Definition
Inside Bet
Also known as Inside Bets, Number Bets
By Abhinav VasudevanReviewed Editorial policy
In short
An inside bet in roulette covers one or a few specific numbers on the main grid, paying between 35:1 and 5:1. It has the same house edge as any other roulette bet, with far higher volatility.
Inside bets are placed on the numbered grid rather than the boxes around it. They cover few numbers and pay accordingly.
The bets
| Bet | Numbers | Pays | Win chance (European) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight up | 1 | 35:1 | 2.70% |
| Split | 2 | 17:1 | 5.41% |
| Street | 3 | 11:1 | 8.11% |
| Corner (square) | 4 | 8:1 | 10.81% |
| Six line | 6 | 5:1 | 16.22% |
Each is placed by positioning chips on a line or intersection: a split straddles the line between two numbers, a corner sits where four numbers meet.
Same edge, different ride
Every one of these carries a 2.70% house edge on a European wheel. The maths is identical; only the volatility differs.
A straight-up bettor wins 2.7% of the time and is paid 36 times their stake. A six-line bettor wins 16% of the time for six times their stake. Over a long session both lose 2.70% of turnover, but the straight-up player’s session could be anything, and the six-line player’s will be closer to the average.
This is worth stating plainly because inside bets are often described as “riskier” in a way that implies a worse price. They are not worse value. They are the same value with a wider distribution.
Table minimums work differently
Most roulette tables set separate minimums for inside and outside betting. A table might require £5 on any outside bet but allow £1 chips inside, provided the total inside stake reaches £5.
So you can spread £5 across five straight-up numbers at £1 each, but you cannot place a single £1 outside bet. This catches people out, and it is worth confirming with the dealer before placing chips.
Announced bets
French tables offer called bets covering sections of the wheel rather than the layout, Voisins du Zéro, Tiers du Cylindre, Orphelins. These are combinations of inside bets placed by announcement rather than by positioning chips, and they carry the same 2.70% edge as everything else.
Common questions
Do inside bets have worse odds than outside bets?
No. Every bet on a European wheel carries the same 2.70% house edge. Inside bets simply have much higher volatility: a straight-up bettor wins 2.7% of the time for 36 times their stake.
Can I meet the table minimum with inside bets?
Usually yes, and the rules differ. Many tables allow smaller chips inside provided your total inside stake reaches the minimum, while outside bets must each meet it individually. Confirm with the dealer before placing chips.