If you could name one game that you couldn’t imagine any casino without, what would it be? For many, the queen of every casino is Roulette—a game as thrilling as it is timeless.
If you’ve ever felt the rush of anticipation as the ball spins around the wheel, you know the drill. Chances are, you’ve also tried to devise a strategy to tip the odds in your favour. After all, you can’t truly call yourself a roulette aficionado without understanding the significance of the wheel numbers, identifying player favourites, and mastering the layout.
The good news? We’ve conducted thorough research and sifted through various studies so you won’t have to. From popular strategies to player insights, read on to discover what we’ve uncovered!
How Many Numbers Are There on a Roulette Wheel?
Roulette is one of the most beloved casino games that can be played in both luxurious venues and cosy online casinos. Its magic lies in correctly predicting where the ball will land by placing bets on specific numbers or their combinations on the roulette wheel.
To truly master this art, you need to get into its physics and mechanics. Unlocking the secrets behind the numbers on a roulette wheel is essential.
There are 37 roulette wheel numbers in the European type of game and 38 in the American one. They range from 0 to 36, plus the additional 00 number for the American version. The numbers alternate in colour between red and black with a single green zero (and in American wheels, an extra green pocket for ’00’), making a perfect wheel of excitement.
Understanding the Roulette Wheel Layout
In both American and European roulette, the roulette wheel numbers on the wheel tracks are different from what their arithmetical value would imply.
This is how European roulette wheel numbers look like: : 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25, 17, 34, 6, 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, 33, 1, 20, 14, 31, 9, 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3 and 26. A key advantage? In European (single-zero) roulette, the house edge is only 2.7%, compared to the chunkier 5.26% in American roulette.
As for American wheels, the counterclockwise sequence is: 0, 2, 14, 35, 23, 4, 16, 33, 21, 6, 18, 31, 19, 8, 12, 29, 25, 10, 27, 00, 1, 13, 36, 24, 3, 15, 34, 22, 5, 17, 32, 20, 7, 11, 30, 26, 9 and 28.
European vs. American Wheel Differences
To the untrained eye, both wheels may seem identical. However, experienced players notice the difference and have a decision to make: American vs. European roulette. The main difference between these two types of roulette wheels lies in the fact that the American version has two zeros on the cylinder. This extra zero is a sneaky little addition, tilting the odds in favour of the house.
You might think this gives American roulette a bad reputation, but in fact, some players adore the double-zero variety. Fun fact: the original roulette games in France were double-zero! German casinos later introduced the single-zero version to woo more punters. Both styles now have passionate fans around the globe.
Number Sequence and Design Logic
Have you ever wondered why the order of roulette wheel numbers on the wheel tracks is different from their arithmetic order? Like everything else in this splendid game, this is no coincidence either. This order is well thought out, so it can accomplish the following goals:
The colours on the wheel alternate.
Low and high numbers switch places.
The sequence is confusing, out of natural order, making it very difficult to notice any bias or craft a strategy that would affect specific sectors.
Odd and even numbers are evenly spread around the wheel.
This is one of the secrets of her majesty - roulette. The numbers' apparent randomness makes the game so wonderfully balanced and thrilling.
Why Players Favour Certain Roulette Numbers
It’s true, certain numbers are always in the spotlight. Are you wondering why? Well, through the history of roulette, some numbers seem to pop up more than others. Or so it seems. This concept began in land-based casinos, in the old days when wheels were slightly misaligned, resulting in some numbers coming up more than others.
Some numbers are even considered unlucky, such as the famous number 13. But is it superstition or science? You be the judge!
Naturally, where there’s a game, there are those trying to “hack” it. There are countless studies, books, and wild theories about strategies galore. But never forget the house knows this game, too.
Roulette is, at its heart, a game of chance. Therefore, even if the odds are in your favour and you have a well-planned strategy, there is still a probability of losing.
Most Popular Numbers on the Wheel
If you’re curious about how many numbers on a roulette wheel are especially popular, the answer is that quite a few stand out. While every player has personal quirks, certain numbers consistently appear on the list of fan favourites:
- Philosophical Number 3
Number 3 was considered a perfect number among Greek philosophers, while in roulette, it is often called a cold number. Simply, this is the number that has not appeared for a while, making it strangely desirable for some players.
- Lucky Number 7
This number hardly needs an introduction, as it has always been famous for its luck. The world’s favourite lucky charm, sprinkled with mystical and religious significance. A top pick for novices and pros alike.
- Number 17 in the Middle
While 17 looks like an ordinary number, its position right in the middle of the roulette wheel is what makes it special.
- Numerology Likes Number 24
Surprisingly, players are inexplicably attracted to the number 24. Is it because of its position or numerology significance? Maybe a bit of both.
- Dozen Bet - Numbers 13 to 24
Betting on the middle dozen is said to provide decent odds, better than a straight-up bet. However, better odds mean lower payouts. However, this combination of numbers is considered special among players because it contains three of the most popular numbers on roulette: 17, 23, and 24.
Psychological and Strategic Choices
Choosing a roulette wheel number is as much about psychology as probability. Some decisions are emotional—birthdays, anniversaries, or just hunches—while others are based on observed trends in the numbers on a roulette wheel.
Aside from those, there are many famous strategies you can try. For example, the Martingale strategy involves doubling a player's bets after a loss. It assumes you will eventually recoup your losses.
According to the Fibonacci roulette strategy, each bet should be the sum of two previous bets.
Have you heard of the James Bond strategy? It’s one of the popular ones, too. To follow Agent 007's advice, you need to place the following bets on the same spin, using the amount of $200 as an example:
- €10 on the zero
- €140 on the 19-36 box
- €50 on the 13-18 box
There is a large number of software programs and phone apps that promise to ‘predict’ exactly what bet will bring you a win. However, you should take them all with a pinch of salt, since no piece of software can 100% predict the random nature of the outcome.
Our advice? Gamble responsibly, know your limits, and—most importantly—enjoy the thrill of the roulette wheel layout in action!
Basic Strategies Based on Wheel Layout
The two main basic strategies are the progressive and non-progressive strategies.
Simply put, a progressive strategy implies you increase your bet with each round. Before trying this out, ensure your budget can withstand this risk.
A non-progressive strategy also carries risks, but with this approach, you bet the same amount each round. This can be a good choice if you want to limit your bets and play it safer.
Inside vs. Outside Bets
Whether you play in person or online roulette, you can place a variety of bets on the roulette wheel. There are two categories you need to know: inside and outside bets. Inside bets cover six numbers or fewer, while outside bets cover twelve numbers or more. Outside bets, such as odd/even, red/black, or column bets, offer a higher chance of winning, making them the best choice for beginners.
Sector and Neighbour Bets
There are also specific types of bets unique to the European version of roulette. When playing live, the dealer may announce the bet aloud to avoid any misunderstandings. However, when playing online, it's important to master these bets yourself. After all, the answer to how to win at roulette is with knowledge and strategy.
Here are the bet types you need to know about:
- Zero Play (covers roulette wheel numbers 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32 and 15).
- Voisins De Zero or Neighbours of Zero (22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2 and 25).
- Orphelins or Orphans (17, 34, 6, 1, 20, 14, 31 and 9)
- Tiers (33, 16, 24, 5, 10, 23, 8, 30, 11, 36, 13 and 27)
- Neighbours (covers five consecutive numbers on roulette wheel)
For the Neighbours bet, the player selects a central number and also bets on the two numbers directly to either side of it, making a total of five numbers. Five chips are required for the bet—one for each number.
Sector bets are not entirely new to roulette, but they can be a powerful tool in the hands of a skilled player. They allow you to target specific sections of the wheel quickly and, therefore, are more likely to result in a win than most single bets.
This type of wager allows players to bet on several numbers quickly, based on their proximity to the wheel itself. With a sector bet, you can combine several basic bets, such as Split and Straight Up, and play them in a single round. Although there is no true evidence that sector betting can increase your roulette odds for winning, some studies claim there is more to the theory than it seems.
Choosing Numbers That Match Your Style
If you're new to this game and just learning how to play roulette, we suggest you open a free-play account on one of the online casinos that offer lots of demo games. This way, you can practise without risking any real money.
Once you feel ready to move on to real money roulette, check out our list of top rated casinos, and choose one that suits your preferences.
Over time, you'll start to develop your own strategy, combining your favourite numbers with patterns that you find both enjoyable and—hopefully—profitable!
Remember, roulette, like all casino games, is meant to be fun, so make sure you stop before the fun turns into stress. Play the game; don’t let the game play you. Good luck!
