Column Betting Strategies in Roulette
Column betting in roulette is a simple way to focus your bets when playing. This guide explains the single and 2-column strategies so that you can choose which one suits your approach.
Whether you want to know how the columns are laid out, how much of the wheel they cover, or the probabilities behind each roulette column strategy, you’ll find the answers here. By the end, you’ll know how to use these methods and how they compare to other roulette systems such as 3/2 or James Bond.
What Do the Column Bets Cover?
When you look at the roulette table, you’ll see three vertical columns of numbers. Each column has 12 numbers. The first column starts at 1 and skips by three, ending at 34. The second column starts with 2, 5 and 8 and goes up to 35. The third column is 3, 6, 9 and so on, up to 36. None of these columns have 0 or 00 (if you’re playing American roulette), so keep that in mind.
When you bet on a column, you’re covering all 12 numbers in it. If any of them hit, you win 2:1. It’s a simple option that has better odds than betting on individual numbers. Knowing which numbers are in each column is a simple way to improve your roulette column bet strategy and cover more of the table.
The 2 Column Strategy
The 2 column roulette strategy is a great way to cover more of the roulette wheel. Instead of one column, you spread your bets across two. So, you’re covering 24 numbers out of 36 (or 37/38 if it’s American roulette). For example, if you put £10 on the first column and £10 on the second, any number from those two columns gives a payout of 2:1. You’ll lose the other £10, but that’s the trade-off for having more coverage.
Pros:
- Covers more than two-thirds of the numbers on the table (66.6% in European roulette).
Cons:
- Payout odds are smaller in comparison to other betting options.
- The zero (or double zero) is still not covered, so losses can still happen due to the house edge.
A Single-Column Strategy
The single-column strategy is as straightforward as it gets. You’re betting on just one of the three columns on the table, each covering 12 numbers. In European roulette, this means that you’ve got about a 32.4% chance of hitting your number (slightly lower in American roulette). If your column hits, you’re looking at a 2:1 payout.
Pros:
- Higher payout compared to the 2 column strategy.
- Very easy to understand and follow.
Cons:
- Covers fewer numbers, so your odds of winning are lower.
The Probabilities of Winning With the Column Strategies
How do the odds of winning with a roulette column betting strategy compare to other methods? The James Bond strategy covers 25 numbers with a 65.8% chance, but it’s a bit more complicated with different bet types. The 3/2 system is simpler, focusing on low/high bets, but the payouts are smaller.
So, why stick with column bets? They’re straightforward, cover a good portion of the table, and don’t overcomplicate things. Whether you use the roulette 1st and 3rd column strategy, or even two at once, you’ve got a clear idea of what to expect.
2 Column Strategy
Betting on two columns gives you better odds of winning. By covering two out of the three columns, you’re placing bets on 24 numbers. This is a 64.8% chance of hitting one of your picks in European roulette. If you’re playing American roulette, the extra double zero nudges this down to 63.2%.
This strategy is based on backing a majority of the numbers, but you’ll still lose if the ball lands on a number in the third column or, worse, on zero. Due to the house edge, losses will still occur.
Single Column Strategy
Betting on a single column is simple but comes with some risk. By choosing just one of the three columns, you’re covering 12 numbers. In European roulette, this gives you about a 32.4% chance of winning. If you’re playing American roulette, the extra double zero lowers your odds slightly to 31.6%.
The upside is a single-column bet pays 2:1. This means that if you put £10 on a column and it hits, you’ll walk away with £30. On the other hand: you’re only covering about a third of the numbers. Therefore, losses are more likely to happen when compared with the 2 Column Strategy, which covers more of the wheel.