An outside bet is a roulette wager placed in the outer betting areas rather than directly on one or a few numbered pockets. Standard outside bets include red/black, odd/even, low/high, dozens, and columns.
Outside bets cover more numbers and hit more often than most inside bets, but they pay less. They usually carry the same house edge as ordinary inside bets on the same wheel.
Plain Talk
Outside bets are the broad-group wagers in roulette.
- Red covers 18 red numbers.
- Black covers 18 black numbers.
- Odd covers 18 odd numbers.
- Even covers 18 even numbers.
- Low covers 1 through 18.
- High covers 19 through 36.
- A dozen covers 12 numbers.
- A column covers 12 numbers.
The zero pockets are outside those groups. That is where the casino advantage comes from under standard rules.
Main Types of Outside Bets
| Bet | Numbers covered | Standard payout | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red or black | 18 | 1 to 1 | $20 wins $20 |
| Odd or even | 18 | 1 to 1 | $20 wins $20 |
| Low or high | 18 | 1 to 1 | $20 wins $20 |
| Dozen | 12 | 2 to 1 | $20 wins $40 |
| Column | 12 | 2 to 1 | $20 wins $40 |
The return of the original stake is separate from the net payout. A $20 winning red bet normally returns the $20 stake plus $20 profit.
Wheel Type Changes the Price
Outside-bet value depends on the wheel.
| Wheel | Pockets | Standard house edge on red/black, odd/even, high/low, dozens and columns |
|---|---|---|
| Single-zero European | 37 | 2.70% |
| Double-zero American | 38 | 5.26% |
| Triple-zero | 39 | 7.69% |
The standard payout usually stays the same while extra zero pockets increase the losing probability.
For a $20 red bet on a single-zero wheel:
EV = (18/37 × $20) − (19/37 × $20) = −$0.54 approximately
For the same bet on a double-zero wheel:
EV = (18/38 × $20) − (20/38 × $20) = −$1.05 approximately
The bet looks identical on the layout, but the price is not identical.
Outside Does Not Mean Safe
Outside bets usually produce smaller swings than straight-up number bets because they win more frequently. That can make them feel safer.
But “safer” can refer to several different things:
- Higher hit frequency: yes, compared with a single number.
- Smaller payout swings: generally yes.
- Lower house edge: not automatically.
- Guaranteed bankroll protection: no.
A red bet and a straight-up number bet normally share the wheel’s standard house edge. The difference is how wins and losses are distributed.
Single-Zero, Double-Zero, and Triple-Zero Examples
A $10 even-money bet has the following expected loss per spin under standard rules:
| Wheel | Expected loss per $10 spin |
|---|---|
| Single-zero | about $0.27 |
| Double-zero | about $0.53 |
| Triple-zero | about $0.77 |
Over 200 spins at $10 each, total action is $2,000:
- single-zero expected loss: about $54,
- double-zero expected loss: about $105,
- triple-zero expected loss: about $154.
Actual results can be much higher or lower. The example shows how an extra zero becomes meaningful through repetition.
La Partage and En Prison
Some single-zero games apply special treatment to even-money bets when zero appears.
La Partage
The losing even-money stake is divided, and half is returned to the player. Under the common version, this reduces the effective house edge on qualifying bets from about 2.70% to about 1.35%.
En Prison
The stake may remain “imprisoned” for a later spin rather than losing immediately. Exact resolution rules vary, so players must read the posted procedure.
These rules generally apply to red/black, odd/even, and high/low—not automatically to dozens or columns.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission’s current uniform table-game standards illustrate why roulette procedures and authorized rules are jurisdiction-specific. The posted rule at the actual table controls.
Dozens and Columns
Dozens and columns cover 12 numbers and usually pay 2 to 1.
For a single-zero wheel:
EV on a $10 dozen = (12/37 × $20) − (25/37 × $10) ≈ −$0.27
The payout is larger than an even-money bet because the hit probability is lower. The house edge remains about 2.70% under standard rules.
Players sometimes cover two dozens. This creates 24 winning numbers but costs two units.
Example:
- $10 on first dozen,
- $10 on second dozen,
- $20 total exposure.
If either covered dozen wins, one bet wins $20 and the other loses $10, for a net profit of $10. If the third dozen or zero wins, both bets lose, for a $20 loss.
Covering more numbers changes the distribution of results. It does not remove the zero advantage.
Opposite Outside Bets Do Not Create a Profit
Betting red and black together is not a hedge that beats roulette.
If $10 is placed on each:
- red result: red wins $10 and black loses $10, net $0,
- black result: black wins $10 and red loses $10, net $0,
- zero result: both lose, net −$20.
The strategy converts most spins into pushes and leaves the zero as a full loss. It does not create positive expectation.
The same logic applies to odd/even and low/high combinations.
Where Outside Bets Are Placed
On a physical layout, outside bets are placed in labeled boxes surrounding the number grid. Dealers and croupiers must see the exact position before “no more bets.”
Common control issues include:
- chips touching two boxes,
- late placement after the call,
- players reaching into the layout,
- unclear stacks,
- announced bets that were not accepted,
- and disputes over whether a zero rule applies.
Electronic roulette reduces some placement ambiguity because the terminal records the selection and timestamp, but it introduces interface and account-record questions instead.
Announced and Racetrack Bets
Some roulette tables accept announced wheel-section bets such as voisins du zéro, tiers du cylindre, or orphelins. These may be placed through a racetrack display or verbal call.
They are not the same as standard outside bets. They are combinations of multiple underlying wagers, often including splits, streets, and corners. The player should confirm:
- how many units are required,
- which numbers are covered,
- whether the verbal call was booked,
- and the minimum and maximum per component.
From the Casino Side
Outside bets are operationally important because they are easy to understand, popular, and capable of carrying substantial volume.
The casino monitors:
- chip placement and late betting,
- correct wheel type and posted rules,
- payout accuracy,
- player-specific color-chip values,
- maximum limits,
- announced-bet acceptance,
- and unusual wheel or ball behavior.
Approved rules matter. Nevada’s approved games library shows how roulette variants and side features can differ. A player should never assume every roulette table uses the same wheel, zero rule, or optional wager.
Common Misunderstandings
“Outside bets are better because they win almost half the time.”
Higher hit frequency does not guarantee better value. The zeros create the house edge.
“A double-zero wheel is only slightly worse.”
The standard edge on common outside bets is nearly twice the single-zero edge: 5.26% versus 2.70%.
“Dozens are safer than red or black.”
Dozens hit less often and pay more. Under standard rules, the house edge is generally the same.
“If I cover most of the layout, I cannot lose much.”
Covering more numbers raises the amount at risk. An uncovered result or zero can create a larger round loss.
“A streak makes the opposite outside bet due.”
No. On a fair independent wheel, the next-spin probabilities remain based on the pocket count.
Hard Truth
Outside bets smooth the ride. They do not remove the slope.
Related Terms
- Inside Bet — a wager on one or a small group of numbers.
- Even Money Bet — a 1-to-1 outside wager.
- Red/Black Bet — the most familiar even-money roulette bet.
- Dozen Bet — a 12-number outside wager.
- Column Bet — a 12-number vertical group.
- La Partage — half-loss treatment on qualifying zero results.
- En Prison — a rule that may carry an even-money wager forward after zero.
Practical Checklist
- Prefer single-zero over double- or triple-zero when all else is equal.
- Check whether La Partage or En Prison applies.
- Count the full amount across multiple outside bets.
- Do not interpret hit frequency as proof of lower edge.
- Confirm chip placement before “no more bets.”
- Ask how verbal or racetrack bets are booked.
- Set a spin limit as well as a cash limit because fast repetition creates large total action.
FAQ
What is an outside bet in roulette?
It is a broad-group wager such as red/black, odd/even, high/low, dozens, or columns.
Are outside bets safer than inside bets?
They usually hit more often and produce smaller payout swings, but they do not automatically have a lower house edge.
Does zero beat outside bets?
Under standard rules, yes. Special rules such as La Partage or En Prison may reduce the loss on qualifying even-money bets.
Which outside bet is best?
Under ordinary payouts, the wheel type and special zero rules matter more than choosing red instead of odd or a dozen.
Can I bet two opposite outside bets to avoid losing?
Most non-zero results may net to zero, but zero can make both bets lose. The combination remains negative expectation.
Deeper Insight
Outside bets reveal the difference between probability, payout, and volatility.
| Bet | Single-zero win probability | Net payout | Standard house edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red/black | 18/37 | 1 to 1 | 2.70% |
| Odd/even | 18/37 | 1 to 1 | 2.70% |
| High/low | 18/37 | 1 to 1 | 2.70% |
| Dozen | 12/37 | 2 to 1 | 2.70% |
| Column | 12/37 | 2 to 1 | 2.70% |
The payouts adjust for the different hit rates, while zero preserves the casino advantage.
Expected Loss = Total Outside-Bet Action × Applicable House Edge
A $20 wager repeated 250 times creates $5,000 in action. At 2.70%, expected loss is about $135. At 5.26%, it is about $263. The wider coverage makes individual results feel smoother, but wheel selection and total action determine the long-run price.
Related Reading
Continue with Inside Bet, Even Money Bet, Red/Black Bet, High/Low Bet, Dozen Bet, Column Bet, La Partage, En Prison, and the Roulette Bet Comparison Tool.