The Different Types of Roulette Bets Explained

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A croupier placing the ball on a roulette wheel.
BetMGM Feb 07, 2024, 8:19 AM

In the world of online roulette, fortune spins on the edge of a wheel. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, understanding the variety of bets available can enhance your gameplay, improve your odds, and elevate your online casino experience.

Discover how to bet on roulette with this in-depth guide.

The Basic Bets in Roulette

Before we dive into the different types of bets, you’ll need to understand some basic terminology used in roulette. The game involves a spinning wheel with numbered pockets and a small ball the croupier releases onto the wheel. Players place bets on where they think the ball will land once the wheel stops spinning.

There are two main types of roulette — American and European. The only difference between these two versions is that American roulette has an additional 00 (double zero) pocket, making it a total of 38 pockets instead of the 37 in European roulette. This slight variation affects the odds and payouts of the different bets, so it’s important to keep this in mind while playing.

Basic roulette bets fall into two categories: “inside” and “outside” bets, each providing varying odds. Understanding these bets is fundamental to improving your odds in roulette.

Inside Bets Explained

Inside bets refer to any bet the player places on specific numbers or combinations of numbers within the numbered grid on the roulette table. These types of bets have higher payouts but lower odds of winning. The most common inside bets include:

  • Straight Up: Placing a bet on a single number by placing your chip directly on that number.
  • Split Bet: Betting on two adjacent numbers by placing your chip on the line between them.
  • Street Bet: Placing a bet on three consecutive numbers by placing your chip at the end of the row.
  • Corner Bet: Betting on four numbers that form a square by placing your chip at the corner where the four numbers meet.
  • Five Bet: A bet unique to American roulette, where players can bet on 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3 by placing their chip on the line between the 0 and first row of numbers.

Outside Bets Explained

Players place their bets outside the numbered grid on the roulette table. These have lower payouts but higher odds of winning. Outside bets include:

  • Red/Black: Betting on whether the ball will land on a red or black pocket.
  • Odd/Even: Placing a bet on whether the number will be odd or even.
  • High/Low: Betting on whether the number will be within the range of 1-18 or 19-36.
  • Dozen Bet: Placing a bet on the first, second, or third dozen numbers (1-12, 13-24, and 25-36).
  • Column Bet: Betting on all numbers within a specific column by placing the chip at the bottom of that column.

Call Bets

Call bets — which can be both inside or outside bets — are also known as announced bets, and players can only place them with the help of a croupier. These bets are common in European roulette games and have specific patterns and combinations associated with them.

Some common call bets include:

  • Voisins du Zero: A bet covering numbers adjacent to 0 on the wheel.
  • Tiers du Cylindre: A bet covering one-third of the wheel, opposite to the Voisins du Zero.
  • Orphelins: A bet on numbers not included in either the Voisins du Zero or Tiers du Cylindre bets.

Final Bet

A final bet is a type of inside bet where players can place chips on all numbers ending in the same digit. For example, a final bet on the number 5 would include 5, 15, 25, and 35. This type of bet is only available in some casinos and has a high payout of 11:1.

Maximum Bet

The maximum bet (or full bet) is an intriguing method where players place all inside bets on a particular number, utilizing the table’s maximum betting limit through a progressive betting strategy.

A token displaying the player’s identity specifies every bet and the wager amount. Suppose a player decides to make a complete bet on number 17. The croupier will include all bets involving the number 17. This bet is known as “17 to the maximum” and would necessitate 40 units or $40,000 in total, which could result in a hefty payout of $392,000.

Imprisonment Bet

An imprisonment bet is another unique type of roulette bet commonly found in European games. If an imprisoned bet wins, the player will only receive their initial bet back instead of the full payout. This rule lowers the house edge for even money bets and can benefit players.

Place Your Roulette Bet With BetMGM

Still uncertain? Discover whether a roulette payout cheat sheet can increase your wins, and explore more of our expert tips and guides on the BetMGM blog. Of course, experience is the best way to improve your game, so register with BetMGM to enjoy a selection of roulette games and other online casino games to put your knowledge to the test.

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Our BetMGM editors and authors are casino experts with a wealth of knowledge of the online casino industry at all levels. Their coverage includes company news, game reviews, how-to instructional articles, strategy guides, and editorials showcasing BetMGM’s superior product and game library.

Our BetMGM editors and authors are casino experts with a wealth of knowledge of the online casino industry at all levels. Their coverage includes company news, game reviews, how-to instructional articles, strategy guides, and editorials showcasing BetMGM’s superior product and game library.