Inside Bets in Roulette Explained

Inside bets cover one to six adjacent numbers on the roulette grid. A straight-up wager covers one pocket and pays 35:1; a split covers two and pays 17:1; a street covers three and pays 11:1; a corner covers four and pays 8:1; and a six-line, also called a double street, covers six and pays 5:1. These ratios show net winnings, so a winning $10 straight-up wager returns $360 in total: $350 profit plus the original $10 stake.

Probability depends on wheel size. On single-zero European roulette, a straight-up hit has a 1 in 37 chance, or about 2.70%. On double-zero American roulette, it falls to 1 in 38, or about 2.63%. Each spin remains independent; previous results do not make any number due.

Inside wagers increase volatility, but standard bets do not automatically carry a higher house edge than outside wagers. On a single-zero wheel, the usual house advantage is 2.70% for straight-ups, splits, streets, corners and six-lines. A double-zero wheel raises that figure to 5.26% for the same formats because 00 adds a losing pocket without improving the posted payout. The exceptional American five-number basket covering 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3 has a 7.89% edge, although it is not one of the five formats listed below.

At Canadian tables, check the wheel type, paytable and chip minimum before betting. A minimum may apply to each position or to the total layout, depending on the game rules. Set a spending limit, treat every spin as chance and never increase stakes to recover losses. In Ontario, regulated internet gaming operators must register with the AGCO and meet standards covering game integrity, player information and responsible gambling controls.