Roulette Table Layout Explained and Where to Place Bets

Roulette Table – The Basics

Let’s start with the basics – a description of a roulette table. The wheel is positioned on the left side of the table, while the place where you place your bets is on the right. The latter is covered in green cloth, like most gambling tables, and is called the layout. There are three colours used on the layout: red, black, and white. All text is in white, while the red and black sections represent the numbers, which are in the same colours as on the roulette wheel.

It’s quite easy to get familiar with the roulette table and start playing, but keep in mind there are three types of setups – European, American, and French. In the following paragraphs, we will discuss the differences between them and how the bets work. This way, you’ll find it easier to decide which one suits your preference.

Bets are placed using chips, and there are two main types – inside bets and outside bets. Inside bets have higher payouts but lower chances of winning. Outside bets offer a better probability of winning, but the payout is smaller. As their names suggest, inside bets are placed on the inner part of the layout, while outside bets are placed on the outer section.

European Roulette Table Layout

The European roulette layout and wheel are as described above. There are 37 slots, or pockets, on the European wheel, consisting of numbers 1 to 36 and a green sector for 0. Additionally, there are 18 black and 18 red slots, which correspond to the betting section of the table. European roulette is one of the most widely recognised variations globally, often sharing its popularity with the American version. Typically, the design of the table remains consistent throughout versions, whether it is a brick-and-mortar casino or an online one. If you want to start exploring the European version of the game, feel free to register and play at one of the best online roulette casinos reviewed by our team.

When it comes to bets, let’s first discuss the outside ones. These include the three columns, which cover numbers from 1 to 12, 13 to 24, and 25 to 36. There are options to bet on half the roulette table numbers, excluding the zero, allowing you to choose between 1 to 18 or 19 to 36. You can also choose a dozen, which refers to one of the three groups of numbers. The other four outside bets are among the most popular with players. These are bets on Even or Odd, as well as Red or Black.

The inside bets tend to offer higher payouts, though the chances of winning are lower. You can bet on six numbers, which is called a Line; on five numbers, known as a Basket; or on four numbers, called a Square. Another option is to bet on 3 numbers, referred to as a Street. A wager on two numbers is called a Split. Finally, the highest possible payout comes from a single-number bet, known as a “Straight-up,” which has odds of 35:1. This type of bet is often favoured by players who enjoy high-stakes online roulette.

Exclusive European Bets

There are additional bets that are unique to European and French roulette. These bets are different because you don’t need to place your chips directly on the numbers you’re betting on. Since these bets cover a large portion of the table, placing the chips directly on the numbers would make things chaotic. Below are the four types of bets we’re referring to: Jeu Zero, Voisins du Zero, Orphelins, and Tiers du Cylindre.

Instead of placing chips directly on the numbers, you simply announce your bet and place it more generally on the table. That’s why these are called ‘call’ or ‘announced’ bets. They can really simplify the game, making them easy to play, and they often cover a wide range of roulette table numbers. The odds are also decent, so there’s potential for good payouts. As a fun fact, the names of these bets come from French, as you may have guessed. “Jeu Zero” means ‘the Zero Game’, “Voisins du Zero” translates to ‘the Neighbours of Zero’, “Tiers du Cylindre” means ‘a third of the cylinder’, and “Orphelins” means ‘the Orphans’.

American Roulette Table – All About It

We’ve already reviewed the European roulette table, so now it’s time to give the same attention to the American version. The American roulette table is extremely popular among roulette enthusiasts, with just one major difference compared to the European version: there is an additional number on the wheel. This extra number is a double zero (00) in a green sector, positioned next to the single zero (0). The numbers are arranged differently on the wheel, and because of the double zero, there are 38 slots instead of 37, which increases the house edge to 5.26%. However, the process of placing bets remains the same, and there are no special rules or features to keep in mind when playing American roulette.

On the layout (the green cloth-covered area), the difference in American roulette is that where the zero appears in the European version, the American table has two sections – one for each of the two green sectors on the wheel. The overall setup is straightforward, and it won’t take long to get familiar with the gameplay. The bets work the same way, with inside bets offering higher payouts. You can also place bets on a single colour or on even numbers, for example.

The 00 Bet – Is It Worth It?

Let’s take a closer look at the additional pocket on the American roulette table. You can place a bet on the zero just like any other single-number bet, and the same goes for the double zero. However, the odds of landing on either of these are quite slim. With 38 numbers in total, the odds are 38/1, but the payout is only 35 to 1. This contributes to American roulette’s higher house edge. You can also bet on both the zero and the double zero together, which gives you slightly better odds, but it’s still a risky move unless you’re feeling particularly lucky.

It’s hard to argue that a bet on the double zero (00) is favourable. While the payout is attractive at 35 to 1, the actual odds of the ball landing on that specific spot are 37/1, meaning the house edge is built into the difference. It’s also important to remember that bets on red or black, as well as other outside bets, do not include the zeroes. The only way to include the green slots in your bet is to place chips directly on them. You could always do this with a small amount as a form of insurance, but even then, these aren’t typically the most popular numbers to bet on.

French Roulette Table Layout

The third and final table we will discuss is the French roulette table, which has a few distinct differences. On the layout, you’ll still see the numbers from 1 to 36 arranged in three rows, with the zero at the top. However, the outside bets differ significantly. On one side of the single-number bets, you have the ‘Manque’ and the ‘Impair’ sections, which represent bets on 1-18 and odd numbers, respectively. Next to them, you’ll find the section for betting on red slots.

On the other side, you have the ‘Passe’ section for numbers 19 to 36 and ‘Pair’ for even numbers, along with the section for betting on black. You’ll also notice three sections labelled ‘P12’, ‘M12’, and ‘D12’. ‘P’ stands for the first dozen of numbers, ‘M’ for the second dozen, and ‘D’ for the third. While some of the labels are in French, tables in both land-based and online casinos are often adapted into English. It might seem a bit overwhelming for beginners, and getting accustomed to the French roulette layout can take some time. However, once you’re familiar with it, you’ll enjoy smooth gameplay and one of the lowest house edges on roulette!

Special French Roulette Table Rules

Aside from the fact that the RTP of French roulette is the highest, at over 98%, the rules are also the most advantageous. There are two specific rules that are particularly important to players as they directly affect what happens to your bets.

These rules give you an advantage that you won’t find on American roulette tables. Unfortunately, casinos that offer La Partage and En Prison rules are quite rare. This makes sense, considering these rules provide a significant advantage to the player. If you want to learn more about the different twists you can experience, take a look at our page about roulette rules.

Online and Land-Based Roulette Tables Comparison

If you want to be a savvy player, you’ve got to learn how in-person and online casinos are different with respect to roulette tables. The following paragraphs will help you whether you’re planning a trip to Vegas or prefer the comfort of playing at home with a laptop on your lap.

Online Roulette Table – The Basics

Online gameplay has grown significantly in popularity over the past decade, with many gamblers making the switch. You can choose between live casino roulette tables or RNG (random number generator) ones. It’s easy to get started with either option, as the tables are quite similar, and placing bets is straightforward. Below, we’ve outlined what we see as the pros and cons of online roulette tables. One of the things we appreciate most is the wide variety available online.

As long as you’re playing with a licensed operator – such as the ones we recommend – you can expect streamlined and transparent gameplay. The numbers that determine the outcome are randomly generated, and in the case of online live versions, the dealers and gaming equipment are monitored, ensuring the tables cannot be rigged. It’s safe to say that online roulette offers a much more comfortable way to play.

Land-Based Casino Roulette Table – In a Nutshell

We’ve already shared all the details about the different casino roulette tables you’ll come across. Overall, they’re made to be user-friendly, regardless of which variation you choose to play, but it might take a bit of getting used to. You might need a little extra time to get used to the French roulette table due to its additional rules. Finally, while the variety of tables isn’t as wide as what you’ll find online, the experience of playing alongside fellow gamblers at the table can more than make up for it.

The main issue when playing at a physical casino can be the additional expenses – such as transportation and even food. So, your spending might go beyond just your gameplay. However, this can be a reasonable price to pay if you wouldn’t trade the brick-and-mortar casino experience for anything.

Roulette Table Bets – How to Place Them

It’s better to know how to place bets in advance rather than trying to learn during the game. Fortunately, it’s a simple process you can get the hang of quickly. It only takes a moment to grasp, and we’ve created a helpful list of steps below for you to follow.

• Choose your bet amount
• You will be able to place your bets before each spin
• Chip placement determines the bet type
• If your bet wins, you’ll receive your payout, and your original bet will be returned to you.
• You can use the remainder of your chips to place new wagers

Now, this is in case there are no special rules on the table on which you are playing, like En Prison, where your bet remains on the table for the second round as well. You can also consider playing with a strategy, preferably a basic one, at least for the beginning. If you don’t know any you can be interested in the roulette strategy page that we wrote. This can help you improve your odds and chances and optimise your bets as well.

Play Roulette for Real Money

Once you learn how the roulette table works, you can start placing small bets, provided your goal is to play for real money. You can gain experience online while enjoying the same payout odds and rules. This works for both beginners and people who want to wager bigger amounts. But first, it’s important to choose the roulette variation carefully. Focus on the one you’re most familiar with and have a solid understanding of the table layout, rules, and bets. This way, you can be confident that your gameplay won’t be negatively affected by a lack of knowledge.

If you’re on the hunt for the best roulette bonus offers, never forget to carefully read the full terms and conditions before opting in. If you want to explore all your options before settling on one site, take a look at the list of top roulette casinos we’ve rated and reviewed, which we shared at the beginning of the page.

Frequently Asked Questions

The frequently asked questions section below is a great resource if you don’t know your way around the roulette table. To make it easier for you, we’ve compiled the most important questions we found online and provided our expert answers.

More Roulette Guides

That’s the end of our guide, and we hope you found it useful. Always play on a roulette table and variation you’re comfortable with, and never compromise on security when you are betting online. If you want to keep improving, choose your next guide from the list below. Each one offers valuable insights to help you enhance your game.