The iconic image of the spinning wheel and the anticipation of where the ball will land have made roulette a staple in casinos worldwide. There are different variations of roulette available to play, especially in online casinos, but are all roulette wheels the same?
In this Wizard Slots article, we'll explore this question further to see if there are any differences in the wheels of different roulette games.
What Is The Layout of a Roulette Wheel?
The roulette wheel consists of 37 or 38 pockets, depending on the version being used. But what do these pockets contain, and how are they arranged?
A standard European roulette wheel features 37 pockets, numbered from 0 to 36. The American version, however, has an extra pocket, 00, in addition to the numbers 0 to 36. The numbers on the wheel are alternately coloured red and black, with the 0 and 00 pockets typically coloured green. The order of the numbers is not arranged in a sequential fashion to allow a more random distribution, especially in relation to the Dozens and High/Low bets.
While the American and European wheels share the same fundamental principles, the different number of pockets does make a difference. The American wheel's extra 00 pocket increases the house edge to 5.26%. On the other hand, the European wheel offers a slightly lower house edge (2.7%) thanks to having only one 0 pocket.
How Many Numbers Are There On a Roulette Wheel?
Roulette wheels are covered in numbered pockets, but how many are there exactly?
As mentioned earlier, the European roulette wheel contains 37 pockets, comprising a green 0 pocket and the numbers 1 to 36, each of which is either red or black. The layout provides a balanced distribution of odd and even numbers, which is important for the related outside bets.
In contrast, the American roulette wheel boasts 38 pockets. It includes the green 0 and 00 pockets, as well as numbers 1 to 36 (again in red or black).
Is There a Pattern To Numbers on a Roulette Wheel?
The arrangement of numbers on a roulette wheel might seem haphazard, but it's anything but random.
Roulette wheel designers meticulously alternate red and black numbers to create a sense of balance. This alternation serves to prevent any clustering of the same colour, which would advantage a bet placed on said colour.
Although the sequence of numbers on the wheel appears somewhat chaotic, there is a method to the madness. The numbers are positioned to ensure that low and high numbers, as well as odd and even numbers, are spread evenly. Again, this is important when it comes to the outside bets that cover these larger groups of numbers.
How Is a Roulette Table Laid Out?
Understanding the roulette wheel layout is only one part of the equation. The roulette table layout is equally significant, as it plays a vital role in how bets are placed.
A typical roulette table is divided into two main sections: the inside bets and the outside bets. The inside bets are located on the inner part of the table (the numbered grid), where players can wager on specific numbers or smaller groups of numbers. The outside bets are found on the outer part of the table (bordering the numbered grid) and include options like betting on red or black, odd or even, high or low, dozens, and columns.
The layout of the table corresponds directly to the numbers on the wheel. Unlike the wheel, the numbered grid is in numerical order. It also shows the colour of each number's corresponding pocket on the wheel and allows players to place more specific bets. The outside bets provide a simple way to place bets on larger groups of numbers.
Conclusion
In the world of roulette, the layout of the roulette wheel and table is far from random. The wheel is meticulously designed to create a fairer distribution of the numbers and colours in this game of chance, while the table layout is designed in a way to make placing bets as straightforward as possible.
Most roulette wheels are the same. The main difference is whether you're playing on a European or American wheel. The former has 37 pockets and a lower house edge, while the latter has 38 pockets with a higher house edge.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins, etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.