Roulette Outside Bets Guide
In roulette, the aim of the game is to correctly pick where you think the game’s ball will land after the dealer spins the roulette wheel. There are up to 37 numbers (depending on the type of game you play), and there’s a grid where you can place chips and bets. The numbers on this grid are [inside bets](, while roulette outside bets are those underneath.
But what are outside bets in roulette in practice? What are roulette outside bets payouts, and are there any strategies you can use to work them to your advantage?
Let’s get roulette outside bets explained, and explore why they might influence the way that you play moving forward.
Types of outside bets in roulette
There are five main types of outside bets in roulette. These are the red/black, odd/even, high/low, column, and dozen bets. These bets are very broad and tend to be simpler to understand compared to their inside counterparts. They also usually pay more frequently, though there’s no guarantee – and, when they do pay out, their prizes are fairly small.
Both in the real world and in a live casino, you’ll see these bet groups arranged around the outside of the betting grid – hence the name. Let’s break down each of these bet types:
Red/black bets: The classic roulette bet – place a chip on whether you think the roulette ball will land on a red or black space. This carries a 1:1 payout, meaning that you get your money back.
Odd/even bets: Like red/black, this bet type has a 1:1 payout, and you simply decide whether or not an odd or even number will win. In types of roulette games where there are more numbers, the odds of you winning might vary.
High/low bets: The last of the 1:1 payout bets, here you decide whether or not the winning number will fall into the ‘low’ or ‘high’ category. In European roulette, numbers 1-18 are low, and numbers 19-36 are high. 0 isn’t included!
Column bets: You’ll see column bets listed on the right, outside of the numbered grid. It’s here where you can choose one of three groups of 12 that align in a column. You’re betting on any number from that column being the winner. For example, in a typical roulette grid, you’ll see the numbers 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31 and 34 in a column. A winning column bet pays out 2:1.
Dozen bets: Dozen bets are similar to column bets because you’re betting on a number within a group of 12. This time, however, you’re looking at the top outside of the grid. This means that you can choose either the first 12, second 12 or third 12, based on how the grid is divided. If you bet within the second 12, for example, you would win if the number 17, 22 or 24 came up. Like column bets, payouts for these wagers are 2:1.
How to place outside bets in roulette
Now that you know about the outside bets roulette games have to offer, let’s look at how you can actually place these wagers in practice via real table games.
Remember, the way that specific games operate will vary, so be sure to read any rules you come across. Otherwise, here’s a general order of play you can expect:
Set how much you would like to bet per chip. All roulette tables have limits, so take notice of the minimum and maximum bet amounts set by your dealer, or by the game in question. Place your chips or bets on the outside bets you would like to try. These are all labelled around the outside of the main grid. For example, if you want to bet on red or black to win, you would place chips on either of the red or black diamonds just below the main numbered grid. Wait for the dealer to declare that all bets are closed. Now, the dealer will spin the roulette wheel and wait for the ball to land in a numbered pocket. The dealer will now declare the winning number, which you’ll also be able to see. If you win online, your bankroll will receive immediate credit, and if you win offline, the dealer will pass more chips over to you. Lose offline, and the dealer will collect all chips on the table. Regardless of whether you win or lose, you’ll have the choice to play again if you wish. However, always keep a close eye on your bankroll and play time, and never chase wins or losses.
Roulette outside bets strategy
Given that there is always a house edge in roulette (where the casino takes a profit cut from all bets placed), and that the game is completely random, there are sadly no guarantees that you’ll win from outside or inside bets. That said, there are a few strategy points you might want to consider:
Set yourself a budget: Managing your bankroll is vital regardless of the game you play or the bets you place. Although outside bets stand to pay out more frequently than most, you should always play responsibly – start with small wagers, avoid loss chasing, and ask for help if you’re playing online. Be cautious about betting systems: Some popular roulette betting systems such as D’Alembert and Martingale aim to help players monopolise on their losses. However, they frequently require high bankrolls, and again, there are no wins guaranteed. Proceed with caution. Choose European roulette: If you want to avoid higher house edges, choose European roulette over the American variant. The European game only has a single 0, and its edge is typically 2.7% compared to the 5.26% you would expect from American roulette.
Advantages and disadvantages of outside bets
Let’s break down some reasons why outside bets are worth your money, and why they might not be.
Pros:
Roulette outside bets have higher win probabilities than most. The best roulette outside bets are low risk. Outside bets are the safest for people with smaller bankrolls.
**Cons:
Roulette outside bets payouts are smaller than most. There’s still a potential for consistent loss (smaller than with inside bets, but still considerable).
Tips for maximising your wins with outside bets
As mentioned, there are no guarantees in the game of roulette – but here are a few ways that you could maximise outside bets from play to play:
Mix inside and outside bets: By placing bets on inside and outside markets, you could stand to win from a combination of longer and shorter odds. Some players do this because they feel that it helps to make the game more interesting. Take advantage of bonuses and promo codes: LeoVegas bonuses such as our live casino welcome package could help you play for longer. Make sure to read any terms and conditions and ensure that you understand what’s expected of you! Don’t play to make money: Always play roulette responsibly. Even though outside bets are more likely to convert than inside bets, it’s not a safe or sure-fire way to make money, even if it seems like you are winning frequently.
Conclusion: are outside bets right for you?
Roulette outside bets are some of the safest wagers you can place in the game, making them suitable for players with different levels of experience. However, they still carry risks, and if you do win, the prizes they give are some of the lowest in the game.
If you would like to give outside bets in roulette a try, check out some of the live and online casino tables at LeoVegas – and let us know if we can help with your play time and bankroll management.