Definition
A high/low bet is an outside roulette wager on one half of the numbered layout:
- Low: numbers 1 through 18
- High: numbers 19 through 36
The bet pays 1 to 1 when it wins. Zero, double zero, and triple zero are not part of either half, so they cause both High and Low wagers to lose unless a special even-money rule such as La Partage or En Prison applies.
In context
A player places $20 on High. If the ball lands on 27, the player wins $20 and receives the original $20 wager back. If the ball lands on 8, 0, or 00, the $20 wager loses.
Why it matters
High/Low looks like a 50-50 wager because 18 numbers are low and 18 are high. The green zero pockets create the house edge. The payout remains even money even though the probability of winning is below 50%.
Related terms
In detail
The High/Low bet is one of roulette’s three standard even-money categories. The others are:
- Red or Black
- Odd or Even
Each category covers 18 of the numbers from 1 through 36. They differ only in which 18 numbers are selected. The zero pockets remain outside all three categories.
The layout normally shows the High and Low betting areas near the outer edge:
- 1 to 18 for Low
- 19 to 36 for High
A chip placed across the line, on the wrong box, or after the dealer closes betting can create a dispute, so the wager should be positioned clearly before “no more bets.”
Exact coverage
Low covers:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18
High covers:
19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36
Neither wager includes:
- 0 on every standard wheel;
- 00 on a double-zero wheel;
- 000 on a triple-zero wheel.
The wording “high” does not mean the highest payout and “low” does not mean lower risk. Both wagers have the same payout and probability on the same wheel.
Payout
High and Low pay 1:1.
A $25 winning wager produces:
- $25 profit;
- return of the original $25;
- total amount pushed back to the player: $50.
A $25 losing wager is collected.
The payout is the same on single-, double-, and triple-zero roulette. What changes is the probability of landing on one of the 18 covered numbers.
Single-zero roulette math
A European-style single-zero wheel has 37 pockets:
- 18 winning numbers for High or Low;
- 19 losing numbers, including zero.
Probability of winning:
18 ÷ 37 = 48.6486%
Probability of losing:
19 ÷ 37 = 51.3514%
For a $1 wager, the expected value is:
(18 ÷ 37 × $1) + (19 ÷ 37 × -$1)
= -$0.027027
The house edge is approximately:
2.70%
For a $100 wager, the average theoretical loss is:
$100 × 2.70% = $2.70
The actual result of one spin is either a $100 profit or a $100 loss. The $2.70 is the long-run average cost per $100 wagered.
Double-zero roulette math
An American double-zero wheel has 38 pockets:
- 18 winning numbers;
- 20 losing numbers, including 0 and 00.
Probability of winning:
18 ÷ 38 = 47.3684%
Probability of losing:
20 ÷ 38 = 52.6316%
Expected value on a $1 wager:
(18 ÷ 38 × $1) + (20 ÷ 38 × -$1) = -$0.052632
House edge:
5.26%
For a $100 wager, average theoretical loss is:
$100 × 5.26% = $5.26
The extra zero nearly doubles the house edge compared with the standard single-zero version.
Triple-zero roulette math
A triple-zero wheel has 39 pockets:
- 18 winning numbers;
- 21 losing numbers, including 0, 00, and 000.
Probability of winning:
18 ÷ 39 = 46.1538%
Probability of losing:
21 ÷ 39 = 53.8462%
House edge:
7.69%
For a $100 wager, average theoretical loss is:
$100 × 7.69% = $7.69
The bet name and 1:1 payout remain unchanged, but the third zero materially worsens the wager.
Wheel comparison
| Wheel | Winning pockets | Total pockets | Win probability | House edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single zero | 18 | 37 | 48.65% | 2.70% |
| Double zero | 18 | 38 | 47.37% | 5.26% |
| Triple zero | 18 | 39 | 46.15% | 7.69% |
The wheel type matters more than whether the player chooses High or Low.
Use the Roulette Bet Comparison Tool to compare common roulette wagers and wheel formats.
Worked US-dollar session example
A player wagers $20 on High for 100 spins.
Total action:
$20 × 100 = $2,000
Estimated theoretical loss by wheel:
Single-zero wheel
$2,000 × 2.70% = $54.05
Double-zero wheel
$2,000 × 5.26% = $105.26
Triple-zero wheel
$2,000 × 7.69% = $153.85
The player can win or lose far more than these figures in 100 spins. The calculations show the average expected cost of the action, not the exact session result.
Why it is not truly 50-50
High and Low each cover 18 numbered pockets. If the wheel contained only 1 through 36, the bet would be exactly 50-50 and a 1:1 payout would have no house edge.
The zero pockets change the calculation:
- they are neither high nor low;
- both sides lose when zero appears;
- the payout is not increased to compensate;
- the difference becomes the house edge.
The same principle applies to Red/Black and Odd/Even.
La Partage
La Partage is a rule sometimes offered on single-zero roulette. When zero lands on an eligible even-money wager, the player loses only half the bet.
Example:
- Wager: $40 on Low
- Result: 0
- Half returned: $20
- Net loss: $20
Under the common single-zero La Partage structure, the house edge on eligible even-money bets is reduced from approximately 2.70% to approximately 1.35%.
The rule must be confirmed at the table. It is not automatically available on every single-zero wheel and may not apply to every outside wager or electronic format.
En Prison
En Prison is another rule that may apply when zero lands. Instead of immediately losing the full even-money wager, the bet may remain “in prison” for the next spin under the property’s rules.
Possible outcomes can include:
- the next spin releases the original wager without profit;
- the next spin causes the wager to lose;
- a property-specific sequence applies.
Because procedures vary, the player should read the posted rule rather than assuming En Prison works exactly the same at every table.
High/Low versus Red/Black and Odd/Even
On the same wheel and under the same special rules, the three standard even-money categories have the same mathematical edge.
A player may prefer one because of layout visibility or habit, but none is inherently safer:
- High/Low covers numerical halves.
- Red/Black covers colors.
- Odd/Even covers number parity.
Past results do not make one category more favorable on the next independent spin.
High/Low versus dozens and columns
A dozen or column covers 12 numbers and usually pays 2:1. High/Low covers 18 numbers and pays 1:1.
On a standard wheel without special rules, these bets generally share the same basic house edge because the payout is structured around the number of covered pockets and the zero pockets.
The difference is variance:
- High/Low wins more often but pays less.
- Dozen/column wins less often but pays more.
Neither changes the wheel’s underlying zero disadvantage.
High/Low versus inside bets
An Inside Bet covers one or a small group of individual numbers. It wins less often and pays more.
Examples:
- straight-up number: one number, usually 35:1;
- split: two numbers, usually 17:1;
- street: three numbers, usually 11:1;
- corner: four numbers, usually 8:1;
- six line: six numbers, usually 5:1.
High/Low produces smaller swings per winning event than a straight-up wager, but the same wheel can impose the same house edge on both.
Lower volatility does not mean positive expectation.
Streaks and pattern stories
Players commonly interpret sequences such as:
- Low, Low, Low, Low;
- High alternating with Low;
- several zeros appearing close together;
- a long run without High;
- a cluster of numbers near 18 and 19.
Two opposite stories can be built from the same sequence:
- “Low is hot, so follow it.”
- “High is due, so bet the reversal.”
On a fair independent spin, neither story changes the pocket distribution. Recent results remain useful for recordkeeping and entertainment, not prediction.
Read Hot Streak and Gambler’s Fallacy for the psychology behind these interpretations.
Betting progressions
A progression changes the stake after wins or losses. It does not change which pockets High or Low covers.
Example Martingale-style sequence:
- $10 loss
- $20 loss
- $40 loss
- $80 loss
- $160 loss
Total lost before the next wager:
$10 + $20 + $40 + $80 + $160 = $310
The next required wager would be $320 to pursue a $10 cycle profit. Table limits, bankroll limits, and continued losing outcomes can stop the sequence.
The zero pockets remain present at every stage.
Opposite bets do not create profit
Betting equal amounts on High and Low at the same time does not create a guaranteed break-even position.
Example:
- $20 on High
- $20 on Low
- Total wager: $40
If a number from 1 through 36 lands, one bet wins $20 and the other loses $20. Net result is $0 before any special rule or commission.
If zero lands, both bets lose. Net result is -$40 on a standard table.
This arrangement converts most spins into no change while preserving the zero loss. It does not remove the house edge.
Table procedure
A live roulette sequence commonly includes:
- dealer announces betting is open;
- players place wagers;
- wheel and ball are put into motion under procedure;
- dealer announces “no more bets”;
- late wagers are refused or removed;
- ball settles in a pocket;
- winning number is marked;
- losing wagers are collected;
- winning wagers are paid;
- marker is cleared and the next betting round begins.
The High and Low boxes are usually self-service outside betting areas. The player is responsible for placing the chip clearly in the intended box.
Common disputes
High/Low disputes can involve:
- chip placed on the dividing line;
- wager placed after “no more bets”;
- player believes zero belongs to Low;
- payout mistaken for total return;
- unclear ownership of a shared-color chip;
- electronic wager not confirmed before cutoff;
- La Partage or En Prison assumed but not offered;
- High confused with the top physical section of the layout;
- player asks to change the bet after the ball result is apparent.
The dealer and supervisor should preserve the layout, confirm the announced result, review camera or electronic records where necessary, and apply the posted rule consistently.
Electronic roulette
Electronic roulette can use:
- a physical wheel with electronic terminals;
- an automated physical wheel;
- a random-number-generator presentation;
- multiple linked betting stations;
- rapid or concurrent game cycles.
The terminal should display:
- wheel type;
- available pockets;
- payout;
- betting cutoff;
- stake accepted;
- special even-money rules if any;
- final result and account change.
Fast electronic play can create much more total action per hour than a live table.
Worked pace example
Player A bets $5 on Low for 40 live spins per hour.
Hourly action:
$5 × 40 = $200
On double-zero roulette, theoretical loss:
$200 × 5.26% = $10.53
Player B makes the same $5 wager for 180 rapid electronic spins per hour.
Hourly action:
$5 × 180 = $900
Theoretical loss:
$900 × 5.26% = $47.37
The bet and wheel edge are identical. Speed increases the expected hourly cost.
Bankroll and session planning
High/Low has a relatively high hit rate compared with inside wagers, but losing runs still occur.
A player using $25 units can lose:
- four consecutive spins: $100;
- eight consecutive spins: $200;
- twelve consecutive spins: $300.
The possibility of a long run should not be answered automatically by increasing the stake. Decide before play:
- normal unit;
- maximum unit;
- total loss limit;
- time limit;
- wheel type accepted;
- whether special rules matter;
- whether electronic speed is acceptable.
From the casino side
Casino controls include:
- correct wheel and layout configuration;
- clear 1–18 and 19–36 markings;
- accurate table signage;
- approved chip values and color ownership;
- visible “no more bets” procedure;
- correct collection and payout order;
- documented La Partage or En Prison handling;
- wheel integrity and maintenance;
- electronic-terminal reconciliation;
- dispute review and surveillance coverage.
The house edge should come from the approved game design, not from unclear rules or inconsistent settlement.
Common misconceptions
“High wins more because there are larger numbers”
False. High and Low each cover 18 numbers.
“Zero is a low number”
Not for this wager. Zero is outside both ranges.
“After many Low results, High must be due”
No. Past independent spins do not create a balancing obligation on the next spin.
“A 1:1 payout means a fair 50-50 bet”
No. The payout is even money, but the zero pockets reduce the probability below 50%.
“Betting both sides protects the bankroll”
It neutralizes numbered results but leaves the zero outcome as a loss on both wagers.
Bottom line
High/Low is an even-money outside roulette wager covering 1–18 or 19–36. It wins frequently relative to inside bets, but zero, double zero, and triple zero create the house edge. Choose the wheel before choosing High or Low: the number of zero pockets and any La Partage or En Prison rule matter far more than recent patterns.