Coverage bets: count profit, not just hits

A coverage layout places several bets on one spin. At least one wager may win while the combined layout still loses. The useful calculation starts with every stake and every returned chip.

Three different counts

A pocket is covered if at least one wager pays there. A pocket is profitable if the combined return exceeds the total stake. A break-even pocket returns exactly the amount wagered. These categories describe different things.

For two equal one-unit dozen bets, the total stake is two. Either chosen dozen returns three chips, leaving one chip of net profit. The remaining dozen and zero lose both chips. On a European wheel, 24 pockets profit and 13 lose; the expected net is (24×1−13×2)/37=−2/37 units per spin.

Now consider 24+8: sixteen units on two dozens plus eight one-unit straight bets costs 24 units. The dozen outcomes return 24 and break even. Eight straight-number outcomes return 36 and profit by 12. Five uncovered outcomes lose 24. Calling 32 of 37 pockets covered hides that only eight pockets produce a positive net result.

Settlement procedure

1. Add every wager to find the total stake.
2. Select one possible pocket.
3. Add all returns from winning wagers, including their returned stakes.
4. Subtract the total stake once.
5. Repeat for every pocket on the chosen wheel.

Overlapping bets need every applicable return. A color bet and a column bet can both win on the same pocket. Other pockets may win only one part of the layout. The overlapping-bet guide works through that arithmetic.

Start with the paytable

The result depends on the exact legal bets, their weights and the wheel. Adding 00 creates another full-miss outcome for many layouts. Special zero rules can change even-money settlement and must be declared separately. Our examples use ordinary full loss on zero.

Compare two columns with Romanovsky for different hit and profit patterns. Use the bet builder to inspect the whole layout, rather than assigning a strategy a success rate from its name.