Ever wondered why so many roulette players stick to outside bets? Whether you visit the tables regularly or are trying the game for the first time, outside bets offer a clear, manageable way to play.
They tend to cover larger groups of numbers, which changes the feel of the game compared with betting on single numbers. This guide explains how outside bets work, what types there are, and the odds and payouts you can expect, so you can approach the wheel with confidence.
What Are Outside Bets In Roulette?
Outside bets are wagers placed on the areas surrounding the main numbers grid on the roulette table. Instead of choosing a single number, you predict a broader outcome—such as the colour, whether the result is odd or even, or which range of numbers the ball will land in.
Because these bets cover multiple numbers at once, they produce different patterns of wins and losses from inside bets. That makes them appealing to players who prefer clearer chances and simpler choices on each spin.
If you want to understand how the different outside options compare, the next section breaks them down one by one.
Types Of Outside Bets In Roulette
Outside bets come in a few distinct varieties, each designed around a particular way of grouping the numbers. Some target basic characteristics like colour, while others cover whole sections of the table. Below are the main types and what they represent.
Even Money Bets: Red/Black, Odd/Even, High/Low
These are the simplest outside bets. Each covers almost half the numbered pockets, with the green zero excluded from both sides, and they pay even money when successful.
Even money bets are often chosen by players who prefer a lower-variance option on each spin. They do not change the underlying house edge, but they do offer a straightforward win/lose outcome on every spin.
Red/Black
This bet predicts whether the winning number will be a red or a black number. Players mark their choice on the colour box on the table layout.
The red and black boxes are easy to spot and make this a quick bet to place. Remember that the green zero is neither red nor black, so it causes a loss for both sides.
Odd/Even
With this bet you predict whether the winning number will be odd or even. The table shows distinct boxes for each option.
This is another simple, low-complexity bet suitable for players who want clear-cut odds on every spin. As with other even money bets, a zero results in a losing outcome.
High/Low
Also called 1–18 and 19–36, this bet asks whether the outcome will fall into the lower or upper half of the numbered range.
These two boxes let you cover the lower or upper half of the numbers. They behave the same as the other even money bets in terms of payout and how zero is treated.
Dozens & Columns Explained
These bets cover larger sets of twelve numbers, giving a different balance between chance and payout. They are useful for players who want broader coverage than even money bets but with higher potential payouts than single-number bets.
Dozens
The dozen bet covers one of three blocks of twelve numbers. The available options are:
- 1–12
- 13–24
- 25–36
You win if the ball lands on any number in the chosen block. The payout is higher than even money bets because each dozen covers fewer numbers than the full table but more than a single number.
Columns
Columns correspond to the three vertical columns of the table layout. Each column contains twelve numbers that are arranged down the table rather than grouped sequentially.
To place this bet, you mark the column box beside the layout. If the winning number is in the selected column, you receive the column payout. Columns offer similar coverage to dozens but follow the table’s vertical organisation.
Now that you know the main types, the next section explains the actual chances and how the house edge affects outcomes.
What Are The Odds Of Winning With Outside Bets?
The probability of winning varies by bet type because each covers a different number of pockets on the wheel.
Even money bets such as Red/Black, Odd/Even and High/Low cover 18 winning numbers out of 37 in European roulette (numbers 1–36 plus a single zero), giving a win probability of about 48.6% per spin. Dozens and Columns each cover 12 of the 37 pockets, so the chance of success on a single spin is about 32.4%.
Because the zero is neither red nor black, odd nor even, and not included in the dozens or columns in the same way, it creates a consistent small house advantage across these bets. Outcomes are independent from spin to spin, so statistical chances remain the same regardless of previous results.
If you want a clearer picture of what that means for returns, the following section lays out the standard payouts.
Payouts For Each Outside Bet
Payouts for outside bets are fixed according to standard roulette rules, and they do not change from one wager to another. This consistency makes it simple to understand potential returns before you place a bet.
Even Money Bets
- Red/Black
- Odd/Even
- High/Low
These bets pay 1:1. A winning £10 stake returns the original £10 plus £10 in winnings, for a total payout of £20. The stake is returned with any winnings, so your net profit on that £10 bet is £10.
Dozens and Columns
- Dozens
- Columns
These bets pay 2:1. A successful £10 bet returns the stake plus £20 in winnings, giving a total payout of £30. That means your net profit on a winning £10 wager is £20.
These straightforward payout ratios make it easy to compare risk and reward across bet types. If you want to balance how often you win with how much you win, these figures are a useful guide to which bets fit your approach. Remember that odds and payouts do not eliminate the house edge, so only gamble responsibly.
Why Choose Outside Bets Over Inside Bets?
Many players prefer outside bets because they produce more frequent wins, although each win tends to be smaller than an inside-bet payout. That frequency can keep the action simpler to follow and reduce the time between successful outcomes compared with selecting single numbers.
Outside bets also make it easier to adapt stake sizes and manage a budget, since the risk on each spin is spread across more numbers. Different players have different priorities—some chase larger single-spin payouts, others favour steadier returns—and outside bets suit those who prefer clearer, more predictable probabilities.
Bear in mind that choosing a betting style is a personal decision. Set limits that fit your finances and stick to them so the experience stays enjoyable.
Common Myths About Roulette Outside Bets
Roulette attracts plenty of explanations about systems or patterns that will supposedly guarantee success. A frequent misunderstanding is that previous spins affect future results. In truth, each spin is an independent event with the same probabilities every time.
Another persistent idea is that certain outside bets will overcome the built-in house advantage over time. While choice of bet affects variance and how wins look in the short term, it does not change the underlying edge created by the wheel’s layout and the zero.
Treat these bets as probabilistic choices rather than certainties. Keeping realistic expectations and clear limits helps avoid chasing outcomes that are not supported by the math.
Glossary Of Roulette Betting Terms
This glossary summarises the key terms used above to make the table layout and betting options easier to follow.
Outside Bet
A wager placed on the sections around the number grid, covering groups or characteristics rather than single numbers.
Even Money Bet
A wager that pays 1:1 and covers close to half the numbers on the wheel, such as Red/Black, Odd/Even, and High/Low.
Red/Black
A bet on whether the winning number will be red or black.
Odd/Even
A bet on whether the winning number will be odd or even.
High/Low
A bet on whether the winning number will be in the range 1–18 or 19–36.
Dozens
A bet covering one of three sets of twelve numbers: 1–12, 13–24, or 25–36.
Columns
A bet on one of the three vertical columns of numbers on the table layout.
European Roulette
The version of roulette with 37 pockets on the wheel: numbers 1–36 and a single green zero.
Stake
The amount of money placed on a bet for a single spin.
**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.