Split Bets in Roulette: What Are They and How Do They Work?
Roulette is a classic casino game that has been popular with British players for centuries. While the basic concept of roulette is simple – bet on where the ball will land on the spinning wheel – there are a variety of different bets available that provide players with options. One such bet is the split bet, which provides better odds than a straight up bet on a single number. This article will explain what a split bet is, how it works, the odds and payout, and when a player may wish to utilize this betting option while playing roulette.
What is a Split Bet?
A split bet, sometimes called a cheval bet, is a wager placed on two adjacent numbers on the roulette wheel. For example, a player can place a chip or chips on the line between number 14 and 15 betting on those two numbers. The split bet covers only those two numbers, unlike a street bet which covers three numbers in a row. Some key facts about split bets:
- Chips must be placed directly on the line between the two numbers to make a split bet. You cannot bet on a split by putting a chip on just one number.
- A split bet pays out at 17:1. Meaning if you bet £1 and win, you will receive £17 profit plus your original £1 bet returned.
- The house edge on a split bet is 5.41%, which is lower than the 5.26% edge on straight up bets. This makes split bets slightly better odds for the player.
- You can make multiple split bets on a roulette table covering several combinations of numbers.
How Split Bets Work
When you place a split bet, you are wagering that the roulette ball will land on either of the two numbers you have covered. For the bet to win, the ball must come to rest precisely on one of the two numbers. If the ball lands on any other number on the wheel, even a number adjacent to your split, the bet is lost.
Some examples:
- If you bet on the split 14/15 and the ball lands on 15, you win a 17:1 payout.
- If you bet on the split 14/15 and the ball lands on 13, you lose the bet.
- If you bet on split 14/15 and split 16/17, and the ball lands on 17, you only win on the 16/17 split but lose the 14/15 portion.
So in summary, both numbers covered by a split bet must be hit exactly for the bet to be paid out at 17:1. This is why the odds are lower than straight up bets which pay 35:1. However, by covering two potential winning numbers, your chance of winning increases.
Split Bet Odds and Payout
As noted above, the split bet in roulette pays out at odds of 17:1. This means for every £1 wagered, the player will receive £17 profit plus the original £1 bet amount returned if the wager wins.
The probability of winning a split bet on a European roulette wheel with 37 numbers is 2/37 or 5.41%. For American roulette with 38 slots, the probability is slightly lower at 2/38 or 5.26%. In either format, the house edge or mathematical advantage over the player is lower for split bets compared to straight up bets.
The table below summarizes the key odds and payout data:
| Bet Type | Payout Odds | Probability of Win | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split Bet | 17:1 | 5.41% (European) | 5.41% |
| Straight Up | 35:1 | 2.7% (European) | 5.26% |
When to Use a Split Bet
There are a few situations where placing a split bet might make sense when playing roulette:
- To cover two numbers where you can’t decide between them. Some players have favorite combinations they like to bet on. Covering them with a split can increase chances of winning.
- When the table limit prevents betting straight up. Some tables have maximums that won’t allow a full unit bet on a single number. A split can get around this.
- To extend your bankroll. The lower payout means you can place more split bets per session than straight bets before running out of money.
- To take advantage of slightly better odds. As seen above, the house edge on splits is marginally better than straight up bets.
- As part of an overall betting strategy. Some systems call for specific split bets in certain situations.
The lower odds means split bets tend to be used more recreationally to make the game last longer rather than seriously planning to strike it big with a massive payout. But they can be helpful in certain circumstances and are a good option for roulette beginners to understand.
In summary, a split bet covers two adjacent numbers on the table layout by placing a chip or chips on the line dividing the numbers. This bet has a lower payout of 17:1 but also has slightly better odds than a straight bet due to covering two numbers. Split bets allow a chance to win with a smaller maximum bet size and can extend your gambling bankroll or session. While not offering the huge 35:1 payout of called number bets, split bets are a handy tool for the recreational roulette player.
About The Author
