The number of slots on a roulette wheel depends on which variation of the game you are playing, in summary there are three main types of roulette: European, French, and American. Each wheel has a unique layout and has a different set of numbers. Let’s find out more!
History of the European, French, and American Roulette Wheels
Roulette, a game that combines chance, a little bit of skill and plenty of elegance, can trace its roots back to France from the 1700s. The word roulette means little wheel in French. The earliest form of the game is believed to have been developed by a mathematician called Blaise Pascal, who was attempting to invent a perpetual motion machine as long ago as in the 17th century. His invention laid the foundations for what would become the modern roulette wheels you play here at Joe Fortune Online Casino.
French roulette appeared first, it featured a single 0 and several house-friendly rules like La Partage and En Prison. These rules were such that they gave players a partial refund on selective bets when the ball landed on 0.
European roulette evolved from the French version and became more popular in casinos across Europe. It retained the single 0 layout but tended to not feature the French rules, which made it less favourable to players.
American roulette was developed later in the 19th Century in North America. It is worth being made aware that this game has an increase to the house edge as it has a second green slot, 00, which not only changed the odds but also the layout of the wheel. It is worth checking which version you are playing, as this one has become standard in many U.S. casinos and has since spread to other parts of the world including online casinos.
How Many Numbers Are in European Roulette?
European roulette has a total of 37 numbers: the numbers 1 through to 36, plus a single 0. This format offers one of the lowest house edges in roulette which is about 2.7% and is why this tends to be the preferred choice for many players.
How Many Numbers Are in American Roulette?
American roulette has 38 numbers: the numbers 1 through to 36, along with 0 and 00. The addition of the double 0 changes the house edge up to about 5.3%. This version is available across North America including Las Vegas as well as increasingly being an option at online casinos.
How Many Numbers Are in French Roulette?
French roulette also uses 37 numbers, 1 to 36 and a single 0 just like European roulette which it inspired. The big difference lies in the rules, which often reduces the house edge for even money bets, such as red or black, to about 1.4%.
House Edge Explained Between All the Different Variations
- European Roulette: The house edge is about 2.7%.
- American Roulette: The house edge is about 5.3% due to the inclusion of both 0 and 00.
- French Roulette: The house edge is about 1.4% on even-money bets when La Partage or En Prison is applied. Without those rules, you are in effect playing European roulette.
Roulette Wheel Layout
The arrangement of numbers on a roulette wheel is carefully designed to distribute low and high numbers, red and black, and odd and even numbers in a balanced, seemingly random way. Yet, there are unique sequences depending on the wheel variation.
European and French Roulette Numbers Around the Wheel
In European roulette, the numbers are arranged in the following sequence starting from 0 and moving clockwise:
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 and then 0 again. This layout aims for a balance of red/black and high/low numbers.
American Roulette Numbers Around the Wheel
The American wheel has a different sequence, due in part to the addition of the double 0. Starting from 0 and moving clockwise, the sequence is:
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 and then 0 again. This order spreads the numbers to maintain betting fairness but introduces more volatility due to the extra green slot.
Asymmetries and Frequent Numbers
Though designed for randomness, physical imperfections or biases in wheels can lead to certain numbers appearing more frequently, something which is known as “wheel bias.” Casinos try to rigorously maintain wheels to avoid this, but historically, players have exploited such asymmetries for profit. Of course, this is not a problem or opportunity for players to have when playing online roulette.
The Red Numbers
Roulette features 18 red numbers: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 30, 32, 34, 36. These numbers are evenly spread out on the wheel to maintain balance and fairness.
The Black Numbers
Similarly, there are 18 black numbers: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29, 31, 33, 35 Colour bets i.e. red or black are among the most popular due to their nearly 50/50 winning probability, excluding the green 0 or the green 00.
The Green Numbers
- European and French Roulette: Only 0
- American Roulette: 0 and 00
These green slots are responsible for giving the house an edge. Since they are not red or black, they cause colour and even/odd bets to lose should the ball drop into any green slot.
Popular Numbers for Players and Bettors
While all numbers have equal odds, there are a few numbers that have developed reputations among players starting with…
Number 0
The green 0 or even 00 plays a unique role and as such is very popular with many players and bettors wagering on it directly or simply to hedge other bets due to its payout of 35/1.
Number 8
This is considered lucky and a very popular number for lots of bettors as in many cultures, particularly in Asia it has a strong association with wealth, prosperity, and infinite possibilities.
Number 17
This is often called the most popular number in roulette partly due to 17 sitting at the centre of the betting layout. As a number it has also become well regarded and popular as fictional agent James Bond and actor Sean Connery, regularly bet on it and won!
Birthday Numbers
Players often select numbers from personal dates such as birthdays, anniversaries, and so on. These numbers tend to be from 1 to 31, which means that 32-36 at times don’t get as much of a look in.
Hot and Cold Numbers
Casinos, including online ones, often display hot numbers which are the most recently frequent outcomes, there are also cold numbers, which are those that haven’t appeared in a while. While this encourages some players to have certain betting patterns, roulette remains a game of complete chance and independent events, as such trends like these, don’t affect actual odds or outcome.
Why Roulette is Also Called the Devil’s Wheel
Roulette earned the nickname The Devil’s Wheel for a very weird and slightly scary reason… If you add all the numbers from 1 to 36, the total is 666 which is often referred to as the number of the beast or the devil itself! This numerical coincidence along with the game’s gambling nature and attractiveness, have given it a sinister reputation over time.