Thinking about placing a bet on the roulette wheel but finding the payout rules confusing? You're not alone. Whether you’re new to the table or want a quick refresher, understanding how each bet pays out will help you play with confidence.
With so many betting options — from single numbers to splits and streets — it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Read on and you'll get clear explanations and examples that make the choices straightforward and predictable.
What Are Complete Bets in Roulette?
A complete bet, sometimes called a full or maximum bet, covers every standard inside bet that involves a single chosen number. Rather than placing just a straight-up wager on that number, a complete bet places chips on the straight-up plus every relevant split, street, corner and six-line that includes the number. The result is broad coverage of all inside ways that number can win.
This approach lays chips across the board in a specific pattern and is commonly used by players who want to maximise the number of winning lines tied to one number. It can be costly because it requires multiple separate bets, so check table limits and be realistic about how much you stake. A clear understanding of the table layout makes placing a complete bet much easier, and the next section explains that layout in detail to help you visualise where the chips sit.
Understanding the Roulette Table Layout
The table shows the numbers 1–36 in a three-column, twelve-row grid with alternating red and black squares, plus a green zero at the top in European roulette (and an additional double zero on some wheels). The numbered grid is where inside bets are placed — chips go directly on numbers, on the lines between them for splits, on corners and on the outer edge for streets and six-lines.
Outside the grid are boxes for broader wagers such as red/black, odd/even, 1–18/19–36, dozens and columns; these cover larger groups of numbers and pay differently. Exact markings and the position of minimum and maximum bets can vary between tables, so check the layout before you place chips. With that basic map in mind, the following section describes each bet type and the exact payouts you can expect.
Types of Roulette Bets and Their Payouts
Roulette offers inside bets, outside bets and special announced or call bets. Each type uses fixed payout rates, so knowing those figures tells you what a winning bet returns. Outcomes are random, so think of payouts as the game’s fixed rewards for particular risk levels.
Inside Bets Explained
Inside bets are made on the numbered grid and cover single numbers or small clusters. A straight-up wager placed directly on one number pays 35 to 1. When a chip sits on the dividing line between two numbers that forms a split, a win pays 17 to 1. A street bet laid on the outer edge of a row covers three consecutive numbers and pays 11 to 1. A corner bet placed at the intersection of four numbers pays 8 to 1, while a six-line — covering two adjacent rows, six numbers in total — pays 5 to 1. These inside options are precisely the components combined when constructing a complete bet.
Outside Bets and Their Returns
Outside bets sit in the boxes beside the grid and cover larger groups of numbers. Even-money bets such as red/black, odd/even and 1–18/19–36 return 1 to 1. Dozen bets (1–12, 13–24, 25–36) and column bets pay 2 to 1. Because they cover far more numbers, outside bets pay less than most inside bets but win more frequently.
Call Bets and Announced Bets
Call or announced bets are organised around sections of the wheel rather than the board, covering fixed sequences such as Voisins du Zéro or Tiers du Cylindre. These bets are common on European and French tables and are placed using a special layout or by asking the croupier. Payouts for winning portions of a call bet follow the same rates as the equivalent inside bets included in the announcement.
How Are Winnings Calculated for Complete Bets?
When a complete bet wins, each individual component that covers the winning number is paid at its own rate, and the total payout is the sum of those separate wins. For example, a complete bet on 17 in European roulette includes the straight-up, several splits, any applicable corner and street combinations and a six-line where relevant; if 17 comes up, you receive 35 to 1 for the straight-up, 17 to 1 for each winning split and the appropriate amounts for any other winning pieces. The final sum depends on which of those component bets were actually placed and how much you staked on each one.
Although larger stakes raise potential returns, they also increase exposure if the number does not appear. Keep bets within sensible limits and consider table minimums and maximums when deciding how many components of a complete bet to cover. With a grasp of how payouts add up, the next part compares the two common wheel variants to show how wheel design affects long-term returns.
Comparing Payouts: European vs American Roulette
Payout figures for individual bets — such as 35 to 1 for a straight-up or 17 to 1 for a split — are the same in both European and American roulette. The key structural difference is the wheel: European wheels have a single zero while American wheels include both a zero and a double zero. That extra zero increases the number of losing outcomes and therefore raises the house edge, which affects the game’s long-term return to players rather than changing the nominal payouts.
Knowing which wheel you’re playing on helps you understand expected returns over many spins, and it’s a good reason to choose tables carefully when you want the best statistical return. The following section addresses common misconceptions that can cloud how players think about complete bets and payouts.
Common Myths About Complete Bet Payouts
Several persistent ideas about complete bets merit correction. Covering every inside combination for a chosen number does not change the probability that the number will appear; it only alters the distribution of your stake across different winning lines. No betting pattern or system can overcome the house edge embedded in the game’s rules, and outcomes are independent from one spin to the next — past results do not influence future spins.
Believing otherwise can lead to risky play and chasing losses. A realistic mindset accepts that payouts are fixed and that variance means both wins and losses are part of play. With the misconceptions cleared up, the glossary below defines common terms you’ll see at the table so you can read the layout and rules with confidence.
Straight-Up Bet
A straight-up bet is placed directly on a single number, including zero, and pays 35 to 1. It offers the highest single-line payout on the table.
Split Bet
A split bet is placed on the shared line between two adjacent numbers and covers both; a win pays 17 to 1.
Street Bet
A street bet covers three numbers in a single row by placing a chip on the row’s outer edge. A winning street returns 11 to 1.
Corner Bet
Placed at the point where four numbers meet, a corner (or square) bet covers all four and pays 8 to 1 if any of them wins.
Six Line Bet
A six-line bet spans two neighbouring rows — six numbers in total — and pays 5 to 1 when successful.
Outside Bet
Outside bets are located outside the main grid and include red/black, odd/even, 1–18/19–36, dozens and columns; they cover larger groups of numbers and pay at lower rates compared with inside bets.
Call/Announced Bet
A call or announced bet targets a predefined segment of the wheel and is typically available on European and French wheels; payouts for winning parts of a call bet follow the standard inside bet rates.
House Edge
The house edge is the built-in advantage that gives the casino a mathematical lead over time, determined by the wheel layout and the payouts.
Return to Player (RTP)
RTP is the long-term percentage of wagered money a game is expected to return to players on average; RTP is affected by the house edge and the wheel variant.
Limit
Limits are the minimums and maximums a table permits per bet. Check these before playing to ensure your intended stake fits within the table’s rules.
This guide has explained how complete bets are built, how each type of wager pays out and why wheel design matters for long-term returns. Armed with that knowledge, you can read a table with confidence and decide which mix of bets suits your approach while keeping stakes sensible.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.