Roulette table layout explained: different types of roulette

To a novice casino player, the roulette table might be intimidating. You have the chips, and you know that you should place them on the table to submit your wager, but there are lots of options.

Considering there are different roulette table layouts (European, American and French roulette), making those crucial decisions isn’t easy for many beginners. You’ll also need to consider the triple zero roulette.

This guide explains how to play double ball roulette and the different roulette table variations you might find in casinos.

The roulette table layout

A roulette table typically features 36 pockets with numbers 1-36 and the addition of a single zero or double zeros depending on the variation. You can wager on any of the pockets or a combination of them.

Half of the numbers written on the pockets are black, while the others are red. That allows you to place 50/50 bets on whether the ball lands on red or black or in an even or odd number. Players can also wager on whether the number will be between 1-18 or 19-36.

European roulette wheel layout

European roulette is arguably the world’s most popular roulette variation in land-based casinos. This classic roulette variation features 36 regular pockets split into columns of 12 and a single green zero at the top. That means while hitting one of your numbers will give you 35/1 odds, the total chances are 36/1 odds when zero is added since there are 37 segments. That’s what gives casinos the house edge.

Of course, online casinos allow players to place a chip and back the zero at 35/3 odds. However, the key is if the zero comes in, everyone else who wagered on any other bets will lose. That’s regardless of whether you wagered on odd/even or the red/black markets.

American roulette wheel layout

The American roulette wheel differs from the European version as it features a pocket with an extra zero. While the table is slightly bigger, it doesn’t exactly mean it’s better for punters. From the player’s perspective, American roulette has poor odds compared to the European version.

You’ll have 36 numbers to pick from, but there are two extra pockets that the ball can land into. Your odds of landing your number shift from 35/1 to 37/1, which is a huge disadvantage. Another noticeable difference is the order of the 36 numbers on the wheel, although that doesn’t affect the odds.

French roulette tables

French roulette offers great odds, similar to the European version, as it only features a single zero-green pocket. However, the players get an advantage because the players don’t necessarily lose their 50/50 wagers.

Instead, the bets may count for La Partage, depending on the local rule. That means the player will receive half of his 50/50 bet if the zero comes in. Alternatively, the casino may feature an En Prison rule where all the chips for the 50/50 bets are locked in place for the next spin. You’ll get your chips back if you win this round.

Double ball roulette

A double-ball roulette table resembles the traditional roulette wheel, but two balls are used instead of one. This roulette variation has become popular since its launch in 2010.

While you might think the two roulette balls will collide, the table uses compressed air to shoot one ball microseconds before the other. Fortunately, the betting layout resembles your standard roulette.