Best Roulette Bets

Roulette is one of the most iconic and enduring casino games, attracting players with its blend of chance, strategy, and excitement. Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned gambler, understanding the best roulette bets can help you make more informed decisions and improve your overall experience. This guide from trafficmap.co.uk explores the most effective roulette bets, their odds, and the strategies behind them, providing practical advice for anyone looking to get the most out of their roulette sessions. For those interested in exploring different platforms, including no GamStop casinos, it’s important to know how various roulette bets work and which might suit your playing style.

Understanding Roulette Bets: Inside vs. Outside

Before diving into the best bets, it’s crucial to differentiate between the two main categories of roulette bets: inside and outside bets. Each offers distinct odds, payouts, and levels of risk.

Inside bets are wagers placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers within the numbered grid on the roulette table. These bets generally offer higher payouts but have lower odds of winning.

Outside bets, on the other hand, are placed on broader categories such as red or black, odd or even, or groups of numbers. These bets provide better odds of winning but offer lower payouts.

Choosing between inside and outside bets depends on your risk tolerance, playing style, and goals for your roulette session.

Best Outside Bets for Consistent Play

For many players, outside bets are considered the best roulette bets due to their relatively high probability of winning. While the payouts are smaller, these bets can help you maintain your bankroll and enjoy a longer gaming session.

Even Money Bets

Even money bets cover nearly half of the possible outcomes on the wheel. They include:

• Red or Black: Betting on the ball landing on a red or black number.
• Odd or Even: Betting on whether the winning number will be odd or even.
• High or Low: Betting on whether the winning number will be in the lower half (1-18) or upper half (19-36) of the table.

These bets pay 1:1, meaning you double your stake if you win. On a European roulette wheel (with a single zero), the odds of winning an even money bet are 48.6%. On American roulette (with both a single and double zero), the odds drop slightly due to the extra green pocket.

Column and Dozen Bets

Column and dozen bets cover 12 numbers each, offering a 2:1 payout. You can bet on:

• Columns: One of the three vertical columns of numbers on the table.
• Dozens: The first (1-12), second (13-24), or third (25-36) set of 12 numbers.

The odds of winning a column or dozen bet are about 32.4% on a European wheel. These bets strike a balance between risk and reward, making them a popular choice for players seeking moderate returns.

Best Inside Bets for Bigger Wins

Inside bets are riskier but offer higher payouts. While these bets win less frequently, they can provide significant returns if you’re lucky or have a strong hunch.

Straight Up Bet

A straight up bet is a wager on a single number. If the ball lands on your chosen number, you win 35:1-one of the highest payouts in roulette. The odds of winning a straight up bet are 2.7% on a European wheel and 2.63% on an American wheel.

Split Bet

A split bet covers two adjacent numbers by placing your chip on the line between them. This bet pays 17:1 and offers slightly better odds than a straight up bet, as you’re covering two possible outcomes.

Street, Corner, and Six Line Bets

• Street Bet: Covers three consecutive numbers in a row (e.g. 4-5-6). Pays 11:1.
• Corner Bet: Covers four numbers that meet at a corner (e.g. 10-11-13-14). Pays 8:1.
• Six Line Bet: Covers two adjacent rows, totaling six numbers. Pays 5:1.

These bets offer a compromise between the high risk of straight up bets and the lower risk of outside bets, appealing to players who want a chance at larger wins without betting on just one number.

Comparing European and American Roulette Bets

The type of roulette wheel you play on can significantly impact your chances. European roulette features a single zero, while American roulette includes both a single and double zero. This seemingly small difference increases the house edge in American roulette from 2.7% to 5.26%.

If you’re looking for the best roulette bets from a mathematical perspective, always choose European roulette when possible. The reduced house edge means better long-term odds for every type of bet, from even money bets to straight up wagers.

Special Bets and Advanced Options

Some casinos and online platforms offer additional betting options, known as “call bets” or “French bets,” particularly in European and French roulette. These include:

• Voisins du Zéro: Covers 17 numbers near zero on the wheel.
• Tiers du Cylindre: Covers 12 numbers opposite zero.
• Orphelins: Covers the remaining 8 numbers not included in the other two.

These bets are usually placed using special sections on the betting layout or by announcing your bet to the dealer in a land-based casino. While they add complexity, they can be a fun way to diversify your betting strategy and cover larger sections of the wheel.

House Edge and Return to Player (RTP)

Understanding the house edge is essential when choosing the best roulette bets. The house edge represents the casino’s advantage over the player, and it varies depending on the version of roulette and the specific bet.

• European Roulette: House edge is 2.7% for all standard bets.
• American Roulette: House edge is 5.26% for all standard bets.
• French Roulette: Can offer a lower house edge for even money bets due to rules like “La Partage” or “En Prison.”

The RTP (Return to Player) is the inverse of the house edge. For example, A 2.7% house edge means a 97.3% RTP. Even money bets in French roulette with the “La Partage” rule can offer an RTP as high as 98.65%, making them some of the best bets available.

Popular Roulette Betting Strategies

While no strategy can guarantee consistent wins in a game of chance like roulette, several betting systems are popular among players. These systems are designed to manage your bankroll and structure your bets, rather than influence the outcome.

Martingale System

The Martingale system involves doubling your bet after every loss on even money bets. The idea is that a win will recoup all previous losses plus a profit equal to your initial bet. While this system can work in the short term, it requires a substantial bankroll and can quickly reach table limits.

Fibonacci and D’Alembert Systems

• Fibonacci: Increase bets following the Fibonacci sequence after a loss and move back two steps after a win. This system is less aggressive than Martingale.
• D’Alembert: Increase your bet by one unit after a loss and decrease by one unit after a win. This gradual approach is less risky but also less likely to recover large losses quickly.

While these strategies can help manage your betting, it’s important to remember that roulette is ultimately a game of chance, and past spins do not influence future outcomes.

Tips for Choosing the Best Roulette Bets

Selecting the best roulette bets depends on your goals, risk tolerance, and playing style. Here are some practical tips to guide your decisions:

• Start with outside bets if you want steady, consistent play and lower risk.
• Try inside bets if you’re seeking bigger payouts and don’t mind higher volatility.
• Always check which version of roulette is offered-European or French roulette provide better odds than American roulette.
• Set a budget and stick to it, regardless of the betting strategy you choose.
• Be cautious with betting systems-no system can overcome the house edge in the long run.
• Take advantage of any special rules (like “La Partage”) that reduce the house edge on even money bets.

Roulette Bets to Avoid

While all roulette bets come with a house edge, some are less favorable than others. The “five number bet” (also known as the “basket bet”) is only available in American roulette and covers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3