Roulette Wheel Layout & Structure Explained

Roulette comes in various formats, each with unique wheel structures and layouts. These variants often carry independent gameplay mechanics and betting outcomes – so it’s worth familiarising yourself with how certain designs can influence your experience across games.

In this guide, you’ll find comprehensive information for wheel structures spanning numerous popular roulette types, including American, French and European roulette. We won’t dive into specific payouts, odds or betting options here, but you will instead gain vital knowledge that will help shape your upcoming wagers!

Roulette Wheel Numbers & Structure Explained

Roulette wheels are circular, concave game areas comprising numerous coloured, numbered pockets. Here, we run through the exact roulette wheel layout you can expect to see during a game.

Roulette Wheel Slots

Each roulette wheel is divided into red, black or green numbered slots (also known as pockets). You will bet on which cell the ball will land on before the start of every round.

Numbered Pockets

Most numbers sit in alternating red or black pockets. These typically represent the numbers that you can bet on.

Green pockets are reserved for zeros. You are free to bet on whether the ball will land in these green slots – French roulette even has special rules reserved for such an outcome!

Wheel Sequencing

Although each roulette variant uses its own fixed sequence, numbers are never listed sequentially. This means that you’ll often notice distant numbers sitting beside one another. For example, European roulette wheels place zero next to 32 – even though neither are numerically close or even divisible.

How Many Numbers Are On A Roulette Wheel

The total sum of numbers in a roulette wheel entirely depends on the variant you’re playing. Here’s a short breakdown of what to expect across three popular formats:

• European & French roulette: 37 numbers (including one zero)
• American Roulette: 38 numbers (including two zeros)

The highest possible number you can bet on during a game of roulette is 36, while the lowest is zero.

Bets are placed using a physical or virtual table. For a closer look at how betting tables work, head over to our Roulette Table and Layout guide [LINK].

American, French and European Roulette Wheel Layouts

Three popular variants dominate the roulette scene: American, French and European roulette. As detailed in this section, each format incorporates unique roulette wheel structures and numbering arrangements.

European Roulette Wheel

European roulette is the most popular variant in the UK. This format also offers better odds and payout probabilities than American formats – you can find more on how odds impact your bets in our Roulette Odds guide[LINK].

All European roulette wheels follow the same number sequencing, with numbers 0-36 available for wagering across red and black pockets. There is also a single zero presented in a green slot. A cumulative total of 37 pockets are present on European roulette wheels.

American Roulette Wheel

American roulette is distinct from its European and French counterparts due to the addition of an extra green pocket, where you’ll find a second zero (known as a double zero format). This affects your bet probability and increases the total number of pockets to 38. You may bet on each numbered pocket, including both zeros.

It’s important to note that American roulette integrates a unique – yet still fixed across all games – wheel sequencing layout compared to other formats. 

French Roulette Wheel

The French roulette wheel layout is identical to European roulette. The most noticeable changes come in the form of two major rule modifications.

First on the docket is a rule called “en partage” that sees you receive half of your stake back if the ball lands on zero. Second, “en prison” allows you to choose whether to receive half of your stake back or place the same bet.

This is noticeably distinct from American roulette, which does not afford the same lenience… despite having an additional zero!

How a Roulette Wheel Work in Online and Live Casino Games

Now that you understand the layout of various roulette wheels, it’s time to answer a key question: how does a roulette wheel work? 

There are three main types of roulette wheels. While these roulette wheels operate similarly – in that the ball spins until it settles into a particular pocket – there are essential differences separating live, RNG and automated roulette.

Live Roulette Wheels

Live roulette is played on a physical wheel, where a professional croupier (dealer) rolls the ball onto the wheel or spins the wheel itself. You can play live roulette online by placing bets through interactive buttons. The entire game is livestreamed through a camera, like other live casino games – bringing you right to the heart of the action.

With unexpected bounces and bumps, this is often the most fast-paced roulette variant.

RNG Roulette Wheels

If you prefer playing at your own pace, RNG roulette wheels are the ideal casino game. 

Played on a virtual wheel where random-number-generators (RNGs) determine each outcome, RNG roulette bets are settled similarly to online casino slots. Simply enter your stake and confirm your bet to get the ball rolling – like live roulette, results are revealed once the ball lands in a pocket. Unlike live roulette, the ball will traverse the wheel smoothly during every round.

Automated Roulette Wheels

Automated roulette merges live and RNG roulette in a unique way. Games are livestreamed, but there is no dealer to initiate rounds. Rather, a motor pushes the ball towards the wheel to start a new spin.

Crucially, automated roulette wheel payout amounts are calculated after digital sensors have accurately determined where the ball has landed. 

FAQs About Roulette Wheel Structure

Are Roulette Numbers the Same for Every Variant?

The precise numbers that you can bet on (0-36) remain the same for French, American and European roulette. 

Can I Bet on Zero in Roulette?

You may bet on zero (0) in American, French and European roulette. American roulette also welcomes bets on double-zero (00).

How Many Numbers Are on a Roulette Wheel?

There are 37 numbers in European and French Roulette, including one zero pocket. American roulette uses 38 numbers, with two zero pockets.