Everything You Need To Know About The Roulette Wheel
Roulette, originating in 19th-century France, has evolved into a global sensation - and it is quite easily one of the most popular casino games in the world. The fact that it is purely a game of chance is one of its major appeals - and the fact that you can select from a range of bets makes it the popular game it is.
However, what really makes it such a legendary game is that iconic roulette wheel. Here, we will look at the roulette wheel, the different versions, why it’s designed the way it is, the roulette wheel numbers, and which is the best roulette wheel of all.
What Is The Roulette Wheel?
The roulette wheel is the iconic centrepiece of the game of roulette. It consists of a large numbered wheel with alternating red and black pockets - each pocket numbered from 0 to 36. The numbers aren’t arranged sequentially, but that’s not to say they are random either - in fact, they follow a specific pattern that has been designed to create an equal distribution of high/low, even and odd numbers.
The European version of the roulette wheel includes one single green 0 pocket, while the American version has an extra green pocket with a double zero and the green single zero - which increases the house edge.
When playing roulette, you simply need to place a bet on where you think the ball will land on the roulette wheel. The wheel is then set into motion, and a small ball is released in the opposite direction of the wheel's spin. As the wheel slows down, the ball will eventually drop into one of the numbered pockets. Whether you win or lose is determined by the number and colour of the pocket where the ball eventually lands.
Essentially, the roulette wheel is designed to make sure that it is a game of pure chance - as there is no skill involved in predicting where the ball will land, and there are no ways you can improve your chance of picking the right number.
Roulette Wheel Number Board
At the roulette table, you can place various types of bets - each offering different odds and payouts based on how likely the outcome is. Below you can find an example of how a table would appear in an online roulette game, presenting the different options to predict where the ball will land on the wheel.
Different Versions of the Roulette Wheel
Roulette has several variations. The main differences are the layout of the wheel and the associated rules. The three most popular versions are the American, European, and French roulette wheels.
The European Roulette Wheel
The European roulette wheels are the most common version that can be found today - containing 37 roulette numbers, from 0 to 36.
The wheel has one single green 0 pocket.
With the single zero wheel, the house edge in European roulette is lower than the American version, making it a favourite with players - it is approximately 2.70%.
The American Roulette Wheel
The American roulette wheel is more popular in the United States (unsurprisingly) and some other regions. This roulette game features 38 roulette numbers - from 00 to 36.
Unlike the European wheel, the American wheel has two green pockets - the 0 and the 00 pockets, which means less favourable odds for players.
The house edge in American Roulette is almost double European Roulette at 5.26% - meaning there are lower odds of winning.
French Roulette Wheel
French roulette uses the same wheel as European roulette - so it also has 37 pockets.
However, the main difference between European and French Roulette lies in the rules and the French roulette table rather than the roulette numbers on the wheel.
Adding rules can affect the house edge and player odds overall, but the roulette wheel has little difference here.
Unsurprisingly, European and French roulette wheels are the most popular with players because they have a lower house edge.
The Background Behind the Roulette Wheel Layout
As mentioned earlier, the design of the wheel is not by chance - in fact, it follows a specific pattern that has been carefully designed to achieve balance and fairness.
Here are some aspects of the wheel design that have been carefully considered and manufactured with purpose:
Alternating Colours: The red and black roulette numbers alternate around the wheel - except for the green 0 pocket (and the 00 in American roulette). This alternation doesn’t just look good, but it’s also for practical purposes to make it easy to distinguish between different segments and balance colour segments across the wheel.
Distribution of Roulette Numbers: You may have noticed, but numbers aren’t in sequential order. However, neither are they distributed in a random order. In fact, they have been strategically arranged to create a balanced outcome. This distribution helps to ensure that there is no particular section of the wheel that is more likely to yield a winning number than another - i.e. no half with high numbers and no half with low numbers.
House Edge - The Green Pockets: The house edge in roulette is determined mainly by the presence of one or two green 0 (and 00) pockets. It is the addition of these pockets that creates the house advantage - as any bets placed on red/black, odd/even or even high/low lose when the ball lands in the 0 or 00 pocket. That’s why the number of green pockets and their wheel placement generally determines the house edge for each roulette variation.
How Many Numbers Can Be Found on a Roulette Wheel?
Well, how many numbers on the roulette wheel depends on the game you’re playing - a standard roulette wheel contains either 37 or 38 numbers:
European Roulette Wheel Numbers: This version has 37 numbers, including the numbers 1 through 36 and a single 0 pocket. In clockwise order, the number sequence follows; 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25, 17, 34, 6, 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, 33, 1, 20, 14, 31, 9, 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26.
American Roulette Wheel Numbers: American roulette wheels have 38 numbers - this includes the numbers 1 through 36, a single 0 pocket, plus an extra 00 pocket. In clockwise order, the number sequence follows; 0, 28, 9, 26, 30, 11, 7, 20, 32, 17, 5, 22, 34, 15, 3, 24, 36, 13, 1, 00, 27, 10, 25, 29, 12, 8, 19, 31, 18, 6, 21, 33, 16, 4, 23, 35, 14, 2.
These numbers are strategically placed around the wheel to create a balanced game. You then place your bet on specific numbers or various combinations of numbers with the aim of predicting correctly which pocket the ball will land on.
Despite the roulette wheel numbers and house edge being different, the payout for even money bets and a straight-up bet remains the same.
The Best Roulette Wheel
So, which is the best roulette wheel? Well, really it depends on your preferences, as each version offers a completely different experience.
Understandably, many players consider European roulette the best option as it has a lower house edge compared to American roulette - making it a more favourable choice if your main focus is on giving yourself better odds of winning.
However, the French roulette wheel is the same as that in French roulette, but because it includes the ‘La Partage’ rule, the house edge is reduced even more. As such, the French roulette wheel and game could be a favoured option for some players.
Finally, we have the American roulette wheel - which tends to have a higher house edge - and because of this, it is generally the least preferred version of the game.
How Roulette Wheels Work Online
Online roulette wheels work in a very similar way to their physical land-based counterparts. These, too, are designed to offer fair and random outcomes. The main difference is that instead of a dealer physically spinning the roulette wheel and releasing the ball, online roulette games use a Random Number Generator (RNG) to determine the winning number and colour, making sure that every single spin is independent of the last one.
In a live roulette game, the dealer still operates a roulette wheel, providing you with the same experience that you would find in a casino.
Are they fair? Yes, at 21.co.uk we use certified RNGs so you can experience the same level of randomness and unpredictability as a physical roulette wheel.
