Line Bets in Roulette

Here's what a line bet gets you. Six numbers spread across two rows, and if the ball lands on any of them, you walk away with 5 to 1 on your money. It's one of those rare inside bets that doesn't make you choose between good odds and a good payout. You get decent coverage and the bet still pays well enough to make it interesting.

You'll learn how to place the bet, what the real odds look like on different wheels, and a few ways players use line bets when they sit down to play.

What is a line bet in roulette?

A line bet covers six numbers at once. You're betting on two rows sitting side by side on the table. You place one chip on the outer edge where two horizontal "streets" meet, and if the ball lands on any of those six numbers, you win at 5 to 1 odds. Your chip goes right on the number grid, not out on the edges with the red/black bets. That makes it an inside bet.

Line bets work because they split the difference between playing it safe and going for broke. You're covering more numbers than a street bet or corner bet, which means you'll hit more often. But you're still on the inside grid, so you're getting paid more than you would on something basic like red or black.

Here's what defines a line bet at a glance:

• Coverage: Six numbers across two horizontal rows
• Chip placement: The outer corner where two street lines meet
• ‍Bet type: Inside bet with moderate volatility

Line bet vs six line bet vs double street

You'll see three different names for this wager depending on where you play or which guide you're reading. "Line bet" is the term you'll hear most often in European casinos. "Six line bet" puts the emphasis on how many numbers you're covering. "Double street bet" describes the mechanics, since you're essentially betting on two streets at once.

All three terms refer to the exact same bet. Everything about the bet stays the same. Doesn't matter what name your casino uses.

How to place a line bet on the roulette table

The spot looks tricky at first, but once someone shows you, it's pretty obvious where the chip goes. Look at the roulette layout and identify two adjacent rows of three numbers each. Put your chip on the outer corner where the two rows meet. It's that spot on the edge where both streets come together.

Say you want to cover numbers 1 through 6. You'd place your chip on the corner where the 1-2-3 row meets the 4-5-6 row, at the very edge of the table. The chip sits between both streets. Dealer sees it and knows you want all six numbers.

Here are the valid line bet positions on a standard layout:

• 1-2-3-4-5-6
• 7-8-9-10-11-12
• 13-14-15-16-17-18
• 19-20-21-22-23-24
• 25-26-27-28-29-30
• 31-32-33-34-35-36

Any two consecutive streets work. Numbers run in order, so once you know the layout, you can't really mess it up.

Line bet payout and odds

What a line bet pays

A winning line bet pays 5 to 1. Put down $10, hit one of your six numbers, and you get $50 in profit plus your $10 back. That's $60 in your pocket.

The payout reflects the coverage. You're betting on six numbers out of 37 or 38 total pockets, so the return is lower than riskier inside bets that cover fewer numbers. A straight-up bet on a single number pays 35 to 1, but you'll hit it far less often.

Winning probability on line bets

European wheels have 37 pockets total (numbers 1-36 plus a zero). Your six numbers work out to about a 16.2% shot each spin. That's just six ways to win out of 37 spots the ball can land.

American roulette adds a double zero pocket, bringing the total to 38. Your chances slip to about 15.8% because there's one more pocket for the ball to land where you lose. The payout stays the same either way.

House edge for European and American roulette

House edge is just the math that keeps casinos in business. It's their edge over you in the long run. Which wheel you play on makes all the difference for line bets.

European roulette offers nearly half the house edge of American roulette. Both wheels pay 5 to 1, but over time, you lose less money on the single-zero wheel. The math just works better. Smart players pick European tables whenever they can. No reason to give the casino an extra edge if you don't have to.

Best line bet strategies

No betting pattern changes the house edge or guarantees profits. A good strategy helps you organize your bets, keep your money in check, and play in a way that fits how much risk you can stomach.

1. Double street quad strategy

You're throwing down two line bets and adding a corner bet on top. You place chips on two different six-number combinations (covering 12 numbers) and add a corner bet on four numbers. That gives you 16 numbers covered on a single spin.

Pretty simple trade here. You cover more numbers, but each win pays less compared to what you put down overall. You're grinding for steady wins, not trying to hit it big on one spin.

2. Triple six line strategy

Place three separate line bets on different sections of the table. You now cover 18 numbers, which is exactly half the inside numbers on the layout.

You'll hit more often, which keeps you playing longer. But each win pays less compared to everything you've got on the table. This works if you'd rather have constant action than wait around for big, unpredictable payouts.

3. Coverage combination strategy

Mix line bets with outside bets like red/black or columns. Say you bet a line on numbers 1-6 and throw some money on black at the same time. A few of your line bet numbers will also be black, so you've got some overlap working for you.

It keeps things from swinging too wild in either direction. Your wins won't be huge, but you're not going to bleed chips as fast either. Keeps you at the table longer without risking everything on one result.

Tip: Flat betting with a consistent unit size per spin helps manage variance. Decide on a fixed amount before you start, and avoid chasing losses by increasing your stakes after losing spins.

Line bets compared to other inside bets

Line bets sit in the middle of the inside bet spectrum. You get more numbers covered than most other inside bets, but the payout drops to make up for it. Here's how they compare:

Line bet vs street bet

A street bet covers one row of three numbers and pays 11 to 1. A line bet doubles that coverage to six numbers but cuts the payout to 5 to 1.

Street bets pay better when they connect, but you're going to miss more often. Worth it if you can handle the dry spells. You'd rather hit more frequently? Line bets are your move. Smaller payouts, but you see wins more regularly.

Line bet vs corner bet

Corner bets cover four numbers arranged in a square on the layout and pay 8 to 1. Line bets cover six numbers in two rows and pay 5 to 1.

Corner bets land somewhere in the middle. Riskier than a line bet, safer than a street bet. Bit more up and down than line bets, but the payout's worth it when you hit.

Line bet vs split bet

Split bets cover just two adjacent numbers and pay 17 to 1. Split bets are pretty risky. You won't hit often, but when you do, the payout's way bigger.

Line bets trade that big payout for something more reliable. You'll win more often, but each win returns less. You gotta decide: do you want small wins happening all the time, or are you willing to wait for the big scores?

Is a line bet a good roulette bet

Line bets hit a sweet spot if you want to play inside numbers without the crazy ups and downs. You're not going for that huge 35 to 1 score on a single number. But you're also not stuck with the boring outside bets that barely pay.

The math is honest: the house edge remains the same regardless of which bet type you choose on a given wheel. What shifts is how your session actually feels when you're playing. You'll play longer because wins come more often. A lot of people prefer that over sitting around hoping for one massive payout.

• Pros: Covers six numbers per chip, moderate 5 to 1 payout, lower volatility than most inside bets, extends playing time
• Cons: Lower payout than street, corner, or split bets; house edge still applies over time; not ideal for players seeking big single-spin wins

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Whether you prefer European or American physical wheels, or live dealer tables, line bets work the same way online as they do at physical tables. Big difference? Everything moves faster. No one's fumbling with chips, the table's never crowded, and you get paid instantly.Whether you prefer European or American wheels, live dealer tablesor RNG games, line bets work the same way online as they do at physical tables. Big difference? Everything moves faster. No one's fumbling with chips, the table's never crowded, and you get paid instantly.