Less experienced players often fall prey to the misconception winning in a game of roulette is solely based on luck. While this is true to a great extent, understanding the layout of a roulette table can help one place smarter bets and increase their chances of leaving the casino on profit. More importantly, novices should keep in mind there are differences in the wheels and the table layouts in the three variations of roulette – American, European and French.
Differences Between American, French and European Roulette Layouts
The betting area on the roulette table is commonly referred to as the layout. We can distinguish three types of roulette table layouts – American, French and European. The biggest difference between the American and the European layout is that the former has 0 and 00 sections, while the latter has only a 0 section. The number of possible bets one can place is also different. Due to the additional zero section on the layout for American roulette, the numbers on the wheel are positioned in a different order than those in the European variation.
Many inexperienced players often fail to make a distinction between European and French roulette. And indeed, both varieties of the game share certain rules and have similar odds and house edge because of the single-zero wheel. However, the main difference between the two variants does not lie in the gameplay, but is purely “cosmetic”, so to speak, as the layout of the tables is different.
For example, in European roulette, the wheel is positioned at the end of the table while in French roulette, it is located in the middle of the table. Another characteristic of the French variant is that it actually has two layouts, allowing more players to join the game at a single table.
Language is another way to distinguish the two layouts. In most cases, the labels in European roulette are written in English, while in the French variant, the names of the bets and all other wordings are strictly written in French. Just to provide an example, Odd and Even bets are written as Impair and Pair on the French layout, while Low and High bets are called Manque and Passe. Then again, 1st Dozen, 2nd Dozen and 3rd Dozen bets correspond to P12 (Premiere Douzaine), M12 (Moyenne Douzaine) and D12 (Dernier Douzaine).
This is often perceived as a setback for non-French speakers. However, when one is familiar enough with the game, they will not experience any issues while playing since the French layout is often similar to the one used in the European roulette tables.
Roulette Layout
Roulette Wheel Types
Roulette House Edge
Roulette Inside Bets
Roulette Outside Bets
Outside Bets
For many novices, the roulette table layout is intimidating but the truth of the matter is, it is actually quite easy to understand. If you take a glance at the layout, you will soon notice there are 18 numbers in red boxes and 18 numbers in black boxes. Respectively, there are 18 odd numbers and 18 even numbers. Numbers 1 through 18 are called Low numbers, while those from 19 to 36 go by the name of High numbers.
Outside bets enjoy a great popularity among less experienced players as they have a higher probability of winning. However, the payouts for such bets are smaller. Outside bets can be subdivided into several categories – Red or Black, Even or Odd, Low or High, Dozen, and Column bets.
There are two adjacent box areas on the layout, marked by red and black rectangles, but sometimes the words “red” and “black” are written down instead. This is where Red or Black bets are placed. As players have equal chances of winning or losing with this type of wager, Red or Black bets pay even money, or in other words 1 to 1.
Even or Odd bets are based on the same principle only the player is trying to predict if the ball will land on an even or an odd number. Even bets are placed in the grid positioned to the left of the Red bet box, while Odd bets are located to the right of the Black bet box. As the chances of winning or losing are again equal, the payout for Even or Odd bets is also 1 to 1.
Low or High Bets are another type of wager less seasoned players commonly prefer. The box for Low bets is located to the left of the Even bet box and is marked “1 to 18”. The High bet box is positioned to the right of the Odd bet box and is marked “19 to 36”. Both pay out 1 to 1.
The 36 numbers in the game can be divided into three groups, consisting of 12 numbers each. Towards the middle of the layout, there are three boxes where Dozen bets are placed. The boxes are marked “1st 12” for bets on the first twelve numbers, “2nd 12” for bets on number 13 to 24 and “3rd 12” for bets placed on numbers 25 to 36. Dozen bets have a slightly higher payout of 2 to 1.
Another option is to place a Column bet as the 36 numbers on the layout can be divided into three separate columns with 12 numbers each. Below each column, there is a box that says “2-1” – this is where the chips for Column bets are placed. The marking also corresponds to the payout for winning Column bets.
The Snake bet is one more wager type roulette lovers can opt for. As it seems, many roulette players, especially the inexperienced ones, prefer to steer clear of such wagers as they seem a bit intimidating at first glance. The numbers Snake bets cover are a total of 12 and include 1, 5, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 23, 27, 30, 32, and 34. As it might have already hit you, these are all red numbers.
This wager type has got its name from the snake-like pattern that is formed as soon as the above-mentioned numbers are covered. A payout of 2:1 is offered when Snake bets are settled as winning ones. What casino enthusiasts should keep in mind about this wager type is that it is rather exotic, which is the reason why it is not available across all land-based casinos.
Inside Bets
More daring players opt for placing Inside bets. These are riskier as one’s chances of winning with such bets are significantly lower, so understandably the payouts are higher. There are five subtypes of inside bets in a game of European roulette, but the American variation has one additional side bet.
A Straight Up bet is placed on a single number and pays out 35 to 1. With such wagers, the chips will be placed within the square of the preferred number. Split bets are placed on two numbers which are adjacent to one another horizontally or vertically and have a payout of 17 to 1. This time, the chips are moved to the line between the chosen two numbers. Another type of Inside bet is the Street bet, placed on three numbers located on the same horizontal line on the layout, for example, numbers 7, 8, and 9. Street bets have a payout of 11 to 1. With such wagers, the chips are positioned on both sides of the line, more specifically, on the outer edge of the numbers.
With Square bets, the chips are placed in the middle point between four numbers on the layout – an example would be a wager on 5, 6, 8 and 9. Winning Square bets have a payout of 8 to 1. When you go for this wager type, the chips will be placed on the corner between the two rightmost or leftmost numbers you have chosen.
Six Line bets cover six numbers positioned next to one another with a single chip and pays out 5 to 1. In the American variation of the game, there is one additional wager, called the Five Number bet. The latter covers five boxes of numbers as the name itself suggests – 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3 and pays out 6 to 1. The probability of making a winning Five Number bet is 13.16%, which comes to explain why this is not such a well-preferred betting option. Such bets are also known as Top Line bets.
While playing any of the single-zero roulette variants, gambling aficionados will be permitted to place a First Four bet. Going for this wager type will mean that the numbers you wish to cover are 0, 1, 2, and 3. This bet type is popular with roulette players also as Basket bet, and the payoffs it provides are 6:1.
The Trio bet, on the other hand, is a three-number bet, in which at least one zero should be included. Thus, while playing European roulette, players will bet on 0, 1, 2, or 0, 2, 3, while in American roulette, the covered numbers will be 00, 2, and 3. The payoffs offered for winning Trio bets are 11:1.
The Racetrack
Even if you are making your first steps in playing roulette, you might already be aware that aside from inside and outside bets, you can also go for announced or call bets. These are wagers that are made on groups of numbers, and what is specific about them is that they are unavailable in American roulette. Furthermore, gambling enthusiasts should be aware that call bets are handled using several chips.
The racetrack is an additional section from the betting layout that is available across roulette variants that allow for call bets. This is an oval betting zone that is normally positioned next to or above the standard betting layout. By closer inspection of the racetrack, players will notice that it mimics the structure of the wheel that is used in French and European roulette, which means that the numbers that are displayed there are 0 through 36.
Please note that the order of the numbers in the racetrack is precisely the same as the manner in which they are arranged in the roulette wheel. Some of the wagers players can make include Neighbours, Full Completes, Tiers du Cylindre, Orphelins, Voisins du Zero, and Zero Spiel.
Roulette Scoreboards
While some players enjoy simply placing bets on roulette, others prefer to resort to different systems that will help them determine the next bets they are about to make. Once players have mastered a certain system, they will need to keep track of the results of previous spins of the roulette wheel.
To be able to utilise a certain system, roulette aficionados can resort to using roulette scoreboards. Depending on the roulette variation that you play, you can find various printable scoreboards online and use them the next time you bet on your favourite table game. Alternatively, you can also find different roulette scoreboard apps that can be installed on your mobile device, allowing you to easily keep track of the results during previous spins.
If you are playing at a land-based casino, you will often find scoreboards offered to players who would like to use roulette betting systems. Even if you use a personalised scoreboard, typically, land-based casinos do not mind players resorting to the use of roulette systems.
Usually, scoreboards include the different sections of the roulette wheel where the ball can land. You can check whenever the ball has landed on black or red and you will also see the different types of bets you can make and their payouts.
As online roulette has also become a very popular way to enjoy the casino classic, there are plenty of virtual roulette variations that will also help you keep score of the results from previous spins. This type of feature allows players to view in-play statistics showing the results of previous spins or “hot” and “cold” numbers that were winning too often or very rarely.
One thing to keep in mind is to use the scoreboard for the right type of roulette since European roulette and American roulette do not share the same layout. What is more, only the scoreboard for European roulette will contain the sections from the racetrack. If you are using a scoreboard app, you will most likely be able to choose between different layouts and pick the scoreboard that suits the roulette variation you are playing.