Roulette Terms: Which Ones You Need to Know

A game that is several hundred years old and is part of the standard programme in land-based casinos and online casinos. With rules that are easy to understand and ensure a straightforward procedure. And that promises winning chances which are impressive. This is Roulette – a game which is all about luck.

To make sure that the most important Roulette terms are clearly and comprehensibly explained, we have compiled an extensive Roulette term glossary for you in this blog post. It coincidentally serves as game instructions and can be understood as a kind of manual for beginners as well as pros.

Moreover, get ready for the odd insider tip in our Roulette glossary and become a Roulette guru in no time!

Roulette and its Variants

Let’s start our Roulette terminology with the origins of the game name, because this already reveals what it’s all about. Translated into English, the word Roulette means “small wheel”. Where Roulette originated has not been entirely cleared up to this day. It is clear, however, that it has its origins in Europe. Frequently, Italy is mentioned as the country where the casino classic was played for the first time in its current form. Via France, Roulette got to Germany and finally to the USA.

Although there are hardly any differences between these variants nowadays, a distinction is made between two major versions: the European or French and the American variant. Today, Roulette can also be played online. Moreover, our renowned online casino StarVegas offers different Live Roulette games. Here, a real croupier will guide you through the game.

European/French Roulette

If you decide on European or French Roulette, you will play the most popular version of this game. You enjoy stylish entertainment with 37 numbers and classic betting options.

American Roulette

This variant is also indispensable for Vegas casinos and high-quality online casinos. The most notable feature: this game is played with an additional double zero on the opposite side of the wheel. Besides the double zero on the wheel, the order of the numbers is also different. Adjacent numbers can always be found on opposite sides in the wheel.

Roulette hardware

Part of the most important Roulette terms are also all items directly associated with it. Whether in a land-based casino or an online casino, Roulette is always played with specific equipment or features which will be explained in greater detail hereafter.

Racetrack

The racetrack is only used in American Roulette. It is a chart on the tableau that shows the sequence of numbers like on the wheel and facilitates the betting on neighbouring numbers. It is reminiscent of a horse racetrack in its order, hence the name.

Wheel

The mostly wooden Roulette wheel is the centrepiece of the gambling table. On high-quality gambling tables it is usually embedded as an indentation and consists of a rotating disk with 36 numbered pockets alternately black and red. A 37th numbered pocket is marked green and has the zero written on it. The numbers are not arranged in an ascending sequence but according to the calculations of the French mathematician Blaise Pascal. The ball is thrown against the rotation direction of the wheel.

The Tableau

You can place your bets on a playing field next to the wheel that is also referred to as the tableau. All numbers from zero to 36 with the corresponding colour are listed there.

Ball

The ball, in the past made from ivory, is nowadays usually made from plastic; it is the most important element of Roulette. It is thrown into the wheel by the croupier once per round and comes to a halt on one of the fields after some time. This means that the ball decides whether players have won or lost.

Jetons/Chips/Tokens

A Roulette term that is also used in other casino games is the chip. It is play money made from plastic which is used to play with in Roulette. Different colours represent different monetary values. Before the game begins, each player receives starting capital, the amount of which depends on the real money deposit.

Roulette Commands

As with many other casino games, Roulette has a croupier who runs the game and supervises events. With some important commands, they tell the players what has to be done next or what they have to refrain from. This ensures a smooth procedure and a relaxed ambience. You will find a croupier in land-based casinos as well as in the Live Roulette games on StarVegas. This means that the online game experience in real time is very realistic – with an authentic casino feeling directly at home.

Faites vos jeux/Make your bets

With the request “Faites vos jeux” or “Make your bets”, the croupier asks the players to place their bets. Either the players themselves place the chips on the tableau or they ask the croupier to do it for them and announce the number or number groups they want to bet on.

Rien ne va plus

A Roulette term that you might know from other casino hits is “Rien ne va plus”. Translated into English it means “No more bets, please” and signifies that no more bets can be placed in the current round as of now. Players can now contribute nothing to their chances of winning anymore and have to wait until the round is finished.

Roulette Bets

What shouldn’t be missing from our Roulette glossary, of course, are the betting options.

Outside Bets

The Outside Bets are very popular especially with beginners. Characteristic is that you have to decide between two categories when betting. With this betting option, you win at a ratio of 1 to 1 – that means if your luck is in, the bet pays even money.

Even (Pair)/Odd (Impair)

With this type of Outside Bet, players bet either on odd numbers or even numbers.

Red (Rouge)/Black (Noir)

Here you bet on one of the two colours. If the ball lands on the green zero, neither Red nor Black wins. But you only lose half your bet.

Low (Manque)/High (Passe)

You either bet on the low numbers from 1 to 18, or the high numbers from 19 to 36.

Inside Bets

With Inside Bets, you can win more than your bet. The maximum is 35 times your bet. A higher risk with the betting options also increases the chances for higher winnings with Roulette. For seasoned players the Inside Bets are the true Roulette bets. They offer a significantly higher winning potential, but the probability of winning is lower.

Columns

Here you can bet on three Columns with twelve numbers each. The Columns run vertically alongside the tableau. The first Column runs lengthwise in steps of three, from the 1 to the 34, the second column runs from the 2 to the 35, and third column from the 3 to the 36. The zero is excluded.

Douzaine/Dozen

If you bet on one of three groups with twelve numbers each, you bet on a Dozen. The first Dozen includes the numbers 1 to 12, the second Dozen the numbers 13 to 24 and the third Dozen the numbers 25 to 36. If your bet on a Dozen is successful, you win twice your bet.

Transversale Simple/Six Line

Here you bet on the six numbers of two consecutive transverse rows of the tableau. In case of a win, the player receives five times his or her bet.

Transversale Pleine/Street

With the Street you also bet on a horizontal row of three that runs transversely to a Column. The win amounts to eleven times the bet.

Carré/Corner

With a Corner you bet on four numbers that are adjoining in a square shape. That means you bet on four numbers that have a common intersection point on the tableau. The only exceptions are the first four numbers (0 to 4) because the zero stands independently above the other numbers. Although there is no common intersection point, this is also a Corner. In case of a win, eight times the bet is paid out.

Neighbours of Zero

For the Neighbours of Zero, nine chips have to be bet. It includes the numbers 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2 and 25.

Third of the Wheel/Small Series

The Small Series includes the numbers 33, 16, 24, 5, 10, 23, 8, 30, 11, 36, 13 and 27, and it requires six chips to be bet.

Orphans

The eight numbers that are neither included in the Small Series nor the Neighbours of Zero are called Orphans. You can only bet “en plein” (straight up) on these numbers: 9, 31, 14, 20, 1 and 17, 34, 6 and/or the following pairs: 6/9, 14/17, 17/20, 31/34. You can only bet “en plein” (straight up) on the 1. You take home 35x times the bet if you win such a game.

Cheval/Neighbours

For Neighbours, you bet on two numbers that are adjacent on the tableau. That applies to all numbers attached with the long sides but not for numbers that are only adjacent diagonally or at the corner. If one of these two numbers lands, 17 times the bet is paid out.

Plein/Straight-Up Bet

Straight Up is the Roulette strategy with the highest possible win. You bet on a single number, and you receive 35 times your bet if you win.

Jeu Zero/Zero Game

Here you bet on the seven numbers that are located to the left and the right of the zero (including the zero): 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32 and 15. That doesn’t sound too difficult, right? Show us that you can put the theory of our Roulette terminology into practice and visit our online casino on StarVegas. With the Live Roulette games you will experience real casino flair and entertainment at the highest level thanks to the croupier.

If you enjoyed our post about Roulette terms, why not also read our article Terminology of Blackjack. There you will learn all you need to know about the most famous card game in the world.