The Fundamentals of the Roulette Wheel

Roulette wheels come in two main variations: European and American. The European wheel has 37 pockets numbered from 0 to 36, while the American wheel has an additional pocket labeled “00,” totaling 38 pockets. Each pocket is alternately colored red and black, except for the zero(s), which are usually green. The numbers are strategically arranged to ensure randomness and fairness in the game.

The croupier spins the wheel in one direction while spinning a small ball in the opposite direction. As the wheel loses speed, the ball eventually comes to rest in one of the numbered pockets. The outcome of each spin is completely random, determined solely by physics and chance.

Each pocket on the wheel is assigned a number, ranging from 0 to 36 (or 00 in American roulette). These numbers are what players bet on. Whether it’s a lucky number, a favorite, or a strategic choice, the aim is to predict where the ball will land.

The payouts in roulette are based on the likelihood of a particular bet winning. For instance, betting on a single number (a straight-up bet) offers the highest payout of 35 to 1 but has the lowest probability of winning. On the other hand, betting on red or black (outside bets) offers a 1–1 payout but has a higher chance of winning.

The presence of zero (or double zero in American roulette) is what gives the house its edge. When the ball lands on zero, the house wins all bets except those specifically placed on zero. This ensures that, over time, the casino makes a profit.