Inside bet meaning: an inside bet is any roulette wager placed on the numbered grid itself, covering one to six specific numbers. Inside bets pay more than outside bets because they win less often, but on a single-zero wheel every one of them carries the same 2.70% house edge.
Inside bets sit on the number grid and cover between one and six numbers.
Payouts run from 35:1 for a single number down to 5:1 for a six-line bet.
On a single-zero wheel each inside bet costs about $0.27 per $10 wagered on average.
The American five-number bet is the exception, with a 7.89% house edge.
Bonus terms often exclude roulette, so check the rules before you play with bonus funds.
Term
Inside bet (roulette)
Numbers covered
1 to 6
Top payout
35:1 (straight up)
House edge, single zero
2.70% (1 ÷ 37)
Worst inside bet
American five-number, 7.89%
Inside bet meaning: bets on the number grid
In our casino glossary, an inside bet is a chip placed on or between the numbers in the middle of the roulette layout. You pick a small group of numbers, from a single pocket up to a block of six, and you win only if the ball lands on one of them.
The other half of the table is made up of outside bets: red or black, odd or even, high or low, dozens and columns. Those cover 12 or 18 numbers, win more often and pay less. Inside bets flip that trade, giving bigger payouts in exchange for fewer wins.
The name comes from the layout. The numbers form the inside of the table, and the boxes for the broader bets wrap around them on the outside. The same terms are used on European roulette and American roulette tables.
Types of inside bets and their payouts
There are five standard inside bets on a single-zero wheel, plus one extra bet that only exists on the double-zero American table. Chip placement decides which bet you've made: on a number, on a line between two numbers, at the end of a row, or where four numbers meet.
Inside bets on a single-zero (European) wheel
Inside bet
Where the chip goes
Numbers
Payout
Chance per spin
Straight up
On one number (including 0)
1
35:1
1 in 37 (2.70%)
Split
On the line between two numbers
2
17:1
2 in 37 (5.41%)
Street
At the end of a row of three
3
11:1
3 in 37 (8.11%)
Corner
Where four numbers meet
4
8:1
4 in 37 (10.81%)
Six line
Across the end of two rows
6
5:1
6 in 37 (16.22%)
Every payout above is set as if the wheel had 36 pockets. The single green zero is the 37th, and that gap between the payout and the true odds is where the casino's margin comes from. Our house edge entry explains the idea for every game.
Inside bet odds and house edge in dollars
Here is a $10 straight-up bet on a single-zero wheel. One spin in 37 you win $350; the other 36 you lose $10. Over 37 spins that averages (1 × $350 − 36 × $10) ÷ 37 = −$10 ÷ 37, or about −$0.27 a spin. A $10 corner bet comes out the same: (4 × $80 − 33 × $10) ÷ 37 = −$0.27.
So picking a corner over a single number doesn't make roulette cheaper. It changes how often you win and how big each win is. Over time the average cost is the total amount bet multiplied by 2.70%.
Average cost of inside bets at a 2.70% edge
Stake per spin
Spins
Total wagered
Average cost
$1
100
$100
$2.70
$5
100
$500
$13.50
$10
200
$2,000
$54.00
Short sessions can swing far from these averages, which is what makes the game exciting and also what makes budgets important. Our guide to bankroll management shows how to size stakes so a losing streak doesn't end your evening early.
The American five-number inside bet to avoid
A double-zero wheel has 38 pockets, so every standard inside bet there carries a 5.26% edge (2 ÷ 38). It also adds one extra inside bet: the five-number or top-line bet on 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3. It pays 6:1, but true odds would call for about 6.6:1.
The arithmetic on $10: you win $60 on 5 of 38 spins and lose $10 on 33. That's (5 × $60 − 33 × $10) ÷ 38 = −$30 ÷ 38, or about −$0.79 a spin, a 7.89% edge. It is the most expensive bet on any standard roulette table.
Check which wheel you've opened: one zero or two. The single-zero version costs about half as much per spin.
Pick a chip value that fits your session budget, not the payout you hope for.
Place chips on a number, a line, a row end or an intersection to make your inside bet.
Spin, let the result settle, then decide whether to repeat, change or stop.
Each spin is independent. A number that hasn't appeared for 100 spins is no more likely on the next one, a point covered in our gambler's fallacy guide. For a full walk-through of the table, see how to play roulette.
Inside bets vs outside bets: which suits you?
On a single-zero wheel the choice is about the ride, not the price. Inside bets give long dry spells broken by large payouts. Outside bets give frequent small wins and losses. Both lose about $2.70 per $100 wagered over time.
Choose inside bets if you accept many losing spins in a row and want a bigger single payout.
Choose outside bets if you want a steadier balance and a longer session on the same budget.
Avoid betting systems that raise stakes after losses, such as the Martingale; they don't change the edge.
If roulette stops feeling like paid entertainment, the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738) offers free, confidential support by call, text or chat.
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These casinos are offshore operators. They are not licensed or regulated by any US state, and state consumer protections do not apply. Check the law in your state before you play. Terms marked “reported” come from third-party reviews; the terms shown at sign-up apply.
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Frequently asked questions
What is an inside bet in roulette?
An inside bet is a roulette wager placed on the numbered part of the layout that covers one to six specific numbers. Straight-up, split, street, corner and six-line bets are all inside bets. They pay between 35:1 and 5:1 depending on how many numbers you cover. The broader bets around the edge of the grid, such as red or black, are outside bets. Our roulette guide shows where each chip goes on the table.
Do inside bets have better odds than outside bets?
No, on a single-zero wheel inside and outside bets carry the same 2.70% house edge. Inside bets win less often and pay more when they do, while outside bets win more often and pay even money or 2:1. The average cost over time is identical: about $2.70 for every $100 you bet. The one exception is the American five-number bet, which costs 7.89%. Compare both sides in our outside bet entry.
What is the best inside bet in roulette?
There is no cheapest inside bet on a single-zero wheel, because all five carry the same 2.70% edge. The best choice is the one that matches how much variance you're comfortable with: a straight-up bet swings hardest, and a six-line bet is the calmest of the inside options. The bet to avoid is the five-number bet on a double-zero table, at 7.89%. Our house edge explained guide compares games.
How much does a straight-up bet pay?
A straight-up bet on one number pays 35:1, so a $10 winning bet returns $350 in winnings plus the original $10. The chance of hitting is 1 in 37 on a single-zero wheel and 1 in 38 on a double-zero wheel. Because the payout is set as if there were 36 pockets, the house keeps a small share over time. Our European roulette entry covers the full wheel.
Can I use a casino bonus on roulette inside bets?
Usually not in any useful way, because most offshore casino bonuses are built for slots. Silver Oak's terms, for example, list roulette among games excluded from bonus play, and third-party reviews say roulette doesn't count on Planet 7's free chip. Playing excluded games can void bonus winnings. Read the bonus rules before you bet, and see our game weighting entry for how contributions work.
Is there a strategy that makes inside bets profitable?
No, no betting pattern or number selection removes the house edge on inside bets. Each spin is independent, so past results don't predict the next one, and systems that raise stakes after losses only increase the amount at risk. What you can control is the cost: lower stakes, fewer spins and a fixed budget. Our roulette strategies guide works through popular systems with the arithmetic.
What is a split bet in roulette?
A split bet is an inside bet on two neighboring numbers, placed on the line between them, and it pays 17:1. It wins 2 times in 37 on a single-zero wheel, about 5.41% of spins, so a $10 split returns $170 in winnings plus your $10 when it hits. The house edge is the same 2.70% as every other standard bet. Splits suit players who want a big payout but a little more frequency than a single number. Our European roulette game page shows the full layout.
What is a corner bet in roulette?
A corner bet, sometimes called a square, is an inside bet on four numbers that meet at one point on the grid, and it pays 8:1. It wins on 4 of 37 pockets on a single-zero wheel, about 10.81% of spins. A $5 corner returns $40 in winnings plus the $5 stake when it lands. Over time it costs the same 2.70% of your stake as a straight-up or red bet, about 13.5 cents per $5 spin on average. See our how to play roulette guide for where the chip goes.
What is a street bet in roulette?
A street bet covers one row of three numbers, such as 7, 8 and 9, with the chip placed at the end of that row, and it pays 11:1. With a single zero, it hits 3 times in 37, about 8.11% of spins. A $10 street bet wins $110 plus the stake when one of the three numbers lands, and loses $10 otherwise. Its edge is the standard 2.70%, so it’s neither cheaper nor dearer than other inside bets, just a different balance of risk and reward. Our roulette strategies guide compares combinations.
Can I place several inside bets on one spin?
Yes, you can spread chips across as many inside bets as you like on one spin, within the table limits. Covering more numbers wins more often, but it doesn’t lower the house edge. Put $1 straight up on 18 different numbers and you stake $18 a spin: a hit pays $35 plus that chip’s $1 back, $36 in all, for an $18 profit, while a miss loses all $18. The average cost is still 2.70%, about 49 cents a spin. Table limits for RTG’s game aren’t published, so check the screen. See our Martingale entry before raising stakes.
Can I make roulette inside bets online legally in Connecticut?
Yes, Connecticut licenses online casinos under Public Act 21-23, signed in May 2021, so adults 21 and over can play online roulette on state-licensed sites. The Department of Consumer Protection’s Gaming Division regulates the market, and land-based roulette is available at Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun. Offshore casinos aren’t among Connecticut’s licensed operators. The state’s problem gambling helpline is 888-789-7777, and the national line is 1-800-MY-RESET. See our Connecticut page and states with legal online casinos.
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