In the realm of online roulette, luck spins at the edge of a wheel. Whether you’re an experienced player or a newcomer, understanding the various bets can enhance your gameplay, improve your odds, and elevate your online casino experience.
Explore how to place roulette bets with this comprehensive guide.
The Basic Bets in Roulette
Before diving into the different types of bets, it’s essential to grasp some basic roulette terminology. The game features a spinning wheel with numbered pockets and a small ball that the croupier releases onto the wheel. Players place bets on where they think the ball will land once the wheel stops spinning.
There are two main types of roulette: American and European. The primary difference is that American roulette has an additional 00 (double zero) pocket, totaling 38 pockets instead of the 37 in European roulette. This slight variation affects the odds and payouts of the different bets, so it’s important to keep this in mind while playing.
Basic roulette bets fall into two categories: “inside” and “outside” bets, each offering varying odds. Understanding these bets is fundamental to improving your chances in roulette.
Inside Bets Explained
Inside bets refer to wagers placed on specific numbers or combinations of numbers within the numbered grid on the roulette table. These bets have higher payouts but lower odds of winning. Common inside bets include:
Straight Up: Placing a bet on a single number by placing your chip directly on that number.
Split Bet: Betting on two adjacent numbers by placing your chip on the line between them.
Street Bet: Placing a bet on three consecutive numbers by placing your chip at the end of the row.
Corner Bet: Betting on four numbers that form a square by placing your chip at the corner where the four numbers meet.
Five Bet: Unique to American roulette, this bet covers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3 by placing the chip on the line between the 0 and the first row of numbers.
Outside Bets Explained
Outside bets are placed outside the numbered grid on the roulette table. These bets have lower payouts but higher odds of winning. Common outside bets include:
Red/Black: Betting on whether the ball will land on a red or black pocket.
Odd/Even: Placing a bet on whether the number will be odd or even.
High/Low: Betting on whether the number will be in the range of 1-18 or 19-36.
Dozen Bet: Placing a bet on the first, second, or third dozen numbers (1-12, 13-24, and 25-36).
Column Bet: Betting on all numbers within a specific column by placing the chip at the bottom of that column.
Call Bets
Call bets, also known as announced bets, can be either inside or outside bets and are placed with the assistance of a croupier. These bets are common in European roulette games and follow specific patterns and combinations. Some common call bets include:
Voisins du Zero: Covers numbers adjacent to 0 on the wheel.
Tiers du Cylindre: Covers one-third of the wheel, opposite to the Voisins du Zero.
Orphelins: Covers numbers not included in either the Voisins du Zero or Tiers du Cylindre bets.
Final Bet
A final bet is an inside bet where players place chips on all numbers ending in the same digit. For example, a final bet on the number 5 would include 5, 15, 25, and 35. This bet, available in some casinos, has a high payout of 11:1.
Maximum Bet
The maximum bet, or full bet, involves placing all inside bets on a specific number, utilizing the table’s maximum betting limit through a progressive strategy. A token specifying the player’s identity and wager amount indicates each bet. For example, a “17 to the maximum” bet requires 40 units or $40,000 in total and can yield a payout of $392,000.
Imprisonment Bet
An imprisonment bet is unique to European roulette. If an imprisoned bet wins, the player receives only their initial bet back instead of the full payout. This rule lowers the house edge for even money bets, benefiting players.