Roulette Terminology: What You Need to Know

When playing roulette, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the terminology used in the game. Understanding roulette terminology will help you navigate the table and make informed bets. Here are some key roulette terms you need to know:

Roulette Terminology: What You Need to Know

  1. Inside Bets: These are bets placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers within the layout of the roulette table. Examples include:

– Straight Bet: A bet on a single number.

– Split Bet: A bet on two adjacent numbers.

– Street Bet: A bet on a row of three numbers.

– Corner Bet: A bet on a block of four numbers that meet at the corners.

  1. Outside Bets: These are bets placed outside the main grid of numbers on the table layout. They typically offer higher odds of winning but with lower payouts. Examples include:

– Red/Black: A bet on whether the ball will land on a red or black number.

– Odd/Even: A bet on whether the winning number will be odd or even.

– Low/High: A bet on whether the winning number will be in the low (1-18) or high (19-36) range.

– Dozens: A bet on whether the winning number will fall within the first, second, or third set of 12 numbers.

  1. House Edge: The built-in advantage the casino has over players. In roulette, the house edge comes from the presence of the green “0” (and sometimes “00”) pocket on the wheel. It slightly decreases the odds of winning even-money bets.
  2. Croupier/Dealer: The casino employee who spins the wheel, throws the ball, and manages the betting process at the roulette table.
  3. En Prison: A rule in some roulette variants where if you make an even-money bet (e.g., red/black) and the ball lands on zero, you have the option to recover half of your bet or leave the entire bet “in prison” for another spin. If your bet wins on the next spin, you get your full bet back, but if you lose, the full bet is forfeited.
  4. La Partage: Similar to En Prison, this rule applies in some roulette variants. If you make an even-money bet and the ball lands on zero, you lose half of your bet.
  5. Call Bets: These are special bets that you can make by announcing them to the dealer instead of placing chips on the table. Examples include “Voisins du Zéro” (a bet on a specific series of numbers around the wheel) or “Orphelins” (a bet on a specific series of numbers not covered by other call bets).

By familiarizing yourself with these roulette terms, you’ll have a better understanding of the game, the available betting options, and the rules that may apply. Remember to always review the specific rules and payout tables at the roulette table you’re playing at, as they may vary from casino to casino.