Playing The Neighbours Bet in Roulette
Although this type of bet isn’t as simple as the red or black bet, it’s worth taking the time to learn it. Take some time to understand the roulette neighbour bets explained in this guide, their odds, how to play them, and the pros and cons.
What Is a Neighbours Bet?
A neighbour bet in roulette is a sector bet that lets you choose a specific number (the central bet) and its neighbours to the left and right. This straight bet allows you to cover more parts of the roulette wheel. It is commonly termed a ‘called bet’ because you need to call out your bet so that the croupier can place it for you.
The five-number bet is the most common roulette neighbours strategy that allows you to bet on five numbers in total (2 + 1 + 2). However, betting on five numbers is one of many options. Some versions of online roulette allow you to choose how many neighbours you want to play, usually ranging from one to nine numbers on either side. A game with nine neighbours on either side means that you cover 19 numbers – half of the roulette wheel.
Consider the numbers in the order they appear on the roulette wheel, not the grid table. Unlike the numbers on the table arranged consecutively, wheel numbers do not follow a specific pattern. For example, a neighbour bet placed on 19 will include the numbers 32, 15, 4 and 21 in your stake, not 17, 18, 20 and 21.
Odds Associated With the Neighbours Bet
Like straight-up bets, neighbour bets become easier once you understand the odds of single-number outcomes and the payout.
The European and French versions of roulette have 37 numbers on the wheel, so each number has a 1 in 37 success rate. However, when considering the house edge of 2.70%, the payout odds for a single number become 35:1. Since each number has a 1 in 37 chance of success, five running numbers give us a 13.5% (1 in 7.4) chance of winning.
What happens when you place a bet for ‘19 and the neighbours, by five (£5.00)’? You wager a total of £25 on number 19. This gives you a £5.00 bet on the following numbers: 32, 15, 19, 4 and 21. If the ball lands on any of these five numbers, you get 35:1 on a £5.00 bet. So, you win £175 and get back your initial stake of £5.00 but lose the £20 on the other four bets.
The odds of winning a neighbour bet in roulette depend on how many numbers you choose to cover. Statistically, the more numbers you wager on, the higher your winning chances, but with a reduced payout because you’re spreading the bet thin across several numbers.
How to Place a Neighbours Bet
Playing a neighbour bet in an online roulette game is easy. First, ensure that you’re playing a version of roulette that supports neighbours' bets.
Then, choose the central bet and select how many neighbours you want to include. Depending on the number, the dealer will automatically place your bet on your central bet and the neighbours on either side. Confirm your bet, watch as the wheel spins, and see if the ball lands on one of the selected pockets.
If you bet on five numbers, a fifth of your stake is placed on each number. For example, a £100 wager means that you have £20 on each of your five numbers.
The Pros of the Neighbours Bet
There are a few reasons why most roulette players might prefer the neighbour bets to other betting options:
- Improved chances of winning: Neighbour bets improve your winning chances because they cover more numbers on the wheel with a single bet.
- Convenience: Neighbours can be a better bet option because you can wager on multiple numbers in one bet. It’s a good way to cover a small section of the roulette wheel at once, rather than placing individual bets on numbers on opposite ends of the table. This is why some people call it ‘lazy man’s roulette’.
The Cons of the Neighbours Bet
Here are a few factors you should consider before using the neighbours approach at the table:
- Reduced payout: Covering multiple numbers will mean reduced payouts when compared to something such as a straight-up bet, however, this is to reflect the likelihood of the bet winning.
- Doesn’t guarantee a win: Roulette is a game of pure chance, therefore, no matter which betting option you opt for, there is every chance it lands outside of the pockets you have selected, despite Neighbours covering more of the wheel.