Inside Bet in Roulette

September 4, 2026
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inside bet in roulette

The inside bet is the name of the wager put on the specific number or numbers. In this case, you make your wager in the center part of the roulette table that includes numbers, not in any of the options like color or even/odd or one of the dozens. The smaller amount of covered numbers makes this kind of bet less probable to be won, but the higher payoff makes it attractive.

A straight-up bet on one number can be the best example of an inside bet, but there are some others. You can bet on two, three, four and even six numbers using one chip – just place it on the necessary line or intersection. It will affect the probability and the payoff, but it will never give you an opportunity to predict the result of your game. Our guide on roulette odds and payoffs will explain the math behind the other options of your bet.

What Is the Inside Bet?

The roulette layout is divided into inside and outside betting sections. Numbers from 1 to 36 are represented in the main grid, while zero and double zero on an American wheel are located next to it. A chip put right on a number, between two numbers or at the intersection in this area is an inside bet. Your exact position on the layout indicates the numbers you have covered.

Sometimes people call inside bets more risky than outside ones. It is true, as the hit rate of inside bets is much lower and the short-term fluctuations are higher too. But usually inside and outside bets on the same wheel have the same house edge. Only the distribution of the results differs – the inside bet loses more frequently, but pays more. That is why it is better to evaluate it taking into account both covered numbers and payoff, not just payoff.

Inside Bets Types

There are five basic inside bets available on a standard European and American roulette layout. I find it easy to memorize them depending on how many numbers they cover. With the increase in numbers covered, the payout decreases.

inside bets types

Payout is profit and not the total return on win. For instance, a winning straight-up bet of NZ$1 gives NZ$35 in profit in addition to the NZ$1 stake, hence a return of NZ$36 in total. This rule also applies to the other winnings shown above.

Depending on layouts, some also have special combinations around zero. In the case of the single-zero table, there is a trio which can cover 0-1-2 or 0-2-3 paying 11:1, and the first four that cover 0-1-2-3 paying 8:1. An American table has a five-number bet that covers 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3. This means that different layouts and games have differences and what is displayed on the selected table must be adhered to.

How to Make an Inside Bet

At a physical roulette table, the player needs to place the chips on the relevant number, line or intersection before the dealer announces that no further bets will be accepted. A chip at the centre of 13 is covering only 13 whereas a chip at the dividing line between 13 and 14 covers both numbers. Shifting the chip a bit to make it to the intersection of numbers turns it to a corner bet. This is why accuracy is crucial during chip placement.

In online roulette, the software highlights the numbers covered by the chip before the bet is placed. This preview is crucial since it confirms whether the chip is split, street or corner without the player estimating it. There is a short time before the spin result is revealed when betting is closed.

The value of chips should be considered before making a number of bets. Placing a NZ$1 chip on each of five separate numbers will make your total stake NZ$5, not NZ$1. Some games have different limits for inside and outside bets displayed separately. Therefore, it will be reasonable to check your total stake on the screen before spinning the wheel.

Examples of Inside Bets

Let us assume that you placed NZ$2 on number 13. In case if the ball stops on 13, you will earn NZ$70 and get your NZ$2 back. You will lose your NZ$2 on any other outcome. Thus, in European roulette the chance of winning is 1 in 37.

If you place NZ$2 on the split bet 7/10, you will cover either number and win 17 to 1, i.e. NZ$34 in profit and NZ$36 in total. A corner bet on 1/2/4/5 is a bet that pays 8 to 1. Such a bet wins more often, but the profit per unit is lower than in the previous examples.

In order to get additional coverage on the inside, you may make a six-line bet on numbers 13/14/15/16/17/18. The NZ$1 winning wager will make NZ$5 of profit and give you your NZ$1 stake back. However, the mathematical profitability is not increased compared to a straight-up bet. It simply offers more chances to hit a number for the loss of some of the payout. The spin is always an independent event.

European and American Roulette

The European wheel has 37 pockets with numbers 1 to 36 and a single zero. The American wheel adds a double zero pocket and thus has 38 pockets. Therefore, the chance of winning a straight-up bet is 1 in 37 on a European wheel and 1 in 38 on an American wheel. The payout rate is 35 to 1 for both games.

Such a discrepancy makes standard bets give a house advantage of roughly 2.70% in the case of European roulette and 5.26% in American roulette. Hence, the number of zero pockets becomes more important than the bet chosen by the gambler. We consider the differences between American and European layouts and odds in our comparison of American and European roulette. If both versions of the game have the identical rules except the number of zeros on the wheel, then the version with the single-zero wheel will offer better mathematical value.

Another exception to the house edge rule is the American five-number bet. The bet includes 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3 with a payout rate of 6:1 that gives the house edge of about 7.89%. This house edge is even higher than that of other standard bets offered in American roulette. One should not confuse the American five-number bet with the European first-four bet (four numbers at odds of 8:1).

Inside vs Outside Bets

Outside bets include a large group of numbers. Red/Black, Odd/Even, Low/High, and Dozens/Columns each include 18, 18, 18 and 12 numbers correspondingly with payouts of 1:1, 1:1, 1:1 and 2:1. Thus, outside bets win more often than inside bets but generate fewer winnings per each win. Neither category allows to eliminate the house advantage.

In spite of the great difference in their hit rate, the house edge of a standard straight-up bet and a standard red bet is the same in the case of a European wheel. The straight-up bet is riskier because there are usually longer runs without a win, while the red bet generates more frequent but lower earnings. Thus, the better option depends on the player’s tolerance and volatility. However, this does not depend on the betting system.

Inside Bets Combination

One can make a number of different inside bets in one spin. For instance, one can place one chip on 17, then put another chip on a 17-20 split and finally make a corner bet on 16, 17, 19 and 20 numbers. In case 17 is a result, all three bets will win. In case 20 comes, both split and corner bets win.

The presence of several bets gives greater chances for hitting a winning number, but at the same time raises total risks. Even if chips cover some of the same numbers, they still remain separate bets. In case of a win, one gets several payouts, while in case of no win – each of the chips is lost. Making bets does not influence randomness of the roulette wheel, but changes the possible shape of the gain.

Points to Check Before Starting to Play

First of all, before participating in the game, I will check if it uses a single or double zero wheel. The other important points to check include the minimal value of the chip, maximal permitted inside bet and payout table. Some multipliers or special roulette versions can influence payouts of the selected numbers. One should rely on the rules of the game rather than the general table of payouts.

More information about various roulette games that players from New Zealand can play in online casinos can be found on our website with a page devoted to online roulette sites in New Zealand. A suitable table for a player will be one with clear rules and stakes, appropriate for the player’s budget. There is nothing guaranteed in playing roulette; it is gambling for adults.

Written by
Sophia Novakivska
10 years experience Pokies & Live Games Specialist

Sophia Novakivska has already been spending 12 years on everything related to gambling writing. Slot and casino reviews, comparisons, top options for different audiences, news, how-tos and gambling history - she knows the area and proved it with her publications on Better Collective, AskGamblers and Gambling.com. For four years, Sophia is into NZ iGaming niche where she analyzes the online casino bonuses, live games, new slot releases, and sport news. Sophia’s credentials: GLI University’s iGaming testing & compliance course (2020) and UKGC-approved Responsible Gambling certification (2022).

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