Outside Bets in Roulette Explained: Types of Outside Bets, Strategy, Payouts, and More

Eddie Griffin

Written by: Eddie Griffin

Last Updated: Mon Jan 20, 2025, 18:48 PM

Read Time: 12 minutes

Roulette remains one of the most iconic casino games worldwide, with its spinning wheel and distinctive betting layout drawing players of all experience levels to games at both traditional land-based casinos and top online casinos. While inside bets offer the allure of high payouts, outside bets form the backbone of many successful roulette strategies.

These more conservative wagers provide lower payouts, but they also provide players with better odds of winning. This makes them particularly attractive to both beginners and seasoned players looking to maintain their bankroll over longer sessions.

Our comprehensive guide to roulette outside bets will walk you through everything you need to know about them. It explains types of outside bets, offers information about payouts for outside bets, and breaks down strategy for outside bets to set you up to make the best betting decisions at the roulette table.

Whether you are playing roulette at a traditional land-based casino or at one of your favorite real money online casinos, this guide provides what you need to take on outside bets with confidence.

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What Are Outside Bets in Roulette?

Outside bets in roulette represent wagers placed on larger groups of numbers rather than specific individual numbers or small combinations. These bets appear on the outer edges of the betting layout, hence their name.

Unlike inside bets that cover specific numbers or small number groupings, outside bets encompass larger sections of the wheel. Because of that, they offer more conservative odds with more frequent wins.

For players at traditional casinos and real money online casinos like Wild Casino and DuckyLuck Casino, the fundamental appeal of outside bets in roulette lies in their accessibility and lower risk profile. While inside bets might offer the excitement of potential 35:1 payouts, outside bets provide a more measured approach to roulette play. These bets are particularly valuable for players looking to extend their playing time and maintain a stable bankroll while still enjoying the thrill of the game.

Remembering the roulette house edge is crucial when making both outside bets and inside bets. In American roulette, the presence of both 0 and 00 gives the house a 5.26% edge, while the single zero in European roulette reduces this to 2.7%. This difference in house edge makes the choice of table type crucial for players focusing on outside betting strategies.

Types of Roulette Outside Bets

Understanding the various types of outside bets is crucial for developing an effective roulette betting strategy. Each type offers different odds and covers different sections of the wheel, allowing players to choose bets that align with their playing style and risk tolerance.

Even-Money Bets

Even-money bets represent the most straightforward outside betting options. They offer a nearly 50% chance of winning (excluding zeros). These bets include:

Red/Black: Betting on all red or all black numbers on the wheel. This covers 18 numbers of your chosen color.

Even/Odd: Wagering on whether the winning number will be even or odd. Like red/black bets, this covers 18 numbers.

High/Low (1-18 or 19-36): Betting on whether the winning number will fall in the lower half (1-18) or upper half (19-36) of the number range.

Column Bets

Column bets cover one of three vertical columns on the betting layout, each containing twelve numbers. These bets are placed at the bottom of each column marked “2 to 1” on the layout.

The first column includes numbers 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, and 34. The second column contains 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, and 35. The third column features 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, and 36.

Dozen Bets

Dozen bets cover twelve consecutive numbers in one of three groups: First Dozen (1-12), Second Dozen (13-24), or Third Dozen (25-36). These bets are placed in dedicated boxes on the betting layout marked “1st 12,” “2nd 12,” and “3rd 12.”

Like column bets, dozen bets offer the same probability of winning and identical payouts.

Payouts for Roulette Outside Bets

Outside bets feature a straightforward payout structure that is consistent across most casinos worldwide. So, whether you are playing at a casino in Atlantic City or at Lucky Red Casino from the comfort of your couch, you might get the same payout for coming up a winner.

Understanding payouts for outside bets is essential for proper bankroll management and strategy development while playing roulette, just as it is for other casion games like baccarat, keno, craps, or Teen Patti.

Red/Black, Even/Odd, and High/Low bets all pay 1:1. This means that a $10 bet wins $10, allowing you to walk away with $20 (your original bet plus winnings). The probability of winning these bets is:

  • American Roulette: 47.37% (18/38 numbers)
  • European Roulette: 48.65% (18/37 numbers)

Both column and dozen bets pay 2:1. A successful $10 bet returns $30 (your original bet plus $20 in winnings). The probability of winning these bets is:

  • American Roulette: 31.58% (12/38 numbers)
  • European Roulette: 32.43% (12/37 numbers)

These payouts reflect the house edge built into the game through the presence of the green zero (and double zero in American roulette). This edge ensures that even though outside bets offer better winning odds, the casino maintains its advantage over the long term.

Strategy for Outside Bets in Roulette

Developing a solid strategy for roulette outside bets requires understanding various betting strategies and systems such as the James Bond roulette strategy, recognizing their limitations, and knowing how to adapt them to your playing style and bankroll.

These considerations can come into play whether you are playing RNG-based roulette games or live dealer roulette games.

The Martingale System

The Martingale system is perhaps the most well-known betting system for outside bets, particularly even-money wagers. The basic premise of this system is straightforward: players start with a base betting unit, double their bet after each loss, and return to their base unit after a win.

While this system can be effective in theory, it comes with significant requirements and risks. Players need a substantial bankroll to sustain losing streaks, as consecutive losses can quickly escalate bet sizes.

Additionally, finding a table with betting limits high enough to accommodate several doubles is crucial, as table maximums can derail the system during a losing streak. Success with the Martingale also demands strict discipline, particularly the ability to walk away after reaching your win goal.

The D’Alembert System

The D’Alembert system offers a more conservative progression approach to outside betting. Instead of the aggressive doubling of the Martingale, this system involves increasing your bet by one unit after a loss and decreasing it by one unit after a win.

Players should start with a base unit that allows for several increases without straining their bankroll. The D’Alembert system offers more gradual progression than the Martingale, potentially protecting your bankroll during losing streaks while still providing opportunities for recovery and profit.

The Paroli System

The Paroli system represents a positive progression strategy that essentially operates as the opposite of the Martingale. Players begin with a base betting unit and double their bet after each win, typically up to a maximum of three times.

After either a loss or three consecutive wins, players return to their base unit and start the progression again. The Paroli system system aims to capitalize on winning streaks while limiting losses during downturns. It offers a more controlled approach to progression betting that doesn’t require the same substantial bankroll as the Martingale.

Combination Betting Strategies

Advanced players often employ sophisticated combinations of outside bets to cover more numbers and create more winning opportunities. One common approach involves betting on a dozen while simultaneously placing an even-money bet, creating overlapping coverage of the wheel.

Some players prefer covering two dozens while betting on red or black, while others combine column bets with high/low wagers. These combinations can increase your chances of winning on any given spin. However, they naturally require larger total bets and particularly careful attention to bankroll management.

The key to success with combination betting lies in understanding how different bets complement each other, as well as maintaining appropriate bet sizing across all wagers.

Adapting to Table Conditions

Successful outside betting requires careful attention and adaptation to specific table conditions and rules. Players should always look for tables offering “en prison” or “la partage” rules, which can significantly reduce the house edge on even-money bets.

These rules return half your stake or give you another chance when the ball lands on zero, providing valuable protection for your bankroll. Bet sizing must be constantly adjusted based on table minimums and maximums, as these limits can affect the viability of various progression systems.

Additionally, successful players continuously monitor their results and adjust their strategy accordingly, whether that means switching betting systems, adjusting bet sizes, or moving to a different table entirely.

This flexibility and willingness to adapt to changing conditions often distinguishes successful roulette players from those who struggle to maintain their bankroll. Roulette may be a game of pure chance, but that doesn’t mean that players can’t help themselves immensely by making smart betting and gameplay decisions. That same mindset is key when playing at slot machines or with the various forms of video poker, such as Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild.

Bankroll Management & Risk Consideration for Outside Bets

Session Planning

Set a clear bankroll for each session and determine your base betting unit, typically 1-2% of your total bankroll. Establish definitive win and loss limits before playing. Also, plan the length of your session to avoid fatigue-based decisions. This structured approach helps maintain discipline and prevents emotional betting.

Consider the table’s minimum and maximum bets when determining where to play, whether you are in a physical casino or at a gambling site like Super Slots Casino. This is because these limits directly impact your betting strategy’s viability.

Evaluate your comfort level with various betting progressions and understand how different roulette variants affect the house edge. Always align your strategy with your personal risk tolerance and goals.

Implement responsible gambling measures by never chasing losses with larger bets and maintaining strict adherence to predetermined betting limits. Take regular breaks to assess your position and maintain clear thinking. And if you are playing live casino games, be sure to maintain your focus and keep your emotions in check.

Most importantly, be prepared to walk away when reaching your loss limit, regardless of recent results. And if you are on a winning run, don’t throw away your positive position by making emotional decisions.

Tips for Online Play

Select reputable online casinos that use certified random number generators and offer favorable rules and betting limits. Look for platforms that provide clear gaming histories and multiple roulette variants. Verify the casino’s licensing and reputation before depositing funds.

Take advantage of the online environment’s unique features. The slower pace allows for better tracking of results and pattern recognition. Utilize available statistical tools to inform your betting decisions.

Many online platforms offer practice modes, which provide excellent opportunities to test new strategies without risk. Sites that offer free practice games include Lucky Red Casino and Red Stag Casino. In fact, both of these top roulette sites allow you play demo games without needing an account, so you can try out their games before determining whether to take advantage of some of the best online casino bonuses in the industry.

Ensure a stable internet connection to prevent disconnections during crucial moments. Familiarize yourself with auto-play features and their limitations. Verify betting confirmation settings to prevent accidental wagers. Also, thoroughly understand the interface before playing with real money.

Conclusion

Outside bets in roulette offer players a structured approach to the game with better winning probabilities than inside bets. While they won’t deliver the exciting high payouts of successful inside bets, they can help maintain your bankroll longer and provide more consistent gameplay.

Success with outside bets requires understanding the various betting options, implementing solid money management strategies, and adapting to both table conditions and your own playing style.

Whether you are new to roulette or an experienced player, mastering outside bets provides a foundation for developing more complex roulette betting strategies. By combining this knowledge with disciplined bankroll management and careful game selection, you can maximize your enjoyment of roulette while minimizing your risk exposure.

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Roulette Outside Bets FAQ

Do outside bets offer better odds than inside bets in roulette?
Outside bets offer better winning probabilities but lower payouts than inside bets. They’re more likely to win on any given spin but won’t deliver the high payouts associated with successful inside bets.
What happens to outside bets when the ball lands on zero or double zero?
Outside bets lose when the ball lands on 0 or 00, unless the table offers “en prison” or “la partage” rules, which may return half the bet or give a second chance on even-money bets.
Can I combine multiple outside bets on the same roulette spin?
Yes, you can place multiple outside bets on a single spin. This strategy can cover more numbers but requires higher total wagers and doesn’t change the house edge.
What is the minimum bet for roulette outside bets?
Minimum bets for outside wagers vary by casino but are typically the same as the table minimum. Some casinos may set higher minimums for outside bets compared to inside bets.
Are outside bets better for roulette beginners?
Outside bets are generally recommended for roulette beginners due to their simpler nature, better odds of winning, and lower risk. These factors all them ideal for learning roulette basics and managing bankroll effectively.