Inside Bets

Written by Ian Mac
Ian Mac is a dedicated content writer and editor with consistent 5-star feedback when it comes to creating high-quality gambling content. He writes about casino bonuses, casino destinations and casino games including slots, roulette and blackjack.
, | Updated: September 26, 2025

Roulette has been around for centuries, yet it remains one of the most beloved casino games. Many players associate the game with generous payouts and plenty of excitement. With the advent of new technologies, roulette has entered the digital world. Today, we can safely say that it is one of the most popular games of chance worldwide.

Knowing the rules of the game brings you one step closer to that long-coveted win. Roulette offers many betting options, each with its own odds, probabilities, and payouts. Inside bets typically whet the appetites of roulette fans seeking big prizes. This category of roulette bets is often referred to as high-risk because it offers high payouts but low odds of winning.

The different types of inside bets are a little more complicated to learn than outside bets. Players have to remember exactly where to position their chips on the table layout to accurately indicate the bet they wish to place. Now, let’s discuss the various types of inside bets.


Types of Inside Bets

Straight-Up Bets
blank Split Bets
blank Street Bets
blank Corner Bets
blank Five-Number Bet
blank Six Line Bet

Straight-Up Bets

Straight-Up bets cover a single number on the table layout. Roulette fans can choose any number between 1 and 36 and place their chips squarely in the middle of the corresponding betting box. You can also place a Straight-Up bet on 0 (or 00 in American Roulette). Players may place as many Straight-Up bets as they like, provided the total stake does not exceed the table’s maximum limit. If the ball lands on your chosen number, you’ll receive a payout of 35:1.


Split Bets

A Split bet is placed on two adjacent numbers on the table layout. To make this wager, position your chips on the horizontal or vertical line between the two numbers. If either of the two numbers hits, the payout is 17:1. Some roulette players believe that placing two Straight-Up bets on adjacent numbers will yield more than a Split bet. The example below explains why this assumption is incorrect.

Imagine you place two Straight-Up bets using a total of 2 chips. You can win only one of the Straight-Up bets, so you would collect 36 chips in total (35 chips in winnings plus your original stake). By contrast, if you place a Split bet with the same 2 chips and it wins, the house pays 17 chips for each chip you wagered, plus your stake back. In other words, betting 2 chips on a Split also returns 36 chips.


Street Bets

Street bets cover any row of three consecutive numbers on the table layout (for example, 1, 2, and 3). To make a Street bet, place your chips on the outer line that borders the selected row. For instance, if you bet on 1, 2, and 3, stack your chips on the outside line adjacent to the number 1. This inside bet pays 11:1.


Corner Bets

The Corner bet is also known as a Square or a Quarter as it covers four numbers that form a square on the table layout. For example, you might wager on 7, 8, 10, and 11. To place this bet, position your chips exactly in the center where the lines of the four numbers intersect. If any of those numbers hits, the Corner bet wins and pays 8:1.


Five-Number Bet

As the name implies, this wager covers five numbers. The Five-Number bet is available only on the American Roulette table and includes the numbers 00, 0, 1, 2, and 3. Alternative names for this bet are Basket and Sucker bet.

Players are generally advised to avoid the Basket bet because it increases the house edge of the game to 7.89%, which is above the average for American Roulette (5.26%). In our guide to American Roulette, you can find more about the math behind this bet.

To place a Basket bet, position your chips on the line that connects 0 and 1. A winning Basket bet pays out at odds of 6:1.


Six Line Bet

Also known as a double Street bet or Quint bet, the Six Line covers six numbers included in two adjacent rows – for example, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. To place this wager, position your chips on the outer corner shared by the two selected rows. A winning Six Line bet pays 5:1.


The Math Behind Roulette Bets

1Overview

In this section, we explain what probabilities and odds represent and how to calculate them. This will enable players to determine the odds and probabilities for the different types of inside bets based on the roulette variant they are playing. Remember, the values change depending on whether the game is single-zero or double-zero roulette.

2Probabilities

The probability of winning a given bet is calculated by comparing all possible ways to win with all possible outcomes. For clarity, probabilities are expressed as percentages. The formula is Probability = (ways to win/all possible outcomes) x 100.

For example, if you play single-zero roulette and place a Straight-Up bet, the probability of success is (1/37) x 100 = 0.0270 x 100 = 2.70%.

3Odds

Unlike probabilities, odds are fractions that compare the likelihood of an event occurring with the likelihood of it not occurring. Assume you are playing single-zero roulette and place a Straight-Up bet. You have only 1 way to win and 36 ways to lose, so the odds of winning a Straight-Up bet are 1/36.

Casinos generally set payouts based on the odds against success. To determine the odds against success, compare the ways to lose with the ways to win. Therefore, if you place a Straight-Up bet while playing European or French Roulette, the odds against success are 36/1. These represent the true odds, yet the payout associated with this bet is 35:1. As you can see, there is a discrepancy between the true odds and the payout.

4Inside Bets - Odds and Probabilities

Now that you know how to calculate the odds and probabilities for the various roulette bets, we have prepared a table that compares the probabilities and payouts of all inside bets in American and European/French Roulette:

Bet Single-Zero Roulette Probability Double-Zero Roulette Probability Payout
Straight-Up 2.70% 2.63% 35:1
Split 5.41% 5.26% 17:1
Street 8.11% 7.89% 11:1
Corner 10.81% 10.52% 8:1
Basket N/A 13.16% 6:1
Six Line 16.22% 15.79% 5:1

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