Roulette Strategy Guide: Odds, Inside Bets & Outside Bets Explained

Roulette strategy is about choosing bet types that match your appetite for risk and reward, not about beating the house.

The wheel is a game of chance, and no system removes the house edge, but understanding roulette odds helps you make sharper decisions about where to place your money and how to control your bankroll.

If you are new to the game, our how to play roulette guide covers the basic rules first.

What Are the Odds in Roulette?

European roulette uses 37 slots, numbered 0 to 36, while American roulette uses 38 slots because it adds a 00. That extra pocket changes the maths enough to matter: the house edge is 2.7% on the European wheel and 5.26% on the American wheel.

For strategy purposes, the European version is the better option because the player faces a smaller built-in disadvantage.

One rule sharpens that advantage further. Some European tables offer la partage or en prison, which apply only to even-money bets such as red or black. When the ball lands on zero, la partage returns half your stake, while en prison holds it for the next spin.

Either rule roughly halves the house edge on those bets, from 2.7% to about 1.35%, which is why even-money bets on a European wheel are among the most efficient in the game.

Inside Bets and Their Odds

Inside bets cover fewer numbers and therefore carry lower win probabilities, but they pay more when they land. That is the trade-off that shapes most roulette strategy debates: higher potential returns come with a lower chance of success on each spin.

Straight Up is the most volatile option in the group, because it targets a single number. Split, Street, Corner and Six Line spread risk across more outcomes, but the payout falls as the covered area grows. That structure makes inside bets best suited to players who want bigger roulette payouts and can absorb more swings.

Outside Bets and Their Odds

Outside bets cover broader sections of the layout, so they win more often but pay less. That makes them the more conservative end of the roulette strategy guide, especially for players who prefer steadier short-term results over chasing larger returns.

Inside vs Outside Bets: Which Strategy Suits You?

Inside bets are for players who accept more frequent losses in exchange for stronger payouts when a hit arrives. They suit sharper bankroll management, because the swings are bigger and the dry spells can arrive quickly.

Outside bets suit a more measured approach. The hit rate is higher, the returns are smaller, and the pace is gentler. If you want a simple way to balance risk and reward, outside bets are the cleaner route, while inside bets are the higher-variance option.

In practice, roulette strategy comes down to three decisions: which wheel you play, which bet type suits your risk profile, and how you manage your bankroll. The first two are settled above: choose the European wheel for its lower house edge, then pick inside or outside bets based on how much variance you want. The third decides how long you last.

Set your stake size before you start, keep it consistent, and treat every spin as independent. Roulette doesn’t reward chasing losses, and it doesn’t become safer just because a few previous spins went one way. The game is still random on every turn and is only one of the games worth learning. If you want a change of pace, check out how to play slots.

Ready to put the odds into practice? Play roulette at William Hill Vegas. 18+. Please gamble responsibly. Begambleaware.org

Roulette Strategy FAQ

What is the best bet in roulette?

The best bet in roulette is usually a simple outside bet such as red or black, odd or even, or high or low if your aim is a higher chance of landing a win on each spin. These bets pay 1:1, so they are easier to manage than higher-risk inside bets.

Is European or American roulette better?

European roulette is better because it has 37 slots instead of 38, which gives it a 2.7% house edge compared with 5.26% on American roulette. That extra 00 on the American wheel increases the casino advantage and makes the player’s task harder.

Can any strategy beat the house edge?

No, no strategy can beat the house edge in roulette. The wheel is a random game, and betting systems only change how you experience variance, not the underlying maths. A good strategy improves decision-making and bankroll control, but it never turns roulette into a guaranteed winner.