Curious about how to make certain bets at the roulette table? Inside bets concentrate your stake on specific numbers or tight groups of numbers, and they offer higher payouts than broader wagers.
If you’ve played a few spins or are just starting out, learning inside bets gives you a clearer picture of the options and outcomes available on the table. This guide explains each bet type, the odds you can expect, and the typical payouts so you can make informed choices.
Ready to explore the inside bets? Read on for a clear, practical look at how they work and what they pay.
What Are Inside Bets In Roulette?
Inside bets are wagers placed on the main numbered grid in the centre of the roulette layout. They target single numbers or small clusters—two, three, four, or six adjacent squares—so they cover fewer outcomes than the bets around the outer edges.
Because inside bets focus on narrower selections, they pay more when they win. That greater reward comes with lower probability compared with larger, edge-of-table wagers. In this section and the ones that follow you will find concrete examples of each bet type and how they differ in risk and reward.
Please be aware of your limits and manage stakes carefully while playing.
Types Of Inside Bets On The Roulette Table
There are five principal inside bets. Each covers a distinct arrangement on the grid and carries its own payout and probability. Understanding their layout and scope helps you choose the style of play you prefer, whether that is aiming for a bigger payout on a single number or covering a handful of possibilities at once.
Straight Up Bet
A straight up bet places a chip on a single number. It covers only that one square on the table layout.
This is the narrowest form of coverage and offers the highest standard payout for an inside bet. On most wheels the payout is 35 to 1, although the chance of winning is correspondingly smaller.
Split Bet
A split bet covers two adjacent numbers. The chip sits on the line separating the two numbers to indicate the wager.
It gives twice the coverage of a straight up bet while lowering the payout, which is typically 17 to 1. Players use splits when they want a better chance than a single number but still want a sizeable return.
Street Bet
A street bet covers three consecutive numbers in a horizontal row. The chip is placed at the end of the row, touching the outer line.
This covers three numbers and usually pays 11 to 1. It is a common choice for players seeking a balance between coverage and reward.
Corner Bet
A corner bet covers four numbers that meet at a single intersection. Placing the chip on that corner covers all four squares.
The payout for a corner bet is usually 8 to 1. It provides broader coverage than a street while keeping the bet compact and easy to place.
Six Line Bet
A six line bet covers two adjacent rows of three numbers, so six numbers in total. The chip is positioned on the shared edge at the end of the two rows.
Also called a double street, this bet typically pays 5 to 1. It is the widest of the standard inside bets and is used when players want to cover a substantial portion of the inside layout.
These explanations show how the layout determines coverage. Next we compare inside bets with the outer-table options so you can see the contrast in scope and risk.
How Do Inside Bets Differ From Outside Bets?
Inside and outside bets are distinguished by where you place chips and how many outcomes each wager covers. Inside bets sit on the central grid and focus on specific numbers or tight clusters. Outside bets occupy the table’s perimeter and span broader categories such as colours, odd or even, dozens, and columns.
Because outside bets cover more numbers, they win more often but return smaller payouts per win. Inside bets win less frequently but offer larger returns when they do. Both are governed by the same table rules and the configuration of zeros on the wheel. Knowing this helps you balance bet size and desired payout when deciding how to play.
A clear sense of that trade-off will also help when you look at the actual odds for each inside bet below.
What Are The Odds Of Roulette Inside Bets?
Odds for inside bets depend on how many of the wheel’s pockets your bet covers. On a standard European wheel with a single zero there are 37 pockets in total, and each bet’s probability is the number of covered pockets divided by 37.
- Straight up (1 number): probability 1/37 ≈ 2.70%
- Split (2 numbers): probability 2/37 ≈ 5.41%
- Street (3 numbers): probability 3/37 ≈ 8.11%
- Corner (4 numbers): probability 4/37 ≈ 10.81%
- Six line (6 numbers): probability 6/37 ≈ 16.22%
The house edge on standard European roulette is 2.70%. That represents the mathematical advantage the game holds over time. These figures describe the mathematical expectation; they do not predict individual outcomes.
Understanding probabilities makes it easier to choose bets that fit your preferred balance of risk and potential reward.
Roulette Inside Bets Payouts: What Can You Win?
Payouts for inside bets are typically fixed and correlate with how many numbers the wager covers. The fewer numbers included, the higher the payout ratio when the bet succeeds. The standard payouts on a European wheel are:
- Straight up: 35 to 1
- Split: 17 to 1
- Street: 11 to 1
- Corner: 8 to 1
- Six line: 5 to 1
For example, a winning £1 straight up bet returns £35 in winnings plus your original £1 stake. Payouts remain consistent across most roulette variants, though the underlying probability can change depending on the wheel type.
With that in mind, the next section outlines how different wheel variants alter those probabilities.
Which Roulette Variants Impact Inside Bets?
The main variants to note are European and American roulette. European wheels use a single zero and have 37 pockets, while American wheels add a double zero, bringing the total to 38 pockets. That extra pocket reduces the probability of winning each inside bet, even though the payout ratios usually stay the same.
French roulette mirrors the European layout but sometimes includes rules that affect how certain bets are settled. Those special rules typically concern even-money wagers rather than the inside bets detailed here, but it remains useful to check the table rules before playing.
Knowing the variant you are facing lets you interpret the odds and payouts correctly and make informed choices about where to place your chips.
Common Misconceptions About Roulette Inside Bets
Several myths circulate about inside bets. One is that specific patterns or betting sequences can change the fundamental odds of the wheel. In fact, the probabilities stay constant for every spin, so systems that promise guaranteed wins misunderstand how the game operates.
Another myth is that past results influence upcoming spins. Each spin is an independent event relative to the wheel’s configuration and the ball’s landing pockets. Finally, it helps to remember that every bet type—inside or outside—carries a fixed mathematical edge. Awareness of that edge helps set realistic expectations about long-term play.
If you keep these points in mind, you can approach inside bets with clearer judgment and less misconception.
Glossary Of Inside Bet Terms
This glossary gives quick, plain definitions of the terms used for inside bets so you can recognise them at the table.
Straight Up
A bet placed directly on a single number on the layout, including zero.
Split
A bet covering two numbers that share a common border. The chip rests on the line between them.
Street
A bet covering three consecutive numbers in a horizontal row. The chip sits at the row’s outer edge.
Corner
A bet placed on the intersection where four numbers meet, covering all four.
Six Line
A bet covering two adjacent rows, which totals six numbers. The chip is placed on the edge where the rows join.
These definitions should help you visualise each wager and decide which suits your play style. Remember to set limits and manage your bankroll as you explore different bets.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.