Roulette features a range of bets, each with its own rules and payouts. One option is the corner bet, also known as a square bet. Some players are unfamiliar with how it works or where it fits within the range of available choices.
This guide explains what a corner bet is, how to place one on the roulette table, and the potential payouts. It also looks at the odds for corner bets on both European and American wheels, whether a corner bet might include zero, how it compares with other inside bets, and an example that shows the numbers in action.
Gambling should always be approached with care, so this guide explains the betting process in clear terms to support safer play.
What Is A Corner Bet In Roulette?
A corner bet in roulette is a type of inside bet that covers four numbers at once. It is sometimes called a square bet because the chip is placed where the four numbers meet on the table layout.
This bet allows a player to wager on any group of four numbers that form a square on the grid. For example, placing a chip at the intersection of 17, 18, 20, and 21 covers all four numbers with a single bet. If the winning number is any one of the four chosen, the bet pays out according to standard roulette payout rates.
With the basics in place, the next question is where exactly the chip should go on the felt.
How Do You Place A Corner Bet On The Table?
To place a corner bet, put a chip on the exact point where four numbers share a corner. That single placement links the chip to all four numbers. For instance, placing a chip at the corner where 10, 11, 13, and 14 touch covers those four numbers with one wager.
It is important not to place the chip along the line between two numbers or at the edge of three numbers, as that would count as a different bet type. Dealers in live games and the betting interface online usually recognise and highlight corner placements, and table staff or on-screen guides can confirm if needed.
Once the chip is correctly positioned, the return for a winning spin is straightforward.
What Are The Payouts For A Corner Bet?
A corner bet typically pays 8 to 1 if one of the four selected numbers is the result. For example, a £1 corner bet returns £8 in winnings plus the original £1 stake, giving a total of £9. In other words, the net win is eight times the stake.
This payout is the same on most European and American tables, although table limits and house rules always apply. Inside bets can also have different minimum chip values to outside bets, so it is worth checking the limits before placing chips.
Knowing the payout is useful, but how often does a corner land?
What Are The Odds Of A Corner Bet On European And American Wheels?
The odds for a corner bet differ slightly between European and American roulette.
On a European wheel, which has 37 pockets (numbers 1 to 36 plus a single zero), a corner covers four of those 37 numbers. That gives a probability of 4 out of 37, or about 10.81%. The house edge on European roulette is 2.70%.
On an American wheel, there are 38 pockets (numbers 1 to 36, a single zero, and a double zero). A corner, therefore, covers 4 out of 38 numbers, or about 10.53%. The extra double zero is why the American house edge is higher at 5.26%.
Each spin is independent, so previous results do not influence the next outcome. With that in mind, many players also wonder how zero fits into corner bets.
Can You Place A Corner Bet That Includes Zero?
It is possible to place a corner bet that includes zero, but only on European layouts. The corner around zero covers 0, 1, 2, and 3. To make this bet, place the chip at the shared intersection of those four numbers.
On American layouts, the grid does not form a four-number square with zero in the same way, so that specific corner is not available. Players may see a separate five-number wager covering 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3, but that is not a corner bet and has a different payout structure.
The 0, 1, 2, 3 corner on European tables typically pays the same 8 to 1 as any other corner. If that option is clear, it helps to see how corners stack up against other inside bets.
Corner Bet Versus Other Inside Bets: What’s The Difference?
Inside bets are wagers placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers within the main grid. A corner covers four numbers at their intersection. Other common inside bets vary in coverage and payout:
- A straight-up bet is staked on a single number and typically pays 35 to 1.
- A split covers two adjacent numbers on a shared line and typically pays 17 to 1.
- A street covers three numbers in a row and typically pays 11 to 1.
- A corner covers four numbers and typically pays 8 to 1.
- A six-line covers two adjacent rows, six numbers in total, and typically pays 5 to 1.
The trade-off is simple: the more numbers a bet covers, the lower the payout if it wins. A corner sits in the middle, offering broader coverage than a split or street but at a lower return than a straight-up.
Common Misconceptions About Corner Bets
A few misunderstandings crop up regularly. One is that a corner covers more or fewer than four numbers. It always covers exactly four, and only when the chip is placed at the true shared corner. If the chip slides onto a line between two numbers or at the end of a row, the bet type changes and so does the payout.
Another misconception is that a corner somehow improves the overall chance of winning compared with other inside bets. The only factors that matter are the total pockets on the wheel and how many numbers the bet covers. There are no hidden advantages.
It is also common to hear that betting systems or patterns can make a corner more likely to win. Roulette outcomes cannot be predicted or influenced by staking sequences, and no system can change the underlying probabilities.
Example Calculation: Winning A Corner Bet On A European Wheel
Understanding the payout from a corner bet helps make the numbers clear.
If a player makes a £2 corner bet on a European wheel and one of the four numbers wins, the payout is 8 to 1. That returns £16 in winnings, plus the original £2 stake, for a total of £18.
If you choose to play roulette, set personal limits that suit your circumstances and never wager more than you are willing to lose. Take breaks, and keep betting as an occasional form of entertainment. If gambling starts to affect your well-being or finances, seek support early. Independent organisations such as GamCare and GambleAware offer free, confidential help for anyone who needs it.
With placement, payouts and odds understood, a corner bet becomes a simple option to weigh up among the inside bets, letting you decide if it fits the way you prefer to play.
**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.