Online Roulette Explained: Types of Bets and How They Work
Roulette is one of the simplest table games to follow online, as each result comes down to a single round of a numbered wheel. If you want to see the roulette tables in progress at the moment, the Bet Bet page lists what is available to play.
Before placing a token, it is important to know the two main categories of bets, as this affects the frequency with which a result can occur and the amount of any payout.
Internal Bets: Covering the Numbered Grid
Internal bets are placed directly on the numbered grid. They cover fewer numbers, so the payout is higher, but the result occurs less often.
Direct bet. A token in a single number, including zero. On a European wheel with 37 houses, this covers 1 number and pays 35:1.
Bet divided. A token placed on the line between two adjacent numbers. Pay 17:1.
Bet on line. A chip on the outer edge of a row of three numbers. Pay 11:1.
Bet on the corner. A chip at the point where four numbers meet. The payment is 8:1.
Bet six lines. A token covering two adjacent rows of three numbers each. The payout is 5:1.
External bets: covering larger groups
The outside bets are placed around the edge of the board. They cover a lot more numbers, so the result can occur more often, although the payout is lower.
Red or Black, Odd or Pair, High or Low. Each of these bets covers nearly half the wheel and pays 1:1. In a European wheel, the odds are around 48.6%, since the green pocket from zero does not belong to either side.
Dozens and columns. They cover 12 numbers each and pay 2:1.
Unlucky, not a sure result
All payouts on the table are calculated as if there were 36 numbers, when, in fact, a European wheel has 37. That extra pocket, the zero, is what gives the house an edge. It applies uniformly to all types of bets, so no combination of chips changes the underlying probability. The outcome of any round depends on chance, and not anything the player does in advance, and no bet or sequence of bets can guarantee a result.
Choosing a table
Online Roulette works on the same principles as a physical wheel, only without the queue to get a seat. Some tables use a layout with single zero and others with double zero; the extra compartment in the latter slightly reduces the odds on all bets, so it is worth checking which version the table uses before starting.
The decision between internal and external betting usually boils down to whether you prefer to seek a higher payout on a specific number or distribute the bet over a larger group for more frequent results. None of the approaches alters the probability inherent in the wheel itself; therefore, it is really a matter of preference. Those who are comparing tables can also check out the most comprehensive Bet Casino listings for other regulated options.
If you decide to play, it is worth setting a limit to your balance before you start. Support is available through trusted organizations for anyone who feels that their game is becoming difficult to control.
