The Roulette Racetrack Table Layout and Betting Options
A roulette racetrack layout is a visual representation of the roulette wheel that displays the numbered pockets in the correct order. This is where dealers place all bets.
By using the racetrack, players can place specific bets on certain groups of numbers instead of placing each individually. These bets are known as call bets and are available in four different types: Voisins du Zéro, Tiers du Cylindre, Orphelins and Neighbours.
What is the racetrack layout?
As stated above, a racetrack layout is a tool that lets you place bets on groups of numbers rather than having to place chips on all of them individually. The track’s name comes from its oval shape, which allows for a distinctive number arrangement on a roulette table. This racetrack layout remains the same regardless of which version of roulette is being played.
There are three types of roulette betting table layouts: American, French and European. Each one involves spinning a roulette wheel, using a small metal ball, and players placing bets on the outcome of the spin. However, there are differences between the different roulette versions that are worth noting.
Why is the racetrack layout used?
The role of the racetrack roulette layout is to help you place call bets more easily and quickly during the game. It’s used to place bets on numbers that are adjacent to each other and display the numbers’ order as they appear on the roulette wheel.
Which versions of roulette use a racetrack?
All three types of roulette use a racetrack. These are outlined below.
American roulette
This American racetrack follows the same layout as that of the European variant with one difference: the addition of zero to the table. In this game, the roulette wheels have 38 pockets, as they have a 00 and 0 to 36. In addition, there is one unique rule to the American roulette racetrack known as the basket bet, which states that the presence of the 00 allows a five-line bet that covers 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3.
European roulette
European roulette is one of the most popular variants played by different players throughout most countries outside of the US. This is mainly because its racetrack is easy to use, has a simple layout, and has a minor 2.7% house edge. The European racetrack is designed based on the 37 pockets visible on the wheel.
French roulette
The French roulette table has 37 numbers spread out over three columns of 12 squares marked 1 to 36 – 18 in red and 18 in black. The key difference between European roulette and French roulette is the ’La Partage’ rule, which states that if a player wagers even money and the ball falls on zero, they will only lose half of their bet.
How to use the racetrack
The race track in roulette is split into two parts: the inside and the outside. The inside displays all 37/38 numbers on the grid and allows for call bets, while the outside allows for neighbour bets and displays all the even-money bets.
When playing online roulette, simply place your chips on sections of the racetrack. The game will automatically recreate the actual call bet within the racetrack on behalf of the player. It will use the value of the chip you place on the racetracks as your standard betting unit for each bet placed.
The betting options on the racetrack
Understanding the types of racetrack bets can improve your gameplay experience when playing roulette online. Below, we look at the different betting options available.
Tiers
The tiers betting option involves dividing your bet into three parts and utilising six chips to cover 12 of the possible numbers. It covers almost exactly a third of the table. The table below shows a breakdown of what is bet on.
| Numbers Covered | Units | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| 5, 8 | 1 | 17/1 |
| 10, 11 | 1 | 17/1 |
| 13, 16 | 1 | 17/1 |
| 23, 24 | 1 | 17/1 |
| 27, 30 | 1 | 17/1 |
| 33, 36 | 1 | 17/1 |
Orphelins
Orphelins, known as ‘orphans’ in English, is a roulette betting option that covers two sections of the roulette wheel. This bet includes one straight bet (1), which offers a high payout, and four split bets. Here’s the breakdown.
| Numbers Covered | Unit Cost | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 35/1 |
| 6, 9 | 1 | 17/1 |
| 14, 17 | 1 | 17/1 |
| 17, 20 | 1 | 17/1 |
| 31, 34 | 1 | 17/1 |
From this table, you’ll notice that Orphelins is the only betting option where a number overlaps with 17 appearing twice.
Voisins du Zéro
Voisins du Zéro, which means ‘neighbours of zero’, is a type of bet involving 17 numbers on the wheel that reach from 22 to 25, including zero. It covers the largest section of the wheel out of all the betting options and requires the most betting units to make it.
| Numbers Covered | Unit | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| 0, 2, 3 | 2 | 11/1 |
| 4, 7 | 1 | 17/1 |
| 12, 15 | 1 | 17/1 |
| 18, 21 | 1 | 17/1 |
| 19, 22 | 1 | 17/1 |
| 25, 26, 28, 29 | 1 | 8/1 |
| 32, 35 | 1 | 17/1 |
Zero
This is a smaller version of the Voisins du Zéro call bet. The zero betting option allows players to wager on the numbers closest to the green zero, and it requires four betting units. It only covers seven numbers between 12 and 15 on the roulette wheel.
| Numbers Covered | Unit | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| 0, 3 | 1 | 17/1 |
| 12, 15 | 1 | 17/1 |
| 26 | 1 | 35/1 |
| 32, 35 | 1 | 17/1 |