If you’ve been sitting at the roulette table, watching that little white ball chew through your chips spin after spin, you’ve probably wondered: “What is the safest bet in roulette?”
The truth is, there’s no magic bullet that guarantees wins. Roulette is a game of chance. But some bets are much safer than others because they give you the highest probability of winning—even if the payouts aren’t sky-high.
Let’s break it all down in plain English so you know how to make smarter moves at the wheel.
Understanding the Roulette Table Layout
Before diving into safe bets, you need to get comfortable with the roulette table layout.
There are two main sections:
Inside bets
Outside bets
What is an Inside Bet?
An inside bet sits right on the number grid. These are bets placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers (like straight up, split, or corner bets).
These offer big payouts but carry higher risk.Examples include:
Straight-up (a single number)
Split (two numbers)
Street (three numbers)
Corner (four numbers)
These are thrilling but far riskier. If you’re chasing the safest bet, you’ll want to stick to outside wagers.
What is an Outside Bet?
An outside bet is any wager placed outside the number grid on the table. These pay less but are considered safer. Examples:
Red or Black
Odd or Even
1–18 (Low) or 19–36 (High)
Dozens (1–12, 13–24, 25–36)
Columns
They pay less but give you the highest probability of winning the game.
Overview of Roulette Odds and Payouts
Roulette is all about odds and payouts:
A straight-up bet on a single number pays 35:1, but the odds of hitting are just 1 in 37 (European) or 1 in 38 (American).
An outside bet like red/black or odd/even pays only 1:1, but you’ll win nearly half the time.
Here’s the kicker: The casino always has a slight edge because of the green zero (and in American roulette, the extra double zero). That edge is why roulette is exciting but also unforgiving if you don’t play smart.
What are the Odds on a Roulette Table?
Let’s simplify the odds of winning roulette bets:
Single number: 2.7% chance in European, 2.63% in American.
Red/Black or Odd/Even: 48.65% in European, 47.37% in American.
Dozens/Columns: About 32.4% in European.
The bigger the section of the wheel you cover, the higher your chance of hitting.
For a deeper understanding on roulette odds, check out our Guide to Roulette Odds, Payouts, and Betting Options.
European vs American Roulette
If you’re looking for the safest bet in roulette, the first decision is simple: Always choose European over American.
European roulette has 37 pockets (numbers 1–36 + a single zero).
American roulette has 38 pockets (numbers 1–36 + single zero + double zero).
That tiny difference cuts your house edge from 5.26% in American roulette down to 2.7% in European roulette. Over time, that’s a massive advantage.
Identifying the Safest Bets
So, what is the safest bet in roulette, for both American roulette or European roulette? It’s almost always outside bets.
Even money bets: Red/Black, Odd/Even, High/Low. These give you the best balance between risk and reward.
Dozen or column bets: Cover 12 numbers at once. Not as safe as even money, but still much better than inside bets.
Inside bets are tempting, but unless you’re just having fun, they’ll drain your bankroll faster than you think.
Best Roulette Strategies for Safe Betting
Now let’s talk roulette betting strategies that work best if you’re aiming for consistency instead of big, rare wins:
Stick to even-money bets – The best way to stretch your bankroll and keep the odds in your favor.
Play European roulette – Always reduces house edge.
Flat betting vs progression – Some use systems like Martingale (doubling after a loss). While they can help in the short term, they’re risky if you hit a long losing streak. Flat betting (same bet size each spin) is safer.
Set limits – Decide ahead of time how much you’re willing to lose. Roulette should be fun, not stressful.
Probability in Roulette
The probability in roulette never changes. Every spin is independent, and the ball doesn’t “owe” you a win. This is where many players trip up—betting on red just because black hit five times in a row.
Always remember: probability doesn’t have memory.
Recommended Roulette Betting Systems
If you want to add some structure to your play, here are a few safe roulette strategies:
The 1-3-2-6 System – A controlled progression that limits losses.
The D’Alembert System – Increase bets slightly after losses, decrease after wins.
Flat Betting – The safest method: bet the same every time.
No system beats the house edge, but they can help you manage risk better than random guessing.
Conclusion
So, what’s the safest bet in roulette? It’s simple:
Stick to outside bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low).
Play European roulette whenever possible.
Manage your bankroll and avoid chasing losses.
Roulette should be about entertainment first. If you play smart and pick the safest bets, you’ll enjoy longer sessions, more wins along the way, and—most importantly—fewer frustrating losses.
FAQs
Q: What is the safest bet in roulette for beginners?
The safest bet for beginners is red/black or odd/even. These bets give you nearly a 50% chance of winning each spin.
Q: Is European roulette safer than American roulette?
Yes. European roulette has only one zero, giving a lower house edge (2.7%) compared to American roulette (5.26%).
Q: What are the odds of winning a single number in roulette?
On a European wheel, the odds are 1 in 37 (2.7%). On an American wheel, it’s 1 in 38 (2.63%).
Q: Which roulette strategy is safest for bankroll management?
Flat betting is the safest since you wager the same amount each spin, minimizing risk of big losses.
Q: What’s the difference between inside and outside bets in roulette?
Inside bets focus on individual numbers or small groups (riskier, higher payout). Outside bets cover larger sections (safer, lower payout).
