Roulette Betting Basics: Inside And Outside Bets

Roulette has always been a popular casino game, and this is no doubt due in part to its glamorous image. For example, in books, films and other forms of popular culture a roulette casino setting usually tends to signify a gaming environment which has an air of refinement and sophistication.

Online roulette: history and development

Online roulette is clearly a modern-day development of the original form of roulette which emerged in France during the 18th century. This classic version of the game gained widespread popularity across Europe and in America. Eventually the game evolved into two basic formats: a European game which used a roulette table with just a single zero, and an American game which added a further double zero to the European number layout.

Online casino roulette became a viable option for Internet players once computers had developed the power and reliability to handle the continuous generation of random numbers, and the ability to handle the complex screen graphics which electronic gaming demands. Once this hurdle was overcome, online roulette began to move from strength to strength. Contemporary versions of the game now employ complex software applications which offer the modern player an authentic casino experience which may include a choice of environments, sophisticated 3D graphics and high quality audio effects.

Modern gaming now offers a broad choice of online roulette games and always reflects the latest technologies and immersive features. For example, it may not be long before virtual reality becomes a regular part of the online roulette experience for the keen gamer.

Betting options

One attractive feature of online casino roulette is the extensive range of bets which are available. Some bets are considered to be high-risk options, whilst others are very much a low-risk choice. And it’s important to bear in mind too that a so-called high-risk bet will gain a higher payout than a low-risk bet. But for those who are unfamiliar with the system, online roulette betting can seem a little confusing at first. So here is an explanation of the important distinction between what are commonly known as ‘inside’ and ‘outside’ bets in a standard roulette game.

Outside bets

Outside bets are perhaps the easiest to explain because your betting chips are always placed somewhere outside the roulette table’s number field. These betting options fall into six categories as follows:

1. A ‘1 to 18’ bet which allows you to bet the winning number will fall within this range.

2. A ‘19 to 36’ bet which allows you to predict the winning number will be a number somewhere within this sequence.

3. A ‘Red or Black’ bet means you predict which of these two colour categories will supply the game’s winning number.

4. An ‘Even or Odd’ bet means you are betting on whether the winning number will turn out to be even or odd.

5. A ‘Dozen Bet’ can be one of three kinds: the number sequences 1-12, 13-24 or 25-36. So if the winning number turns out to fall within your chosen sector, you will be a winner.

6. With ‘Column’ bets, the aim is to bet on which of the number table’s three columns will supply the winning number.

Inside bets

Inside bets involve placing your chips on certain numbers within the roulette table’s number field. These bets can also be split into six basic categories:

1. A ‘Straight up’ bet covers just one single number. So just place your chip inside your chosen square.

2. A ‘Split’ bet involves betting on two numbers which lie next to each other on the table. Place your betting chip on the common line shared by the two numbers.

3. A ‘Street’ bet is one which selects all three numbers in the same row. This is indicated by placing a chip on the outside corner of your chosen row.

4. A ‘Corner’ bet signifies you wish to select four numbers. Also known as a ‘square’ bet because of the number arrangement, this requires you to place your betting chip on the spot in the centre of the group where all four number squares meet.

5. A ‘Five’ bet is set up by placing your chip on the corner shared by the line numbers 1, 2, 3 and the zero box. On a European roulette table this selects just four numbers, but on an American table the double zero adds a fifth number to this sequence.

6. A ‘Line’ bet is rather like a street bet. However, instead of of one row, this bet selects two adjacent rows. For example, 4, 5, 6 and 7, 8 9. To signify this, the chip is placed on the common outer corner which the two rows share. In terms of betting strategy, players should be aware that outside bets are cheaper than inside bets and they also have a better chance of winning. However, even though the winning odds are better, your payouts will be smaller. Inside bets, on the other hand, are more costly but they will give you a better winning payout. Even so, you will have a smaller chance of winning with an inside bet.

So now that you have a better understanding of inside and outside bets, why not visit the JackpotCity online casino to get some practical experience under your belt?