Roulette reference
Inside vs Outside Bets
Inside bets use the numbered grid. Outside bets use the wider table areas for colors, parity, ranges, dozens, and columns.
Quick answer
Inside bets cover fewer numbers and pay more when they hit. Outside bets cover more numbers and pay less, which usually creates smoother session swings for beginners.
The house edge does not improve just because a bet feels safer. On the same wheel type, standard inside and outside bets carry the same long-run house edge.
Inside bets
Inside bets sit on the number grid or the lines between numbers. They are useful for learning exact placement and higher payout structures.
- Straight Up - covers 1 number, pays 35:1
- Split - covers 2 numbers, pays 17:1
- Street - covers 3 numbers, pays 11:1
- Corner - covers 4 numbers, pays 8:1
- Line - covers 6 numbers, pays 5:1
Outside bets
Outside bets sit around the number grid. They cover larger groups, so they hit more often but pay less.
- Red - covers 18 numbers, pays 1:1
- Black - covers 18 numbers, pays 1:1
- Even - covers 18 numbers, pays 1:1
- Odd - covers 18 numbers, pays 1:1
- High - covers 18 numbers, pays 1:1
- Low - covers 18 numbers, pays 1:1
- 1st Dozen - covers 12 numbers, pays 2:1
- 2nd Dozen - covers 12 numbers, pays 2:1
- 3rd Dozen - covers 12 numbers, pays 2:1
- Column 1 - covers 12 numbers, pays 2:1
- Column 2 - covers 12 numbers, pays 2:1
- Column 3 - covers 12 numbers, pays 2:1
Which should beginners practice first?
Simplest to learn
Red, black, even, odd, high, and low are easiest because they cover 18 numbers and pay even money.
Middle coverage
Dozens and columns cover 12 numbers and pay 2:1. They sit between even-money bets and inside bets.
Highest variance
Straight up, split, street, corner, and line bets miss more often but pay more when they hit.
Related roulette guides
Compare roulette bet payouts, coverage, and win chances.
See why European roulette has a lower long-run cost than American roulette.
Understand where chips go on the roulette betting table.
Estimate session exposure from bankroll, unit size, wheel, bet, and spins.
Practice both bet categories
Use Free Play to compare outside-bet rhythm against higher-payout inside bets.
Play Free Roulette