Roulette Bets Explained for Beginners: Inside, Outside and Called Bets

Roulette is one of the easiest casino games to understand and one of the most confusing to watch for the first time. The wheel spins, the ball bounces, and the table is covered in chips placed on numbers, colours, and lines that seem to follow rules nobody has explained to you. The truth is simpler than it looks. Every bet on a roulette table falls into one of three groups: inside bets, outside bets, and called bets. Learn those three groups, and the whole table opens up.

This guide explains roulette bets for beginners, one group at a time. It covers what each bet is, how much it pays, how likely it is to win, and what kind of player each bet suits. It does not promise a winning system, because there is none. Roulette is a game of chance, and every bet on the table carries a house edge. What this guide gives you instead is understanding, so you can sit down, place a bet you actually understand, and enjoy the game without confusion.

How a Roulette Table Works

A roulette table has two parts: the wheel and the betting layout. The wheel has numbered pockets, and the layout is a grid where you place your chips to say which outcome you are betting on. In European roulette, the wheel has numbers 1 to 36, plus a single zero. In American roulette, there is an extra pocket, the double zero. That one extra pocket matters more than it looks, because it increases the house edge, and beginners should prefer European roulette whenever they have the choice.

The dealer, or croupier, spins the wheel in one direction and the ball in the other. When the ball settles into a pocket, that number wins. Bets that cover that number pay out according to their odds. Bets that do not cover it lose. That is the whole game. Everything else is detail about which numbers a bet covers and how much it pays.

One point worth understanding early is the difference between the payout and the true odds. A bet on a single number pays 35 to 1, but the true odds of hitting a single number on a European wheel are 36 to 1 against you, because there are 37 pockets. That gap is the house edge, and it exists on every bet on the table. No betting pattern removes it. Our guide to how the casino house edge works explains this in plain language, and it is worth reading before you play any table game.

Legal Status in Thailand — Read This First

Before going any further, it is important to be clear about the law. Under the Gambling Act B.E. 2478 (1935), most forms of gambling are prohibited in Thailand. The only legal exceptions are the government lottery and licensed horse racing. Online casinos are NOT licensed in Thailand, and playing on them carries legal risk.

This article is educational only. It explains how roulette bets work so you can understand the game, not as an invitation to gamble. Roulette should only ever be played by adults aged 18 and over, and only where it is legal to do so. There are no guaranteed winnings in roulette, or in any casino game. Every spin is independent, and no bet or system can change the odds. Never chase losses, never play with money you cannot afford to lose, and if gambling ever stops feeling like entertainment, stop and get help. Support is available at BeGambleAware and Gamblers Anonymous.

Inside Bets: High Payouts, Lower Chances

Inside bets are placed on the numbered grid itself, on specific numbers or small groups of numbers. They pay more than outside bets, because they cover fewer numbers and are harder to win. They are the bets for players who enjoy the excitement of a big payout and accept that they will lose more often.

The straight up bet is the simplest inside bet: a chip placed on a single number. It pays 35 to 1. If you bet on 17 and the ball lands on 17, you win 35 times your stake, plus your stake back. The chance of winning on a European wheel is 1 in 37, or about 2.7 per cent.

A split bet covers two adjacent numbers, with a chip placed on the line between them. It pays 17 to 1. A street bet covers three numbers in a row, with a chip placed at the end of the row, and pays 11 to 1. A corner bet, also called a square bet, covers four numbers that meet at a corner, and pays 8 to 1. A line bet covers six numbers, two adjacent rows of three, and pays 5 to 1. On an American table there is also a five-number bet covering 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3, which pays 6 to 1 and carries the worst house edge on the table, so it is best avoided.

Inside bets suit players who like the drama of a big win. The payouts are exciting, and a single hit can turn a session around. But the losses come more often, and a run of straight-up bets without a hit can drain a bankroll quickly. A sensible approach for beginners is to mix a small inside bet with outside bets, rather than putting everything on single numbers.

Outside Bets: Lower Payouts, Better Chances

Outside bets are placed on the areas around the numbered grid, and they cover large groups of numbers. They pay less than inside bets, but they win far more often. They are the bets for players who want their money to last longer and prefer steady, smaller wins to rare big ones.

The best-known outside bets are red or black, odd or even, and high or low. Each of these covers 18 numbers and pays even money, 1 to 1. Bet on red, and if the ball lands on any red number, you double your money. These are sometimes called even-money bets, and they are the simplest bets on the table, which is why most beginners start with them. But there is a catch: the zero, and the double zero on American wheels, is neither red nor black, neither odd nor even, and neither high nor low. When the ball lands on zero, all even-money bets lose, unless the table offers a special rule.

That special rule is worth knowing about. On some European tables, the en prison rule or the la partage rule applies to even-money bets. With la partage, if the ball lands on zero, you lose only half your even-money bet instead of the whole thing. With en prison, your bet is held over for the next spin. Both rules cut the house edge on even-money bets roughly in half, from about 2.7 per cent to about 1.35 per cent, which makes them the best-value bets in roulette. If you see a table offering la partage, that is a good table to learn on.

Dozens and columns are the other main outside bets. A dozen bet covers 12 numbers, either 1 to 12, 13 to 24, or 25 to 36, and pays 2 to 1. A column bet covers one of the three vertical columns on the layout, also 12 numbers, and also pays 2 to 1. The chance of winning either is about 32 per cent on a European wheel, so they hit roughly one spin in three, and they pay double your stake when they do.

Called Bets: The French Tradition

Called bets, also known as announced bets, come from French roulette, and they cover sections of the wheel rather than sections of the layout. They are less common in casual play, and they can look intimidating, because they involve placing several chips at once. But they are not complicated once you understand that each called bet is just a shorthand for a group of smaller bets.

Voisins du zero, meaning neighbours of zero, covers the 17 numbers around the zero on the wheel. It takes nine chips, placed on a mix of splits, corners, and a trio. Tiers du cylindre, meaning thirds of the wheel, covers the 12 numbers opposite the zero, with six split bets. Orphelins, meaning orphans, covers the eight numbers left over between the other two sections, with five chips. Jeu zero, or zero game, covers the seven numbers closest to zero, with four chips.

There are also neighbour bets, where you bet on a number and the numbers on either side of it on the wheel. A bet on 17 and its neighbours, for example, covers 17 plus the two numbers on each side, five numbers in total. Neighbour bets are popular with players who believe, rightly or wrongly, that certain sections of the wheel are running hot.

Beginners do not need to use called bets. They are an advanced feature, and you can enjoy roulette for years without ever placing one. But it helps to know what they are, because you will see experienced players using them, and the names will stop sounding like a foreign language. If you do try them, start with small stakes and make sure you understand how many chips each bet uses before you place it.

Reading the Payouts: What Each Bet Really Pays

It helps to see the main bets side by side. On a European wheel, a straight up pays 35 to 1 with a 2.7 per cent chance of winning. A split pays 17 to 1 with a 5.4 per cent chance. A street pays 11 to 1 with an 8.1 per cent chance. A corner pays 8 to 1 with a 10.8 per cent chance. A line pays 5 to 1 with a 16.2 per cent chance. A dozen or column pays 2 to 1 with a 32.4 per cent chance. An even-money bet, red or black, odd or even, high or low, pays 1 to 1 with a 48.6 per cent chance.

Notice the pattern: as the payout falls, the chance of winning rises, and the house edge stays roughly the same. That is the key insight about roulette. No bet on the table is a better deal than any other, except for even-money bets on a table with la partage, which are genuinely better value. Choosing between a straight up and a red-or-black bet is not a choice between a good bet and a bad bet. It is a choice between volatility and steadiness, between rare big wins and frequent small ones. The right choice depends on your temperament and your budget, not on the mathematics.

Our guide to casino odds and probability explains the house edge in more detail, and it is worth reading if you want to understand why the payouts are set the way they are.

European vs American Roulette: One Pocket Changes Everything

The single most important decision a roulette player makes is which wheel to play. European roulette has one zero. American roulette has a zero and a double zero. That extra pocket nearly doubles the house edge, from about 2.7 per cent to about 5.26 per cent, on every bet except the five-number bet, which is even worse.

To put that in practical terms: if you bet the same amount over a long session, you can expect to lose roughly twice as much on an American wheel as on a European one. There is no upside. The payouts are the same, the game plays the same, and the extra pocket only helps the casino. Some American tables offer a surrender rule that softens the blow on even-money bets, but it still does not match a European table with la partage.

Beginners should always choose European roulette when it is available, and French roulette with la partage when that is available. It is the simplest, most effective decision in the whole game, and it costs nothing to make.

Betting Systems: What They Can and Cannot Do

Every roulette player meets betting systems sooner or later. The most famous is the Martingale, where you double your bet after every loss, so that a single win recovers all your losses plus a small profit. It sounds foolproof, and it is not. A short losing streak, which happens regularly, can push your bets beyond the table limit or beyond your bankroll, and then the system collapses. The Fibonacci system, where you follow a number sequence instead of doubling, is gentler but has the same flaw: no sequence of bets can change the odds of the next spin, because each spin is independent.

Other systems, like the D’Alembert or the Labouchere, dress the same idea in different clothes. They can make a session feel more structured, and they can change the pattern of wins and losses, but they cannot turn a negative-expectation game into a positive one. The house edge applies to every spin, no matter how you size your bets. That does not mean systems are useless as a way of managing your session, but they should never be mistaken for a way to beat the game. Our guide to roulette strategies including Martingale and Fibonacci covers these systems in detail, including the risks they carry.

Common Beginner Mistakes

The most common mistake is believing that past spins affect future ones. If red has come up five times in a row, black is not due. The wheel has no memory, and the chance of red on the next spin is the same as it always was. This is called the gambler’s fallacy, and it is the single most expensive idea in roulette. A related mistake is chasing a number because it has not come up for a while, or avoiding one because it has come up too often. Both are the same error in different clothes.

The second mistake is betting more than you planned because a win felt close. Roulette is fast, and it is easy to place another chip without thinking. Decide your budget before you start, decide how long you will play, and stop when either limit is reached. A clear gambling budget, set before a session, is a good habit to build.

The third mistake is playing American roulette when a European wheel is available, as discussed above. The fourth is placing bets you do not understand. If a bet looks complicated, leave it alone until you have learned it. There is no prize for using every bet on the table, and the simplest bets are often the best ones for a beginner.

The fifth mistake is treating a short winning run as proof that a system works. Roulette produces streaks naturally, in both directions. A few wins in a row tell you nothing about the next spin, and they tell you nothing about whether your betting pattern is clever. Enjoy a winning run, by all means, but do not mistake it for an edge.

A Sensible First Session

If you are playing roulette for the first time, keep it simple. Choose a European table, ideally one with la partage. Start with even-money bets, red or black, or odd or even, so that you win roughly half your spins and your money lasts. Place a small straight-up bet on a favourite number if you want some excitement, but keep it small, and treat it as entertainment rather than a plan.

Watch a few spins before you bet, not because the wheel owes you anything, but because it helps to get comfortable with the pace of the game. Place your chips neatly, so the dealer can see what you mean. And set a hard limit on what you are willing to lose, in money and in time, before the first spin. When you hit it, walk away. The wheel will still be there tomorrow.

Roulette vs Blackjack: A Quick Comparison

Beginners often ask whether roulette or blackjack is the better game to learn. The honest answer is that they are different kinds of games. Roulette is pure chance: you place a bet, the wheel spins, and you win or lose. There is no decision to make after the bet is placed, and no skill can change the outcome. Blackjack involves decisions — when to hit, stand, split, or double — and good decisions reduce the house edge, while bad ones increase it.

That makes roulette easier to learn and more relaxing to play, but it also means you have less control over your results. Blackjack rewards study, while roulette rewards patience and discipline about your bankroll. Neither game offers guaranteed winnings, and neither should be played with money you cannot afford to lose. If you want to compare the two games in more depth, our roulette vs blackjack comparison walks through the differences in odds, pace, and skill.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best bet in roulette for beginners?

Even-money bets, such as red or black, are the best starting point for beginners. They win almost half the time, they are easy to understand, and on a European table with la partage they carry the lowest house edge in the game, about 1.35 per cent. Start there and learn the inside bets gradually.

What is the difference between inside and outside bets?

Inside bets are placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers on the numbered grid. They pay more but win less often. Outside bets cover large groups of numbers, such as red or black, or a dozen, and are placed on the areas around the grid. They pay less but win more often.

Does a single number bet pay 35 to 1?

Yes. A straight-up bet on a single number pays 35 to 1. But the true odds on a European wheel are 36 to 1 against you, because there are 37 pockets including the zero. That gap between the payout and the true odds is the house edge.

What are called bets in roulette?

Called bets, also known as announced bets, are traditional French bets that cover sections of the wheel rather than the layout. The main ones are voisins du zero, tiers du cylindre, orphelins, and jeu zero. Each one is a shorthand for a group of smaller bets placed at the same time.

Is European roulette better than American roulette?

Yes. European roulette has a single zero and a house edge of about 2.7 per cent. American roulette adds a double zero, which raises the house edge to about 5.26 per cent, with no increase in payouts. Beginners should always choose European roulette when it is available.

Can a betting system beat roulette?

No. No betting system can beat roulette, because each spin is independent and the house edge applies to every bet. Systems like the Martingale can change the pattern of wins and losses, but they cannot change the odds, and they carry the risk of large losses during a losing streak.

What happens when the ball lands on zero?

On most tables, all bets lose when the ball lands on zero, except for bets that directly cover the zero. On tables with la partage, even-money bets lose only half their stake. On tables with en prison, even-money bets are held over for the next spin instead of being lost.

What is la partage in roulette?

La partage is a rule found on some European and French roulette tables. When the ball lands on zero, players who made even-money bets lose only half their stake instead of the whole bet. It cuts the house edge on those bets from about 2.7 per cent to about 1.35 per cent, making them the best-value bets in roulette.

Conclusion

Roulette bets fall into three clear groups. Inside bets cover small numbers of numbers and pay generously but rarely. Outside bets cover large groups and pay modestly but often. Called bets are a French tradition that covers sections of the wheel, and they are best left until you are comfortable with the basics. None of them can beat the house edge, and no system can change the odds of the next spin.

Choose a European wheel, start with even-money bets, set a budget before you play, and remember that past spins tell you nothing about the next one. Roulette is at its best when it is treated as entertainment: a spinning wheel, a bouncing ball, and a bet you understand. Keep it that way, and it stays fun.