Roulette Wheel and Table
Unlocking the Numbers and Wheel Colours
The roulette wheel has 1 to 36 numbers with red and black colours. European roulette has a single zero and American roulette has a double zero.
It’s important you know the difference between the two. European roulette has a lower house edge, pay attention to the green slots as it’s the house edge.
Roulette Wheel Basics
The roulette is pivotal because everything revolves around it. It contains numbered slots of red and black including the “0” and “oo” for European and American roulette.
Each spin is completely random from the previous one. Moreover, the goal is to predict which slot the ball will land after the wheel stops spinning.
Key Components of the Roulette Wheel
- Numbers: The wheel has 37 numbers in European roulette (0-36) or 38 in American roulette (0, 00, and 1-36).
- Colors: The numbers are red or black, except the 0 (and 00 in American roulette), which is green.
- Slots: Each number has its slot on the wheel. European roulette has 37 slots, and American roulette has 38.
- The Wheel: The circular part of the roulette table displays the numbers. It spins around a central axis.
- The Ball: A small, spherical object that spins around the wheel and eventually settles into one of the numbered slots.
- The Axle: The central rod that the wheel spins around.
- The Pocket: The area on the wheel where the ball lands, corresponds to one of the numbers.
- The Rake: In some roulette tables, a rake or a similar device moves the ball around the wheel.
- The Hub: The center part of the wheel where the croupier releases the ball from and spins out.
The components work in unison to create the classic game of roulette. Players place bets on where they think the ball will land.
| Roulette Type | Wheel Structure | Table Structure | Number of Slots | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Roulette | 37 slots: 0-36 | Single 0 layout; Bets placed on a layout with a single 0 section | 37 | Single 0, lower house edge (~2.63%) |
| American Roulette | 38 slots: 0, 00, 1-36 | Double 0 layout; Bets placed on layout with both 0 and 00 sections | 38 | Double 0, higher house edge (~5.26%) |
| French Roulette | 37 slots: 0-36 | Single 0 layout; Similar to European with additional betting rules | 37 | La Partage and En Prison rules (if applied), lower house edge (~1.35%) |
| Mini Roulette | 13 slots: 0, 1-12 | Smaller table, fewer numbers | 13 | Smaller wheel and table, higher house edge compared to European Roulette |
European, American, and French roulette have specific rules and house edges. European Roulette’s wheel has 37 slots (0-36) and a house edge of 2.63% because of its single zero.
American Roulette has 38 slots (including 0 and 00). It has a higher house edge of around 5.26% due to the extra zero.
French Roulette has 37 slots but offers better odds with rules like La Partage and En Prison. They lower the house edge to approximately 1.35% by reducing losses on even-money bets when the ball lands on 0.
American Roulette Wheel and Table
American Roulette has a unique wheel structure and higher house edge. Here are the key details:
- Numbers: The American roulette wheel has 38 slots, numbered 0, 00, and 1-36.
- Zeros: The wheel includes two zero slots: a 0 and a double 00.
- House Edge: Due to the 0 and 00, the house edge in American roulette is approximately 5.26%.
- Arrangement: The numbers on the American roulette wheel are in a non-sequential pattern to guarantee randomness. The layout generally alternates between red and black numbers to maximize unpredictability.
The sequence is as follows:
- The wheel starts with 0 and 00, followed by numbers 1 through 36.
- The numbers across the wheel ensure no predictable sequence.
This configuration creates a more challenging game for players due to the increased house edge compared to other roulette variants.
European Roulette Wheel and Table
In European Roulette, specific betting sections on the wheel help players place bets more strategically. These sections are:
- Jeu (The Game): Encompassing 27 numbers from 0-36 with a winning probability of 18.92%. It’s the area of the wheel that falls between the numbers 0 and 2, across both sides of the wheel.
- Voisins du Zéro (Neighbors of Zero): Covers the 17 numbers closest to the 0 on the wheel. They are 0, 2, 3, 4, 12, 15, 18, 19, 21, 22, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, and 35. It’s a large wager that covers numbers near zero, reflecting their physical proximity on the wheel.
- Tiers du Cylindre (Thirds of the Wheel): Covers 12 numbers directly opposite the “Jeu” segment on the wheel. It includes the numbers 5, 8, 10, 11, 13, 16, 23, 24, 27, 29, 31, and 34. It represents one-third of the wheel, covering the opposite side of the “Jeu” section.
- Les Orphelins (The Orphans): Covers the remaining numbers not included in the “Jeu” or “Tiers” segments. The 8 numbers are 1, 6, 9, 14, 17, 20, 31, and 36. They’re “orphans” around the wheel because they don’t belong to the other sections.
French Roulette Wheel and Table
French roulette is a classic version of the popular casino game. It offers a unique experience compared to other variants like American roulette. Here’s a breakdown of the key elements:
Numbers and Layout
Numbers: The French roulette wheel features 37 pockets. These include numbers 1 to 36 and a single zero (0).
Zeros: There is only one zero differentiating it from American roulette with a single and a double zero.
Arrangement: The numbers on the wheel are in a non-sequential order, alternating between red and black pockets. The single zero is in green.
House Edge and Winning Probability
- House Edge: French roulette has a lower house edge than American roulette. The house edge for French roulette stands at 2.7%.
- Winning Probability: The probability of winning varies depending on the type of bet placed. For instance:
- Straight Bet (single number): The probability is 1 in 37 or about 2.7%.
- Even-Money Bets (e.g., Red/Black, Odd/Even): These bets have a winning probability of about 48.6%.
Special Rules
- La Partage: This rule is unique to French roulette. If you place an even-money bet and the ball lands on zero, you lose only half your bet. This further reduces the house edge to 1.35% for even-money bets.
- En Prison: Another rule specific to French roulette. The even-money bet is “imprisoned” for the next spin when the ball lands on zero. If it wins on the next spin, you get your original wager back without profit.
French roulette combines elegance with favorable odds, making it a favorite among seasoned players.
Conclusion
The roulette variant and table layout are crucial because they directly impact the house edge, and winning probabilities.
With its single zero, French roulette’s rules like La Partage and En Prison, offer players better odds than other versions.
FAQs
What roulette variant is the best for beginner players?
French roulette is the best variant with its lower house edge of 2.7%. Furthermore, the La Partage rule can reduce it to 1.35%. The single zero increases winning odds compared to American roulette.
Which roulette version can I use “Announced” or “Call” bets?
“Announced” or “Call” bets apply to French and European roulette. They involve specific groups of numbers and require the dealer to announce the bet before placing chips on the table.
Can I calculate the odds and payouts of roulette bets?
Yes, you can calculate roulette bet odds and payouts. For example, a straight bet (single number) in French roulette has odds of 1 in 37 and pays 35:1. Split bets (two numbers) have odds of 2 in 37 and pay 17:1. Even-money bets (red/black, odd/even) have odds of 18 in 37 and pay 1:1.
Why are the numbers on the roulette in a non-sequential order?
The numbers on a roulette wheel appear that way to ensure fairness and unpredictability. That prevents patterns from forming. Plus, each spin is random making it difficult to predict where the ball will land.
What is the difference between European/French and double-zero (American) roulette tables?
The difference is the presence of a double zero (00) in American roulette. That increases the house edge to 5.26%. European and French roulette tables have only a single zero, resulting in a lower house edge of 2.7%. French roulette also includes additional rules like La Partage and En Prison, which can further reduce the house edge.