Roulette at a Glance: Key Facts
Before we spin into the details, here’s a quick-reference guide to the most popular roulette variations. Understanding these core differences is the first step to a smarter strategy.
| Feature | European Roulette | American Roulette | French Roulette |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pockets | 37 (0, 1-36) | 38 (0, 00, 1-36) | 37 (0, 1-36) |
| House Edge | 2.70% | 5.26% | 1.35% (on even-money bets) |
| RTP | 97.30% | 94.74% | 98.65% (on even-money bets) |
| Typical Min Bet | $0.10 – $1.00 | $0.20 – $1.00 | $0.50 – $2.00 |
| Typical Max Bet | $2,000+ | $2,000+ | $2,000+ |
Understanding the Anatomy of the Roulette Wheel
At first glance, the numbers on a roulette wheel seem random, but their sequence is a work of genius. The layout is meticulously designed to create a balanced distribution of high and low, red and black, and odd and even numbers across the entire wheel. This prevents any single section from being too heavily weighted with one type of outcome.
European vs. American Roulette Wheel Layouts
The most significant difference lies in the number of pockets. The European wheel features a single ‘0’, while its American counterpart adds a ’00’. This seemingly small change doubles the house edge, making the European version far more favorable for players.
- European Wheel Sequence: 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
- American Wheel Sequence: 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
The takeaway is simple: Always choose European or French roulette over American roulette to give yourself the best possible odds.
What Are Roulette Wheel Sectors? The “Called Bets” Explained
This is where we dive into the heart of advanced roulette strategy. Roulette wheel sectors, also known as “French Bets” or “Called Bets,” refer to groups of numbers that are physically adjacent on the wheel itself, not on the betting table layout. These bets allow players to cover a specific “slice” of the wheel with a series of combination bets.
Voisins du Zéro (Neighbors of Zero)
This is the largest sector bet, covering the 17 numbers that surround the green ‘0’ on the European wheel. It requires a total of 9 chips to place.
- Numbers Covered: 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25.
- Bet Placement: A combination of splits, corners, and a trio bet covering the zero.
Le Tiers du Cylindre (Third of the Wheel)
This bet covers one-third of the wheel, specifically the 12 numbers located directly opposite the Voisins du Zéro section. It is a streamlined bet requiring only 6 chips.
- Numbers Covered: 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, 33.
- Bet Placement: Six split bets, with one chip placed on each pair.
Orphelins (The Orphans)
The “Orphans” are the two remaining slices of the wheel that are not covered by the Voisins or Tiers bets. This bet covers a total of 8 numbers and requires 5 chips.
- Numbers Covered: 17, 34, 6 and 1, 20, 14, 31, 9.
- Bet Placement: One straight-up bet on the number 1, and four split bets.
How to Play a Round of Roulette: A Step-by-Step Guide
New to the wheel? No problem. Here’s a simple guide to playing your first round of online roulette.
- Choose a Roulette Table: Select a game, paying close attention to the variation. We highly recommend starting with European or French roulette for better odds.
- Buy Your Chips: In a live casino, you’d exchange cash. Online, you simply set your desired chip value from the game’s interface.
- Place Your Bets: Click on the betting table layout to place your chips. You can place chips on single numbers, groups of numbers, colors, or other propositions. The dealer (or software) will announce when betting is closed.
- The Dealer Spins the Wheel: The dealer spins the wheel in one direction and the ball in the opposite. The anticipation builds as the ball slows down.
- The Payouts: Once the ball lands in a numbered pocket, the dealer marks the winning number. All losing bets are cleared, and all winning bets are paid out according to the odds table.
Roulette Betting Options: Inside vs. Outside Bets
Understanding the different bets is crucial. They are divided into two main categories: Inside Bets (bets on specific numbers) and Outside Bets (bets on broader categories).
| Bet Name | Description | Payout | European Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside Bets | |||
| Straight Up | Bet on a single number | 35:1 | 2.70% |
| Split | Bet on two adjacent numbers | 17:1 | 5.41% |
| Street | Bet on three numbers in a row | 11:1 | 8.11% |
| Corner/Square | Bet on a block of four numbers | 8:1 | 10.81% |
| Six Line/Double Street | Bet on two adjacent rows | 5:1 | 16.22% |
| Outside Bets | |||
| Column | Bet on one of the three vertical columns | 2:1 | 32.43% |
| Dozen | Bet on a block of 12 numbers (1-12, 13-24, 25-36) | 2:1 | 32.43% |
| Red/Black | Bet on the winning color | 1:1 | 48.65% |
| Odd/Even | Bet on whether the number is odd or even | 1:1 | 48.65% |
| High/Low (1-18/19-36) | Bet on the number range | 1:1 | 48.65% |
Note: Payouts for American roulette are the same, but the probability of winning is lower due to the extra ’00’ pocket. The infamous “Five-Number Bet” (0, 00, 1, 2, 3) in American roulette carries a massive 7.89% house edge and should be avoided.
Is There a Strategy to Win Roulette?
Let’s be perfectly clear: no betting strategy can guarantee a win or overcome the game’s built-in house edge. Roulette is a game of chance. However, strategies are excellent tools for managing your bankroll, structuring your play, and adding a systematic approach to your sessions. They are about discipline, not about “beating” the wheel.
Popular Roulette Betting Systems
- The Martingale System: The most famous (and riskiest) strategy. You double your bet after every loss on an even-money wager. A win recovers all previous losses plus a one-unit profit. The danger is that a long losing streak can wipe out your bankroll or hit the table limit very quickly.
- The Fibonacci System: A less aggressive progressive system. Instead of doubling, your next bet is the sum of the two previous bets, following the Fibonacci sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8…). It’s slower and safer than the Martingale but can still see bets escalate.
- The James Bond Strategy: This is a non-progressive, flat-betting system. For a $200 total bet, you would place $140 on the high numbers (19-36), $50 on a six-line (13-18), and $10 on the zero as insurance. It covers over half the table but a loss is significant.
- The $150 Roulette Strategy: A popular system that covers most of the board. You place $50 on the first dozen (1-12), $50 on the second dozen (13-24), and then $5 on ten different single numbers within the third dozen (25-36). The goal is to hit one of the dozens for a small profit or a single number for a larger one.
The Roulette Wheel Sector Strategy in Action
This is where understanding the wheel’s layout becomes a practical strategy. Instead of betting on numbers scattered across the table, some players use the “Called Bets” (Voisins, Tiers, Orphelins) to target a physical section of the wheel. If a player notices a pattern or believes a certain “hot zone” is due, they can efficiently cover that entire area with a single announced bet.
Popular Roulette Game Variations
Online casinos in 2025 offer a fantastic array of roulette games beyond the classics. Here are a few you’ll encounter:
- Live Dealer Roulette: The most immersive experience. A real dealer operates a physical wheel in a studio, and the action is streamed to your device in high definition. Providers like Evolution are masters of this format.
- Lightning Roulette: A thrilling game show-style version where, in each round, up to five numbers are struck by “lightning” and given random multipliers of up to 500x on straight-up bets.
- Multi-Wheel Roulette: Why play on one wheel when you can play on eight? This RNG game allows you to place a single bet that applies to the outcome of multiple wheels simultaneously.
- French Roulette: As mentioned, this is often the best choice. It uses the European wheel and adds two player-friendly rules on even-money bets: La Partage (you get half your bet back if the ball lands on zero) and En Prison (your bet is held for the next spin).
Best Online Casinos for Roulette
Choosing the right casino is vital. Look for sites with proper licensing, a wide variety of roulette games, and fair bonus terms.
| Casino Operator | Welcome Bonus | Why It’s Great for Roulette |
|---|---|---|
| [Casino Platform 1] | [Bonus Offer Details] | Wide selection of live dealer games |
| [Casino Platform 2] | [Bonus Offer Details] | Offers French Roulette with La Partage |
| [Casino Platform 3] | [Bonus Offer Details] | Low minimum bets for beginners |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Steer clear of these common pitfalls to protect your bankroll and enhance your enjoyment of the game.
- Playing American Roulette: Intentionally choosing a game with double the house edge is the biggest mistake a player can make.
- Falling for the Gambler’s Fallacy: Believing that past results influence future outcomes (e.g., “Red is due because it’s been black ten times in a row”). Each spin is an independent event.
- Chasing Your Losses: Increasing your bets to win back money you’ve lost is a fast track to a depleted bankroll. Stick to your budget.
- Not Setting a Budget: Always decide on a session limit before you start playing and stick to it, win or lose.
- Ignoring the Outside Bets: While the big payouts of inside bets are tempting, outside bets offer more frequent, smaller wins that can extend your playtime.
Bankroll Management and Mobile Gaming
Smart gaming is sustainable gaming. Always follow these principles:
- Set Limits: Decide on a loss limit and a win goal for each session. Stop playing when you hit either one.
- Use Betting Units: Divide your bankroll into “units” (e.g., 1-5% of your total). This prevents you from betting too much on a single spin.
- Never Bet More Than You Can Afford: This is the golden rule. Gambling should be for entertainment, not a financial strategy.
Furthermore, all modern online roulette games from top providers are fully optimized for mobile play. You can enjoy a seamless experience on any iOS or Android smartphone or tablet.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the areas of the roulette wheel?
The wheel is divided into 37 (European) or 38 (American) numbered pockets. For strategic players, the wheel is also divided into three primary “sectors” for called bets: Voisins du Zéro (Neighbors of Zero), Le Tiers du Cylindre (Third of the Wheel), and Orphelins (The Orphans). The betting table also has areas like columns and dozens.
What does 12P, 12M, and 12D mean in roulette?
These are French terms for the three “Dozen” bets on the betting layout. 12P stands for “Première douzaine” (First 12, covering numbers 1-12). 12M is “Moyenne douzaine” (Middle 12, for numbers 13-24). 12D is “Dernière douzaine” (Last 12, for numbers 25-36).
How many sections are in roulette?
This depends on the context. The wheel itself has 37 or 38 sections (pockets). The betting table has sections for three dozens and three columns. For advanced sector betting, the wheel is typically divided into the three famous French Bet sections: Voisins du Zéro, Tiers du Cylindre, and Orphelins.
What is the $150 roulette strategy?
It’s a flat betting system designed to cover most of the table. A common approach is to bet $50 on the 1-12 dozen, $50 on the 13-24 dozen, and $5 on ten different single numbers between 25-36. The aim is to secure a small but consistent win if the ball lands in one of the covered dozens.
Responsible Gambling Reminder: Play for fun, not as a way to make money. Always set limits for yourself and never gamble with money you cannot afford to lose. If you feel you might have a problem, seek help from professional organizations.
