Roulette is a simple game that originated in the 18th century and has a French origin. Although it’s a relatively simple online casinos game, various Roulette terms exist that new players will have to familiarise themselves with.
These terms will constantly pop up while you play online Roulette, so we’ve created a glossary to help you follow everything happening at the Roulette table.
American Roulette
American Roulette is most commonly played in America. This Roulette variation features 38 pockets on a wheel numbered 1-36. It also features a zero (0) and a double-zero pocket (00).
Backtrack
The Backtrack is the rim on the wheel where the ball is spun. It’s also known as Ball Track.
Bankroll
It’s an amount of money that a player puts aside for placing bets in Roulette.
Biased Wheel
A biased wheel is one in which all the numbers don’t have an equal chance of landing on every spin.
Block Betting
Block betting refers to a section of the wheel covering a block of numbers on the Roulette betting wheel.
Call Bets
These bets are wagers made by announcing them aloud without placing any chips. However, in some real money casinos, you must immediately put your chips on the table after announcing your bet.
Carr
It is the French term for Corner bet. Refer to ‘Corner bet’ for further explanation.
Cheval
It is the French term for the Split bet.
Cold Table
A cold table is one in which all players are losing, and the house is winning.
Colonne
It is the French term for Column bet. Refer to ‘Column bet’ for further explanation.
Column Bet
In a column bet, you bet on 1 of the 3 available columns of numbers. It pays out 2:1.
Combination Bet
A combination bet is one in which you have placed a bet on 2 or more numbers.
Corner Bet
This is when you place a bet on 4 numbers by placing your chips at the corner of the numbers. It pays out 8:1.
Croupier
The Croupier is also referred to as the dealer. They are the live casino employee that oversees the play at the Roulette table.
Double Zero
This is only found in the American variation of the Roulette wheel. It is marked with a ’00’.
Dozen Bet
A dozen bet is on one of the three available groups of 12 numbers (1-12, 13-24, 25-36).
En Plein
It’s the French term for a Straight-up bet.
En Prison
It’s a French phrase that translates to ‘in prison’. It’s a special rule that applies only to even-money wagers and isn’t available in the American variation. It allows you the chance to win back half your bet when the ball lands on 0. Your bet remains the same for the next spin as it is locked ‘in prison’; if you win on the next spin, then you receive half of the bet back. The entire bet is lost if you lose on the second spin.
European Roulette
European Roulette is one of the popular variations of Roulette in which only one zero pocket is used. Players also have the option of the En Prison rule in this variation (applicable only on even bets). It has a total of 37 pockets.
Even Bet
Even bets pay out 1:1, e.g. Red/Black or Even/Odd. This is also known as the Flat bet.
French Bets
French bets are known to cover sections of the Roulette wheel and are popular in European casinos. In a French bet, there are several bets you can place covering different sections of the wheel.
Hot Table
A hot table is the opposite of a cold table. It’s when all the players on the table are winning, and the house is losing.
House Edge
The House edge is the casinos mathematical advantage over the players in a game. When the Roulette wheel has a single 0, the House edge is 2.70%.
Inside Bets
These are bets that are made on the inner section of the Roulette layout (where the numbers are printed). Inside bets cover only small groups of numbers and individual numbers. These types of bets pay out at relatively high odds.
La Partage
La Partage is similar to the En Prison rule and applies only to even money bets when the ball lands on 0. You will lose half your bet, but half of your bet will be regained.
Marker
The Croupier/Dealer uses this to mark the winning number after every spin. Once the marker is removed from the table, players can place new bets for the next spin.
Mini Roulette
This version of Roulette is available at limited online casinos. This version features a smaller wheel with 13 numbers (0-12) and adjusted payouts. Several versions of this game return half of your bet when the spin lands on 0.
Odd Bet
A bet placed on the ball landing on any of the odd numbers. It pays out 1:1.
Orphans
This is a bet that you place on 3 specific numbers. They are 6, 34, and 17, and these numbers are neighbours on the Roulette wheel.
Orphelins
This is a bet on a specific group of numbers on a Roulette wheel section. This section is made up of the numbers that do not fall into Voisins du Zero or Tiers du Cylindre. The Orphelins bet is popular in European casinos.
Outside Bets
These are bets that are placed on the outer portion of the Roulette layout. They cover large sections and pay out at lower odds.
Pockets
Pockets refer to areas on the wheel where the ball may land. Every pocket has a different number (1-36). There’s also a 0 pocket, and if you’re playing the American version, there’s also a 00 pocket. Half the pockets are Red, whereas half of them are Black. The zero pockets have a Green colour.
Side Bets
The Side bet happens if the ball lands on 0 or 2 consecutive numbers. It only happens if someone has placed a bet on the Side bet. When it happens, you will have to choose a Red or Black team.
Six Line
This bet contains 2 adjacent rows of numbers on the Roulette wheel layout (6 numbers in total). This type of bet pays out 5:1.
Split
This type of bet covers 2 adjacent numbers on the Roulette wheel layout. You place this bet by placing your chips on the intersection of 2 numbers. It pays out 17:1.
Straight Up
This is a bet made on a single number. You place this bet by placing your chips on a specific numbered pocket on the table layout. This bet pays out 35:1.
Street
You can place the Street bet on a row of 3 numbers on the Roulette table layout. You place this bet by placing your chips on the edge of that row. This bet pays out 11:1.
Tiers Du Cylindre
This is a bet on a certain group of numbers on a section of the Roulette wheel that are in the third of the wheel opposite the zero pocket. It’s common in European casinos.
Transversale
Transversale is the French term for the Street bet.
Voisins Du Zéro
This is a bet on a certain group of numbers on a Roulette wheel section around the 0. It is common in European casinos.
Wheel Checks
If a player is betting on various numbers, the casino assigns certain chips. This also helps if the table is packed with people. The dealer hands out the wheel checks so the players can use them at the table. These have cash value and must be cashed out from the dealer for casino chips before leaving.
Zero
This is the Roulette wheel section marked with a ‘0’.
If you wish to test your newfound knowledge on the roulette wheel, you can do so at King Casino, as we can offer a wide selection of top roulette games:
For more handy roulette knowledge, check out our article on Roulette strategies.
Roulette is a simple game that originated in the 18th century and has a French origin. Although it’s a relatively simple online casinos game, various Roulette terms exist that new players will have to familiarise themselves with.
These terms will constantly pop up while you play online Roulette, so we’ve created a glossary to help you follow everything happening at the Roulette table.
American Roulette
American Roulette is most commonly played in America. This Roulette variation features 38 pockets on a wheel numbered 1-36. It also features a zero (0) and a double-zero pocket (00).
Backtrack
The Backtrack is the rim on the wheel where the ball is spun. It’s also known as Ball Track.
Bankroll
It’s an amount of money that a player puts aside for placing bets in Roulette.
Biased Wheel
A biased wheel is one in which all the numbers don’t have an equal chance of landing on every spin.
Block Betting
Block betting refers to a section of the wheel covering a block of numbers on the Roulette betting wheel.
Call Bets
These bets are wagers made by announcing them aloud without placing any chips. However, in some real money casinos, you must immediately put your chips on the table after announcing your bet.
Carr
It is the French term for Corner bet. Refer to ‘Corner bet’ for further explanation.
Cheval
It is the French term for the Split bet.
Cold Table
A cold table is one in which all players are losing, and the house is winning.
Colonne
It is the French term for Column bet. Refer to ‘Column bet’ for further explanation.
Column Bet
In a column bet, you bet on 1 of the 3 available columns of numbers. It pays out 2:1.
Combination Bet
A combination bet is one in which you have placed a bet on 2 or more numbers.
Corner Bet
This is when you place a bet on 4 numbers by placing your chips at the corner of the numbers. It pays out 8:1.
Croupier
The Croupier is also referred to as the dealer. They are the live casino employee that oversees the play at the Roulette table.
Double Zero
This is only found in the American variation of the Roulette wheel. It is marked with a ’00’.
Dozen Bet
A dozen bet is on one of the three available groups of 12 numbers (1-12, 13-24, 25-36).
En Plein
It’s the French term for a Straight-up bet.
En Prison
It’s a French phrase that translates to ‘in prison’. It’s a special rule that applies only to even-money wagers and isn’t available in the American variation. It allows you the chance to win back half your bet when the ball lands on 0. Your bet remains the same for the next spin as it is locked ‘in prison’; if you win on the next spin, then you receive half of the bet back. The entire bet is lost if you lose on the second spin.
European Roulette
European Roulette is one of the popular variations of Roulette in which only one zero pocket is used. Players also have the option of the En Prison rule in this variation (applicable only on even bets). It has a total of 37 pockets.
Even Bet
Even bets pay out 1:1, e.g. Red/Black or Even/Odd. This is also known as the Flat bet.
French Bets
French bets are known to cover sections of the Roulette wheel and are popular in European casinos. In a French bet, there are several bets you can place covering different sections of the wheel.
Hot Table
A hot table is the opposite of a cold table. It’s when all the players on the table are winning, and the house is losing.
House Edge
The House edge is the casinos mathematical advantage over the players in a game. When the Roulette wheel has a single 0, the House edge is 2.70%.
Inside Bets
These are bets that are made on the inner section of the Roulette layout (where the numbers are printed). Inside bets cover only small groups of numbers and individual numbers. These types of bets pay out at relatively high odds.
La Partage
La Partage is similar to the En Prison rule and applies only to even money bets when the ball lands on 0. You will lose half your bet, but half of your bet will be regained.
Marker
The Croupier/Dealer uses this to mark the winning number after every spin. Once the marker is removed from the table, players can place new bets for the next spin.
Mini Roulette
This version of Roulette is available at limited online casinos. This version features a smaller wheel with 13 numbers (0-12) and adjusted payouts. Several versions of this game return half of your bet when the spin lands on 0.
Odd Bet
A bet placed on the ball landing on any of the odd numbers. It pays out 1:1.
Orphans
This is a bet that you place on 3 specific numbers. They are 6, 34, and 17, and these numbers are neighbours on the Roulette wheel.
Orphelins
This is a bet on a specific group of numbers on a Roulette wheel section. This section is made up of the numbers that do not fall into Voisins du Zero or Tiers du Cylindre. The Orphelins bet is popular in European casinos.
Outside Bets
These are bets that are placed on the outer portion of the Roulette layout. They cover large sections and pay out at lower odds.
Pockets
Pockets refer to areas on the wheel where the ball may land. Every pocket has a different number (1-36). There’s also a 0 pocket, and if you’re playing the American version, there’s also a 00 pocket. Half the pockets are Red, whereas half of them are Black. The zero pockets have a Green colour.
Side Bets
The Side bet happens if the ball lands on 0 or 2 consecutive numbers. It only happens if someone has placed a bet on the Side bet. When it happens, you will have to choose a Red or Black team.
Six Line
This bet contains 2 adjacent rows of numbers on the Roulette wheel layout (6 numbers in total). This type of bet pays out 5:1.
Split
This type of bet covers 2 adjacent numbers on the Roulette wheel layout. You place this bet by placing your chips on the intersection of 2 numbers. It pays out 17:1.
Straight Up
This is a bet made on a single number. You place this bet by placing your chips on a specific numbered pocket on the table layout. This bet pays out 35:1.
Street
You can place the Street bet on a row of 3 numbers on the Roulette table layout. You place this bet by placing your chips on the edge of that row. This bet pays out 11:1.
Tiers Du Cylindre
This is a bet on a certain group of numbers on a section of the Roulette wheel that are in the third of the wheel opposite the zero pocket. It’s common in European casinos.
Transversale
Transversale is the French term for the Street bet.
Voisins Du Zéro
This is a bet on a certain group of numbers on a Roulette wheel section around the 0. It is common in European casinos.
Wheel Checks
If a player is betting on various numbers, the casino assigns certain chips. This also helps if the table is packed with people. The dealer hands out the wheel checks so the players can use them at the table. These have cash value and must be cashed out from the dealer for casino chips before leaving.
Zero
This is the Roulette wheel section marked with a ‘0’.
If you wish to test your newfound knowledge on the roulette wheel, you can do so at King Casino, as we can offer a wide selection of top roulette games:
