Among the myriad of bets one can place in roulette games, the split bet is one of the most popular options among inside bets.
Here at Wizard Slots, we will delve into the intricacies of the roulette split bet: what is it, and perhaps more importantly, what does it pay out?
What Is a Split Bet In Roulette?
A split bet is an inside bet placed on two neighbouring numbers on the layout. To place this bet, you place your chips on the line separating the two chosen numbers. For example, if you wanted to bet on the numbers 2 and 3, you'd place the chips on the line between them.
You're essentially betting on the ball landing on either of those two numbers.
The wheel is spun, and the ball is dropped. If the ball lands in either of the pockets corresponding to the selected numbers, then you win.
Roulette Split Payout
So, let's say you've placed a split bet, and the ball has landed in one of your numbers. Next comes the payout.
Split bets payout at 17:1 in almost all roulette variations (i.e. 17x your bet). So, if you placed a split bet of £2, for example, you would receive £34 in winnings.
The Roulette Split Strategy Explained
The split bet is a popular one because it offers the second-highest payout available in roulette but also covers two numbers at a time. Therefore, a common strategy is for players to place a few split bets across the layout to cover multiple pairs of numbers and still be in with the chance of landing a decent payout.
For example, if you placed 5 different split bets at £1 each, you would be covering 10 numbers on the wheel for a cost of £5. Of course, it can still only pay out 17:1 because only one of the split bets can win. However, if one did win, you would walk away with £13, only losing £4 across the 4 non-winning split bets.
The key to this strategy is to find a balance between the bet size and the number of split bets placed. Betting too many can mean the potential winnings may not cover the losses while betting fewer pairs will cover less of the wheel.
What Are The Odds of Winning a Split Bet on Roulette?
The odds of winning a split bet in roulette depend on the variation of roulette you are playing. The two main variants are European and American roulette; the former has 37 pockets on the wheel, and the latter has 38.
So, the odds of winning a split bet in European roulette are 2 in 37 or 5.4%, and the odds in American roulette are 2 in 38 or 5.26%.
Again, a split bet only covers 2 numbers on the wheel, so the chances of it winning are going to be low, but this is why it offers one of the highest payouts in the game because of its low odds.
Conclusion
The split bet is a popular roulette bet because it offers slightly more coverage than a single-number bet but still offers a generous payout. It allows players to cover two numbers on the wheel with a single bet, provided the numbers sit next to each other on the table layout.
So, while the odds of this bet winning aren't the best, the split bet remains a popular option among players, especially when used as part of a multi-bet strategy.
However, it's important to remember that roulette is a random game of chance, and no matter how you choose to structure your bets, you cannot affect the house edge. Please gamble responsibly and never bet money you aren't comfortable losing.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins, etc.) mentioned in relation to this game are subject to change at any time.