Roulette Terminology Explained
Roulette is one of the most simple casino games to play, which is part of what makes it so popular. However, many players may still not be aware of all the specific terms involved in playing a game of Roulette. So let’s take a look at the most important terms that players should get to know before playing.
American Roulette
A version of roulette that is mainly played in the Americas. An American roulette wheel features 38 pockets, including numbers 1-36, a zero and double zero.
Bet On The Layout
A wager that is placed anywhere among the numbers part of the table.
Biased Wheel
A roulette wheel where the numbers are not all providing equal odds. Most stories of large wins are often the result of a biased wheel with a player that bets on the numbers that are proving more likely to win.
Block Betting
When a bet is placed as a group on sets of numbers in particular sections of the wheel. Often part of particular roulette strategies.
Call Bets
Wagers made by saying a bet out loud and not placing the chips on the table. Most casinos don’t allow call bets in this form, allowing announced bets instead (where the player says the bet aloud before placing chips on the table to cover it).
Carr
The French term for a corner bet.
Cheval
The French term for a split bet.
Colonne
The French term for a column bet.
Column Bet
This is a bet made on one of three possible columns, usually paying out at 2 to 1.
Corner Bet
A bet on four numbers which usually pays out at 8 to 1. In a corner bet, a chip is placed covering the inside adjacent corners of four numbers that meet in a square. This bet allows players to bet on four possible numbers simultaneously, with the return ¼ of what would be won if betting on a single number.
Croupier
The casino employee that oversees the roulette table. The more colloquial term for the ‘dealer’.
Double Zero
Space marked ‘00’ on a roulette wheel, only found in American roulette.
Dozen Bet
A bet placed on one out of the three groups of 12 numbers, paying out at 2 to 1.
En Plein
The French term for a straight up bet.
En Prison
The French term for ‘in prison’. This is a rule that only applies to even-money wagers. When the outcome of a spin is zero, some casinos may allow the player to either take back half of their bet or leave it ‘in prison’ for the next spin. If the following outcome is zero, then the whole wager is lost.
European Roulette
A version of roulette mainly played in Europe and Asia. This version features just one single zero, lowering the house edge.
Even Money
These types of bets will pay out the same as what you wager and are some of the most common bets in roulette. They include betting on red or black, odd or even and high or low halves.
Four Number Bet
A bet in European roulette in which the chip is placed at the top of the table on the line between the zero and the first row of numbers. This is similar to a corner bet, with the same odds, covering four numbers, including the zero.
French Bets
Bets that cover specific sections of the wheel, actively making several bets simultaneously as they cover all the numbers in each section of the wheel. French bets are popular mainly amongst high rollers in European casinos.
House Edge
The mathematical leverage that the casino holds over the player. This advantage is usually expressed as a percentage that represents the average that the casino predicts to keep each bet in the long run. E.g. The house edge on a single zero (European) roulette wheel is 2.70%. This edge, over time, is where the casino makes the profit that allows them to operate.
Inside Bets
Bets placed on the inside area of a roulette layout, covering only individual numbers or small groups, usually paying out at generally high odds.
Live Roulette
A popular version of online roulette in which players interact with a real roulette game streamed via high-quality video feed. Live roulette is one of a range of live casino games that are available.
Marker
A device used by the croupier after each spin to mark the winning number. New bets should not be placed until the marker has been removed.
Mini Roulette
A version of roulette available at some casinos. It contains a smaller wheel with 13 numbers (0-12), which the payouts are adjusted to suit so that the house edge is similar to traditional roulette.
Orphans
A term more commonly used in European casinos. It refers to bets on three specific numbers – 6, 34 and 17.
Outside Bets
Bets placed on the outside area of the roulette table. These bets generally cover large areas of a roulette wheel and therefore payout at lower odds.
Pockets
The areas on a roulette wheel where the ball can land, each with a unique number, half red, half black, and the zeros are green.
Six Line
A bet that covers two adjacent rows of numbers, for six numbers in total. This bet traditionally pays out at 5-1 odds.
Split
A bet covering two adjacent numbers, by placing the chips on the intersection of two numbers, traditionally paying out at 17-1 odds.
Straight Up
A bet is made on single numbers, placing the chips on your chosen number on the table. This bet usually pays out at 35-1 odds.
Street
A bet on a row of three numbers, placing chips on the edge of your chosen row. This bet usually pays out at 11-1 odds.
Wheel Checks
Special, unmarked chips that may be used on specific roulette tables.
Zero
The space on a roulette wheel that is marked with a ‘0’. This space is present on all roulette tables; however, American roulette also features a ‘00’ pocket.
Impair
The French roulette terms for "odd bet"
Manque
French term for "failed" - The ball has failed to make it past 18 and is in the low range
Passe
The opposite to Manque, with a bet placed on the high range (numbers 19-36). The term gets its name based on the fact that it has passed the centre.
Why do I need to Know Roulette Terminologies?
Here at 21.co.uk, we believe that all of our players should be knowledgeable about our games before they play and nobody should place a bet without fully understanding what the bet entails. This is the same with all online casino games, nobody should play any of our games or any game in a land casino without knowing all they need to know about the game beforehand. Terminologies may not seem like they are crucial to know, but not knowing the difference between an inside and an outside bet could prove costly in the long run.
Play Roulette on 21.co.uk
Now that you know more about the terminology used when playing roulette, you’ll be well prepared to understand the various bets available and rules of the game. If you want to try your luck, we have a full range of high-quality roulette games available here at 21.co.uk, including video roulette and real dealer live roulette. If you’re looking for alternative games like roulette, you could try online blackjack, which is deemed by many as the brother of roulette due to their equal popularity and playability.
