Outside Bets in Roulette

Outside bets are bets located at the edge, or outside, of the roulette betting area. Though they tend to win often, they pay less money than inside bets. Outside bets are a good choice if you prefer frequent, small wins as opposed to relatively rare but larger wins. Keep in mind that the amount of every single outside bet must be between the posted minimum and maximum bets.

Red/black is a bet that the next number spun will be either red or black—you choose which of the two colors you think will be next. To make this bet, place the desired chips on the red or black diamond at the bottom of the layout.

If the ball lands on a number of your color, you win, and you’re paid at even money. For example, if you make a winning $10 bet on red, you’re paid $10 and also keep your original $10. If you lose, you lose the entire amount you wagered.

On double zero wheels, the house edge on red/black is 5.26%. This means that for every $100 you wager, you can expect to lose $5.26. On single zero wheels, the house edge on red/black is 2.70%. This means that for every $100 you wager, you can expect to lose $2.70.

On some single zero wheels, usually those in Europe, all even-money bets are considered en prison, or “imprisoned,” if the ball lands on 0. In this case, the bet remains and is decided on the next spin of the wheel. In other words, en prison gives you a second chance on even-money bets. If the next spin is also a 0, then the bet is lost. The en prison rule reduces the house edge on red/black even further, to 1.39%.

On other single zero wheels in Europe, casinos have a half back rule rather than an en prison rule. Under the half back rule, you lose only half of your even-money bets if the ball lands on 0. For example, if you bet $100 on red and the ball lands on 0, you lose $50 and the other $50 is returned to you. On single zero wheels, the half back rule reduces the house edge on red/black to 1.35%.

The half back rule may also be found on double zero wheels, particularly those in Atlantic City. In this case, you lose only half of your even-money bets if the ball lands on 0 or 00. On double zero wheels, the half back rule reduces the house edge on red/black to 2.63%.

Odd/even is a bet that the next number spun will be either odd or even—you choose which of the two kinds of numbers you think will be next. To make this bet, place the desired chips on the space marked “ODD” or “EVEN” at the bottom of the layout.

If the ball lands on any of the numbers in your group, you win, and you’re paid at even money. For example, if you make a winning $10 bet on odd, you’re paid $10 and also keep your original $10. If you lose, you lose the entire amount you wagered.

On double zero wheels, the house edge on odd/even is 5.26%. On single zero wheels, the house edge on odd/even is 2.70%.

As with the other even-money bets, odd/even bets sometimes offer the en prison and half back rules. The en prison rule reduces the house edge on odd/even bets to 1.39%. On single zero wheels, the half back rule results in a house edge of 1.35%; on double zero, half back results in a house edge of 2.63%.

Low/high is a bet that the next number spun will be either low or high—you choose which of the two you think will be next. Numbers 1–18 are considered low; 19–36 are considered high. To make a low or high bet, place the desired chips on the space marked “1–18” or “19–36” at the bottom of the layout.

If the ball lands on any of the numbers in your group, you win, and you’re paid at even money. For example, if you make a winning $10 bet on low, you’re paid $10 and also keep your original $10. If you lose, you lose the entire amount you wagered.

On double zero wheels, the house edge on low/high is 5.26%. On single zero wheels, the house edge on low/high is 2.70%.

As with the other even-money roulette bets, low/high bets sometimes offer the en prison and half back rules. The en prison rule reduces the house edge on low/high to 1.39%. On single zero wheels, the half back rule results in a house edge of 1.35%; on double zero, half back results in a house edge of 2.63%.

The dozens is a bet on a single group of 12 numbers: 1–12, 13–24, or 25–36. To make this bet, place the desired chips on the space marked “1st 12,” “2nd 12,” or “3rd 12” at the bottom of the layout.

If the ball lands on any of the numbers in your group, you win, and you’re paid at 2:1 odds. This means that you win $2 for every $1 you wager. For example, if you make a winning $10 bet on the 2nd dozen, you’re paid $20 and also keep your original $10. If you lose, you lose the entire amount wagered.

On double zero wheels, the house edge on the dozens is 5.26%. On single zero wheels, the house edge on the dozens is 2.70%.

Like the dozens, the columns is a bet on a single group of 12 numbers. Look at the betting area to see which numbers a particular column contains. The first column begins with 1 and continues in increments of 3 to 34, the second column begins with 2 and continues to 35, and the third column begins with 3 and continues to 36. To make this bet, place the desired chips on the space marked “2 to 1” at the end of the desired column.

If the ball lands on any of the numbers in your group, you win, and you’re paid at 2:1 odds. This means that you win $2 for every $1 you wager. For example, if you make a winning $10 bet on the 3rd column, you’re paid $20 and also keep your original $10. If you lose, you lose the entire amount wagered.

On double zero wheels, the house edge on the columns is 5.26%. On single zero wheels, the house edge on the columns is 2.70%.