Kavouras Bet Roulette Guide
If you are curious about different ways people play roulette, the Kavouras Bet is one that often gets attention. Rather than backing a single number or an outside bet, it groups several inside bets into a single round.
This guide explains how that grouping works, why the layout looks the way it does, and where it fits among other common options.
By the end of this article, we hope to teach you what the Kavouras Bet aims to do, how to spot it at a table, and what to expect if you use it. Read on to learn more.
What Is the Kavouras Bet in Roulette?
The Kavouras Bet is a group of inside bets made in one spin. It uses a small number of chips to cover a spread of numbers across the layout, combining straight-up bets on individual numbers with splits that sit on the line between two numbers. In its classic form, the pattern is often described as using 8 chips to cover around 20 numbers, though small variations exist between tables and online versions.
The goal is simple: create a balanced spread that produces different possible returns within the same round. Because each chip sits on a distinct part of the layout, one outcome may pay more than another, and some results will not return anything at all. That mix is what gives the pattern its character.
Some online games include it as a preset so you can place the layout with one tap. Others will expect you to build it yourself. Either way, the underlying bets and payouts are the same as any normal inside bet on a European table.
Players should always remember to gamble responsibly and within their means- never wager more than you can afford to lose.
How Does the Kavouras Bet Work?
At its core, the Kavouras Bet is just a particular way of arranging inside bets. A commonly used version places 8 chips as follows: one chip on 0, two chips on the splits 8/11 and 13/14, two more on the splits 15/18 and 17/20, and three chips on straight-up numbers 19, 21, and 23.
That arrangement creates a spread across the layout rather than clustering around one area. The straight-ups carry the highest potential return for a single chip, while the splits add coverage without using many more chips.
Payouts follow the standard European roulette structure. A straight-up pays 35 to 1, and a split pays 17 to 1. If you use 8 chips of the same size, a straight-up landing would return 35 units plus the winning chip back, while the seven losing chips are lost. A split landing would return 17 units plus the winning chip back, again offset by the chips that did not hit. This is why the pattern produces a range of outcomes, from net gains of different sizes to a full loss for that round.
If you see a preset named for this pattern, be aware that the exact placements can differ slightly by provider. The general idea stays the same even when the finer details shift.
Kavouras Bet Number Coverage and Payouts
The Kavouras Bet is often presented as covering around 20 numbers on a European wheel with 8 chips. In practice, the precise count depends on the version you are using. Some tables use the broader layout, while others use a slightly tighter variant like the one described above. The intent is consistent across versions: spread exposure around the wheel using a small stake per chip.
Payouts always depend on the specific bet that wins. For inside bets on a European table:
- Straight-up: 35 to 1
- Split: 17 to 1
To put that into context, imagine each chip is one unit and you place 8 chips in total. A winning straight-up would return 36 units including the stake, so the net for that spin would be 36 minus the 7 units lost, which is +29 if you include the returned stake on the winner, or +28 when viewed as profit only. A winning split would return 18 including the stake, so the net would be 18 minus the 7 units lost, which is +11 on the same basis. If no covered number lands, the full 8 units are lost for that spin.
Some online games show this layout as a quick-select option. If not, you can still place it manually by putting each chip on the spots described for the version available to you.
Advantages of Using the Kavouras Bet
The appeal of the Kavouras Bet lies in how it blends coverage and variety. With a handful of chips, it reaches across several parts of the wheel and brings different potential returns into the same round. That means more spins result in something happening, and when a higher-paying section lands, the return feels noticeably different from a lower-paying one.
Because it mixes straight-ups with splits, the pattern produces a spectrum of outcomes rather than a single all-or-nothing result. For example, a spin that lands on one of the straight-ups can generate a larger net return than a spin that lands on a split, even though both are winners. That contrast can make each round feel distinct without altering the underlying odds of the game.
It might also suit players who prefer setting a plan for a session. Once the chips are placed in their usual spots, each spin follows the same structure. If your platform includes a preset for this pattern, placing it becomes quicker, especially on mobile.
What Is the House Edge for the Kavouras Bet?
On a European wheel there are 37 pockets, and the house edge for standard roulette bets is about 2.7%. The Kavouras Bet does not change that. Each component is an inside bet with the same return to player rate as any other inside wager on a European layout.
This means that combining inside bets into a pattern does not alter the mathematical edge. It only affects how your stake is distributed and how your returns vary from spin to spin. The same applies online and in person.
American roulette, which includes a double zero for 38 pockets, has a higher house edge of about 5.26%. If you have a choice, this difference might be worth noting, since the Kavouras layout itself remains the same but the underlying odds do not.
Kavouras Bet Compared to Other Roulette Bets
Outside bets such as red/black or odd/even cover 18 numbers and pay 1 to 1, which means more frequent small returns. Dozens and columns cover 12 numbers and pay 2 to 1. These are straightforward, but they do not include the higher payouts that come with inside bets.
The Kavouras Bet is an inside pattern, so it looks and behaves differently. It uses a small number of chips to reach a wider spread than a single straight-up while keeping a few higher-paying outcomes in play. Compared with placing a single number, it raises the chance of a return on any given spin, yet it still allows for larger payouts than most outside bets when a straight-up lands.
In short, it sits between the simplicity of outside bets and the precision of single numbers, offering a structured way to mix coverage with higher-paying possibilities.
Can the Kavouras Bet Be Used in Both European and American Roulette?
Yes. The chip placements sit on the same parts of the layout in both versions, so the pattern itself does not change. What does change is the wheel: European roulette uses 37 pockets, while American roulette has 38. That extra double zero shifts the odds and raises the house edge, which slightly reduces the chance that any inside bet will land.
In many UK settings, European roulette is the standard. If you are playing online, the game screen will usually state which version you are in, and you can view the rules from the help menu. Knowing the variant could help you understand how the same pattern will perform across different tables.
Explore Roulette Games Online
If you would like to try the Kavouras layout or compare it with other approaches, our roulette tables make it easy to explore. You can choose from European games and other popular formats, each with clear rules and on-screen guides.
Many tables include quick-select layouts and saveable favourites, so you can place a pattern you like without rebuilding it every time. Where presets are not offered, you can still place the same chip positions manually and see how the spread behaves over a few spins.
We promote safe play at all times. Account tools are available to help you set limits, take breaks, and find support if you need it. When you are ready, create an account and explore the games at your own pace.
**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.
 *All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.