Roulette Terms

Roulette is one of the most popular online casino games around and there are plenty of exclusive tables to choose from at William Hill. If you’re new to the game, it might be worth learning some key terms before you play.

From basic roulette strategy and rules to advanced terminology, become a roulette expert with our comprehensive glossary of roulette betting terms and definitions.

Roulette Terms for Beginners

Action

The total amount bet over a given session.

All-in

When a player bets their whole pot on one bet.

American Roulette

The most common version of roulette in North, Central and South America. The roulette wheel features an extra green pocket for the double zero (00), and has a higher ‘House Edge’ (see below) than European Roulette.

Bankroll

Your budget for the roulette session (often in ‘credits’). Always play within your limits.

Bet on the Layout

A wager placed anywhere on the numbered portion of the table (see Table Layout).

Block Bet

A bet covering a group of numbers on the roulette wheel (see Orphelins).

Column Bet

A bet on one of the three columns of 12 numbers on the layout. Pays 2 to 1. Similar to a ‘Dozen Bet’. Also known as ‘Colonne’ in French Roulette.

Combination Bet

A bet on two or more numbers on the layout. Pays out less than single number bets, but can increase the player’s chances of winning.

Corner Bet

A bet on four numbers in a segment on the layout. Pays 8 to 1. Also known as a ‘Square Bet’ or ‘Quarter Bet’, or ‘Carre’ in French Roulette.

Croupier

French for ‘dealer’. The casino employee who oversees the play at live roulette tables – taking bets, spinning the wheel, and paying out winnings.

Double Zero

The extra green pocket on an American Roulette wheel marked ‘00’. American Roulette can also be known as ‘Double Zero Roulette’.

Dozen Bet

A bet on one of the three sequences of 12 numbers on the layout: 1 through 12, 13 through 24, or 25 through 36. Pays 2 to 1. Similar to a ‘Column Bet’. Also known as ‘Douzaine’ in French Roulette.

European Roulette

The most common version of roulette in Europe and Asia. The roulette wheel features a green single-zero (0) pocket, and has a lower House Edge than American Roulette.

Even Bet

A wager that one of the even numbers will win. Also known as ‘Pair’ in French Roulette.

Even Money Bet

An Outside Bet (like red or black) that covers half the table. Pays out 1 to 1.

French Roulette

A variant of European Roulette which may offer ‘La Partage’ or ‘En Prison’ rules. See ‘Advanced Roulette Terminology’ below for more French variations and definitions.

High Bet

A wager that one of the high numbers (19-36) will win. Also known as ‘Passe’ in French Roulette.

House Edge

The mathematical advantage that the casino has on each bet, often expressed as a percentage.

Inside Bet

A bet on any of the numbers in the table layout. E.g. ‘Single Number Bets’, ‘Corner Bets’ etc.

Line Bet

A wager that one of six numbers (two rows of three numbers separated by a line on the layout) will win. Pays out 5 to 1. Also known as a ‘Six Number/Line Bet’, or ‘Sixainne’ in French Roulette.

Low Bet

A wager that one of the low numbers (1-18) will win. Also known as ‘Manque’ in French Roulette.

Marker or Dolly

The object/device placed on the winning number. Players can’t place new bets until this marker gets removed from the table.

Mini Roulette

A version of roulette with a smaller wheel and only 13 numbers (0-12) instead of 37.

Odd Bet

A wager that one of the odd numbers will win. Also known as ‘Impair’ in French Roulette.

Odds

The likelihood of an outcome happening. E.g. ‘Even Money Bets’ pay out at 1 to 1, meaning the player has an equal chance of winning or losing, where the amount won is the same as the amount bet.

Outside Bet

A bet made on the ‘outside’ of the table layout (i.e. not the single numbers). E.g. red/black, odd/even, dozens, columns etc.

Pockets

The small slots on the roulette wheel where the ball will eventually land, denoted by numbers 1-36. Half the pockets are red, half are black, and zero (0) slots are green.

Red Bet

An even money ‘Outside Bet’ that the next number will be red. Pays 1 to 1.

Split Bet

A single bet that one of two numbers will win. The player bets by placing the chip on the single line between two numbers on the layout. Pays out at 17 to 1. Also known as ‘Cheval’ in French Roulette.

Straight Up Bet

An ‘Inside Bet’ on one number. Pays out at relatively high odds of 35 to 1. Also known as ‘En Plein’ in French Roulette.

Street Bet

A bet on a row of three numbers on the table layout. Pays out at 11 to 1. Also known as a ‘Triple Bet’ or ‘Trio Bet’, or ‘Transversale’ in French Roulette.

Table Layout

There are two main types of tables with slightly different layouts: American and French. See the numbers portion of the table for ‘Inside Bets’, and 2 to 1 or ‘Even Money Bets’ on the ‘outside’ of the roulette table layout.

Wager

Another term for ‘bet’.

Wheel

The roulette wheel. Did you know the word ‘roulette’ is actually French for ‘small wheel’?

Zero

The green space marked ‘0’ on all roulette wheels. American Roulette wheels also feature a double zero (00) pocket, increasing the House Edge.

Advanced Roulette Terminology

A Stack

20 chips stacked on top of each other

Back Track/Ball Track

The stationary outer rim where the ball spins before dropping into the roulette wheel.

Biased Numbers

A roulette wheel in a land-based casino or live studio that has an imperfection, causing certain numbers to appear with greater frequency (also called Big, Golden or Hot Numbers).

Black Action

A wager made with a black ($100) chip.

Bottom Track

The slanting, inner area of the wheel which the ball falls into, before it lands in a pocket. Part of the wheel head’s spinning base.

Carre

A French term meaning ‘Corner Bet’, ‘Square Bet’, or ‘Quarter Bet’.

Cheval

A French term meaning ‘Split Bet’.

Cold Table/Cold Numbers

A table where players have been losing/the house is winning. Any numbers that haven’t landed for at least 37 spins are known as ‘Cold Numbers’.

Colonne

A French term meaning ‘Column Bet’.

Derniere

A French term referring to the last group of 12 numbers in a ‘Dozen Bet’.

Douzaine

A French term meaning ‘Dozen Bet’.

En Plein

A French term meaning ‘Straight Up Bet’.

En Prison

A French term meaning ‘in prison’; the ‘surrender rule’. Applies to some even-money wagers in European Roulette. When the outcome is ‘0’, the player can either take back half their bet, or leave it ‘in prison’ for an extra spin – and a chance to return the bet fully.

Five Number Bet

A bet covering the 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3 in American Roulette. Also known as a top-line bet.

Impair

A French term meaning ‘Odd Bet’.

La Partage

Similar to ‘En Prison’, except the player gets half their bet back if the ball lands on ‘0’.

Nickel

A $5 chip that is usually red.

Orphelins (Orphans)

A bet on a specific group of numbers that are neighbours on the wheel, but are split apart on the table layout. A type of ‘Block Bet’.

Pair

A French term meaning ‘Even Bet’.

Parlay

When players double their bet after a win. An example of ‘Positive Progression’.

Passe

A French term meaning ‘High Bet’.

Positive Progression

A system where players increase their bets after a win.

Premiere

A French term meaning ‘first’. The first group of 12 numbers (1-12) in a Dozen Bet.

Random Number Generators (RNGs)

Mathematical programs in computer-based casino games that determine game outcomes.

Section Slicing

Dividing the roulette wheel into hot/cold sections to try and spot ‘Biased Numbers’.

Sixainne

A French term meaning ‘Six Line Bet’ or ‘Six Number Bet’.

The Devil’s Game

Ever wonder why some people call roulette The Devil’s Game? Add all the wheel numbers together from 1 to 36, and you’ll get 666 – the ‘number of the beast’.

Tiers Du Cylindre

A French term meaning ‘one third of the wheel’. Like Orphelins and Voisins du Zero, this involves betting on a particular group of numbers on a section of the roulette wheel, which correspond to paired numbers on the table layout.

Transversale

A French term meaning ‘Street Bet’ – a ‘Triple’ or ‘Trio Bet.

Voisins du Zero

A French term meaning ‘Neighbours of Zero’. A wager on a particular group of 17 numbers between 22 and 25 on the wheel which ‘neighbour’ the zero.

 

Ready to jump into the action and take your seat at the table? Check out our wide range of online roulette games at William Hill.

Or want to see our roulette terms in action? Here’s our beginner’s guide to roulette.