Inside Bets: Higher Risk, Bigger Returns
Inside bets cover the individual numbers and small combinations on the roulette layout. They carry the lowest probability of hitting but deliver the largest payouts, which is why experienced players in Ontario and Alberta treat them as calculated risks rather than go-to wagers. Understanding the exact odds behind each one removes a lot of the guesswork at the table. Read more about this at visa casinos.
A straight-up bet on a single number pays 35 to 1. That sounds generous until you calculate the house edge: on a European wheel with 37 pockets, your true odds are 36 to 1. The gap is where the casino makes its money. Split bets cover two adjacent numbers at 17 to 1, street bets cover a row of three at 11 to 1, and corner bets on a block of four pay 8 to 1. A six-line bet, covering two adjacent rows, pays 5 to 1.
There are also call bets unique to French and European roulette. The basket covers 0, 1, 2, and 3, while the top line (or five-number bet) adds 00 on American wheels and pays 6 to 1. Most Canadian players should avoid the top line entirely, as it carries a house edge of 7.89 percent compared to 5.26 percent for other American bets.
| Bet Type | Numbers Covered | Payout | Win Probability (European) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Up | 1 | 35:1 | 2.70% |
| Split | 2 | 17:1 | 5.41% |
| Street | 3 | 11:1 | 8.11% |
| Corner | 4 | 8:1 | 10.81% |
| Six Line | 6 | 5:1 | 16.22% |
Outside Bets: Steady Play With Lower Variance
Outside bets sit around the edges of the table and cover larger groups of numbers. They win more frequently but pay far less, which makes them the foundation of most bankroll-friendly strategies. Red or black, odd or even, and high or low (1-18 vs. 19-36) all pay even money and cover 18 of 37 pockets, giving you a 48.65 percent chance of winning on a European wheel.
The dozens and columns bets cover 12 numbers each and pay 2 to 1, with a 32.43 percent win probability. They sit in a middle ground between the safety of even-money bets and the volatility of inside bets. Many players in British Columbia use column or dozen coverage as a bridge, letting them ride streaks without overextending on single numbers.
One critical detail: on European single-zero wheels, the la partage rule returns half your even-money bet when the ball lands on zero. That single rule cuts the house edge on red/black wagers from 2.70 percent to 1.35 percent, making it one of the best odds available in any casino game. Always check whether a table offers it before placing outside bets.
Combining Bets and Managing Expectations
Canadian players can stack multiple bet types on the same spin. Betting on red plus the third dozen covers 30 of 37 pockets and guarantees a win most of the time, though the payouts offset each other in the long run. This is called hedge betting, and while it smooths out variance, it does not change the mathematical edge. The house advantage stays fixed regardless of how you arrange your chips.
The most important habit is knowing which wheel you are playing. European single-zero roulette carries a 2.70 percent house edge. American double-zero wheels push it to 5.26 percent, nearly doubling the casino’s advantage. French wheels with la partage drop it further to 1.35 percent on outside bets. Choose your table as carefully as you choose your wagers, and every bet type on this list becomes more profitable by comparison.