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The Ultimate Roulette Betting Guide | LeoVegas NZ

Summary

Roulette, can come across as an intimidating table game for beginners, however with a proper, concise guide and easy to follow tips and tricks, one can master the ins and outs of roulette even as a beginner. Roulette has many versions, with European, American, and French roulette having different layouts. Players receive colored chips, and bets are placed before the ball drops, this applies to any version of roulette.

Inside bets include straight-up, split, street, corner, zero corner, and six-line bets, each offering unique odds and payouts, with house edges ranging from 2.63% to 5.26%. Outside bets encompass dozen bets (2-to-1 payout, 32.4% probability), column bets (2-to-1 payout), and even-money bets like color, odd/even, and high/low.

Call bets introduce complexity, featuring Voisins du Zéro, Jeu Zero, Tiers du Cylindre, Orphelins, Neighbours, Final Bet, and Snake Bet, each with specific combinations and payouts.

Table of Contents

Complete Guide to Roulette Bets

Roulette is an enjoyable table game to play, whether it's online or at a land-based casino. But it can feel like you're diving into the deep end if you're playing as a beginner. You can slow down the pace of a live roulette casino game if you don't know which bets you can place, how they work, and how to place them.

Even if you're playing an online casino, it pays to know the ins and outs of roulette bets, especially their house edge, payouts, and roulette odds. Consider this page your quick guide to roulette bets.

How to Bet on Roulette?

Different players at the roulette table are issued different coloured chips to avoid confusion. The worth of each chip is based on the amount you pay for them. They come in stacks of 20 chips, so a $20 stack has twenty $1 chips. Players must place their final bets just before the ball begins to drop. The dealer will announce, "No more bets!"

The roulette table is essentially a betting grid where you place your bets. It features betting spots for roulette numbers 1 through 36, plus inside and outside bets. Each spin of the roulette wheel gives you multiple betting options. You can place your bet on single numbers (straight-up bets), adjacent numbers (split bets), or rows of numbers (street bets).

You can also be on odds or even numbers; low (1-18) or high (19-36) numbers, colours (black or red), and dozens of odd numbers, (1-12, 13-24, or 25-36). Some roulette games allow players to bet on columns, whether the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd.

The table layout can vary slightly based on the roulette version. The European Roulette table has one green spot on the felt for single-zero (0) bets. On the other hand, the American Roulette table has two green spots for single zero (0) and double zero (00) bets.

The French Roulette table layout is a bit different. First, the bet names are in French and offer extra betting options, such as Finales. This wager allows you to bet on a group of numbers that end with a similar digit (for example, 4, 14, 24, and 34).

You can choose from over 20 different roulette bets here. Each bet has its odds and potential payout. For instance, a colour bet (betting on Red or Black) pays 1 to 1, while a straight bet (betting on a single number) pays 35 to 1.

Roulette Inside Bets

Straight-Up Bet

A straight-up bet (or simply a straight bet) is a single-number bet. It involves betting on a particular number on the roulette wheel — for example, 2. Because there are many numbers to cover on the roulette table, this bet has one of the lowest chances of winning, at 2.6% and 2.7% on American and European roulette, respectively.

The average house edge is 5.26%. Thankfully, a winning straight bet pays handsomely at 35 to 1.

Split Bet

A split bet is a two-number wager. You're betting for the ball to land on either of the two adjacent numbers on the roulette table. For example, an 11/12 split bet wins if the ball lands on either 11 or 12.

It's a risky bet, which is why it offers a 17-to-1 payout. Even so, the house edge remains the standard 2.63% and 5.26% on European and American roulette, respectively.

Street Bet

Street Bet is also called Three Line Bet. It's a three-number bet, which wins if the roulette ball lands on any number within a row of three. Examples include 22/23/24, 10/11/12, and 25/26/27.

A winning street bet pays 11 to 1. It has a standard house edge of 5.26% in American roulette and 2.63% in French & European roulette.

Corner Bet

As the name suggests, a corner bet (aka square bet) involves four numbers that form a square on the betting grid. For example, 12, 13, 16, and 17 form a corner bet. The betting chip is placed on the corner that touches all four numbers.

A corner bet pays 8 to 1. The house edge remains at 5.26% and 2.63% for the two major roulette variants. This bet's winning probability is low, at 10.53% in American roulette.

Zero Corner Bet

This bet is similar to the corner bet. But instead of any four numbers, you’re betting on zero (0) and adjacent numbers 1-2-3.

If the winning number is any of the four, you're paid 6 to 1. The house edge is 2.63% for European and French roulette. These bets are also called top-line or first-four bets.

Six Line Bet

Six-line bets are similar to street bets. But instead of betting on three numbers within a row, this bet allows you to cover six numbers within two consecutive rows. Examples include numbers 4-9, 13-18, or 28-33.

If you win a 6-line bet, the payout is 5 to 1. These bets are also known as top-line bets or six-number bets. The house edge is 5.26% and 2.63% for American and European versions of roulette, respectively.

Roulette Outside Bets

Dozen Bet

This bet allows you to cover 12 consecutive numbers within a dozen, but in the following order:

  • 1st dozen bet covers numbers 1 through 12
  • 2nd dozen bet covers numbers 13 through 24
  • 3rd dozen bet covers numbers 25 through 36

If you land any number in the selected dozen, you get paid double (2 to 1) your stake. The probability of landing a dozen bet win is 32.4%. The house edge remains the same at 2.63%, though.

Column Bet

This bet is similar to the dozen bet. But rather than betting on twelve consecutive numbers in a dozen, this one covers 12 numbers within a column.

  • 1st column bet covers numbers on the left-most column, which starts with 1 and ends with 31
  • 2nd column bet covers numbers within the middle column, starting from 2 to 32
  • 3rd column bet covers numbers on the right-most column, starting with 3 through 36

Each winning column bet pays double (2 to 1) your stake.

Red/Black Bet

This is a colour bet. You’re betting whether the ball will land on a black or a red number.

If the ball lands on your chosen colour, you're paid even money (aka 1 to 1). The house edge for all even-money bets is the standard 5.26% or 2.63%, depending on the version.

Odd/Even Bet

This is another even-money bet on whether the ball will land on an odd or even number. It pays 1 to 1.

High/Low Bet

This is an even-money bet. You’re betting the roulette ball will land on a number within the 1-18 or 19-36 range. It pays 1 to 1.

Roulette Call Bets

Voisins du Zéro

French bets can frequently appear difficult but gradually get simpler, especially when looking at the betting felt. Neighbours of Zero, also known as Voisins du Zéro, uses 17 numbers on the European/French wheel close to zero to cover the greatest segment of all call bets in this series. To cover this collection, start with 22, proceed through the zero, and end at 25. You will need nine chips to make the following split, corner, and basket bets:

  • Numbers 0,2,3 – Basker bet (11:1)
  • Numbers 4/7, 12/15, 18/21, 19/22, 32/35 – Split bets (17:1)
  • Numbers 25,26,28,29 – Corner bet (8:1)

Jeu Zero

Up for a zero game? This wager covers the numbers 12 through 15 and is a scaled-down variation of the Voisins du Zéro. Seven numbers are represented by four chips arranged as follows:

  • Number 0/3, 12/15, 32/35 – Split bet (17:1)
  • Number 26 – Straight up bet (35:1)

Tiers du Cylindre

You’ll need six chips for six split bets that cover the 12 numbers opposite Voisins:

Number 5/ 8, 10/11, 13/16, 23/24, 27/30 and 33/36 – Split bet (17:1)

Orphelins

By looking at the wheel with French glasses, this bet covers the ‘orphaned’ or leftover numbers not included in Voisons or Tiers. This eight-number bet requires five chips in a mix of straight-up and split bets on 17, 34, 6, 1, 20, 4, 31 and 9.

  • Number 1 – Straight up bet (35:1)
  • Number 6/ 9, 14/17, 17/20, 31/34 – Split bets (17:1)

Neighbours

You start by picking one number, then place five bets total on the exact number and its two adjacent neighbours on either side of it. You will need five chips to try this one because all bets pay out at a 35:1 ratio.

Final Bet

Also known within the French betting circle as ‘Finales’, which can easily be translated to ‘final’. This bet is only available on the single zero wheel and is based on your chosen final (or last) digit. Let’s say that’s 6. Your numbers of choice would then be 6, 16, 26 and 36. These are placed as straight-up bets, paying 35:1.

Snake Bet

Due to its shape, a snake bet in roulette is very noticeable. A snake bet in roulette consists of 12 single-number wagers that move from corner to corner of the table in an 'S' shape without any split wagers in between.

The numbers 1, 5, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 23, 27, 30, 32, and 34 are almost always included in these roulette bets. What feature do all of these numbers share? It is known as the "red snake" bet because they cover the table's red squares.

Roulette Table Limit

Every casino sets the betting limits for its roulette tables. The minimum table limit is the lowest amount you’re allowed to bet per spin. For instance, a $10 min table means you must wager at least $10 on every spin.

On the other hand, the maximum bet limit is the highest amount you can bet per spin. This figure typically varies depending on whether you place an inside or outside bet.

Outside bets usually have a higher max limit than inside bets. For instance, a table might have a $50,000 max limit for outside bets, while the highest amount you can place on straight bets is $2,500.

Roulette Bets FAQ

What are the best bets in roulette?

Even money wagers are the best bets in roulette. They pay 1 to 1, and your chance of winning is high at 48.65%.

How are roulette bets called?

Call bets are available primarily in French roulette. You call a number, and the dealer will place a marker on the betting grid. The bet covers five numbers, including the called number and two numbers adjacent to it on either side of the roulette wheel.

For instance, if you call zero (0), the bet will cover 15-32-0-26-3

How many bets can you make in roulette?

You can place more than 20 different bets in roulette.

What are special bets in roulette?

Special bets are non-traditional bets in roulette. They include:

  • The Finale – Bet on numbers that end with the same digit
  • Les Orphelins – Allows you to bet on Orphans (1-20-14-31-9 & 17-34-6)
  • The Voisins – Allows you to wager on adjacent numbers
  • Le Tiers du Cylindre – Bet on numbers within a 3rd of the roulette wheel.
  • Les Voisins du Zéro – It covers zéro neighbours (22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12,35, 3, 26, 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, et 25.

What are call bets in roulette?

Call bets or announced bets are special bets that are announced or verbalised rather than placing your chips on the betting grid.

Can you place multiple bets in roulette?

Yes, you can place multiple bets in roulette.

Can you hedge bets in roulette?

Yes, you can hedge bets in roulette. For instance, you can place straight bets on mostly high numbers (18-19) and then place an even-money bet on low numbers.

Do roulette tables have max bets?

Yes, roulette tables have max bets, which usually depend on the type of bet. Outside bets have higher max bets than inside bets. In most casinos, the max roulette bet is typically 1000x the minimum bet.

What are neighbour bets in roulette?

Neighbour bets in roulette allow you to cover a particular number plus two numbers on either side. This makes it a five-number bet.

What are the safest bets in roulette?

Even-money bets are the safest bets in roulette. They include colour bets (red/black), even/odd, and high/low.

What is a corner bet in roulette?

As the name suggests, a corner bet (aka square bet) involves four numbers that form a square on the betting grid. For example, 12, 13, 16, and 17 form a corner bet.

Can you bet on zero in roulette?

Yes, it is a single-number bet ( or straight-up bet) and you'll get a 35:1 payout if the ball lands on zero.

What does double zero pay in roulette?

Double zero pays out 35:1, the same as any single zero or any other number in American roulette.

How much can you bet on roulette?

The minimum bet on roulette varies from as low as 0.10 NZD up to an astonishing 100,000!

What are the best numbers to bet on roulette?

Any number is good since they all have exactly the same chance of winning.

What does green pay in roulette?

35:1, the same as any red or black number.

What does one number in roulette pay?

The payout for a single number is the same for all roulette versions: 35 to 1. Zero and double zero have the same payout.

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