Split Bet
A bet placed on two adjacent numbers by placing chips on the line between them.
By the numbers
| European | American | |
|---|---|---|
| Pockets covered | 2 / 37 | 2 / 38 |
| Payout | 17:1 | 17:1 |
| Chance to win a spin | 1 in 18.5 (5.41%) | 1 in 19 (5.26%) |
| House edge | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Expected loss per 100 spins at $10 | $27.03 | $52.63 |
| Median spins to first hit | 13 | 13 |
| Longest miss streak in 100 spins (typical / 1-in-100) | 37 / 91 | 38 / 92 |
Split covers 17, 20. A split bet hits at least once in 10 spins 42.6% of the time, in 50 spins 93.8%, in 100 spins 99.6% (European). On an American wheel: 41.8%, 93.3%, and 99.6%.
Flat betting Split Bet from $500
- European: after 1000 spins at $10 on split, 74.7% of 5,000 bankrolls had busted and the median bankroll was $0.
- American: split for 1000 spins left 79.5% of bankrolls busted with a median bankroll of $0.
Learn How This Bet Fits the Table
Split Bet - Quick Odds Calculator
| Payout | 17:1 |
| Numbers Covered | 2 |
| House Edge (European) | 2.7% |
| House Edge (American) | 5.26% |
Example: A $10 split bet bet wins $170 profit on European roulette 5.4% of the time.
How the Split Bet Works
A split covers two numbers that share a border on the layout. The pair can sit side by side in a row, like 1 and 2, or one above the other in a column, like 1 and 4.
Place the chip on the line between the two numbers. The dealer reads it as a split only when it sits on that shared line.
Either number wins the bet at 17 to 1. Every other result loses the chip.
When this bet makes sense
A split sits one step below a straight-up bet in risk. It fits a player who still wants a large payout but wants to lose a little less often than with a single number. For the same stake, splits cover twice as many numbers as straight-up chips, at a lower payout per hit. Players who favor a small group of neighboring numbers often cover it with a few splits. Wins still come with long gaps between them, so keep each chip small relative to the bankroll.
Mistakes to avoid
- Setting the chip slightly off the line, so the dealer reads it as a straight-up bet on one of the two numbers.
- Assuming 3 and 4 form a split because they are consecutive, when they sit in different rows and share no line.
- Choosing splits on numbers that hit recently, as though the wheel remembers past spins.