What is 2 to 1 in Roulette? Payouts, Bets and Key Facts
Roulette offers a wide choice of bets, and one term you’ll often see is “2 to 1”. It appears on the layout, yet many players aren’t quite sure what it means or how it plays out.
This guide breaks down 2 to 1 bets in plain English: what they are, how they work at the table, which numbers they cover, the payouts, and the common mistakes to avoid.
By the end, you’ll have a clear, joined-up picture of this bet type so you can recognise it and understand what it offers.
What is a 2 to 1 Bet?
A 2 to 1 bet in roulette is a wager that pays £2 in winnings for every £1 staked if it wins. The total return is £3 on a £1 stake: £2 profit plus your £1 stake back.
You’ll find these bets on the outside of the table layout. They are most commonly linked to “column” bets and “dozen” bets, each covering 12 numbers with a single chip.
Most tables label these areas clearly, with “2 to 1” printed beneath the columns and on the dozen boxes. If your chosen group hits, that’s the payout you receive.
Curious how that plays out in practice? Let’s look at how these bets actually work on the felt.
How Does a 2 to 1 Bet Work in Roulette?
2 to 1 bets are a way to cover a larger set of numbers with one wager. They sit between single-number bets and even-money bets in terms of coverage and potential return, giving a middle ground some players prefer.
Understanding Column and Dozen Bets
Two bet types pay 2 to 1:
- Column bet: Each vertical column on the layout contains 12 numbers. Place a chip at the end of your chosen column. If the outcome is any number from that column, the bet pays 2 to 1.
- Dozen bet: Choose one of the three groups of 12 numbers: 1–12, 13–24, or 25–36. If the result lands within your chosen dozen, the bet pays 2 to 1.
Zero does not count for either of these bets. On wheels with a double zero, that is excluded as well. For a quick example, a £5 chip on the first dozen returns £15 in total if a number from 1 to 12 comes in.
With the mechanics in place, the natural next question is what these bets pay and why.
What Are the Payouts for 2 to 1 Bets?
For every £1 you stake on a column or dozen and win, you receive £2 in winnings plus your stake back. A £5 winning bet returns £15. A £10 winning bet returns £30.
This payout applies only to the dozen and column sections. It doesn’t apply to single numbers or most other outside bets, which have different pay tables.
To put the coverage in context, a dozen or column covers 12 numbers. On a European wheel with 37 numbers, that is 12 out of 37. On a double-zero wheel with 38 numbers, it’s 12 out of 38. The 2 to 1 payout reflects this level of coverage, and outcomes are never guaranteed.
So, which numbers are actually included when you choose a 2 to 1 option?
Which Numbers Qualify for a 2 to 1 Bet?
A 2 to 1 bet always covers 12 numbers:
- Column bets include the 12 non-zero numbers shown in the selected vertical column on the table layout.
- Dozen bets are fixed groups: 1–12, 13–24, or 25–36.
Zero is excluded from both. If the wheel has a double zero, that is excluded, too. It also helps to remember that the physical order of numbers on the wheel differs from the grid on the table, so a column is a table grouping rather than a wheel sector.
Common Mistakes Players Make With 2 to 1 Bets
A frequent misunderstanding is overestimating how much of the wheel is covered. A dozen or column covers 12 numbers, which is only part of the board, and zero is not included.
Chip placement errors are another pitfall. Placing a chip slightly off the column end or outside the dozen box can register a different wager, so it pays to be precise.
Some players assume columns represent adjacent sections on the wheel. They don’t. Columns are a layout grouping, which is why the wheel can land on the same column twice in a row while jumping around physically.
Spreading chips across multiple dozens or columns can blunt the return. For example, staking two dozens at once often means a winning spin returns less profit than putting the full stake on one dozen, because you also lose the other active bet.
It’s also easy to chase losses by increasing stakes after a miss. Keeping bets within a set limit and taking breaks helps prevent that spiral.
With those pitfalls covered, here are the essentials worth keeping in mind.
Key Facts Every Player Should Know About 2 to 1 Bets
A 2 to 1 bet covers 12 numbers at a time, either by column or by dozen. A winning spin pays double the stake in winnings, plus the original stake returned.
Zero is not part of these bets. On wheels with 00, that is not included either.
You don’t need a large bankroll to use them. Table minimums for columns and dozens are usually the same as other outside bets, so small stakes are typically accepted.
Covering every dozen or every column at once usually isn’t profitable on a single spin. Even if a group hits, the 2 to 1 return often won’t offset the total amount placed across multiple groups.
Different roulette variants may show slightly different layouts or labels, but the principle of dozen and column bets paying 2 to 1 remains the same.
If gambling starts to affect your finances or well-being, support is available. Independent organisations such as GamCare and GambleAware offer free, confidential help.
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**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.