Roulette Numbers: How Do They Work?

Examine the numbers on a roulette wheel. They appear to provide only a few dozen different options for players. But what happens when you look closely at the roulette board layout? There are numerous bets and combinations to choose from.

In a nutshell, this is roulette: a simple and approachable game with numerous intriguing possibilities and permutations. This marriage of the simple and the complex is what makes the game so popular among casino players all over the world. It’s one of the most popular casino games in the world, whether played in a live casino or simply when playing roulette online.

In short, few sights in a casino are more iconic than the spinning red and black wheel at the roulette table. 

How Many Numbers Are on a Roulette Wheel?

The answer to this question begs another: which roulette are we discussing?

European and American roulette are the two most common types of roulette found in most online casinos. The number of pockets on the wheel is the primary distinction between European and American roulette.

European Roulette vs American Roulette Wheel Layout

The roulette wheel has pockets numbered from 1 to 36 in both games. The difference is zero. In addition to the single zero pockets found on European roulette wheels, there is a double zero pocket in American roulette. It is located directly opposite the single zero, also marked in green.

This means that a European roulette wheel has 37 pockets, and an American roulette wheel has 38. The astute mathematicians among you will have deduced that this also means that American roulette has a higher house edge. The house edge in American roulette is 5.26 percent, while it is 2.7 percent in European roulette.

What are the numbers on a roulette wheel?

While the double zero is the primary distinction between American and European roulette, observant players of both games will notice another.

The number sequence on an American roulette wheel differs from that of a European roulette wheel, running clockwise from zero as follows: 0, 28, 9, 26, 30, 11, 7, 20…

Instead, the European roulette wheel reads: 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25, 17…

Both are somewhat random, but many believe the European roulette wheel is more balanced. While both wheels have red and black numbers, the European roulette wheel alternates low (1-18) and high (19-36) numbers for the most part. There are no instances of three consecutive odd or even numbers on either wheel.

The Roulette Board Layout

Of course, the roulette wheel is only one component of the roulette table. Along with the wheel is a roulette board where players can place their bets. The main part of the board is simple: it displays all of the board’s red and black numbers, and you can find the zero (and, if present, the double zero) along its leftmost edge.

You’ll notice several other betting areas besides this grid of numbers. Players can bet on groups of numbers, such as the first, second, and third dozens; all high or low numbers; all red or black numbers; or all odd and even numbers. Column bets allow you to choose from a different set of 12 numbers.

It is worth noting that 0 and double 0 do not belong to any of these categories.

Common Roulette Patters and Bets

A “racetrack” around the board in European roulette is based on the sequence of numbers on the wheel. These are known as “call bets” or “announced bets,” and they allow players to make a variety of combination bets:

• Neighbours of Zero: This bet covers all numbers from 22 to 25, a sequence of numbers that runs on either side of the zero pockets.
• Thirds of the Wheel: As the name implies, this bet is placed on a dozen numbers (one-third of the wheel). The numbers chosen are those that are opposed to zero.
• The Orphans: are the remaining six numbers not covered by Neighbors of Zero or Thirds of the Wheel.

What Roulette Number Hits the Most?

Hot and cold numbers – those that have hit frequently in recent spins and those that have not hit in a long time – can become very important to roulette players. Unfortunately for astute players, these streaks are meaningless, especially in online roulette. Regardless of what happened in previous spins, each number on a European roulette wheel has a 37/1 chance of hitting on any given spin.

There are still some numbers that players prefer for a variety of reasons. The most popular number is 7, which is considered lucky by many people. Because of its central location on the table, 17 is another hit. In addition, the number eight is considered lucky in many Asian cultures and will be frequently bet on.

For obvious reasons, people rarely bet on 13 when it comes to “unlucky” numbers. 0 is another unpopular option unless the player is extremely risk-averse. Betting on 0 can be a good way to protect yourself against an odd/even bet.

Also Read: Roulette Dolly Marker Predicting System