside Bets are the most popular form of Roulette bets as they have a good chance of winning and are easy to follow.

If you want to try and win slightly more from your Outside Bets, betting on Column or Dozen bets pay out 2:1. This is more rewarding than the Even Money bets that are mentioned above.

When betting on Dozens, you will cover either the first, second or third dozen of numbers. Thus, placing a successful bet of $10 on either 1-12, 13-24 or 25-36 will win you $20.

As for Columns, they also cover twelve numbers but in a different manner. The different types of column bets include:

• 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34
• 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, 35
• 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36

It is important to remember that the 0, and 00 in American Roulette, is not part of the Dozen or Column bets in Roulette. However, by covering twelve numbers from a 37 or 38 total, you will have a 32.4% (or 31.6%) chance of winning 2:1 your bet.

Black and Third Column or Red and Second Column Bets

One of the best bets that you can place on a Roulette table is a combination of two Outside Bets. On the table, there are 8 red numbers and 4 black numbers in the third column. In the second column, there are 8 black numbers and 4 red numbers.

The aim of this Roulette bet is to either break even or make a profit. You should always bet double the amount on the black (or red) numbers and half of that on the third (or second) column. An example of this is $10 on the third column and $20 on black. 

The third column contains more red numbers than any other column. If you bet on black, your bet will cover just under half of the table. If a red number lands in the third column, you win your third column bet that pays 2:1 but lose your black bet. Essentially, this means you break even and do not make a profit. Likewise, if a black number lands but not in the third column, you lose your column bet but recover the loss with your successful black bet.

However, if a black number lands in the third column, you are paid out on both of your Outside Bets. Thus, you would double your $20 bet to $40 on black and win $20 from your $10 bet on the third column. This amounts to a payout of $60 from a $30 bet.

Master the Bets to Master the Gamer

As a new player, understanding and experimenting with various roulette bets will elevate your gaming experience. Embrace the thrill of the game, explore different betting strategies, and remember to manage your bankroll wisely for a more enjoyable and potentially rewarding journey at the roulette table.