Roulette Betting Options - Complete Guide

• Roulette betting options are divided into outside and inside bets.
• Outside bets are less risky but reward less, whereas inside bets are riskier but reward more.
• European roulette and French roulette are similar except the latter has two additional  roulette betting options – ‘La partage’ and ‘En prison’.
• American roulette differs as it has an extra number, double zero, therefore having a higher house edge of 5.26%.
• You can make call bets which are ways to cover more of the pockets on the roulette wheel. For example, ‘Voisins du Zéro’ covers 17 numbers.
• Other betting strategies include the famous Martingale system where players double down on a losing bet to recuperate losses quicker.

Roulette is a widely popular table game and it’s likely that you’ve come across the three most popular types – European, French, and American roulette. The table game was invented in 18th century France by Blaise Pascal, and is the foundation at many casinos today. Much because of its simplicity and thrills.  

While the rules and betting options remain similar across variations, it’s important you memorise the differences. For example, American roulette has an extra number, double zero, which affects your betting odds.

In this guide, we’ll be explaining roulette betting options, how roulette is played to boost your bankroll, combined bets, and making use of the best strategies.

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An outside bet in roulette refers to all the bets you place outside the central number section on a roulette table. Although a basic type of wager, these are common to use as part of your strategy if you’re a novice or seasoned player.

When you place an outside bets it’s not based on solid numbers (black and red numbers inside the central grid and zero) but instead within the following categories:

• Red/Black: The red/black section on the roulette table that pays you 1:1.
• Odd/Even: Grids on each side of the red and black section on either odd or even numbers. Your pay out will be 1:1.
• High/Low: A win on this type of bet pays 1:1 and applies to the 1-18 group and the 19-36 section.
• Dozens: It will pay you 2:1 and covers the first dozen, 1 – 12, the second dozen, 13 – 24, and the third dozen, 25 – 36.
• Columns: If you win on this type of bet, it pays 2:1. There are three columns to the right side of the roulette table and covers 12 numbers.

Outside bets is one of the safer roulette betting options for you to deploy, giving you a higher chance of winning. With that being said, the payouts are low in comparison to other betting options. In addition, there are plenty of strategies such as Martingale you are able to utilise to optimise your experience.

Inside bets cover the types of roulette bets that you place in the centre of the betting table – the black and red numbers 1 to 36 plus the zero. Below you’ll find all the bets you’re able to make.

• Straight-up: The payout for this type of bet is 35:1. This is where you bet on one specific number (also called a single-number bet).
• Split: When you bet on two adjacent numbers and will pay you 17:1 if it lands.
• Street: A bet on a row of three numbers on the roulette table (i.e. 10, 11, 12) and pays you 11:1.
• Square/Corner: Your payout is 8:1. You bet on four numbers by placing your chip on the corner that joins the four numbers together.
• Basket: A bet that only occurs in American roulette as there are two zero green segments that appear to the top left of the board. You place your chip so that it covers the zero, double zero and 1, 2, and 3. It’s also called a five-number bet and pays 6:1.
• Double Street: You’d bet on two rows, so six numbers altogether. You may also refer to this as a line bet or six-number bet as well. It pays 5:1.
• Snake Bet: An s-shaped bet placed across the red numbers. This would cover the numbers 1, 5, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 23, 27, 30, 32, and 34.

Inside bets tend to have a higher payout. This makes it one of the more suitable roulette betting options if you don’t mind taking the added risk and have a higher bankroll. The most popular strategy is the snake bet, which has a 32.4% chance of winning.

European roulette is one of the main variations that you’ll encounter at an online casino. It differs from American roulette as the wheel contains 37 numbers, from 0 to 36.

The European version has the same wheel and betting options as the French, however, there are two major distinctions, the ‘la partage’ and ‘en prison’.

When you play European roulette, the house edge varies from American. This is because of the 36 numbers plus zero section on the roulette table. The odds of winning on one number in the European variant is the same as the French – 35:1, giving you 2.7% less profitability.

To up the ante while playing European roulette at Betfair, call bets are the way to go! These are exciting roulette betting options that cover a specific section of the roulette wheel.

Here's a quick overview that our team has put together of European roulette betting options to take advantage of:

• Voisins du Zéro: A bet where you place a wager on all the numbers on the roulette wheel from 22 and 25.
• Jeu Zéro: Where you bet on the numbers on the roulette wheel physically closest to zero.
• Le Tiers du Cylindre: Also referred to as ‘Tiers’ where you bet on 12 numbers covered on the roulette wheel – 5, 8, 10, 11, 13, 16, 23, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36
• Orphelins: A bet you can make which is not covered in Voisins du Zéro or Le Tiers du Cylindre.
• Final Bets: This option uses four or more chips to cover specific digits. For example, if you make a “final 3” bet, you’re betting on all numbers that end in 3 (3, 13, 23, 33).

Besides call bets, it’s possible for you to place combination bets. One good example is the James Bond strategy, which combines both inside and outside bets. Other popular strategies for you to try include Paroli, Fibonacci, and Martingale. These incorporate adjusting the bet size after you win or lose.

French rouletteis similar to European roulette, except it has two additional roulette betting options - ‘la partage’ and ‘en prison’. These features work in your favour and are specific to even money bets (high/low, even/odd, red/black). One popular game you can play here at Betfair where you can utilise these rules is Premium French Roulette.

‘La partage’ comes into effect when the ball lands on a zero. Instead of losing your whole bet, the dealer divides all your even money bets in half. One half goes to the ‘house’ and the other half returns to you. This reduces the house edge from 2.7% to 1.35%.

‘En prison’ is a variant of ‘la partage’. If the ball lands in the zero pocket, your even bet is put ‘in prison’ for the next spin. The exact same bet is repeated and if zero lands again, your original wager is returned. The house edge is the same at 1.35%.

When it comes to the call bet, they are the same as in the European version. Following, we explain the call bets in detail, including the odds, and possibility to win.

Voisins du Zéro

Voisins du Zéro encompasses the 17 numbers on the roulette wheel that are located between and including 22 and 25. It’s the largest call bet when it comes to numbers you’re betting on which include – 0, 2, 3, 4, 7, 12, 15, 18, 19, 21, 22, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, and 35. You’ll also have a combination of split and corner bets. The odds of winning are 45.9% and the highest payout is on the numbers 0, 2 or 3.

Jeu Zéro

With Jeu Zéro, you bet on numbers 0, 3, 12, 15, 26, 32, and 35. The chances of you winning are 18.9% and the highest paying result is number 26. In this strategy, you use a combination of split and straight bets.

Le Tiers du Cylindre

In Le Tiers du Cylindre your bet consists of 12 numbers on the wheel - 5, 8, 10, 11, 13, 16, 23, 24, 27, 30, 33, and 36. The odds of you winning this bet is 32.4% and all combinations pay the same 17:1.

Orphelins

Eight numbers on the wheel are covered - 1, 6, 9, 14, 17, 20, 31, and 34. The odds of you winning are 21.6% and your highest paying result is the number 1, paying 35:1. This bet is made of split bets; 6/9, 14/17, 17/20 and 31/34 and one straight bet on the number 1.

Neighbours

A bet that includes a single number and the 2 numbers located on either side on the wheel, which totals 5 numbers. For example, if you placed a bet on 4, you’re also betting on numbers 15 and 19 to the left, and the numbers 21 and 2 to the right. The chances of you winning are around 13.5%. It’s just a combination of 4 straight bets, so you’ll be paid out at 35:1.

Final Bets

A bet you’re able to make on numbers with the same last digits. So ‘final 5 bet’ means you’re placing bets on 5, 15, 25, and 35. The odds of you winning are 10.8% from final zero up to final 6, but 8.1% from final 7 to final 9.

American roulette has a total of 38 numbers - a double zero, zero, and numbers 1 – 36. Most notably, this affects the house edge, bringing it to 5.26%. Also, with the extra zero, your winning possibilities are less favourable compared to European and French variants.

A popular variant to play at Betfair is the Live American Roulette, which is streamed from a real live studio, giving you an authentic feel.

American roulette betting options are similar to European and French, except there are no call bets.  A unique bet on American roulette is called basket – 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, but it is known to be a bet you should avoid!

Here’s a quick comparison for you of American vs European odds for each bet type: 

• Straight Up: 2.63% vs 2.7%
• Split: 5.23% vs 5.41%
• Street: 7.89% vs 8.11%
• Corner: 10.53% vs 10.81%
• Basket: 13.16%
• Double Street: 15.79% vs 16.3%
• Dozens: 31.58% vs 32.4%
• High/Low: 47.37% vs 48.64%
• Odds/Evens: 47.37% vs 48.64%
• Red/Black: 47.37% vs 48.64%

• Roulette betting options consist of outside bets which tend to be safer and lower on returns (odds/evens, red/black), whereas inside bets are riskier but offer higher rewards.
• European roulette and French roulette are similar except the latter has the ‘la partage’ and ‘en prison’ options. Both reduce the house edge to 1.35%, therefore more beneficial to you.
• American roulette has lower roulette betting options odds due to the extra number (double zero) and has a house edge of 5.26%.
• Call bets are cluster bets that cover bigger sections of the roulette wheel. The most popular one, ‘Les Voisins du Zéro’, includes 17 numbers.
• A popular strategy is for you to combine outside and inside bets. For example, the James Bond strategy, where you cover the most possible outcomes.

If you liked this guide in explaining roulette betting options, we recommend you also to read our other roulette guides, including our roulette strategy guides for beginners and advanced players. It will help give you more of an edge when playing and enhance your bankroll. 

In addition, on our platform, you’ll find the latest table games, and complete guides to help you get started. If you prefer card games, read our complete guide to baccarat on how to play, or our introduction to blackjack. Yet, if you’re a fan of dice games, read our guides with tips and tricks to help you play craps and to implement strategies.

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