Roulette Strategy: Inside & Outside Bets Explained

Roulette is one of the most iconic casino games, featuring a spinning wheel with numbered pockets and a ball that determines the winning number. The game offers a wide variety of betting options, from simple red/black bets to complex number combinations, making it accessible for beginners while offering depth for experienced players.

The three main variants of roulette differ in house edge and wheel layout:

• European Roulette: 37 pockets (0-36), single zero, 2.7% house edge - the best odds for players
• American Roulette: 38 pockets (0-36 plus 00), double zero, 5.26% house edge - avoid if possible
• French Roulette: Same as European but with La Partage/En Prison rules, reducing edge to 1.35% on even bets

Inside bets are placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers:

• Straight Up: Bet on a single number (35:1 payout)
• Split: Bet on two adjacent numbers (17:1 payout)
• Street: Bet on three numbers in a row (11:1 payout)
• Corner: Bet on four numbers that meet at a corner (8:1 payout)
• Six Line: Bet on two adjacent rows of three numbers (5:1 payout)

Outside bets cover larger groups of numbers with better odds but lower payouts:

• Red/Black: Bet on the color of the winning number (1:1 payout)
• Odd/Even: Bet on whether the number is odd or even (1:1 payout)
• High/Low: Bet on 1-18 (low) or 19-36 (high) (1:1 payout)
• Dozens: Bet on 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36 (2:1 payout)
• Columns: Bet on one of the three vertical columns (2:1 payout)

While no strategy can overcome the house edge, some systems help manage your bankroll: Martingale: Double your bet after each loss, return to base bet after a win. Risky but can work short-term. D'Alembert: Increase bet by one unit after a loss, decrease by one after a win. More conservative than Martingale. Fibonacci: Follow the Fibonacci sequence for bet sizing. Moderate risk with potential for recovery. Remember: All roulette strategies are about bankroll management, not beating the house edge. Set limits and play responsibly.