What Is an Outside Bet in Roulette?
An outside bet is a type of wager in roulette placed on betting areas outside the main number grid, offering lower payouts but higher probabilities of winning. These bets cover larger groups of numbers, such as red or black, odd or even, or high (19-36) or low (1-18). For instance, betting on red pays even money (1:1) if the ball lands on any red number. Outside bets matter to players because they provide more consistent outcomes with reduced risk compared to individual number bets, making them suitable for conservative playstyles in licensed online casinos.
Outside Bet Categories and Payouts
Outside bets consist of six main categories: red/black, odd/even, high/low (dozen or column variations sometimes included), each covering 18 numbers on a standard roulette wheel. Payouts are even money (1:1) for colour, parity, and high/low bets. These wagers avoid the inner grid of single numbers, street bets, or splits. In European roulette, the house edge on outside bets is 2.7%, lower than inside bets due to the single zero.
Practical Relevance of Outside Bets
Outside bets appeal to players seeking steady play with smaller bankroll fluctuations. They contribute fully to wagering requirements in bonus terms at licensed operators. While maximum payouts are limited, the near 48.6% win chance per spin supports longer sessions. Players should note American roulette doubles the house edge to 5.26% due to double zero, making European wheels preferable.
| Bet Type | Coverage | Payout | House Edge (European) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red/Black | 18 numbers | 1:1 | 2.7% |
| Odd/Even | 18 numbers | 1:1 | 2.7% |
| High/Low | 18 numbers | 1:1 | 2.7% |
| 1st/2nd/3rd Dozen | 12 numbers | 2:1 | 2.7% |
| Columns | 12 numbers | 2:1 | 2.7% |
