The transition of roulette to cryptocurrency platforms has only increased its appeal. Players constantly seek strategies to maximize their chances of winning, particularly when choosing between inside and outside bets. This article examines both betting approaches and helps identify which might work best for different playing styles in the crypto roulette space.
What are inside bets?
Bets on specific numbers or small groups of numbers are called inside bets on the roulette table. These bets are located in the inner section of the betting layout, hence their name. They offer substantially higher payouts than outside bets. The most common inside bets include:
- One number – bet 35:1 (equal payout)
- Split – Betting on two adjacent numbers (17:1 payout)
- Street – Betting on three numbers in a horizontal line (11:1 payout)
- Corner betting – An intersection of four numbers (8:1 payout)
- Six Line – Betting on six numbers from two adjacent horizontal lines (5:1 payout)
These wagers are high-risk, high-reward propositions that appeal to players seeking significant payouts from smaller wagers.
What are outside bets?
Typically, outside bets cover larger groups of numbers and are placed on the outer section of the betting layout. These bets offer more modest payouts but have a significantly higher probability of winning. Popular outside bets include:
- Red/Black – Betting on all red or all black numbers (1:1 payout)
- Even/Odd – Betting with all odd numbers (1:1 payout)
- 1-18/19-36 – Betting on either the lower or higher half of the number range (1:1 payout)
- Dozens – Betting on numbers 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36 (2:1 payout)
- Columns – Choosing one of three vertical columns of numbers (2:1 payout)
Many players prefer outside bets for their stability and ability to extend playing time through more frequent, smaller wins.
Mathematics behind the bets
European roulette (with a single zero) has a 2.7% house edge across all bet types. American roulette (with zero and double zero) carries a steeper 5.26% house edge. No single bet type mathematically offers better long-term expected returns than another.
What differs is that inside bets have higher variance, meaning more significant swings between winning and losing sessions, while outside bets provide lower variance and more consistent results; for crypto games check crypto.games to see the exact house edge percentages for their roulette offerings, which may vary slightly from traditional casinos.
Optimal approaches for different players
No single strategy works best for everyone. Your optimal approach should align with your personal goals:
- Conservative players should stick primarily to outside bets, focusing on even-money wagers like red/black or odd/even.
- Aggressive players might find more satisfaction from inside bets, particularly straight-up bets on single numbers.
- Balanced players often combine both approaches, allocating 70-80 % of their bankroll to outside bets for stability while using the remaining 20-30% on inside bets for upside potential.
Many experienced players find that a mixed approach provides the best of both worlds, such as the stability of outside bets with the occasional thrill of inside bets. Combining both approaches can help create a crypto roulette experience tailored to your risk tolerance and gambling objectives.