Outside Bets in Roulette

Outside bets let you cover big chunks of the roulette wheel with one chip. Instead of betting on a specific number, you're placing your chips on the boxes around the edge of the table layout. They're the bets most players start with because they hit more often, even though the payouts are smaller.

We're going to walk through each type of outside bet, what they pay, and how the odds shift depending on which version of roulette you're playing.

What is an outside bet in roulette?

Look at a roulette table, and you'll see two areas. The numbered grid sits in the middle, and around the edges, you've got boxes for betting on colors, ranges, and groups. Those edge boxes? That's where outside bets live. The name's pretty literal. These bets sit outside the main number grid. You've got options here: red or black, odd or even, high or low numbers, plus dozens and columns.

Most people start here because you'll see wins way more often than if you're trying to nail a single number. The trade-off? Smaller payouts. Hit red and you double your money. Hit a single number? That's a 35-to-1 payout. The bigger the payout, the harder it is to hit. Simple as that.

• Outside bets: Wagers on broad outcomes like color or number range
• Location: The boxes surrounding the numbered grid on the table
• ‍Win frequency: Higher than inside bets, but with lower payouts

Where outside bets sit on the roulette table layout

Roulette tables split into two areas. The center shows all the numbers, 0 through 36. American tables toss in a 00 as well. Around that grid, there are bigger betting spaces for covering multiple numbers at once.

The bottom edge has boxes for dozens and all the even-money options like red/black, odd/even, and the two halves of the number range. On the side, three boxes correspond to the three vertical columns. All of these are outside bets.

The layout makes sense once you see it. The names tell you everything. Bets inside the grid are inside bets. Bets around the edges are outside bets.

How many numbers and slots are on a roulette wheel

European wheels have 37 pockets total. That's 1 through 36, plus one green zero. American wheels add another green pocket (the double zero), bringing the total to 38.

Why does this matter for outside bets? Zero and double zero don't count for any outside bet. They're not red, not black, not odd, not even. They're just green losses. When the ball lands on zero, all standard outside bets lose.

• European wheel: 37 pockets (1-36 plus single zero)
• American wheel: 38 pockets (1-36 plus single zero and double zero)

That extra pocket on American wheels changes the math. That extra pocket tilts the odds against you without changing what you win. Every outside bet gets a little worse.

All types of outside bets in roulette

Outside bets split into two types. Even-money bets cover about half the wheel and pay 1-to-1. Dozens and columns cover a third of the numbers and pay 2-to-1.

Red or black

Pick red or black. That's it. The wheel splits evenly: 18 red numbers, 18 black, and those green zeros that screw everything up. If green hits, you lose. This is the most popular bet at the table. Anyone can understand it.

Odd or even

Pick odd or even. Ball lands on your choice, you win. Zero doesn't count as either, so it's a losing outcome here too. Same coverage as red/black: 18 numbers out of 37. Or 38 if you're stuck on an American wheel.

High or low

Low means numbers 1 through 18. High means 19 through 36. Same odds as red/black and odd/even. Some people like this better because you're betting on actual number characteristics instead of just colors.

Dozens

Dozens break the grid into three chunks. First dozen covers 1-12, second dozen hits 13-24, third dozen takes 25-36. One chip covers 12 numbers. Win and you get paid 2-to-1.

Columns

Three columns run down the layout, 12 numbers each. The numbers don't run in order, so glance at the layout before you drop chips down. Like dozens, columns pay 2-to-1.

Outside bet odds and payouts

Payouts match how often you'll actually win. You'll win more often with outside bets, but the payouts are smaller.

Even-money bets double what you put down. Bet $10 on black, win $10 profit. Dozens and columns pay 2-to-1. Drop $10, win $20.

The house edge comes from the zero pockets. European wheels give the house a 2.7% edge on even-money bets. On an American wheel, that jumps to 5.26% because of the extra zero.

Outside bets vs inside bets

Inside bets hit specific numbers or small groups next to each other. A straight-up bet on a single number pays 35-to-1, but it only wins once every 37 spins on average (European wheel).

• Coverage: Outside bets cover 12-18 numbers; inside bets cover 1-6 numbers
• Win frequency: Outside bets hit more often
• Payout size: Inside bets pay significantly more when they land
• Session length: Outside bets typically extend playing time

Neither's better, just different. Inside bets give you big swings and occasional massive hits. Outside bets keep things steady. Plenty of people mix both. They'll put chips on red or black, then toss a few on their lucky numbers.

How roulette variants affect outside bet odds

The version of roulette you play changes the math on every bet. Outside bets feel this difference more than you'd think.

European roulette

One zero pocket. House edge of 2.7% on outside bets. Most crypto roulette tables use this version. If you know what you're doing, you're playing European.

American roulette

Two zero pockets. House edge of 5.26% on outside bets. Payouts don't change, but that extra zero means you're losing more spins. Stick with European wheels unless you've got a reason not to. The math's just better.

French roulette

French roulette takes the European wheel and adds two rules that actually help you. La Partage gives you half your even-money bet back when zero hits. En Prison keeps your bet alive for one more spin instead of taking it right away. With La Partage, the house edge on even-money bets drops to about 1.35%. That's real money over time.

Tip: When playing crypto roulette, look for French tables with La Partage. The difference compounds over hundreds of spins.

How to use outside bets in roulette

No betting system eliminates the house edge. But how you bet changes how long your money lasts and how wild the swings get. Three ways people usually play it:

1. Flat betting

Bet the same amount every single spin. Doesn't matter if you win or lose. It's the simplest way to play, and it keeps you in the game longest. You won't climb out of a hole fast, but you also won't dig deeper.

2. D'Alembert system

Lose, bump your bet up one unit. Win, drop it back down one. The theory says everything evens out eventually. It's less crazy than Martingale. Your bets don't explode as fast when you're losing.

3. Martingale system

Double your bet every time you lose. When you finally hit, you're back to even plus one unit. The problem: a bad streak hits table limits fast, or you run out of money. It works great until you hit a long losing streak. Then it destroys you.

Common outside bet mistakes to avoid

Outside bets seem simple, but people still mess them up. Fix these things and you'll play longer without getting annoyed.

• Chasing losses: Doubling down after a bad run depletes bankroll faster than expected
• Ignoring table limits: Progressive systems fail when you hit the maximum bet
• Assuming patterns: Each spin is independent; previous results don't predict future outcomes
• ‍Defaulting to American roulette: Always check the wheel type before placing bets

What happens to outside bets when the ball lands on zero?

Zero or double zero lands, you lose your outside bets. French tables with La Partage give you half back on even-money bets when zero hits. En Prison keeps your bet alive for one more spin instead of taking it immediately.

Can you place multiple outside bets on the same spin?

Yes. You can bet on red and the first dozen at the same time, for example. Each bet resolves on its own. You could win one and lose the other on the same spin.

Do outside bets pay differently in live dealer roulette vs RNG games?

Payouts stay the same regardless of format. Live dealer games stream real wheels with human croupiers. RNG games use software to generate results. The math is identical.

Are outside bets better for beginners than inside bets?

Outside bets hit more often, so beginners can learn how the table works without losing everything fast. Start here, then mess around with inside bets once you've got the feel for it.