Roulette has been played for centuries, and its simple concept—predicting where a small ball will land on a spinning wheel—has made it one of the most recognised casino games in the UK.
The 24+8 Roulette System is a structured way of placing bets to cover a large portion of the wheel. This guide explains how it works, what the bets mean, and how the potential payouts are calculated.
It may help you understand how the 24+8 system is arranged and how it might perform during play, without suggesting it can change the outcome. Roulette is a random game of chance, so while systems can help shape how you place bets, they cannot remove uncertainty or guarantee results.
What Is the 24+8 Roulette System?
The 24 + 8 Roulette System is most commonly used on European roulette tables, which feature 37 numbered pockets — numbers 1 through 36, plus a single zero. Each number has an equal probability of appearing, giving the casino a house edge of about 2.7% (roughly a 1 in 37 advantage).
In this system, the player places bets to cover most of the wheel, while leaving only a few numbers — and zero — uncovered. The structure is as follows:
- 24 numbers are covered by betting on the first and third dozens (1–12 and 25–36).
- 8 additional numbers are covered with straight-up bets on selected numbers from the middle dozen (13–24).
A straight-up bet is placed directly on a single number and pays 35 to 1, returning the original stake plus 35 times the bet amount when successful.
While this approach offers potentially regular payouts by covering most of the table, it does not alter the inherent house edge — so consistent profitability over time remains unlikely.
How Does the 24+8 Roulette System Work?
The goal is to cover most of the wheel while leaving only a few numbers — plus zero — uncovered.
- 24 numbers are covered by betting on the first and third dozens (1–12 and 25–36).
- 8 straight-up bets are placed on selected numbers from the middle dozen (13–24).
It’s important to remember that this strategy doesn’t reduce the 2.7% house edge, and profits aren’t guaranteed.
Setting Up Your 24+8 Roulette Bets
To set up your 24+8 bets on a European roulette table:
- Step 1: Cover the dozens
Place 2 units on both the first dozen (1–12) and the third dozen (25–36). These two bets cover 24 numbers in total. - Step 2: Add your straight-up bets
Place 1 unit on eight individual numbers from the middle dozen (13–24). These are your “+8” bets, giving you a chance at higher payouts.
This setup covers 32 of the 37 numbers, leaving only four from the middle dozen — plus the zero — uncovered. Players can choose any eight numbers in the middle section, though many prefer to spread them out evenly or select numbers near each other for easier tracking..
When Is the 24+8 Roulette System Most Effective?
Understanding Table Layout and Wheel Types
European roulette has 37 pockets, including one zero, resulting in a house edge of 2.70%. In comparison, American roulette has 38 pockets (1–36, 0, and 00), which raises the house edge to 5.26%.
Some UK casinos also use La Partage or En Prison rules on even-money bets, which reduce the edge further, but these rules do not apply to inside bets such as those in the 24+8 system. It’s important to know which version of roulette you’re playing, as payout rules can vary slightly between casinos and online platforms.
Choosing Between Inside and Outside Bets
Roulette bets are divided into two main types: inside and outside.
- Inside bets target specific numbers or small groups of numbers, such as straight-up or corner bets. They offer higher returns, but tend to occur less often.
- Outside bets cover larger groups, such as red or black, odd or even, or high (19–36) and low (1–18). These offer lower, but potentially more frequent winnings.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Using the 24+8 Roulette System?
Pros:
- Covers a large portion of the wheel
- Produces a variety of outcomes depending on where the ball lands, which some find engaging to follow.
- Provides a consistent betting structure that is easy to repeat and adjust.
Cons:
- The system does not change the house edge or improve the probability of winning.
Roulette is a game of chance, so no system can influence its outcomes. The 24+8 method simply determines how your bets are spread across the table.
How Does the 24+8 Roulette System Compare to Other Roulette Strategies?
The 24+8 layout differs from progression systems like Martingale or Fibonacci, which adjust the stake after each spin. In progression methods, the amount wagered increases or decreases depending on previous results.
By contrast, the 24+8 system keeps the stake the same each round and focuses on coverage rather than progression. It also differs from the James Bond strategy, which places larger bets on specific ranges of numbers, rather than covering many single ones.
None of these systems can alter roulette’s built-in odds. They simply offer different ways to manage how much of the wheel you cover and how you prefer to stake your chips.
If you choose to play, set a clear budget before starting, know the value of your chips, and stop when you reach that limit. Gambling should only be done for entertainment, and the outcome of each spin is determined entirely by chance.
*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.
**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.