Roulette Table Layout & Betting Options

by Gayle Mitchell

This lesson at Learn to Play Roulette includes a Roulette Table Layout & Betting Options.
Roulette is a favorite game worldwide and one of mine too.

We begin with Betting options and Payouts at the roulette table:
A. Straight Up - Any numbers, 0 and 00--35 to 1
B. Column - Any 12 numbers in a column--2 to 1
C. Dozen - 1st 12, 2nd 12 or 3rd 12--2 to 1
D. Red or Black--1 to 1
E. Odd or Even--1 to 1
F. 1 to 18 or 19 to 36--1 to 1
G. Split - Any 2 neighboring numbers--17 to 1
H. Row - Any 3 numbers in a row--11 to 1
I. Corner - Any of the 4 contiguous numbers--8 to 1
J. 5 Numbers - 0, 00, 1, 2 & 3. Don’t do it!--6 to 1
K. Double Row - Any 6 numbers in 2 rows--5 to 1
Outside bets are placed in the boxes and columns on the outer areas of the layout.
Inside bets are placed directly on a number or on a line between numbers, known as streets.

European Roulette: Single zero is between black 26 and red 32.
This best wheel to play reduces the casino advantage to an acceptable 2.63% as opposed to 5.26% double zero wheel.
5.26% percentage casino (pc) is calculated based on the single number bet that pays only 35-1, instead of the full pay 37-1, therefore, $2 short.
So $2 divided by 38 = 5.26%. Single zero is $1 short; $1 divided by 38 = 2.63%.
The five number bet of 0, 00, 1, 2, 3 blasts that 5.26% out of the house with an edge of 7.89%. Don’t do it!

Another advantage is the en prison or surrender rule on even-money bets only.
When the 0 comes up, your bet remains or is captured for the next spin.
If you win on the next spin, you don't get paid for the win, but you are allowed to take your original bet back; in effect, you only lose half your bet.
House edge on even money bets with en prison rule is now reduced to 1.35%.
Now you know why roulette is the most popular game in Europe.
You will also find this captured rule at Atlantic City casinos.

Monte Carlo, Paris and MGM Grand are some casinos in Vegas that offer the single zero. In Canada, the Montreal casino has single zero tables.
Online gambling has offered the single zero choice since the beginning.
Often, these wheels will have higher minimum bets for this preferred option.