The Layout of a Roulette Table: Everything you Need to Know

Having originated in France midway through the 18th century, roulette has been a game that has been enjoyed by the masses for well over a hundred years.

A staple in both real and online casinos, there are now many different versions and an abundance of choice for players. However, despite the different roulette games now available, the one thing that has always remained constant is how the roulette table and wheel have been laid out. 

In this quick guide, we will break down how the roulette wheel is devised and explain the different sections of the roulette table on which you can bet.  

Let’s get spinning. 

The Roulette Wheel

Before we explain how the different parts of a roulette table come together, it’s important to quickly note how the roulette wheel works.

The roulette wheel usually consists of 37 evenly spaced segments with numbers ranging from 0-36. It’s important to note that American versions of roulette usually contain two 00s, resulting in 38 different segments. The 0 spaces in the wheel are green with the numbers between 1-36 being split into red and black numbers. 

Each spin is made when one singular white ball lands within one of the sections, and winning bets will be paid depending on whether a bet has been placed based on the number or outcome that the ball falls within.  

The Roulette Table 

Now that we have briefly explained how the roulette wheel works let’s take a look at the different sections that make up the roulette table.

Numbered Sections 

Dominating the middle of the roulette table are the numbers. Laid out in 12 rows of 3, the numbers begin with 0 and ascend all the way to 36. Each number is given a red or black colour which reflects the corresponding numbered segment on the wheel. 

To place a bet on a specific number, the roulette player will need to place their chips on the specific number or numbers that they would like to bet on.

Red or Black

Surrounding the numbers are a series of outside bets. The most popular outside bet is betting on red or black. Reflected by a red diamond and a black diamond, players who want to bet on either a red colour or black colour just need to place their chips in the diamond of their choosing. 

Odds and Evens

Another popular outside bet is betting on odds and evens. Betting on either an odd or even number to be landed on, players will place their chips on the ‘Even’ tile or an ‘Odd’ tile. 

1-18 and 19-36

Positioned next to the odd and even tiles are two tiles which reflect two different number ranges that can be bet on. Splitting the numbers of the table in half, bettors can bet on a number landing between 1 and 18 and 19 and 36. A bet can be placed by placing chips on each of the relevant tiles. 

Betting on Thirds 

All of the bets mentioned above focus on two outcomes, but there are bets that cover thirds. Each of the 36 numbers on a roulette table are split into thirds. The first third is between 1 and 12, the second is between 13 and 24 and the final third is between 25 and 36.

Whereas betting on outcomes such as red and black can result in a 1:1 payoff, betting on one of these thirds will pay back 2:1 odds. 

Betting on Columns

The final table bet that can be made is betting on columns. With each of the 36 numbers falling into three different columns, there is a tile at the end of each which allows for bets to be placed and will return at 2:1 prices.