Let’s talk about roulette, and let’s talk about numbers. More specifically – numbers on a Roulette wheel. Even though the casino game itself has been around for centuries, the specifics of roulette can generally be a bit hazy. The number of pockets on a roulette wheel is fundamental to the game. It dictates the game’s probabilities, odds, and strategies available to the player. Thus, knowing how many numbers there are on a roulette wheel can help you become more successful. Our blog will go into detail and specifics of the roulette wheel. We’ll highlight the differences between European, American, and French versions. Learn how these variations can change the gameplay and even betting strategies.
Let’s Start With a Bit of History
The history of roulette doesn’t start with the online casino craze. And no, it also wasn’t Vegas who invented it. The history of the game takes us back to the 18th century Europe and France, in particular.
The origins of what we now call roulette aren’t necessarily from France. However, the final variation of the game started here. The modern-day version of the game and the roulette table layout evolved from several earlier games. Final versions of roulette included elements from English, Italian, and French gaming traditions. Most historians say that the roulette game progressed over time through trade, sailors and travelling merchants who moved around Europe.
If you were attentive in high school, the name Blaise Pascal might ring a bell. He was a French mathematician, and besides many stunning achievements (and having a measurement of pressure named in his honour), he is often credited with creating the first roulette wheel. It is funny because he did so inadvertently when the mathematician was stuck trying to make a machine of perpetual motion.
The modern roulette game and wheel were established in the late 1700s. The European (single zero) version appeared first. The American (double zero) version emerged in the 19th century, adding an extra zero to the wheel and altering the odds significantly. American roulette wheels were only created to increase casinos’ house edge and make the game more profitable to host.
Roulette Wheel – the Structure & Basics
Each roulette wheel has a spinning disk with numbered pockets around its edge. During the game, a dealer spins the wheel and throws a small ball (or spins it) in the opposite direction. As the wheel slows, you can see that the ball landed in one of the pockets. The final position determines the winning number.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9hESWMykp0
If you look closely at the wheel, you can instantly see that the numbers are not in any kind of sequence. It’s a random but specific pattern that balances the distribution of odds across the wheel.
So, How Many Numbers are on a Roulette Wheel?
The American roulette version has a double zero (00) pocket. This means it has one more extra pocket and number than the European or French versions. Whenever you look at a regular roulette wheel, it seems very eye-catching and variegated. It’s hard to tell how many numbers and pockets are there just by glancing.
European Roulette Wheels
The European roulette wheel always has 37 pockets. They are numbered 1 to 36, with a single zero (0) in green. The numbers on the wheel are alternately coloured red and black, while the zero, as we mentioned, stands out and is green. The sequence of numbers on a European wheel is pre-determined and starting from zero, moving clockwise, it is as 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.
Memorising it gives you no advantage, so you might as well not even bother.
The single zero can be labelled as the most important pocket on any European roulette wheel. Why? Because it determines the house’s edge on even money bets. In this game version, a single zero gives the house an edge of 2.70%, making it a much more favourable version for players than its American counterpart.
American Roulette Wheels
The American roulette wheel has 38 pockets, one more than the Euro. The same numbers, 1 to 36, are included. However, alongside a single zero (0), there is also a double zero (00). The presence of the double zero increases the house edge to 5.26%. So, if you visit any land-based casino or online platform, favour European roulette instead of American ones.
The sequence of numbers on an American wheel differs from the European one. Once again, memorisation is useless as it’s a game of chance. However, the sequence is as 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.
French Roulette
The search for an answer to the question, how many numbers are on a roulette wheel? might lead you to overlook another and even more favourable version of this game. It’s called the French roulette. Even though it’s played on the same wheel as the European version, the players have an even better chance of winning due to La Partage and En Prison rules.
- La Partage – if roulette players place an even-money bet (e.g. red or black, odd or even) and the ball lands on zero, only half of your bet is lost. The other 50 % are returned.
- En Prison – it’s similar to La Partage, but instead of losing half your bet, your bet is “imprisoned” for the next spin. If the next spin wins, you get your original bet back without additional winnings.
Look at the visual for a better head-to-head comparison between the two most popular versions of the game.
Why is it Important to Know How Many Numbers a Roulette Wheel Has?
The variations in the number of pockets and the presence of single or double zeros significantly affect the house edge and player odds. European and French wheels offer better odds for players.
For example, the probability of winning a single-number bet (straight-up) on a European wheel is 1 in 37, or approximately 2.70%.
In contrast, the probability drops to 1 in 38 on an American wheel or approximately 2.63%. The difference is only 0.07%, but over thousands of spins, it greatly benefits the player or the house (depending on where you play).
Is the Roulette Wheel Transparent and Honest?
Reputable casinos take significant measures to ensure the games are honest and transparent. Roulette wheels are ordered from top manufacturers, frequently maintained, and calibrated to check the balance and freeness of the ball’s movement and pocket integrity. Advanced tech, like laser calibration and digital monitoring, are also employed to maintain fairness.
In online roulette, random number generators (RNGs) are used to simulate the randomness of a physical wheel. Reputable online casinos use certified RNGs.