Inside bets are those that gamble on specific numbers, up to six at once. There are six kinds of inside bets: straight, split, street, corner, five numbers, and six numbers. Correct placement of the chip for these bets is crucial; the dealer will pay based on where the chips are placed, and you don't want to watch your money get swept away because you put your chip on the wrong line. Payouts on inside bets are higher because the probability of the player winning is lower.

Straight Bets

A straight bet, sometimes called a “straight-up bet,” means choosing one number to come up the winner. You can bet on 0 and 00 in a straight bet. The straight bet has the lowest probability of winning — 37 to 1. But this type of bet also has the best payout; at 35 to 1, which is what most casinos pay on a straight bet, a $5 wager can return $175.

Split Bets

A split bet is one that touches two numbers on the layout. Again, you can bet 0 and 00 if you like. Place your chip on the line separating the two numbers you want to play; you win if either of the numbers you chose comes up. Playing two numbers doubles the probability of winning, so the payout is reduced to 17 to 1 on a split bet.

Street Bets

A street bet covers a row of three consecutive numbers. Place your chip on the outside line of the row you want to play. As in a split bet, you win if any one of your three numbers comes up. Your probability of winning on this bet is three times higher than on a straight bet, and the payout is 11 to 1.

Corner Bets

A corner bet covers four numbers and derives its name from the fact that the chip is placed where the corners of the four numbered boxes meet. Unlike the street bet, the corner bet doesn't cover consecutive numbers. You win if any one of your four numbers comes up. The typical payout on a corner bet is 8 to 1.

Five-Number Bet

The five-number bet, also called the “top-line bet,” covers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3; this is the only place on the layout where one chip can cover five numbers at once. Most experts recommend avoiding this bet because the house edge, almost always a discouraging 5.26 percent, shoots up to more than 7 percent on this bet. The payout on a five-number bet typically is 6 to 1.

Six-Number Bet

The six-number bet covers two rows of three consecutive numbers. Place your chip on the outside line so that it touches the line between the two rows you want to play. If you don't put your chip on the outside line for this bet, you're really playing either a split bet or a corner bet. If any of your six numbers come up, you'll be paid 5 to 1.