What is an Outside Bet in Roulette and 6 Types of It

What is an Outside Bet in Roulette

When we talk about what is an outside bet in roulette, we refer to all bets that are placed outside of the main side of numbers on the betting layout. The randomness of a roulette wheel will make it one of the most unpredictable casino games. 

That said, there are roulette strategies that claim to boost your edge against the house. Should you consider using strategy while playing outside bets or ignore them? Let’s find the answer together by reading our explanation below. 

Understanding What is an Outside Bet in Roulette

Let’s start by figuring out what is an outside bet in roulette. Well, there are 2 sections on a roulette that are classified as inside and outside bets. As its name suggests, outside bets are the outermost bets on the felt of the roulette table. The two rows of bets will be directly in front of the player and the 3 columns affixed to the individual numbers on the far right are known as roulette outside bets. 

On the other hand, betting numbers on the checkered black and red section of the table are known as roulette inside bet. Yes, it is important to remember that there is no exception to this rule. Like the snake bet that is only allowed at some casinos, involves placing your bets on the inside numbers. 

Furthermore, the green single-zero and double-zero bets that are the furthest bets available to the left, on the felt, which are also inside bets. In other words, outside bets in roulette are affixed to the single numbers on the bottom and on the right side of the table layout. 

About what is an outside bet in roulette, it will always be in a group of pockets on the wheel. On the other hand, inside bets can include multiple numbers. For instance, a 6 line and Corner bet, bets on an individual number are possible too. However, outside bets are not allowed as an option for a single-number bet. 

There are few bets in roulette that can be placed on the outside that come with payouts variety. Not all roulette outside bets are created equal. It is a term for a number of different roulette bets. 

Types of Outside Bets in Roulette

After understanding what is an outside bet in roulette, you should also know that there are 5 types of this bet that can be created in roulette. When you are playing at a casino that allows the snake bet, then there are a total of 6 outside bets that can be bet on:

• High or Low
• Red or Black
• Odd or Even
• Dozens Bet
• Column Bet
• Snake Bet

1. High or Low

High or Low of what is an outside bet in roulette is a standard American Roulette wheel that has 38 pockets. The range numbers from 2 green (0 and 00) pockets up to 36. 

The high or low roulette outside bet is a bet that can split the 36 numbered slots into 2 different groups, high and low. If you make a bet on high, you are betting on numbers 19 – 36.  The bets on the low bet are on numbers 1 – 18. All winnings bets will be paid out at even money odds. When the ball hits on the single or double-zero, all bets will lose. 

2. Red or Black

The red or black of what is an outside bet in roulette follows the similar concept as the high or low bet. This a bet form on nearly half, excluding single and double-zero, of the roulette wheel pockets. Instead of placing bets on the numbers as you will with the high or low bet, for the red and black bet, you are betting on the color: red or black.

Half of the numbers from 1 to 36 are red, and the other half are black. Because with close-to-coin-flip outside bets, the winning bets will be paid out at even money odds. The zero and double-zero slots remain green. So, all bets on red or black lose if the ball hits on single and double-zero. 

3. Odd or Even

The odd or even of what is an outside bet in roulette is the final even money bet. Same as the high or low bet, you will bet on the numbers on the wheel. However, instead of betting on the value of the number, you will bet on whether or not the number is odd or even. 

And once again, when the zero or double-zero slot is dragged, all bets on odd or even will lose.

4. Dozens Bet

With the even money of what is an outside bet in roulette covered, now we will discuss the outside bets that pay out 2 to 1 odds. These bets are bets on the smaller groups of numbers, that is why the payout has higher odds if they win. The first of these bets will be referred to as the dozens bet. 

Why do they mention this bet as the dozens bet? Because you will bet on a dozen numbers in one wager. 

Moreover, the dozens bet is placed in the second row, above the even and odd, and color bets on the felt. The bet is marked 1st, 12, 2nd 12, and 3rd 12 on the felt. Well, let’s take a look at each of the 3 dozen bets on the roulette layout below. 

1st Dozen

From what is an outside bet in roulette, a bet on the 1st dozen is a bet on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12.

2nd Dozen

A bet placed on the 2nd dozen is a bet on 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24.

3rd Dozen

This is a bet in 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36.

Remember if the dreaded zero or double zero slot comes up, all bets on the dozens will lose.

5. Column Bet

The column bet of what is an outside bet in roulette is a bet on 12 numbers. There are 3 separate groups of numbers that can be placed in a column bet. The bets are placed on the far right of the felt, generally labeled 2:1. 

6. Snake Bet

The snake bet is the final of what is an outside bet in roulette. When you have never heard of the snake bet, don’t worry, as many players haven’t. as the bet is not available on all roulette tables. This outside bet form follows the similar 12 number concept as both the dozens and column bets, however, this bet will cover the layout in a zig-zag format. 

That can pay the exact same 2-1 odds as both of those bets, and any number that is not part of the snake, involving the zero and double zero, are losers. Moreover, the snake bet is on numbers 1, 5, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 23, 27, 30, 32, and 34. There is not a section of an outside bet in roulette for a snake bet. Similar to the inside bet, the chips have to be placed on the numbers and not on the outside. 

Final Words

In conclusion of what is an outside bet in roulette, it is a bet that you can place on the outside field of the roulette table layout. When doing this in either the red or black pockets, you can predict what color pocket you believe the ball will hit in when the wheel stops spinning.