High or Low Bet

A High or Low bet in roulette is a wager on which numerical range will contain the winning number. Low covers 1 through 18, and High covers 19 through 36\. Because you are choosing a range instead of a single number, this is one of the easiest outside bets for beginners to understand.

What High and Low Mean

Roulette splits the numbered part of the table into two equal ranges:

Low: 1 to 18,
High: 19 to 36

The green zero pockets are not included. In European roulette, 0 is outside both ranges. In American roulette, 0 and 00 are outside them as well. That is why this bet is not a true fifty-fifty wager.

How to Place a High or Low Bet

Placing the bet is simple:

1 Choose how much you want to wager.

2 Find the boxes marked 1 to 18 and 19 to 36\.

3 Put your chips on 1 to 18 for Low or 19 to 36 for High.

4 Wait for the dealer to spin the wheel and release the ball.

If the ball lands in your range, you win. If it lands in the other range, or on 0 or 00, you lose.

For a new player, this step-by-step setup makes roulette easier to follow because the result is clear as soon as the ball stops.

Payout, Winning Probability, and House Edge

A High or Low bet pays 1:1. That means a winning bet earns the same amount as your stake. If you bet $20 and win, you make $20 in profit and get your $20 back.

The trade-off is simple: the payout is lower than on a single-number bet, but you cover 18 numbers instead of one. That gives you a better chance of winning on each spin, even though the return is smaller.

The exact winning probability depends on the version of roulette:

European roulette: 18 winning outcomes out of 37\.
American roulette: 18 winning outcomes out of 38\.

The house edge is 2.70% in European roulette and 5.26% in American roulette. For most players, European roulette is the better option because the lower house edge gives you better value over time.

Sample Spin

Imagine you place $10 on High. If the ball lands on 21, 28, or 34, your bet wins. You earn $10 in profit, and your original $10 stake is returned. If the ball lands on 7, 14, 0, or 00, the bet loses.

This is what makes the bet practical for beginners. You do not need to memorize complex layouts, and the payout is easy to calculate after each spin.

Why Beginners Choose It

High or Low will not change the house edge or make roulette predictable, but it is still one of the clearest bets on the table. It suits players who want simple betting decisions, easy-to-read results, and a straightforward way to learn how outside bets work.