Inside Bets & Roulette Bet Types Explained for Beginners

🎯 Quick Take: What You'll Learn

• What inside, outside, and call bets actually mean
• How each roulette bet works—and what the payouts are
• Real examples of inside bets in action
• The difference in house edge between American and European roulette

The game of roulette is one of the most popular casino games, loved for its spinning wheel and exciting betting options. Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned player, understanding roulette bet types can make your experience more fun and strategic.

In this article, we’ll break down the main types of bets—primarily categorized into three groups: inside bets, outside bets, and call bets—and explain how they work on the roulette table.  

Understanding Roulette Bet Types

Inside Bets Explained

Inside bets are placed on the numbers located inside the roulette layout. These bets focus on a single number or a small group of numbers within the main grid of the roulette table. They typically offer higher payouts but have a lower chance of winning since they’re harder to hit.

Here are some common inside betting options in a roulette game:

Straight Up Bet:

You bet on a single number (like 7 or 23). If the ball lands on your number, you win big—usually a 35:1 payout.

Split Bet:

This is a bet on two numbers next to each other (like 5 and 8), placed by positioning your chip on the line between them.

Street Bet:

A street bet—also known as a line bet—is a wager on three numbers in a horizontal row (like 1, 2, 3). It pays 11:1 and is a solid way to cover a small section of the board.

Corner Bet:

The corner bet, also called a square bet, is a wager on four numbers that meet at a corner. You simply place your chip at the intersection of the four numbers. This bet pays 8:1.

Six Line Bet:

It is a bet on six consecutive numbers that form two adjacent rows. Place your chip on the shared outer corner; this bet pays 5:1.

Basket Bet:

In American roulette, this bet covers five numbers: 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. It's placed on the outer corner shared by 0 and 1, and it pays 6:1. Notably, this bet has a higher house edge compared to other bets.

These bets are placed by putting your chips directly on the roulette table layout. They’re perfect if you like bold plays or want to test your luck with a specific number or cluster.

Outside Bets Explained

Outside bets are placed on the perimeter of the roulette table and cover larger groups of numbers. These bets offer better chances of winning but come with lower payouts. 

Common outside bets in a typical roulette game include:

Red or Black:

This is a bet on the ball landing on a red or black number. It is an even money bet that pays 1:1.

Odd or Even:

Wagering on whether the winning number will be odd or even. Like red or black, this bet pays 1:1.

High or Low:

Betting on whether the number will be in the low range (1-18) or high range (19-36). This bet also pays 1:1.

Dozen Bet:

The roulette table is divided into three dozens: 1-12, 13-24, and 25-36. Betting on one of these groups covers one third of the numbers and pays 2:1.

Column Bet:

It's similar to the dozen bet, but instead, you're betting on one of the three vertical columns of numbers. This bet also pays 2:1.

Roulette outside bets are great for beginners because they’re simple bets with nearly a 50/50 shot, making them a good option if you want to win more playing roulette.

Call Bets Explained

Call bets, also known as announced bets, are primarily used in European and French roulette. Instead of placing chips on the table immediately, players “call” these bets out to the croupier. They’re often used by more experienced players and include bets like Voisins du Zéro and Tiers du Cylindre, which cover specific number sections on the wheel, especially those near zero. These bets are less common in American roulette and may not be available in all casinos.

House Edge

The house edge refers to the casino’s built-in statistical advantage over players. In European roulette, which features a single zero, the house edge is around 2.7%.

In American roulette, which includes both a single zero and a double zero, the house edge rises to about 5.26% due to the extra pocket. This difference can impact your long-term winnings—so keep it in mind when choosing which version of roulette to play.

Example of Inside Bets in Play

Imagine you place a straight up bet on the number 17. If the ball lands on 17, you receive a payout of 35:1. If you prefer slightly better chances of winning, you might place a split bet on 17 and 20—lowering the payout but covering two numbers instead of one.

Alternatively, you could go for a corner bet on 17, 18, 20, and 21, giving you four possible ways to win. If the winning number is one of these, you get a payout of 8:1.

If you’re looking to cover even more ground on the roulette layout, you might try a six line bet, which includes six numbers at once. This increases your odds but brings the payout down to 5:1.

Conclusion

Understanding the different roulette bet types helps you choose the best strategy for your gameplay. If you enjoy high-risk, high-reward wagers, inside bets might be the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a better chance of hitting more frequent wins, outside bets offer safer options.

So whether you’re spinning the roulette wheel at a casino or playing online at a secure platform like Rivalry, knowing how these bets work can seriously improve your overall experience.