The game of roulette remains one of the true favourites in casinos all over the world for good reason. It’s a game that’s as thrilling as it is simple to play. Simply select one or any of the numbers on the wheel and you’re good to go! However it does have aspects that are more complicated, such as the types of bets you can make. Have you ever heard the terms “Inside” and “Outside” when it comes to roulette bets? Continue reading this guide if you want to learn about these, as we’re going to tell you all about the Outside bets available when you’re spinning the roulette wheel.
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What are the Types of Bets in Roulette?
There are two main types of bet in roulette, Inside and Outside. These are actually very simple to understand. Inside bets refer to bets made on the numbers found inside the roulette wheel, thus the name. Outside bets, meanwhile, can be found outside the wheel, specifically on the betting table on which the game is found. This includes the grid holding all the numbers found on the wheel, as well as a set of specific bets you can simply place your chips on. Ready to discover what these involve?
The Types of Outside Bet
There are six different Outside bets available to place between spins of the roulette wheel. Outside bets are well suited for roulette beginners, since they actually have higher chances of winning, even if this does mean the payouts are fairly low. Let’s take a closer look and each of these and find whether they’re the right bets for you.
Red or Black
As the name suggests, here you bet on either all the red or black numbers on the wheel. This makes it the most famous bet in all of roulette’s history! This means you’ll bet on a total of 18 numbers, as the wheel holds a total of 36 numbers that alternate between the black and red colours. As such the odds of winning are almost 50/50 (specifically around 48.6% on a standard European roulette wheel with one green 0 pocket) and the payout stands at 1:1.
Odd or Even
Another self-explanatory bet, here you place your chips on the ball landing in either an odd or even number pocket. Like Red/Black here there are also 18 numbers in play for either bet, meaning identical odds of winning and a payout of 1:1.
Low 18
You’ll notice that the roulette table has two sections marked “1-18” and “19-36.” These are the Low and High 18 bets, with the Low bet being on the first 18 numbers (excluding the 0) on the wheel. The odds of this bet are, as you might have figured out by now, around 48.6% on the European wheel, and the payout is worth 1:1.
High 18
The High 18 is the opposite of the Low bet, meaning you’re placing your chips on the last 18 numbers (19-36) on the wheel. The odds and payout are identical to those of the Low bet, being at 48.6% and 1:1.
Columns
The grid holding all 36 numbers on the wheel is divided in 3 columns, each holding 12 numbers. You can place a bet on one of these 3 columns to make what is known as a Column bet. In this case the payout is worth 2:1, with the odds of winning clocking at around 32.4% on the European wheel.
Dozens
Our last bet is Dozens, which is exactly what it sounds like. There are 3 choices here - the numbers 1-12, 13-24, and 25-36. This makes it very similar to the Columns bet, since you’re betting on 12 numbers in total. As such the odds of winning are the same at 32.4% (on a European wheel), as is the potential payout at 2:1.
Comparing Outside Bets
Comparing Outside Bets
As you can see above the odds and payouts of Outside bets are similar, since they involve identical amounts of numbers. For quick reference, just check our table below:
|
Type of Bet |
Numbers Covered |
Payout |
Odds (European wheel) |
|
Red/Black |
18 |
1:1 |
48.6% |
|
Odd/Even |
18 |
1:1 |
48.6% |
|
High/Low 18 |
18 |
1:1 |
48.6% |
|
Columns |
12 |
2:1 |
32.4% |
|
Dozens |
12 |
2:1 |
32.4% |
Why Place Outside Bets?
Outside bets are perfect for players with a low risk, low reward style of play, not to mention new players who want to enjoy the thrills of roulette without worrying of losing too much cash. If you want your bankroll to last longer, then outside bets might be the perfect bets for you! You can even combine multiple outside bets for even broader coverage of the wheel, thus ensuring you’ll nearly always win something once the wheel spins.
Outside Bet Tips and Strategies
Outside bets are all about covering as much of the wheel as possible, and combination betting is a great way to do this. This involves combining multiple outside bets - such as Odd/Even with a Column - to have a bet on most of the 36 numbers on the wheel. Of course, remember that zero pocket is always a factor, especially if you’re playing American roulette. This is because American roulette features two zero pockets, lowering the odds of all Outside bets.
As always, the most important strategy whenever you’re betting involves you playing responsibly. Set a bankroll for playing roulette, and stick to it. Place small bets so that your bankroll lasts longer, and never chase your losses - in the end of the day this remains a game of pure chance, with no such thing as hot or cold streaks. Roulette is meant to be a way to have fun and relax, and not make a profit!
Get in the Game of Roulette with Outside Bets!
Ready to get into the game of roulette in style? Outside bets are the easiest way to start playing this casino classic, thanks to their simple names and broad coverage of the wheel. The winnings might not be massive, but fun is the name of the game here! So enjoy roulette with knowledge of its bets and, as always, play responsibly.
