Third Column Bet
A bet covering the third column of 12 numbers (3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36).
By the numbers
| European | American | |
|---|---|---|
| Pockets covered | 12 / 37 | 12 / 38 |
| Payout | 2:1 | 2:1 |
| Chance to win a spin | 1 in 3.1 (32.43%) | 1 in 3.2 (31.58%) |
| House edge | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Expected loss per 100 spins at $10 | $27.03 | $52.63 |
| Median spins to first hit | 2 | 2 |
| Longest miss streak in 100 spins (typical / 1-in-100) | 9 / 20 | 10 / 20 |
Column 3 covers 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36. A column 3 bet hits at least once in 10 spins 98.0% of the time, in 50 spins 100.0%, in 100 spins 100.0% (European). On an American wheel: 97.8%, 100.0%, and 100.0%.
Flat betting Third Column Bet from $500
- European: after 1000 spins at $10 on column 3, 46.5% of 5,000 bankrolls had busted and the median bankroll was $130.
- American: column 3 for 1000 spins left 66.9% of bankrolls busted with a median bankroll of $0.
Learn How This Bet Fits the Table
Third Column Bet - Quick Odds Calculator
| Payout | 2:1 |
| Numbers Covered | 12 |
| House Edge (European) | 2.7% |
| House Edge (American) | 5.26% |
Example: A $10 third column bet bet wins $20 profit on European roulette 32.4% of the time.
How the Column 3 Bet Works
Column 3 holds 3, 6, 9, and so on up to 36, every multiple of three on the layout. It starts beside zero with 3 and ends with 36, the highest number.
Place the chip in the 2 to 1 box at the end of that row, past 36.
Any number in the column wins at 2 to 1. Zero and 00 lose.
When this bet makes sense
Column 3 is the red column. It holds eight red numbers and four black, the most red of any column. Adding column 3 to a red bet concentrates the position, so wins are larger when they come and losses arrive together. Pairing column 3 with black smooths results instead, since a red number in the column pays the column while black loses. Choose the pairing by how much swing the session and the bankroll can take.
Mistakes to avoid
- Using column 3 to hedge a red bet, when most of its numbers are red and it loses on most of the same spins.
- Setting the chip on 36 itself instead of the box past it, which makes it a straight-up bet on 36.
- Covering all three columns at once, which breaks even on every number and loses three chips on zero.