Thinking about playing roulette but unsure what the outside bets on the table really mean? Outside bets are among the clearest ways to wager at roulette, covering larger groups of numbers and offering steadier, lower-risk options than inside bets.
This guide explains the different outside bet types, their payouts and how they behave at the table, so you can approach the game with a clear sense of what each wager does and what to expect.
Whether you’re new to the game or want a clearer picture of the outside-bet choices, read on for straightforward explanations and useful examples.
What Are Outside Bets in Roulette?
Outside bets are wagers placed on the peripheral areas of the betting layout, where larger groupings of numbers are marked. They cover more numbers than inside bets, which are placed on individual numbers or small clusters in the centre grid. Typical outside bets include red or black, odd or even, high or low, dozens and columns.
Because each outside bet covers many numbers, wins tend to occur more frequently than with single-number bets, but the payout for each win is lower. The betting layout makes these options easy to find, with labelled areas at the edge of the grid where chips are placed.
Outside bets suit players who prefer clearer choices and a steadier rhythm of play. Next, we’ll go through the common types so you can see how those grouped bets are formed and how they differ from one another.
Common Types of Outside Bets
Outside bets appear in a handful of familiar forms, each grouping numbers in a different way. They offer varied ways to stake money while keeping the choices simple and quick to place. These bets typically cover many numbers at once, which affects both the likelihood of winning and the size of the payout.
Red or Black
This wager asks whether the outcome will be a red or a black number. Each colour contains 18 numbers; the neutral zero is not part of either group. Because the two colours split the table evenly, the bet has nearly a 50/50 chance of success on any spin, though the presence of zero slightly reduces the true probability of winning.
Odd or Even
A bet on whether the winning number will be odd or even. Zero is excluded from both groups. Like the red or black option, this bet covers half of the playable numbers and therefore delivers relatively frequent, smaller wins compared with single-number bets.
High or Low
High and low split the numbered range into 1–18 (low) and 19–36 (high). Zero is not included. Players choose one of these ranges when they want to back a broader section of the wheel rather than a single digit, accepting lower payouts in return for more regular returns.
Dozens
Dozens divide the 1–36 range into three blocks: 1–12, 13–24 and 25–36. Choosing one of these gives coverage of 12 numbers. This option gives better coverage than an even-money bet while still offering a higher payout than column or even-money selections, reflecting the trade-off between probability and reward.
Columns
Columns cover one of the three vertical columns on the layout, each containing 12 numbers. A win occurs if the ball lands on any number in the chosen column; zero is not covered. The column bet behaves much like the dozens bet in terms of coverage and payout, but it may appeal to players who prefer the layout’s geometry or want to combine column bets with other outside wagers.
Each of these bets uses the same principle of covering multiple numbers to lower variance, so the next question many players ask is how those more frequent wins are paid out.
How Do Payouts Work for Outside Bets?
Payouts for outside bets are fixed and depend on how many numbers the bet covers. They do not change between spins and are straightforward to calculate from the stake you place. Because the payout is set, you can work out potential returns before you place a bet.
The payout rates reflect the proportion of the wheel that each bet covers. Bets that cover more numbers will return smaller winnings relative to the stake, while bets covering fewer numbers offer larger returns. The underlying house edge remains the same regardless of which outside bet you choose.
Standard Payouts by Bet Type
The common payout rates for the main outside bets are:
Red or Black: 1 to 1
Odd or Even: 1 to 1
High or Low (1–18 or 19–36): 1 to 1
Dozens (1–12, 13–24, 25–36): 2 to 1
Columns: 2 to 1
A 1 to 1 payout returns your stake plus an equal amount in winnings. For example, a £5 stake returns £10 in total: your original £5 plus £5 winnings. A 2 to 1 payout returns your stake plus twice its value, so a £5 stake would return £15 in total.
It is useful to compare these payouts to the chance of winning each bet. For instance, even-money bets such as red or black cover close to half the numbers on the wheel, which is why they pay 1 to 1. Dozens and columns cover a third of the numbers, which explains the 2 to 1 payout.
Remember that the presence of the zero, and double zero on American wheels, affects the true odds and creates the house edge. This is why expected returns are slightly less than the simple fractions of the wheel might suggest. Make sure you understand both the payout and the probability of winning before placing a bet.
Which Outside Bet Offers the Best Chance of Winning?
The bets that cover 18 numbers—red or black, odd or even, and high or low—offer the highest probability of a single-spin success on a standard European wheel. Each of those bets wins more often than dozens or columns because they cover half the numbers on the wheel, excluding zero.
However, zero remains a number not covered by these bets, which means the house retains an edge. No outside bet removes that edge, and outcomes cannot be predicted with certainty. If you want to balance frequency of wins with size of payouts, dozens and columns offer higher returns when they do hit, but they win less often.
With those trade-offs in mind, beginners often find outside bets a good place to start because the options are simple to understand and to follow at the table.
Are Outside Bets Suitable for Beginners?
Yes—outside bets are well suited to newcomers because the choices are transparent and require little technical knowledge. Bets such as red or black or odd or even have immediate, easy-to-understand outcomes that let a new player focus on the flow of play rather than complex wagering schemes.
That accessibility helps players learn how the table and wheel interact, how payouts are structured and how different bet sizes affect potential returns. Even so, every wager involves risk, and the presence of zero means outcomes are always slightly unfavourable versus the player. It helps to set a personal budget and to monitor play time, keeping the experience enjoyable and controlled.
If you want a clearer idea of where to put chips on the table, the next section describes the layout and where each outside bet is placed.
Roulette Table Layout: Where to Place Outside Bets
The table layout visually separates inside and outside betting zones. The central grid holds the individual numbers; the outside bets are arranged around it in clearly labelled boxes.
Colour bets and odd/even are usually grouped in one area, with high and low at either end of the grid. Dozens are labelled as ‘1st 12’, ‘2nd 12’ and ‘3rd 12’ just beneath the numbers, while column bets sit at the bottom of each vertical group. This arrangement makes it quick to scan the table and place chips on the chosen box.
Online interfaces mirror this design so players can transfer the same understanding of placement between live and virtual play. Knowing where each bet goes helps the game run smoothly and allows focus on what each wager covers rather than on searching the layout.
Common Myths About Outside Bets
Several misconceptions circulate around outside bets. One is that certain patterns or streaks can be used to forecast future outcomes; another is that betting systems can overturn the house advantage. In fact, each spin is independent and the statistical edge built into the game is not removed by any sequence of bets or by chasing losses.
Believing such myths can encourage riskier behaviour, like gradually increasing stakes to recoup losses. That approach raises the chance of exceeding personal limits and makes play more stressful. A better route is to choose bet types that match a preferred risk level and to keep stakes within a decided budget.
Now that you understand what outside bets are and how they behave, you can place wagers with clearer expectations about payout size and frequency of wins.
Summary: Making the Most of Roulette Outside Bets
Outside bets provide clear, manageable ways to take part in roulette: they cover broader number groups, have fixed payouts and are easy to place on the table. Bets that cover half the numbers give more frequent wins but smaller payouts, while dozens and columns offer larger payouts less often. The zero preserves the house edge in every case.
Approach roulette as a form of entertainment, pick bet types that suit your comfort with risk, and keep stakes within a pre-set limit. If you ever feel play is becoming a problem, tools and support services are available to help manage gambling activity. Enjoy the game with an informed, measured approach and you’ll get the most from each session.
**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.