Roulette
Game Guide

Roulette is one of the most recognized casino games and is played enthusiastically worldwide.

Below you will find a listing of all bets/payouts and roulette wheel strategies that are followed by common terms. There are several French roulette terms, mais oui-but of course!

Roulette Wheel Glossary betting facts: Roulette single-zero tables offers a low casino edge of 2.63%. Double zero Roulette has a 5.26% house or casino advantage.

European Roulette: Single zero is positioned between black 26 and red 32. Another plus of the European game is en prison rule on even-money bets. When zero comes up, your bet remains or is 'captured' for the next spin. En-prison or surrender rules on even money bets reduces the casino edge further to 1.35%. The 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3: five-number bet has a large 7.89% casino advantage. Avoid this bet.

Roulette Game Strategy
Roulette Games Glossary

Here are 3 strategy plans to increase your bankroll
& enjoyment of the game.

Roulette Strategy #1

Place red or black bet with corresponding column bets to cover 26 numbers: Black bet covers all 18 black numbers. Also, bet Column 3 under #36 for eight (most) red numbers.

Red bet covers all 18 red numbers. Also, bet Column 2 under #35 for eight (most) black numbers.

Roulette Strategy #2

Dozen/Column Betting: Place four bets, 2 Dozen, and 2 Column, and then you will have covered all numbers except 4 inside and double/single zeros. Therefore, 32 numbers with some numbers twice. All wins pay 2-1.

Roulette Strategy #3

Start with 40 chips: $1 denomination is the least expensive way to go. With most tables requiring $5 minimum inside bets, you qualify by placing 5 inside straight up bets.

Use the same 5 numbers for a series of 8 spins totaling your buy-in of 40 chips. Chose your lucky numbers based on favorite numbers/dates placed in the middle of that number each time. Any win, pays 35-1, and two wins after 8 spins brings in a profit.

Roulette Glossary

Roulette Wheel Glossary A

Action
The game of Roulette consists of the following bets/payouts.
  • A. Straight Up: Any numbers, 0 and 00=35 to 1
  • B. Column: Any 12 numbers in a column=2 to 1
  • C. Dozen: 1st 12, 2nd 12 or 3rd 12=2 to 1
  • D. Red or Black=1 to 1
  • E. Odd or Even=1 to 1
  • F. 1 to 18 or 19 to 36=1 to 1
  • G. Split: Any 2 neighboring numbers=17 to 1
  • H. Row: Any 3 numbers in a row=11 to 1
  • I. Corner: Any 4 contiguous or nearby numbers=8 to 1
  • J. 5 Numbers: 0, 00, 1, 2 & 3.=6 to 1 Yikes, the worst bet on the table!
  • K. Double Row: Any 6 numbers in 2 rows=5 to 1

Roulette Wheel Glossary betting layout displays the numbers 0 and 00 at the top, followed by the numbers 1 through 36 at the far end of the table. This area is known as the ‘inside' betting area where the following bets are placed-Straight Up, Split, Row, Corner, 5 Numbers and Double Row. The following bets are placed at the ‘outside' betting area-Column, Dozen, Red or Black, Odd or Even and 1-18 or 19-36.

American Wheel
has 38 numbers, 0 and 00 plus numbers 1-36. The number sequence is as follows, clockwise beginning with 0: 0, 28, 9, 26, 30, 11, 7, 20, 32, 17, 5, 22, 34, 15, 3, 24, 36, 13, 1, 00, 27, 10, 25, 29, 12, 8, 19, 31, 18, 6, 21, 33, 16, 4, 23, 35, 14, 2.

Roulette Wheel Terms B

Backtrack or Balltrack
outside stationary rim of the roulette wheel where ball isspun.
Ball
a small plastic ball, spun in the opposite direction of the wheel's spin. This ball establishes payoffs for each spin depending on the number pocket it lands.
Basket Bet
a 5 number bet on zero - double zero and numbers-1-2-3 which pays 6 to 1. This bet has a large 7.89% casino advantage. Avoid this bet as it is the worst roulette bet you can place!
Biased Numbers
determined by biased wheels over the long run by appearing more often than others appear.
Biased Wheel
flawed roulette wheel where specific numbers appear more often that probability of averages allows.
Big Number
appears more often than probability of averages allows and is possibly an indicator of a biased wheel.
Black Action
bet made with a black $100 chip.
Black Bet
wager placed that the next winning number will be black.
Bottom Track
inside slanted, stationary rim of the roulette wheel where ball moves downward before bouncing onto the wheel head and into a number pocket.
Boule or Little Game
popular simple French roulette version with 9 numbers and 3 colors to place bets.

Roulette Wheel Terms C

Call Bets
grouping of numbers at single-zero tables. The 5 bets include number neighbors=5 chips, zero neighbors=9 chips, third section of the wheel=6 chips, full orphans=8 chips and orphans split=5 chips.
Capping a Bet
dishonestly adding more chips to a bet that has already won, also known as past posting.
Carré
French term for the corner bet-betting 4 numbers at once.
Casino Edge
advantage casino on any specific wager. For roulette, the casino edge for double zero American wheel is 5.26%. Casino edge for single zero European roulette is lower at 2.70%.
Chameleon Strategy
copying the betting patterns or strategies of winning players at the roulette table.
Check Rack
tray that holds the chips for a game, also known as a chip rack or chip tray.
Cheval
French term for the split bet, wagering 2 numbers at once.
Choppy Game
roulette session where no streaks or patterns occur, thereby not favoring the house or players.
Colonne
French term for column bet-betting one of the 3 columns.
Column Bet
bet for one of the 3 columns consisting of 12 numbers on the roulette table layout. Bets are placed at the bottom of vertical column and a win pays 2 to 1.
Corner Bet
wagering on four numbers at once that pays 8 to 1 for a win. Alternate terms are square bet or quarter bet.
Croupier
French term for roulette dealer.

Roulette Wheel Terms D

Derniere
French term for 'last' referring to the last group of 12 numbers in a dozen bet.
Double Row
betting on six numbers in two rows or ‘streets' picked on the table layout. Win of one of these numbers pays 5 to 1. See line bet and six number bet.
Double Zero
green number bet found on the American wheel.
Double-Zero Wheel
has 38 numbers (0 and 00 and numbers 1-36).
Dozen Bet
wagering for twelve numbers on the roulette layout at once. Examples
1-12, 13-24, or 25-36.

Roulette Wheel Terms E

En Plein
French term for the straight-up bet-betting one number only.
En Prison Rule
If the number zero is hit, this rule permits players to 1) take back half the bet or 2) leave the bet in place for another spin. Choosing this option (en prison) results in losing the entire bet if a zero hits with the following spin. This rule is for even money bets only.
European Wheel
has only a single zero (0).
Even Number Bet
wagering that an even number will hit on the next spin.
Even Money
bet payoff is 1 to 1. Even money bets with the game of roulette are red, black, odd, even, low, and high bets.

Roulette Wheel Terms F - I

Ficheur
device used to separate different colored chips in order that each player receives a unique color to play.
Five-Number Bet
betting on numbers 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3 at once located on the American Wheel. The high casino advantage of 7.89% makes this the worst roulette bet.
Flat Bettor
player who wagers the same amount consistently.
Greens
$25 chips that are green in color.
High Bet
wagering on the upper 18 numbers (19-36). Pays 1 to 1.
High-Low Bet
betting on 18 numbers at once. Examples
1-18 or 19-36. Pays 1 to 1.
Impair
French term for the odd bet - wagering that an odd number will hit on the next spin.
Inside Bet
placed on a specific number on the roulette table layout including 0 or 00, or any combination of numbers bet on the table layout. Opposite of outside bet.

Roulette Wheel Terms L - N

La Partage
unlike the en prison rule, the player loses half the bet, but does not qualify to leave the bet for a follow-up spin. This occurs with red/black, high/low, odd/even bets resulting in zero as the winning number.
Layout
roulette table design on the felt table displaying the various betting options available.
Line Bet
betting that one of six numbers in two rows or ‘streets' picked on the table layout will hit.
Low Bet
wagering that one the low numbers, 1-18 will hit on the next spin.
Manque
French term for low bet-betting that one of the numbers 1-18 will hit.
Martingale System
betting system where players double their bet after a loss. Not recommended.
Negative Progression
game strategy of increasing bets after a loss. Not recommended.
Nickel
$5 dollar chip that is red in color.
Noir
French term for black bet or that the next winning number will be black.

Roulette Game Terms O - P

Odd-Number Bet
wagering that an odd number will hit on the next spin.
Outside Bet
placed on even money or 2 to 1 bets on the outside of the roulette table layout that include red, black, odd, even, high or low. Opposite of inside bet.
Pair
French term for even bet that is betting that an even number will hit on the next spin.
Parlay
game strategy of doubling the bet after a win.
Passé
French for high bet, wagering on upper 18 numbers=19-36. Pays 1 to 1.
Past Posting
dishonestly adding more chips to a bet that has already won, also known as capping a bet.
Pill
proper or alternative name for the roulette ball
Premiere
French term for first, wagering the first group of 12 numbers in the dozen bet.

Roulette Game Terms Q - R

Quarter Bet
betting on four numbers at once that pays 8 to 1 for a win. Alternate terms are square bet or corner bet.
Quatre
French term for a 4 number bet.
Red Bet
bet placed that the next winning number will be red. Win pays 1 to 1. Also known as a red color bet.
Red-Black Bet
on 18 red numbers or 18 black numbers at once. Pays 1 to 1.
Rien Ne Vas Plus
French term for No more Bets.
Rouge
French term for a red number.
Row Bet
betting on three numbers at once that pays 11 to 1 for a win. Bets are placed on the outside line of the row of three numbers across the layout. Alternate terms are street bet or three number bet.

Roulette Game Terms S

Signature
theory that certain croupiers can spin the roulette ball into a specific area/ number based on their hand movement from a previous hit. The theory states that a croupier can develop a ‘signature' spin of the roulette ball resulting in an opportunity for players to determine the next winning number.
Single Number Bet
wagering on one number only placed directly on the number and should not touch any line. Pays 35 to 1.
Single-Zero Wheel
a single zero (0) and a number sequence as follows, clockwise starting with 0
0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25, 17, 34, 6, 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, 33, 1, 20, 14, 31, 9, 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26.
Six Number Bet
betting on six numbers in two rows or ‘streets' picked on the table layout. Win of one of these numbers pays 5 to 1. See line bet.
Sixaine
French term for a six-number or line bet, wagering on six numbers in two rows or ‘streets'.
Spin
of the roulette ball to determine a winning number after all bets are placed.
Split Bet
betting on two numbers at once. An inside bet.
Square Bets
wagering on four numbers at once. Pays 8 to 1. Alternate terms are corner bet or a quarter bet.
Stack
group of 20 roulette chips. Allows for rapid counting by casino employees.
Straight Bet
betting on a single number. Place your bet inside a number on the green. Make certain no chip crosses any of the lines. Pays 35-1.
Straight Up Bet
same as straight bet. Betting on a single number. Place your bet inside a number on the green. Pays 35-1.
Street Bet
betting on three numbers at once that pays 11 to 1 for a win. Bets are placed on the outside line of the row of three numbers across the layout. Alternate terms are three number bet or row bet.

Roulette Game Terms T

Three Number Bet
betting on three numbers at once that pays 11 to 1 for a win. Bets are placed on the outside line of the row of three numbers across the layout. Alternate terms are Street Bet or Row Bet.
Tiers du Cylindre
betting on numbers groups that are paired neighbors on the table layout.
Transversale Simple
French term for a three number or street bet, wagering on three numbers in one row or ‘street' at once. Pays 11 to 1.
Trio Bet
wagering on three numbers in one row or ‘street' at once. Pays 11 to 1.
Triple
French term for a three number or street bet - betting on three numbers in one row or ‘street' at once. Pays 11 to 1.
Twelve Number Bet
bet for one of the 3 columns consisting of 12 numbers on the roulette table layout. Bets are placed at the bottom of vertical column and a win pays 2 to 1. Alternate term is column bet.
Two Number Bet
betting on two numbers at once. An inside bet. Alternate term is split bet.

Roulette Game Terms V - Z

Visual Wheel Tracking
game strategy that attempts to determine where the roulette ball will land.
Voisins du Zero
French term for wagering on a group of numbers at a specific section of the wheel next to the zero.
Wheel
short form term for the roulette wheel.
Wheel Chips
specially designed chips for the game of roulette.
Wheel Head
section of the wheel holding the numbered pockets.
Wheel Roller
term for a roulette croupier.
Zero
number, green in color, on the roulette table layout.