The two bets
| Bet | Covers | Numbers | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| A dozen | 1 to 12, 13 to 24, or 25 to 36 | 12 | 2:1 |
| A column | 1, 4, 7 to 34; 2, 5, 8 to 35; or 3, 6, 9 to 36 | 12 | 2:1 |
How they work
The layout splits the numbers into three blocks of twelve, each paying 2:1, and again into three columns of twelve. Either way you cover just under a third of the wheel. A fair payout would be slightly better than 2:1, and that shortfall is, once again, exactly the same 2.70% as every other European bet.
A column and a dozen together
Columns cut across the layout rather than along it, so every dozen holds exactly four numbers of each column. A column and a dozen together therefore cover 20 numbers with two chips (twelve plus twelve, less the four they share), and those four pay both bets. The price does not move: each chip still carries 2.70% on a single-zero wheel.
The same bets on each wheel
| Wheel | Pockets | Payout | Win chance | House edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European (single zero) | 37 | 2:1 | 32.43% | 2.70% |
| American (double zero) | 38 | 2:1 | 31.58% | 5.26% |
Unlike the even-money bets, these get no relief from the French zero rules. La partage and en prison apply only to bets paying 1:1, so a dozen or a column costs 2.70% on any single-zero table.
What these bets are actually for
Since every bet on the wheel shares one edge, the only thing bet selection buys you is a variance profile. Covering 12 of 37 pockets means winning often and small; a straight-up bet means winning rarely and large. Both bleed at the same rate.
If your aim is to sit at a table for a long evening on a fixed budget, the wider-coverage bets do that better. That is a pacing decision, not an edge.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the house edge on a column or a dozen?
- 2.70% on a European wheel and 5.26% on an American one, for both.
- What is the difference between a column and a dozen?
- Only which twelve numbers you get. A dozen is 1 to 12, 13 to 24 or 25 to 36; a column is one of the three vertical lines on the layout. Both pay 2:1 at the same price.
- Can I bet a column and a dozen together?
- Yes. They share four numbers, so two chips cover 20, and the price per chip stays 2.70% on a European wheel.
- Do the French zero rules help these bets?
- No. La partage and en prison apply only to even-money bets.
House edges on this page are computed from the pocket count and the payout in exact rational arithmetic, then checked against published references before publication. Payouts are standard, but the wheel and the zero rule vary between casinos and between tables in the same casino, so confirm both before you sit down.