Casino Roulette Complete Bet Payouts Guide
Roulette is one of the most recognisable casino games, with its spinning wheel and numbered pockets. But understanding how to place bets and what those bets actually mean can be confusing—especially if you’re new to it.
This guide focuses on European roulette, the most common version found in UK casinos and online platforms regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). It explains what a complete bet is, how it’s made, and how any payouts usually work. You’ll also learn about alternative bets that may suit different playing styles.
If you’re curious about how different bets connect to the wheel and what they could potentially return, this guide breaks it down in a simple and straightforward way.
Step-by-Step: How Complete Bets Work
In European roulette, a complete bet—sometimes called a maximum inside bet—is a way of covering every possible inside betting combination related to a single number.
Inside bets are those placed on the numbered section of the table layout, rather than the outside areas like red/black or odd/even. These inside bet types include:
- Straight-up – a single number
- Split – two numbers that are next to each other
- Street – a row of three consecutive numbers
- Corner (or square) – four numbers that form a square
- Six line (or double street) – six numbers across two rows
To place a complete bet, you start by choosing a number—let’s use 17 as an example. You’d then place chips on every bet type that includes that number. This means covering all combinations where 17 appears alongside other numbers on the layout.
For number 17, the complete bet would include:
- 1 chip on 17 as a straight-up bet
- 4 split bets: 17/14, 17/16, 17/18, and 17/20
- 2 corner bets: 14/15/17/18 and 16/17/19/20
- 2 street bets: 14/15/16 and 16/17/18
- 2 six-line bets: 13–18 and 16–21
This adds up to 11 separate bets, but since each bet requires its own chip, you’ll need 11 chips in total for this standard version.
In some traditional or high-stakes settings, especially in French roulette, a complete bet can be extended to 18 chips by placing additional overlapping combinations for maximum coverage.
Before placing a complete bet, be sure to check the table’s minimum and maximum bet limits, as not all tables allow this kind of wager. Some online or physical casinos may also have restrictions or require special approval from the dealer.
Complete bets involve placing a large number of chips on different combinations linked to one number. If you’re considering this type of bet, it can help to set personal limits, take regular breaks, and approach play with care.
UKGC-licensed sites provide safer gambling tools such as deposit limits, reality checks, and self-exclusion options to support responsible play.
Analyzing Payouts for Complete Roulette Bets
In European roulette, the ball spins around a wheel containing numbers 0 to 36. Because there is only one zero, the house edge is approximately 2.70%. This means that over time, the casino is expected to keep 2.7% of all money wagered—though actual results vary spin by spin, due to the random nature of the game.
If your chosen number comes up, each part of a complete bet pays out according to its specific odds. However, it’s important to understand that most complete bets won’t result in a win, as roulette is a random game and any number is only one of 37 possible outcomes in European roulette.
Below are the standard UK payout rates for each type of inside bet:
- Straight-up: 35 to 1
- Split: 17 to 1
- Street: 11 to 1
- Corner: 8 to 1
- Six Line: 5 to 1
If the number you’ve chosen (like 17) comes up, each of these bets pays out separately, according to the odds above.
For example, a successful £1 straight-up bet on 17 would return £35 in winnings, plus your original £1 stake. If your corner bet that includes 17 also wins, you’d receive £8 per £1 placed there. Because multiple bets cover the same number, hitting your chosen number can potentially result in several payouts at once.
However, you’ll be staking a relatively high amount to place a complete bet—often 18 chips or more, depending on the number. That’s important to consider, especially if you’re working with a set budget. The higher the number of chips used, the more it costs per spin, and there is no guarantee of a return.
Why Players Choose (or Avoid) Complete Bets
A complete bet can appeal to players who are focused on a single number and want to try and ensure they’ve covered almost every angle it appears on the table. It creates a sense of total coverage for that number through inside bets, which some people may find appealing.
Others may prefer not to use complete bets because of the cost. Covering every inside position tied to one number means placing multiple bets at once. This increases the amount staked per round, which might not suit everyone—especially if you’re just learning how the game works or prefer a more measured approach.
There’s also the added complexity. Placing several bet types in one go can be a lot to manage, particularly on a fast-paced live table. If you’re still getting used to the layout, it may feel more practical to stick to simpler bets.
Some players avoid complete bets because of the variance involved. Even with all that coverage, a complete bet still relies on one number landing. And in roulette, no outcome is ever certain—every spin is independent and random.
Alternative Bets for Careful Players
If you’re looking for bets that feel more straightforward, outside bets might be worth considering. These are wagers placed on larger sections of the table, such as:
- Red or black
- Odd or even
- High (19–36) or low (1–18)
These are called even money bets, because they can pay 1 to 1. So if you place £5 on red and red wins, you receive £5 in winnings plus your £5 stake back.
There are also dozen bets and column bets, both covering 12 numbers. Dozen bets allow you to bet on either 1–12, 13–24, or 25–36. Column bets cover one of three vertical groups of 12 numbers. Both types of bets pay 2 to 1.
These bets cover more numbers per chip. However, payouts are lower than inside bets. The “best” bet really depends on what you’re comfortable with.
As roulette outcomes are completely random, no betting method can guarantee a successful result. Even bets that cover many numbers can still lead to a loss, as each spin is independent and unpredictable.
Roulette is designed as a form of entertainment, not a way to make money. If you choose to play, you can take steps to protect yourself by setting deposit limits, using reality checks, and keeping track of how much time you spend playing.
If you ever feel like gambling is becoming a concern, free and confidential support is available at BeGambleAware.org.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.