A Comprehensive Guide to Roulette Terms

Roulette Bets Glossary

This portion of the guide will cover the types of roulette bets one can make, the payouts for said bets, as well as various roulette betting terms, including French roulette terms.

A Word on the Green Zero

When referring to even money bets and probability, players always have to take into account the wheel’s green zero. For every even money bet, the house edge is determined by the presence of one or two green zero’s on the wheel. A single zero results in a 2.7% house edge, while introducing the 00 in American roulette makes for a 5.26% house edge.

Outside Bets

Red / Black. One of the most popular bets on the table, players bet on either red or black in an even-money bet that returns (1:1).

Odd / Even. Another even money bet that returns (1:1), players bet on a range of numbers marked even or odd. The green zero pocket does not count as odd for this bet.

High / Low. The third type of even money bet, players select whether the ball will land on a high (19-36) or low (1-18) number.

Columns. A bet placed on one of the three columns of numbers. This bet pays out double your stake (2:1).

Dozens. A bet which covers one of three sets of numbers from 1-12, 13-24, and 25-36. Each dozen pays out double your stake (2:1).

Inside Bets

Inside bets are bets placed on the numbered area of the roulette layout. Many of these bets have a lower probability of winning compared to outside bets but have a higher payout to compensate.

Straight-Up. A simple bet which can be placed on any number, including zero. Straight-up bets pay 35:1. Players can place more than one straight up bet per spin if they wish.

Split. A bet placed on the line between two numbers, splitting the chance of winning between those numbers and paying 17:1. Examples of this bet are numbers 1 and 2, 1 and 4, 2 and 5, etc.

Corner. A bet placed on the corner of where four numbers meet that pays 8:1.

Street. A bet placed on a row of numbers that pays 11:1. Examples of this bet are 1, 2, and 3, or 7, 8, and 9. Place chips at the bottom of the row below the first number of the line to indicate a street bet.

Line. Similar to the street bet, a line covers two rows of consecutive numbers for a payout of 5:1. A line bet is sometimes called a six-number bet.

Five-Number Bet. A bet placed on the numbers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. This bet pays 6:1 and is one of the worst bets one can make concerning house edge.

Snake Bet. A bet that, when placed, resembles the pattern of a snake, paying 2:1. The numbers in the snake are 1, 5, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 23, 27, 30, 32, and 34.

Call Bets

Call bets, which are only available on the single-zero wheels found in French and European roulette, are bets that are announced rather than placing money on the table. This practice means that, in theory, not many online casinos in West Virginia allow them. However, players can still make identical bets by placing the correct combination of chips on the layout.

Neighbors of Zero. Also known as “Voisins du Zero.” This bet covers the 17 numbers closest to the single zero on the wheel. These numbers are 0, 2, 3, 4, 7, 12, 15, 18, 19, 21, 22, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, and 35.

Zero Game. Also known as “Jeu Zero.” This is a bet on the seven numbers closest to zero on the wheel, which includes 0, 3, 12, 15, 26, 32, and 35.

Thirds of the Wheel. Also known as “Tiers du Cylindre.” This bet, as the name suggests, covers one-third of the wheel, including the numbers 5, 8, 10, 11, 13, 16, 23, 24, 27, 30, 33, and 36.

The Orphans. Also known as “Orphelins.” This bet covers eight numbers that the Thirds and Neighbours bets don’t cover. These numbers include 1, 6, 9, 14, 17, 20, 31, and 34.

Final Bets

A final bet is a bet placed on the final digit on a single-zero wheel. Any number can be called as a final, and the odds change depending on how many total positions are covered. For example, a final 4 will cover 4, 14, 24, and 34.

La Partage and En Prison

La partage is a special rule in French roulette that sees a player get half of their bet back should an even-money bet lose to the zero.

Meanwhile, ‘en prison‘ is a rule in some versions of French roulette which puts any given even-money stake ‘in-prison’ should the ball land on zero. The player is then given another chance at claiming their stake back should the next spin win.

These rules are not available on all French roulette tables and are more common in land-based casinos. Always check the house rules if you want to be sure which rules are in play.

Roulette Terms Glossary

With a long and storied history spanning hundreds of years and played across the globe, roulette has amassed a number of terms that are commonly used in the game today.

Understanding the various roulette terms and rules can help players feel more comfortable at the table and get the most from their experience. This roulette glossary will help you do just that.

A

Action. Bets placed on the layout or betting participation in general. A table with a lot of action has a lot of bets placed on it or a lot of participation from players.

American Roulette. A variation of roulette with 38 pockets that includes a second green pocket marked 00.

B

Bankroll. The amount of money a player has budgeted specifically for gambling. Players should have a bankroll to ensure they can afford to lose the money they are playing with and are gambling within their means.

Biased Wheel. A faulty or tampered wheel which causes the ball to land in certain pockets more frequently.

Big Number. A number that has hit frequently in recent spins. A big number is sometimes called a hot number, the opposite of a cold number.

C

Chasing Losses. The continuation of betting in increasing amounts solely to try and win back any money lost, often in haste or out of desperation.

Croupier. Also known as the dealer, the croupier is in charge of the table, overseeing bets and operating the wheel.

D

Double Zero. The second zero on an American roulette table known as the 00. This is directly opposite to the 0 pocket.

E

European Roulette. A version of roulette with 37 pockets and a single zero pocket.

H

High Roller. Someone who gambles large amounts of money, often with big stakes on high-limit tables.

House. The casino or operator with whom you are gambling.

House Edge. The advantage that a casino has on any given bet, which is usually calculated as a percentage.

House Rules. The specific set of rules that the house has for the game. In the case of roulette, this could be whether certain rules like En Prison or La Partage are in effect.

L

Late Bet. A bet that is called or placed after the croupier has announced “no more bets.” This is often disallowed in casinos as it can lead to disagreements between players and the house, although a late bet may occasionally be allowed at the croupier’s discretion.

Layout. The surface of the table displaying all betting options and where chips are placed to make bets.

M

Marker. A token used by the croupier to indicate the winning number on the layout. New bets should not be placed until the marker has been removed.

Martingale. A popular betting system that sees the player double up on the previous bet each time they lose.

P

Pit. The area in which table games are played in a casino is sometimes called a pit. The pit has a supervisor, or pit boss, who oversees dealers in the area and ensures operations are running smoothly.

Pocket. Sunken zones in the wheel where the ball will land to indicate the winning number.

S

Single Zero. The 37th pocket present on all roulette tables, responsible for creating a house edge in even-money bets.

System. A set of betting strategies that players use to either budget their gambling or attempt to beat the house.

T

Table Limit. The betting limits on the roulette table for both minimum and maximum bets.

W

Wager. A bet placed by players. Also known as a stake.

Wheel. The mechanical or digital wheel in which the ball is spun around. Lined with pockets for the ball to drop in.

Wrapping Up Our Roulette Glossary

Familiarizing yourself with the available bets and common terminology used at the roulette table can improve your overall experience and make you a more informed player.

Knowing how and where to place a bet on the layout is especially important in land-based casinos, where more than one player may be placing a wager on the table.

For players looking to improve their understanding of blackjack terminology, it’s helpful to consult informative resources like this guide on basic strategy.

Knowing the odds, payouts, and the various house-edge of each bet is also likely to lead to more informed decisions and could really pay off in the long run.