Roulette Table Layout Explained and Where to Place Bets

Hello, fellow roulette lovers! We are here with a nice and handy guide about the roulette table. We will teach you absolutely everything you need to know about it from layout to some tips about your bets!

Roulette Table – The Basics

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Last Updated on 9 Oct 2023 by Chief Editor Benjamin Webb

Let’s start with the basics – a description of a roulette table. The wheel is positioned on the left side of it while the place on which you put your bets is on the right. The latter is cloth-covered in green, like all tables for gambling in general, and is called the layout. There are three colours used on it. Red, black and white. All writings are in white, while the red and black sections represent the numbers which are the same colour also on the roulette wheel.

It is quite easy to get used to the roulette table and to start playing. Just keep in mind that there are three types of roulette tables – European, American and French. In the following paragraphs, we will discuss the differences in each of them and how the bets work. Like this, you will have an easy time deciding which one fits your taste the most.

The bets are placed in chips, and there are two main types – inside bets and outside bets. The first have good payouts but quite low chances. The second offer much better probability of win but the payout would be small. As you most likely understood by their names, ones are in the inner part of the layout while the others are on the outside one.

European Roulette Table Layout

The European roulette has the layout and the wheel just like we described them above. There are 37 slots, or pockets, on the European wheel. They consist of the numbers from 1 to 36 and a green one for the 0. Otherwise, there are 18 black and 18 red slots, which correspond to the betting part of the table. It is easy to start playing on it and is, maybe, the most popular variation worldwide, or at least sharing the first place with the American one. Usually, the look of the table is the same, no matter if you go to a brick and mortar casino or you decide to play online.

European Roulette Table Layout

When it comes to the bets, we will first discuss the outside ones. They include the three columns, which are from 1 to 12, from 13 to 24 and from 25 to 36. There are the options to bet on half the roulette table numbers, without the zero so that you can choose between 1 to 18 and 19 to 36. You can also choose a dozen, which means one of the three lines of number that are present. The other four bets on the outside part are maybe the most popular ones among players. We are talking about the ones on Even and Odd as well as on Red and Black.

The inside bets are much more rewarding, as we said. You can bet on 6 numbers, which is called a Line; on 5 numbers – a Basket; on 4 numbers, called a Square. Then you have the option to put your chips on just three sections, and you will bet on a Street. A wager on two numbers is a Split, and we reached the highest possible payout and lowest chance as well. This is a very popular type of bet when you play high stakes online roulette. The bet on one single number, which will bring you a win of 35 times your bet. It is called a Straight up.

Exclusive European Bets

From there on, there are some more bets, which can be used exclusively on European and French roulette. They are special since you don’t have to put the chips on the numbers on which you bet. Also, because they are quite spread on the table and it would create complete chaos. Now you will see what we are talking about. Below you can see the four different bets. They are called Jeu Zero, Voisins du Zero, Orphelins and Tiers du Cylindre.

Roulette Table Bet Covered Numbers
Jeu Zero 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, 15
Voisins du Zero 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25
Orphelins 1, 20, 14, 31, 9, 17, 34, 6
Tiers du Cylindre 27, 19, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, 33

The idea is that instead of setting chips on the numbers, you simply announce your bet and make your bet on the table generically. That is why they are called ‘call’ or ‘announced’ bets. They really can simplify your game, it’s easy to play them, and some have a quite good range of roulette table numbers as you see. The odds are also not bad so you can accumulate some substantial wins. For more information, you can check our page about roulette odds. Just as a curious fact, we would like to explain to you the meaning of the words as well. They all come from French as you most likely understood already. Jeu Zero means ‘the Zero Game’. Voisins du Zero are ‘the Neighbours of Zero’. Tiers du Cylindre is ‘a third of the cylinder’, and Orphelins means ‘the Orphans’.

American Roulette Table – All About It

We reviewed the European roulette table, and it’s time to pay the same amount of attention to the American one. It is extremely popular among roulette lovers and there is only one difference in the table compared to the European one. On the roulette wheel, there is one additional number. A double zero which is in a green sector and is standing in front of the regular 0. The numbers are spread in a completely different way and because of the additional slot, they are 38 instead of 37. The placing of the bet works in the same way in general, and there are no specific things that you have to know about the American roulette table.

American Roulette Table Layout

On the layout (the green cloth-covered area) the difference is that on the place where is the zero on the European version, in the American roulette table two sections are present – one for each of the two green sectors of the wheel. The entire setup is pretty easy to remember, and you will not need much time to dive in the gameplay. Bets work in the same way, with the inner ones having higher payouts. You can again bet on a single colour, or on even numbers, let’s say.

The 00 Bet – Is It Worth It?

Let’s talk a bit about the additional pocket on the American roulette table, shall we? You can bet on zero as a regular one-number bet, and you can do the same on the double zero. The point with those two is that the chance you land them is very, very slim. From a total of 38 numbers, the odds are 38/1. But the payout is actually 35 to 1. And American roulette has a quite high house edge of over 5%. You can also bet on both the zero and the double zero. There you have a bit better chances, but it is still quite risky unless you don’t have complete trust in your luck.

  • The 0 Bet – Placing your chips on the green sector with a 0 on the layout.
  • The 00 Bet – Betting on the 00 green box, with odds of 38 to 1 and a payout of 35 to 1
  • A 0 and 00 Bet – To bet on both green squares, you should set your chips on the line that separates them.

It is very hard to say that a bet on the 00 is favourable. Yes, the payout is more than good, yet it is very unlikely that the ball will hit exactly that square. You should also take into account that a bet on black or red does not include the zeroes. This is valid also for the other outside bets. The only way to include the green slots in your bet is to set chips on them. Well, you can always do it with a small amount, as an insurance, just in case but still. They are not our favourite roulette table numbers for sure.

French Roulette Table Layout

The third and last table that we will discuss is the one of the French roulette. And here we have several differences. On the layout, you still will see the numbers from 1 to 36 aligned in three rows with the zero on the top of it. But the outside bets are much different. On one side of the single numbers you have the ‘Manque’ and the ‘Impair’, which means the bets on 1-18 and odd numbers. Next to them is the section for red slots.

French Roulette Table Layout

On the other side, you have the ‘Passe’ for numbers from 19 to 36 and the ‘Pair’ for evens, together with the bet on black. Then, you will see three sections with the writings ‘P12′, M12’ and ‘D12’. The P is for the first dozen of the numbers. The M is for the second, while the D is for the third. As you understood, a part of the writings is in French, yet tables both in land-based casinos and on online sites are adapted also in English. It can be a bit overwhelming for newbies and getting used to the French roulette table layout can take some time. But once you get the ropes of it, you can have impeccable gameplay. French roulette also has the lowest house edge!

Special French Roulette Table Rules

Except that the RTP of the French roulette is the highest, with more than 98%, the rules are the most convenient and advantageous as well. There are two which are specifically lucrative, and you should know them. An important factor when playing on a French roulette table is to know what you are doing and what are the differences. Smartening up your tactics and learning new strategies is vital and you cannot and must not count only on luck, no matter what table you choose! To go back to the main topic, below are the rules which you have to remember.

  • La Partage Rule – La Partage means ‘the divide’. It is in play only when it comes to even money bets. The deal here is that if the ball lands on zero, the dealer will split all even bets, will take half for the casino and will return half to the player.
  • En Prison Rule – It means ‘In Prison’ and it is also valid only for even money bets. If the ball lands on zero, it is called ‘in prison’, and if you win on the next round, you get back the entire money that you bet.

These are giving you an advantage, which you cannot have on the American roulette tables. Still, they can be present on the European version as well. Unfortunately, places that offer the La Partage and En Prison are not that many. Logical, after all, taking into account that the rules are offering leverage in the players’ favour. If you want to learn more about the different possibilities that you can have, take a look at our page about roulette rules.

Online and Land-Based Roulette Tables Comparison

We managed to cover all types of roulette tables and to give you valuable information about the differences and the specifics related to the layouts. But there is yet another thing for which you will have to be prepared, and we will give you all the tips! There are differences between casino roulette tables online and their ‘relatives’ in land-based venues. The following paragraphs will be of help to you, no matter if you want to go to Vegas or you prefer the comfort of your home with a laptop on your knees.

Online Roulette Table – The Basics

Online gameplay became outrageously popular in the past decade, and more and more gamblers switched to it. You can enjoy both live casino roulette tables and RNG ones. It is quite easy to get started, no matter which of the two options you prefer. The tables look very much alike and bet placing is also done in a simple and straightforward way. Below you can see what we see as a pro and what we find to be a con in the online roulette table. And let us tell you, the thing that we love most is the huge variety that you can find online.

Online Roulette Table Advantages Online Roulette Table Disadvantages
Big Variety Atmosphere Missing
No Extra Expenses Less Interactive
Better Odds
Higher Payouts

What we can grant you is that, as far as you play in a licensed operator, the gameplay will be completely safe. The numbers are randomly generated and if it comes to the online live versions, the dealers are regularly checked and the tables cannot be rigged in any way. We can definitely not argue with the fact that the online roulette table is a much more comfortable way of playing, without even the need to jump into a pair of trousers instead of your PJs.

Land-Based Casino Roulette Table – In a Nutshell

We already gave you all the details that we know about the casino roulette tables that you can find around. All in all, it is very easy to use them, no matter which variation you choose to play. You might need a bit of adaptation time because of the French roulette table and the additional rules that it boosts. Otherwise, we are more than sure that you will have an extraordinary time in a land-based casino. Unfortunately, the diversity of available tables is not as big as in online sites. But, depending on your taste, this can be compensated by the overall feeling of being among fellow gamblers on the table in a casino.

Land-Based Roulette Table Advantages Land-Based Roulette Table Disadvantages
Great Atmosphere Extra Expenses
More Interactive and Engaging Lower Payouts

The main problem can be money spending when you decide to play in a venue. Many casinos require you to pay an entry ticket, let’s say, and not all offer you drinks on the house. So, the expenses might not be related only to your gameplay. As far as you go to a renowned and legal place, you don’t have to worry that the wheel is rigged or something since everything undergoes strict monitoring and checks. We, personally, like to stay away from crowds and prefer to play online, yet there are parts of our team that would never give up on brick and mortar casino experiences.

Roulette Table Bets – How to Place Them

Placing bets is something that you better know in advance instead of learning it during the game itself. It is easy, though, so don’t worry, and the process is fast too. It takes literally moments to go through it and we created a useful list below with the steps that you should follow.

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, advisably 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 to optimise your bets as well.

Play Roulette for Real Money

Once you learn how the roulette table works, you are ready to also play for real money. You can do it online, and we will help you to choose the best spot to do so. But first, you have to choose, very carefully, the roulette variation. Aim at the one with which you are the most familiar and have the best knowledge of table layout, rules and bets. Like this, you can be sure that your play will not be negatively influenced by the lack of know-how.

If you’re on the hunt for the best roulette bonus offers, never forget to carefully read the full terms and conditions before claiming any offer. If you want to see all the fish in the sea before choosing only one site, you can have a look at our list of the best online roulette casinos that we compiled especially for you! Fan of mobile gaming?

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions are a great resource if you are a beginner in your roulette table experience. To make it easier for you, we gathered the most important queries among the ones that we found on the web and gave them our professional answers. We hope you will enjoy it!

#️⃣ How Many Numbers on a Roulette Table Are There?

This depends on the roulette. In a European or French roulette table, you will find 37 numbers in total. There are 18 black ones, 18 red ones and the zero, which is in the green sector. The American roulette table, though, has one more green sector with a double zero, which makes the total number 38.

🏆 How to Win in Roulette Table?

Roulette is a game of chance and there is no secret and full proof way of winning. You can always improve your odds, though. You should always know the rules and the layout of the roulette table perfectly. Furthermore, you can improve your strategy and betting.

🤔 What Are the Odds on a Roulette Table?

The odds are different, depending on your bet. If you are relying on the outside bets, the odds are higher, with an average 32% to 48% for European and 31% to 47% for American roulette tables. The inside bets offer you much smaller chances, dropping down to 2.7%-2.6% for a single number bet.

🌫️ What Is the Minimum Bet on a Roulette Table?

Minimum bets vary according to the place and the variation of the roulette table that you choose. They can suit both not very experienced players that don't want to risk much and high rollers which know the ropes of the game and wager big sums.

🧁 How to Make a Roulette Table Cake?

Make a rectangular cake and a smaller rounded one to put in one of the corners. Then you need fondant in dark green for the cover; black, white and red for the layout and the wheel sectors; brown for the wood of the wheel and icing for the silver elements. You can also make chips and place your bets!

💵 How to Beat a Roulette Table?

Some roulette tables have a very low house edge resulting in a high RTP. While there is no way to win every single time with bets that have slim odds, there are strategies for roulette that can help you to improve your chances.

🛒 How to Make a Roulette Table?

You can purchase the layout and the wheel and turn one of your old tables into a roulette one. Glue the layout on the table carefully since it has to be smooth. We advise you to also use a stapler on the edges. Then glue also the wheel. You can improve it by adding a plastic rail on the edges.

🔒 What Is the Safest Bet on a Roulette Table?

Hardly there is a bet that can be called 'the safest' when it comes to a game of chance. The outside bets have much higher odds but the payouts are small. You can always bet on Even and Red and hope the ball not to land on the zero. Still, you will receive very few chips back.

👎 Are the Roulette Tables Rigged?

As far as you are playing on a roulette table in a legal and regulated casino, the roulette table is hardly rigged. Gambling venues undergo regular checks for any 'misbehaving' tables or games. Online casinos are also monitored, so you are safe!

↕️ What Are the Payouts on a Roulette Table?

The payouts of any roulette table depend on your bet. If you are putting your chips on the outside bets, your payout can be either 1:1 or 2:1 at most. The inside ones, though, vary from 5:1 for six numbers to 35:1 for a single number bet. For more information, please read our full roulette bets guide.

More Roulette Guides

That’s it, roulette lovers! We reached the very end of our page and we sincerely hope that you enjoyed it. Remember to always play on a roulette table and a variation with which you are familiar and never make a compromise with your security. If you are eager to learn more and smarten up your game further, you can choose which guide you will read next. They are below and every single one of them has a lot to teach you. We wish you luck in spinning the wheel!

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