What Does Roulette Board Mean
Perhaps one of the main reasons why roulette has proved to be
an incredibly popular casino game for so long is the fact that
it’s so easy to learn. The rules are incredibly simple, yet the
wide range of bets that can be placed means the game is still
very interesting to play.
Because the bets all have different odds, you can choose
whether to go for long shots and a potentially big win or the
safer bets that pay out less but are more likely to win. On this
page we explain the basic rules of roulette, including details
of all the bets you can place.
This bet normally pays out 6 to 1 which gives it odds worse than any other roulette bet. The old original Roulette Game In the original French roulette, the numbers 1 - 36, had the zero and the 'double zero'. The zero was coloured red and also counted as 'Pair' and 'Manque'; the double zero was black and also counted as 'Impair' and 'Passe'. We have a game just got it out after years and can't work out what it means. They are in the same section as Red and Black and odd and even. European Roulette and single zero appear to be the same but there is one major difference. European Roulette has a rule known as “la partage.” This returns half of an even money bet if the ball lands on zero. This cuts the house edge on red/black, odd/even and hi/lo to 1.35%. All other bets on both tables have a 2.7% house edge.
Basic Roulette Rules
The Roulette board is an interesting creature and when studied thoroughly, it may help you score big bucks. On the third column of the board, there are 8 red numbers and 4 black, whereas the second column is reversed, holding 8 black numbers and 4 red. You, the savvy Roulette player, can take advantage of this layout for some slow but steady gains. The roulette wheel layout and the roulette table layout are a deliberate randomisation. The most obvious is the alternation of red and black pockets because they do not represent any specific sector of the wheel.
Roulette is played on a game table featuring a numbered wheel
and a betting board. The wheel itself is divided into
compartments, or pockets, each of which is numbered. The numbers
1-36 are on every roulette wheel, and each is either red or
black. Depending on which variation of the game is being played,
there will be either one extra pocket (a green zero) or two
extra pockets (a green zero and a green double zero).
Players place their wagers on the betting board. All possible
bets are represented by boxes and players simply place their
chips on their desired bet, or bets. We cover the different bets
below, but they include options such as betting on a single
number or whether the number will be low (1-18) or high (19-36).
We have an example of what a game table looks like in an online
casino.
The roulette wheel is spun and a small ball is dropped into
the wheel. The ball bounces around inside the wheel before
eventually falling into one of the numbered pockets. The number
in which it lands determines which bets win and which do not.
When each roulette spin is complete, all winning bets are paid
out and all losing bets are collected by the house.
Betting Options
The available roulette bets are divided into two categories:
inside bets and outside bets. Inside bets are those that are
placed on the main number grid on the inside of the betting
board. Outside bets are those placed on the boxes outside the
main number grid. Each bet covers either a single number or a
group of numbers, and there are varying pay outs for each bet.
The available inside bets are as follows.
- Straight Up: a bet on any one single number,
paying out at odds of 35:1. - Split Bet: covers any two numbers that are
adjacent on the betting board. Odds of 17:1. - Street Bet: a bet on any of the rows of three
numbers (1-3, 4-6 etc.). Odds of 11:1. - Corner Bet: covers of group of four numbers.
Odds of 8:1. - Line Bet: covers two rows of three for a total
of six numbers. Odds of 5:1.
The available outside bets are as follows, none of which
cover the zero (or the double zero if there is one).
- Columns: the grid is divided into 3 columns of
12 numbers, and you can bet on one or more of these columns.
Pays out at 2:1. - Dozens: you can bet on the low dozen (1-12),
mid dozen (13-24), or high dozen (25-36). Pays out at 2:1. - Colors: an even money bet on whether the number
will be red or black. - Odd/Even: an even money bet on whether the
number will be odd or even. - High/Low: an even money bet on whether the
number will be high (19-36) or low (1-18).
In roulette you can place any possible combinations of the
above bets, and there’s no limit on the amount of different
bets you can place. In some variations, there are also some
additional special bets that can be placed that cover specific
groups of numbers. If you are playing in a brick and mortar
casino, you can ask the dealer to explain them to you. If you
are playing in an online casino, published rules allow you read
about the special bets.
Roulette has a long history and has been the subject of many myths and legends, so it’s no surprise that there is a lot of jargon and slang associated with the game. If you take a look at the site, you’ll soon get to grips with it, but if you need a quick introduction to the more common terms you’ll come across, then have a read through our glossary of terms.
Action
Being in a position to bet, e.g. in the Action. Or the total amount bet over a certain period.
Agent
An agent works with the croupier to cheat the casino on an “inside job”,
All-In
When a player bets his whole pot on one bet.
American Roulette
Also known as Double Zero Roulette. A variant with 2 zero pockets, a “0” and a “00”. The house edge in American Roulette is higher than in European roulette. Click here to find out why.
Ball Track
Or Back Track. The rim on the wheel where the ball is spun.
Biased Wheel
A wheel in a land-based casino or live roulette studio that is not balances and may have a skew to certain “hot zones”.
Roulette Bonus
Promotional money used by a casino to entice new players in.
For example, the £1000 Bonus From Betway.
Block Bet
Covering a block of numbers on the roulette betting area. Note- this does not mean that the numbers are in a block on the wheel.
Card Roulette
Card Roulette is a variant that uses a standard pack of playing cards with 2 jokers. The house edge is between European and American roulette.
Chip
Roulette chips are different from normal chips. They are not marked and come in different colours and usually come in one denomination, eg $10. This is to help the croupier work out whose chips are whose. The Ohio roulette Scam made use of this practice to con casinos out of their money.
Cold Numbers
Numbers that haven’t come up for at least 37 spins. Also Cold Table- where the house is winning.
Column Bet
A bet that covers almost one third of the wheel and which pays out 2-1.
Comp
When a casino gives yo something for free, like a suite or a free bonus in the case of online casinos.
Corner Bet
A bet on four numbers- your chip is placed at the corner of the numbers- this bet pays 8-1, with a 10.8% probability of winning on European Roulette. Also Carre in French roulette.
Croupier
The person who takes the bets, spins the wheel and pays out the winnings. French for dealer.
Call Bets
More exotic bets such as the Voisins Du Zero bet. So called, because you “call” them out at a casino, usually when the wheel is spinning. Mostly made up of Sector Bets.
Dead Table
An open table with no players.
Dolly
This covers the winning number. It’s removed when all of the winning bets have been paid out and a new game begins.
Double Up System
The Martingale, where you double your bet after a loss.
Double Zero
A pocket you only get on American roulette wheels. European Roulette only has one zero pocket and a lower house edge.
Dozens Bet
A bet, very similar to a Column Bet. There are three dozens:1 to 12, 13 to 24 and 25 to 36.
Drop
The amount deposited by a player.
En Prison
A rule in French Roulette where, when you have placed an even-money bet and the number 0 comes up, your bet rides over to the next spin In effect, you get an extra spin. If you lose a second time, you forfeit your bet, but if you win you get your bet back (but not the winnings). This take the house edge on even money bets down to just 1.35%.
European Roulette
Uses a wheel with only one zero pocket. This variant can be hard to find in some casino in Las Vegas. You should always look for it in preference to American roulette if you are playing online.
Even Money Bet
Also known as a Flat Bet. Bets that pay out 1:1, e.g. red/black. Note- your odds aren’t 50/50 as there is the zero(s) to think about.
Eye-in-the Sky
The security cameras above the tables, the CCTVs.
Flat Betting
Betting the same amount, every spin.
French Roulette
A variant of European Roulette which may offer La Partage or the “en prison rule“. The table layout is slightly different and the names of the sectors are in French.
Five Number Bet
A bet covering the 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3. Found only in American roulette- avoid it! The odds are terrible.
Gaffed Wheel
A wheel that has been rigged by the casino.
George
A player who is a big tipper
Green Pockets
The zero and double zero slots on the roulette wheel.
Grifter
A scammer or cheater.
Grind Joint
A casino with low betting limits- more likely to be found in Downtown Las Vegas than on The Strip, for example.
Heat
Attention from the casino management if you are winning too much.
High or Low
An even money bet on all the low numbers (1-18: low) or all the high numbers (19-36).
High Roller
Someone who bets a large amount of money. Also known as a Whale.
Hold
Or the Percentage. The percentage of the Drop that the casino keeps.
Hot
On a winning streak.
Hot Numbers
Numbers that hit more frequently than they should based on probability. Also Golden Numbers.
House Edge
How much the casino expects to make, on average, on every bet, usually expressed as a percentage. Over the course of an day, the casino can run at a loss (negative house edge), but if you take an average of multiple players over an extended period of time, they would expect to see a positive House Edge or advantage.
Inside Bets
Bets made on the inside of the betting grid (as opposed to Outside Bets like red/black etc). So single number bets, corner bets etc would all count as Inside Bets.
John
A good tipper. The bathroom, WC, etc.
Line Bet
A bet on six numbers, 2 lines of 3 numbers on the betting grid. Pays out 5-1, with a 16% chance of winning.
Martingale System
A famous system where you double your bet after a losing bet to claw back into profit. Be careful with this system- can ramp up quickly.
Mucker
A second croupier on a roulette table during busy times. Her or she helps with chips and double checks the dealer’s maths and helps to pay out the winning bets.
Negative Progression
A system where you increase your bet after a loss. Examples include the Martingale, the Fibonacci and the Super Martingale.
Neighbours
A bet (normally 3 numbers) centred on one number. You can increase the amount of neighbours you want to play off each number.
Odd
A bet on all the odd numbers. Pays 1:1.
Orphans
A bet on three numbers that are close together on the wheel but not on the table layout.
Outside Bet
Roulette Board Numbers Chart
Anything that is not an Inside Bet. Slide your chips onto the outside of the betting grid in the marked zones. Example include dozens, columns and the even money bets like red/black, odd/even etc
Parlay or Press
To let your bet ride after a win. Leave your original bet where it is and add your winnings for the next spin.
Past Posting
What Does Roulette Board Meaning
This is a fraudulent way of betting after the winning number has been announced. Fraudsters with a good sleight of hand may try this. It’s highly illegal.
Pinching
Removing your chips after a losing bet. The opposite of Past Posting, also illegal
Positive Progression
A system where you increase your bets after a win to accelerate profits on winning streaks.
Red Bet
An even money Outside Bet, probably the most famous bet in roulette (“stick it all on the red). Pays 1:1.
Roulette System
A methodology of laying bets at the table. Many systems claim to improve your odds in roulette. Don’t believe the hype. Systems can be a useful way of playing to a plan, but they will not lower the house edge.
Run
A streak of events, like 4 blacks in a row, or 2 of the same dozens in a row.
Sector Bet
A group of numbers within a sector of a wheel, also called a Neighbours bet.
Section Slicing
Diving the wheel into hot and cold zones. The ultimate aim of a players trying to spot biased wheels.
Single Zero Roulette
European Roulette.
Six Line Bet
A line bet on 6 numbers (inside bet).
Split Bet
A bet on 2 numbers that sit side by side on the table.
Square or Quarter Bet
An Inside Bet on 4 numbers. Pays 8:1.
A Stack
20 chips stacked one on top of another
Straight Bet or Straight Up Bet
A Single Number Bet, pays 35:1
Street Bet
A bet numbers on the roulette betting surface is called a street. These bets pay out at 11-1 and have an 8% chance of winning. Also Trio Bet.
Surrender
Similar to en prison, where your bet rides over for another spin if the ball lands in zero when you make an even money bet, like odd/even. Played on some American Roulette wheels.
A Tom
A stingy tipper, one with mothballs in his wallet. Opposite to a George.
Toke – or Zuks
These are the dealer’s tips. Tokes go into the Toke box.
Competitions where you compete for a prize against other players (eg Unibet Roulette tourneys). The top positioned players on the leaderboard win a share of the pot.
Wager
A bet.
Visual Wheel Tracking
Measuring the spin velocity and characteristics of a roulette wheel to get an edge. This often involves computing power.