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Mastering the Orphelins Bet: A Guide to Roulette's 5-Number Strategy

Introduction to the Orphelins Bet in Roulette

The Orphelins bet, one of the three main French bets in roulette, covers eight specific numbers (1, 6, 9, 14, 17, 20, 31, and 34) that lie outside the Voisins du Zéro and Tiers du Cylindre sections.

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This bet combines one straight-up bet and four split bets, requiring a minimum of five chips to play. This bet provides a cost-effective way to target numbers spread across two distinct sections of the wheel while offering significant payout potential. That said, it is a high-risk option due to its limited coverage on the roulette wheel. Read the guide below for more details on placing this French bet.

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What is the Orphelins Bet?

The Orphelins bet, translating to "orphans" from French, targets a specific group of eight numbers (1, 6, 9, 14, 17, 20, 31, and 34) scattered across the roulette wheel. These numbers, which cover 22% of the table, are called orphans because they do not belong to the two main sections, Voisins du Zéro (neighbours of zero) or Tiers du Cylindre (thirds of the wheel).

This bet effectively covers the gaps left by these larger groups. To place an Orphelins bet, players use five chips: one for a straight-up bet on the number 1 and four as split bets covering 6/9, 14/17, 17/20, and 31/34.

Numbers Involved in the Orphelins Bet

The Orphelins bet covers eight numbers on the roulette wheel:

  • 1: A straight-up bet, standing alone without a pair
  • 6 and 9: These numbers are adjacent on the layout and form the first split bet
  • 14 and 17: Adjacent on the layout, they create the second split bet
  • 17 and 20: This pairing forms the third split bet, with 17 appearing in two splits (14/17 and 17/20), offering an extra payout opportunity
  • 31 and 34: These numbers form the fourth and final split bet

Why are These Numbers Grouped?

The Orphelins bet is designed to cover all the numbers that do not fall into the sections of the wheel covered by Voisins du Zéro or Tiers du Cylindre. This combination lets players bet on these "forgotten" or "orphaned" numbers with a single betting strategy.

How to Place an Orphelins Bet

Here's a step-by-step guide to placing the Orphelins bet:

  1. On the roulette wheel, locate the Orphelins, i.e., numbers 1, 6, 9, 14, 17, 20, 31, and 34
  2. You'll need five chips of equal value to cover this bet. If placing the bet manually, position one chip directly on number 1 on the betting roulette grid. This is a straight-up bet, covering only this number
  3. For the remaining numbers, place split bets by positioning one chip on the line between numbers 6 and 9, one between 14 and 17, one between 17 and 20, and one between 31 and 34 on the grid
  4. In land-based casinos, players can call the Orphelins bet to the croupier. The croupier then places the chips in the racetrack area of the betting layout, covering the specified numbers
  5. Each chip represents your chosen betting amount. Since you're placing five chips in total, the cost of the Orphelins bet is five times the value of one chip. For example, if each chip is worth $10, the total bet amounts to $50

What are the Payouts for the Orphelins Bet

As established, the Orphelins bet consists of one straight-up bet and four split bets. The payouts for each are as follows:

  • Straight-Up Bet: 35 to 1
  • Split Bets: 17 to 1
  • Double Coverage of 17: If 17 is the winning number, both splits (14/17 and 17/20) are covered. However, only one of the split bets will win per round, resulting in a payout of 17 to 1, not a doubled payout

Comparison with Other Common Bets

The Orphelins bet stands out for its higher payouts, though it comes with greater risk. Like other inside bets, such as straight-up or split bets, it focuses on individual numbers or small clusters. What makes the Orphelins bet different is its ability to cover specific numbers scattered across the wheel with a single wager.

In contrast, outside bets like red/black or odd/even cover almost half the numbers on the wheel, offering a higher chance of winning but with lower payouts of 1:1. While these options are less risky, they don’t provide the same level of potential reward as the Orphelins bet.

Orphelins Bet Strategy and Tips

The following are some helpful tips that can help you in potentially improving the outcomes:

  • Combining with Neighbour Bets: Consider placing neighbour bets alongside the Orphelins bet to increase coverage. This involves betting on a number and its adjacent numbers on the wheel
  • Alternate Bet Placement: To mitigate risk, alternate between Orphelins and other section bets, like Voisins du Zéro or Tiers du Cylindre, based on game flow and outcomes
  • Set a Betting Limit: Determine a fixed amount you're willing to wager on the Orphelins bet per session. This helps manage your bankroll and prevents excessive losses
  • Consistent Bet Sizing: Use uniform chip values for each of the five bets to maintain consistency and simplify tracking of wins and losses
  • Incorporating Outside Bets: Pairing the Orphelins bet with outside bets like red/black or odd/even can balance the high-risk nature of the Orphelins with more frequent, albeit smaller, wins

Orphelins Bet vs. Other French Roulette Bets

The Orphelins, Voisins du Zéro, and Tiers du Cylindre bets differ in coverage, strategy, and risk. The Voisins du Zéro bet covers 17 numbers around zero, requiring 9 chips for complete coverage. This bet provides balanced coverage with moderate risk and steady potential payouts.

The Tiers du Cylindre bet targets 12 numbers on the opposite side of the wheel, using 6 chips to cover a third of the wheel. It offers broader coverage than Orphelins, with slightly lower risk.

By contrast, the Orphelins bet is a high-risk, high-reward option. It covers only 8 numbers scattered across the wheel, making it a budget-friendly wager with significant payout potential when the ball lands in less frequently covered sections.

Pros and Cons of the Orphelins Bet

The following are the advantages and disadvantages associated with the Orphelins Bet:

Advantages

  • The Orphelins bet requires fewer chips (5 minimum), making it suitable for smaller bankrolls
  • Provided luck is on your side, the payouts can be substantial, with straight bets paying 35:1 and split bets paying 17:1
  • The bet allows players to target numbers from two distinct sectors of the roulette wheel that are often overlooked by broader bets
  • This bet type is easy to set up, making it excellent for faster-paced roulette games where swift decisions are required

Disadvantages

  • With only 8 numbers covered, the Orphelins bet has a lower probability of winning compared to larger bets like Voisins or Tiers
  • Managing split bets and understanding the scattered nature of Orphelins numbers can be confusing for newer players
  • Considering that the Orphelins bet is a high risk, repeated losses can quickly diminish your bankroll, especially if not balanced with other strategies
  • Despite covering 8 numbers, large sections of the wheel remain unprotected, increasing the chance of losing

Balancing Risk and Reward

To balance the high-risk nature of the Orphelins bet, players should consider using it as part of a broader strategy. Combining Orphelins with bets that cover larger sections of the wheel, like Tiers or Voisins, can increase overall coverage and reduce risk. Setting a clear budget and limiting the frequency of Orphelins bets can also help manage losses.

Orphelins Bet FAQ

If you have more questions regarding the Orphelins bet, consult the following section:

What numbers are included in an Orphelins bet?

An Orphelins bet covers a total of 8 on the roulette wheel: 1, 6, 9, 14, 17, 20, 31, and 34. These numbers are spread across two separate sections of the wheel, filling the gaps left by the Voisins du Zéro and Tiers du Cylindre bets.

What is the payout for an Orphelins bet?

The payout for an Orphelins bet depends on the type of wager you place. A straight-up bet on one of the Orphelins numbers pays 35:1, while a split bet pays 17:1.

What is the difference between Voisins du Zéro and Orphelins?

Voisins du Zéro covers 17 numbers near zero on the roulette wheel, including 0, and represents one of the largest sections of the wheel. In contrast, Orphelins includes 8 numbers that lie outside both the Voisins du Zéro and Tiers du Cylindre sections. Essentially, Voisins du Zéro focuses on a larger, central section of the wheel, while Orphelins fills the smaller, scattered gaps left by these larger groups.

What is the best strategy for an Orphelins bet?

The best strategy for an Orphelins bet is to manage your bankroll carefully and pair it with complementary bets to balance risk and reward. Stick to consistent chip values and consider combining the Orphelins bet with outside bets like red/black or odd/even to cover more of the wheel.

How much does an Orphelins bet cost?

An Orphelins bet requires at least five chips: four chips for split bets on pairs of adjacent numbers and one chip for a straight-up bet on the number 1. The total cost is five times the value of a single chip. For example, if each chip is worth $10, the total bet amounts to $50.

Can you make an Orphelins bet in American roulette?

Yes, you can place an Orphelins bet in American roulette, but it's less common due to the wheel's double-zero layout and the absence of a racetrack betting area.

What is the probability of winning an Orphelins bet?

The probability of winning an Orphelins bet varies by roulette type. On a European wheel, the overall chance of hitting any of the 8 covered numbers is 8/37 (21.62%), while on an American wheel, it's slightly lower at 8/38 (21.05%). For individual bets, a straight-up has odds of 1/37 (2.70%) in European roulette and 1/38 (2.63%) in American, while split bets increase the odds by covering two numbers.