Roulette Dozens Bet

Roulette Dozens Bet

Published Date · June 30, 2023 · Last Updated · Aug. 15, 2024 ·Read Time · 6 mins

Amongst various outside betting options in roulette, the ‘Dozens’ bet provides a fascinating blend of risk and reward potential. This bet type is part of a broader family of outside bets, including Red/Black, Odd/Even, Low/High and Columns bets.

What is a Dozens Bet in Roulette?

A Dozens bet in roulette is an outside bet where a player places a wager on one of three groups of dozen numbers: 1-12, 13-24 and 25-36. It’s a popular choice amongst players as it covers a fair amount of roulette numbers, while offering potentially decent returns.

Type
Description
Placement
Outside Bet
A bet on one of three groups: 1-12, 13-24, 25-36
On the 1st 12, 2nd 12, or 3rd 12 space.

How to Play Roulette Using a Dozens Bet

To play a Dozens bet, you place your chips in one of the three boxes marked ‘1st 12’, ‘2nd 12’ and ‘3rd 12’. If the ball lands on a number within the range you have chosen, you win.

Example of a Dozen Bet: There are only three possibilities for this type of bet.

  • 1st Dozen: Numbers 1-12
  • 2nd Dozen: Numbers 13-24
  • 3rd Dozen: Numbers 25-36

Betting on all three dozens in roulette is not allowed : because it eliminates any risk of loss. This guarantees a win on every spin except when the ball lands on zero (or double zero in American roulette), creating an unfair advantage. To maintain game integrity and the house edge, casinos prohibit bets that ensure guaranteed wins. Thus, betting on all three dozens simultaneously is forbidden.

When to Place a Dozen Bet?

  • When You Want to Cover More Numbers: Dozen bets cover 12 numbers out of the 36 non-zero numbers on the roulette table, giving you roughly a 32.4% chance of winning. This is a higher chance compared to betting on a single number, making it a good option when you want to increase your odds of hitting a winning number.
  • When You Prefer Moderate Risk and Reward: Dozen bets pay 2 to 1, meaning you get twice your bet amount if you win. This provides a balance between risk and reward, making it suitable for players who are comfortable with moderate risk.
  • When Playing Conservatively: If you're looking to play conservatively and extend your playing time, dozen bets are a good option. They offer a higher chance of winning compared to straight-up bets, helping you maintain your bankroll over more spins.
  • When You Want to Combine with Other Bets: Dozen bets can be combined with other types of bets, such as red/black or odd/even, to create a diversified betting strategy. This can help spread risk and potentially increase your chances of winning on each spin.
  • To Follow a Betting Pattern: Some players like to follow a specific betting pattern or sequence. Placing a dozen bet can fit into a pattern where you might alternate between different dozens based on personal preference or perceived trends.

Is Dozens Betting Profitable for Roulette?

The payout on offer for the Dozens bet is 2-1.

The win probabilities are as follows:

  • European Roulette - 32.43%
  • American Roulette - 31.58%

Both versions of roulette possess a house advantage with this wager - 2.7% for European Roulette and 5.26% for American Roulette.

When it comes to placing this bet, if you decide to place a £10 bet on the 1st dozen and the ball lands on 7, you will win. The payout is 2-1, so you will receive winnings of £20, as well as your original £10 bet.

Roulette Version
Odds of Winning
House Edge
Payout
European
1 in 3.08
2.7%
2 to 1
American
1 in 3.16
5.26%
2 to 1

Is there a strategy based on dozen bet at roulette?

there are strategies specifically based on dozen bets in roulette. Here are a few examples:

Martingale Strategy with Dozen Bets

The Martingale strategy involves doubling your bet after a loss to recover all previous losses and make a profit equal to the original bet.

How to Apply:

  1. Place an initial bet on one of the dozens (e.g., $10 on the 1st Dozen).
  2. If you lose, double your bet on the same dozen (e.g., $20 on the 1st Dozen).
  3. Continue doubling your bet after each loss until you win.
  4. After a win, return to your original bet amount.

Example:

  1. Bet $10 on the 1st Dozen. Lose. (-$10)
  2. Bet $20 on the 1st Dozen. Lose. (-$30)
  3. Bet $40 on the 1st Dozen. Win. (+$50)
  4. Go back to betting $10 on the 1st Dozen.

2-to-1 Dozen Strategy

This strategy involves placing bets on two dozens at the same time, which covers 24 numbers and increases your chances of winning.

How to Apply:

  1. Place equal bets on two of the three dozens (e.g., $10 on the 1st Dozen and $10 on the 2nd Dozen).
  2. If a number from either of the two dozens hits, you win one bet and lose the other, resulting in a net gain.

Example:

  1. Bet $10 on the 1st Dozen and $10 on the 2nd Dozen.
  2. If a number in the 1st Dozen hits, you win $20 but lose the $10 bet on the 2nd Dozen, resulting in a net gain of $10.
  3. If a number in the 2nd Dozen hits, you win $20 but lose the $10 bet on the 1st Dozen, resulting in a net gain of $10.
  4. If a number in the 3rd Dozen hits, you lose both bets.

D'Alembert Strategy with Dozen Bets

The D'Alembert strategy is a more conservative approach compared to Martingale, involving increasing your bet by one unit after a loss and decreasing it by one unit after a win.

How to Apply:

  1. Place an initial bet on one of the dozens (e.g., $10 on the 1st Dozen).
  2. If you lose, increase your bet by one unit (e.g., $20 on the 1st Dozen).
  3. If you win, decrease your bet by one unit (e.g., $10 on the 1st Dozen).

Example:

  1. Bet $10 on the 1st Dozen. Lose. (-$10)
  2. Bet $20 on the 1st Dozen. Lose. (-$30)
  3. Bet $30 on the 1st Dozen. Win. (+$60)
  4. Bet $20 on the 1st Dozen.

Reverse Martingale (Paroli) Strategy with Dozen Bets

The Reverse Martingale strategy involves doubling your bet after each win to maximize winning streaks.

How to Apply:

  1. Place an initial bet on one of the dozens (e.g., $10 on the 1st Dozen).
  2. If you win, double your bet (e.g., $20 on the 1st Dozen).
  3. If you lose, return to your original bet amount.

Example:

  1. Bet $10 on the 1st Dozen. Win. (+$20)
  2. Bet $20 on the 1st Dozen. Win. (+$40)
  3. Bet $40 on the 1st Dozen. Lose. (-$40)
  4. Go back to betting $10 on the 1st Dozen.

Pros of Dozens Bet:

  • It covers a large portion of numbers on the roulette wheel
  • The payout of 2-1 is higher than the even money outside bets

Cons of Dozens Bet:

  • The win probability is lower than the even money outside bets
  • The house advantage gives them a significant advantage in the long run

Conclusion

The Dozens bet in roulette can be a compelling wager for players seeking a moderate level of risk with a decent potential return. While the house edge is still significant, the 2-1 payout odds make it a popular betting option.

Why not have a look at our best casinos to play roulette and give this bet a try?

Author

Tim Williams

Gambling Consultant