Roulette is one of the most loved table games on any casino floor around the world. Just thinking about it conjures images of a fast-spinning wheel and a white ball circling numbered red and black pockets.

But how does it all work, and why are countless players gripped by this game? In this article, we take a closer look at roulette wheel numbers, the best roulette numbers to bet on, and the different roulette versions.

What are the types of roulette you can play online?

There are three main types of roulette: American roulette, European roulette, and French roulette. Online casinos often add their own spin to customize the experience. The difference between these formats is in the number of green pockets or zeroes.

American roulette features 36 numbered pockets, with single (0) and double zeroes (00), for a total of 38 pockets. A win on the red and black numbers gives you even money, and even and odd-numbered bets pay 1:1.

Landing a zero pays half your bet as 12:1, while two zeroes or another specific number gives you a 35:1 payout. There’s also a green zero that pays 8:1. All other bets carry a negative expected value.

European roulette has a single green pocket with a zero. Like its American cousin, it features the 1-to-36 standard red and black numbered pockets.

Here, bets on black or red along with green pay 3:1. Wagers on numbers get you a standard 1:1 win. The house edge for European roulette is lower than that for American roulette. The single and double zeroes in American roulette increase the online casino winning margin.

French roulette resembles European roulette with the addition of the ‘en prison’ and ‘la partage’ rules relating to the green zero pocket. With en prison, the bet remains on the board. La partage is less generous as the croupier takes half the bet.

Fancy spinning more than one ball for a better chance to rake in a win? Double-ball roulette evolved in tandem with online roulette versions and features the drop of two balls as opposed to the traditional one.

Logic of roulette wheel layout

A roulette wheel can be a jumble of confusing colors and numbers. This scattered design is often hard to follow and makes it difficult for players to plot the frequency of winning sequences.

First off, a roulette wheel and table (the mat on which you place bets) splits numbers evenly between red and black from 1 to 36. The design carries a balance of high, low, odd and even all around the wheel.

The position of any number is not related to its numerical value. Number placements ensure that there is no number or section bias, so that you get a balanced wheel.

Individual pockets alternate between red and black, giving you a 50/50 chance at a win. This gives you an even spread of low-value (1 to 18) and high-value (19 to 36) numbers. It also applies to odd and even numbers, meaning that you won’t find two evens or two odds next to each other on a roulette wheel.

As mentioned, an American roulette wheel has 38 pockets, whereas a European or French roulette wheel has 37. Remember, the single and double zeroes work in tandem to favor the house.

Another distinction between these versions is the order of the numbers. An American roulette wheel is numbered clockwise as 0, 28, 9, 26, 30, 11, 7, 20, and so on, while the European version is 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25, 17, etc.

Most people think that the European roulette wheel is more balanced as it alternates the high and low numbers as much as possible. No roulette wheel has three consecutive odd or even numbers.

Understanding the number sequences and layouts could help you win

Understanding the number layouts of different roulette versions boosts your chances of winning. Supplement your grasp of roulette wheel numbers with the types of possible bets for an enjoyable experience.

Low-risk outside bets are:

• Columns, where you can bet on three horizontal columns containing 12 numbers each.
• Dozens are similar to columns, but you only bet on one column with ordered numbers from one to 12, 13 to 24, and 25 to 36.
• High/low bets are even-money wagers where you place a bet on either one to 18 (low) or 19 to 36 (high).
• Odd/even sees you betting on either odd or even numbers.
• Red/black is much the same as odd or even, with the only difference being the color. So, you bet on either red or black.

High-risk inside bets are:

• Straight, where you bet on a single number. The payouts are the most rewarding, but the odds are challenging.
• Split is a bet that covers two horizontal or vertical adjacent numbers on the board (not the roulette wheel).
• Street is a bet that includes three consecutive numbers in the same line. In American roulette, you can even include the 00 (double zero) in this combination.
• A corner or square bet is a wager on four numbers sharing the same corner.
• The basket bet only applies to American roulette and covers the 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3 pockets.
• The six-line bet is simply a longer version of the street bet. It covers two vertical rows that include all three numbers.

What are the most popular and most common roulette numbers played?

Recent records show that 7, 17, 23 and 24 have the highest hit rates on a roulette wheel, with 3, 6, 13 and 34 having the lowest. Keep in mind that these predictions are based on statistics for limited periods and can change in the blink of an eye, so it’s difficult to plot the best roulette numbers.

Superstitions also influence number choices. Just think of the lucky 7 or the unlucky 13.

Which type of roulette is best?

One can hardly predict which type of roulette tops another as it depends on individual preference. However, American roulette leans more in favor of the house than its European cousin.

Roulette, in whichever format, is a popular choice among all players, regardless of their experience level. Check out all the best roulette versions at Resorts Casino.