The Most Popular Roulette Bets and Wagers Explained

Learn everything about roulette bets, roulette strategies, and tips for playing roulette at MERKUR Casinos.

approx. 5 min.
The Most Popular Roulette Bets and Wagers Explained

Roulette: Which Number Will Come Up Next?


Roulette is one of the most well-known and popular casino games worldwide. Whether played as a classic table game at MERKUR Casinos , on a modern roulette machine, or online, roulette captivates players with excitement, entertainment, and real winning opportunities. In this guide, you'll learn about the most popular roulette bets and wagers, discover common roulette strategies, and find out what to keep in mind when playing roulette.

What is Roulette?

Roulette is a classic casino game in which a ball is spun into a rotating wheel. The objective is to predict the number or combination of numbers on which the ball will land. In European roulette, there are 37 numbered pockets, while American roulette features 38 pockets. The name “roulette” comes from French and means “little wheel.”

The game is one of the most popular table games in casinos around the world. Roulette is loved for its simple rules and wide variety of betting options. If you would like to learn more about the basic mechanics of roulette or how the wheel and betting layout are structured at MERKUR Casinos, our article “How Does Roulette Work?” provides an ideal introduction to the game.

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Even-Money Bets in Roulette

Even-money bets are especially popular among roulette beginners. The chances of winning are relatively high, although the payouts are lower. They provide a great introduction to the game and help you understand how roulette works.

With this classic roulette bet, you wager that the ball will land on either a red or a black number on the wheel. To place the bet, simply put your chip on the corresponding “Red” or “Black” section of the betting layout.

  • Payout: 1:1

If the ball lands on a number of your chosen color, you receive your original stake plus an equal amount in winnings. If the ball lands on 0, your bet is not immediately lost. Instead, it is temporarily held and may be brought back into play on the next spin. As a result, the actual probability of winning is only slightly below 50%.

With this roulette bet, you wager on whether the winning number will be even or odd. All numbers on the roulette table, except for the green zero, are either even or odd. To place your bet, simply put your chip on the “Even” or “Odd” section of the betting layout. These betting fields are located below the numbered area and are clearly marked.

  • Payout: 1:1

If the ball lands on a number with the selected characteristic, you win an amount equal to your stake. If the ball lands on 0, your bet is not immediately lost. Instead, it is temporarily held and may be brought back into play on the next spin. As a result, the actual probability of winning is only slightly below 50%. Since the chances of winning are relatively high, this roulette bet is well suited for players who want to learn the game step by step.

With this roulette bet, you wager on whether the winning number will fall within the lower or higher number range. Numbers 1 to 18 are considered “Low”, while numbers 19 to 36 are considered “High.” This bet is one of the even-money wagers and is especially popular among beginners.
To place your bet, simply put your chip on the “1-18” field for Low or the “19-36” field for High. These betting areas are located on the outer section of the roulette layout and are clearly marked.

  • Payout: 1:1

If the ball lands on a number within your chosen range, you win an amount equal to your stake. If the ball lands on 0, your bet is not immediately lost. Instead, it is temporarily held and may be brought back into play on the next spin. As a result, the actual probability of winning is only slightly below 50%.

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Popular Multiple Bets in Roulette

In addition to even-money bets, roulette also offers so-called multiple bets. With these wagers, you bet on individual numbers or smaller combinations of numbers. While the chances of winning are lower, these bets offer the opportunity for significantly higher payouts.

With a plein bet, you wager on a single number, predicting the exact pocket where the ball will come to rest. Since you are betting on just one number, this is one of the riskiest bets in roulette, but it also offers the highest payout. To place a plein bet, you position your chip directly on the chosen number on the roulette layout, for example 7, 19, or 32.

  • Payout: 35:1
  • Highest payout in roulette
  • Particularly popular among risk-taking players

The odds are based on the fact that roulette offers a total of 37 possible outcomes (0 to 36), while you are betting on just one number. If the ball lands on your selected number, you receive 35 times your stake in winnings, plus your original bet back. A plein bet is ideal for players aiming for high payouts and seeking the ultimate thrill when playing roulette.

With a cheval bet, you place a wager on two adjacent numbers at the same time. To do this, you position your chip on the line between the two numbers on the roulette layout. Since a single bet covers two numbers, the chances of winning are higher than with a straight-up bet. In return, the payout is slightly lower.

  • Payout: 17:1
  • Higher winning probability than a straight-up bet
  • A popular balance between risk and reward potential

If the ball lands on either of the two selected numbers, you receive 17 times your stake in winnings, plus your original bet back. The cheval bet is ideal for players who want to improve their chances of winning compared to a straight-up bet without giving up attractive payouts.

With a transversale pleine bet, you wager on three numbers in a horizontal row. To place this bet, position your chip on the outer edge of the chosen row of numbers. One example is the combination 19, 20, and 21.
Since a single wager covers three numbers, the chances of winning are higher than with a straight-up bet or a split bet. In return, the payout is somewhat lower.

  • Payout: 11:1
  • Covers three numbers at once
  • A popular choice for players looking to balance risk and winning potential

If the ball lands on any of the three selected numbers, you receive 11 times your stake in winnings, plus your original bet back. The transversale pleine is particularly well suited for players who want to win more frequently without sacrificing attractive payouts.

With a carré bet, you wager on four directly adjacent numbers. To place this bet, position your chip on the intersection where four number squares meet. A typical example is the combination 16, 17, 19, and 20.
With a single wager, you cover four numbers at once, further increasing your chances of winning.

  • Payout: 8:1
  • Covers four numbers with a single bet
  • A good balance between risk and winning probability

If the ball lands on any of the four selected numbers, you receive 8 times your stake in winnings, plus your original bet back.
The carré is one of the most popular multiple bets in roulette, as it combines a relatively high chance of winning with attractive payout potential.

With a transversale simple bet, you wager on six adjacent numbers spread across two neighboring rows. To place this bet, position your chip on the outer line between the two rows. A typical example is the combination 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21. With a single wager, you cover six numbers at once, significantly increasing your chances of winning compared to many other bets on the roulette layout.

  • Payout: 5:1
  • Covers six numbers with a single bet
  • One of the highest winning probabilities among multiple bets

If the ball lands on any of the six selected numbers, you receive 5 times your stake in winnings, plus your original bet back. The transversale simple is one of the most popular multiple bets in roulette, as it combines a relatively high chance of winning with an attractive payout.

With a dozen bet, you wager on twelve consecutive numbers. To place this bet, position your chip on one of the three dozen sections on the roulette layout: 1 to 12, 13 to 24, or 25 to 36. With a single wager, you cover one-third of all numbers from 1 to 36, significantly increasing your chances of winning.

  • Payout: 2:1
  • Twelve numbers covered with a single bet
  • High winning probability with a moderate payout

If the ball lands on any of the twelve selected numbers, you receive 2 times your stake in winnings, plus your original bet back. The dozen bet is one of the most popular outside bets in roulette, as it combines broad number coverage with an attractive payout.

With a column bet, you wager on twelve numbers in a vertical column on the roulette layout. To place this bet, position your chip at the end of one of the three columns. Each column contains a total of twelve numbers, for example 1, 4, 7, 10, all the way up to 34. With a single wager, you cover twelve numbers at once, benefiting from an attractive balance between winning probability and payout.

  • Payout: 2:1
  • Twelve numbers covered with a single bet
  • High winning probability with manageable risk

If the ball lands on any of the twelve numbers in your selected column, you receive 2 times your stake in winnings, plus your original bet back. The column bet is one of the most popular outside bets in roulette, as it covers one-third of the number layout and therefore offers an attractive balance between risk and reward.

Roulette Tips for Beginners

If you're looking to learn roulette and are sitting at the table for the first time, these tips will help you get started:

1. Start with even-money bets

Red/Black, Even/Odd, or High/Low are ideal bets for gaining your first experience with roulette.

2. Set yourself a budget

Before you start playing, decide how much money you are willing to spend and stick to that limit.

3. Learn from others

As you play, you'll gradually see how other players place more advanced bets, such as Dozens, Columns, or Six-Line bets, and you can try them yourself once you feel comfortable.

4. Play at reputable casinos

Reputable casinos, such as MERKUR Casinos, offer a secure and authentic roulette experience with real casino flair, professional croupiers, and fair payout odds.

Frequently Asked Questions About Roulette

The odds of winning in roulette depend on the type of bet you choose. Even-money bets such as Red/Black, Even/Odd, or High/Low offer the highest chances of winning and pay out at 1:1.

The fewer numbers a bet covers, the lower the probability of winning, but the higher the potential payout. For example, a straight-up bet (Plein) pays 35:1, making it one of the riskiest but also one of the most rewarding bet types in roulette.

Between these two extremes are multiple bets such as Carré, Transversale, or Dozen bets, which provide a balanced combination of winning probability and payout potential.

There is no single “best” roulette bet. The ideal choice depends on your personal preferences and your appetite for risk.
Players who want to win more frequently often choose even-money bets such as Red/Black, Even/Odd, or High/Low. These bets offer the highest chances of winning.

Players aiming for larger payouts, on the other hand, tend to prefer multiple bets such as Cheval, Transversale, or Plein. While these bets have a lower probability of winning, they offer significantly higher potential rewards.

For beginners, even-money bets are usually the best option, as they are easy to understand and provide relatively frequent winning outcomes.

Many people look for the best roulette strategy or a system that can improve their chances of winning. However, it is important to remember that roulette is a game of chance. Each spin is independent of previous results, which means there is no strategy that can guarantee profits.
Some of the most well-known roulette systems include:

  • Martingale: The stake is doubled after every loss.
  • Paroli: The stake is increased after every win.
  • Fibonacci: Bets follow the Fibonacci sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, and so on).
  • D'Alembert: The stake is increased by one unit after a loss and decreased by one unit after a win.
  • Labouchère: A profit target is defined using a sequence of numbers.

These strategies are primarily designed to help players structure their betting patterns and manage their bankroll. However, they cannot change the element of chance or alter the mathematical probabilities of the game. Anyone playing roulette should therefore do so responsibly and focus on the entertainment value of the experience.

The house edge refers to the mathematical advantage that a casino has over players in a game of chance over the long term. However, this does not mean that players cannot win. Every individual game round offers the chance of a win. The house edge only becomes statistically significant over many rounds and ensures that the casino can sustainably offer its gaming operations. In roulette, it is created by the green zero or the double zero.

With a theoretical payout percentage of over 97%, roulette remains one of the classic casino games with a comparatively high return-to-player rate.

Conclusion: Roulette Delivers Excitement and Variety

Roulette is one of the world's most popular casino games for good reason. Its combination of simple rules, a wide range of betting options, and an exciting atmosphere makes it especially appealing to players.
Whether you prefer betting on Red or Black, choosing a single number, or exploring different roulette strategies, you can enjoy an authentic casino experience at MERKUR Casinos. Here, you can play roulette at a traditional table or on a roulette machine, try out various betting options, and experience thrilling casino moments.

In our next article, we'll explain the betting options available on the racetrack, the section of the roulette layout that often raises questions for many players at the table. Stay tuned!

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