Roulette is one of the most recognisable casino games, yet the details of the wheel itself are often overlooked. The numbers, colours, and layout all play a part in how the game functions, even if this is not immediately obvious at first glance.
This blog post looks at how many numbers appear on different roulette wheels, how various versions compare, and why certain wheels include green pockets. It also touches on how numbers are positioned and why that positioning matters if you choose to play. By the end, the basic design of the wheel should be clearer, making it easier to understand the game as a whole.
Read on to learn more.
How Many Numbers Are There On a Roulette Wheel?
Roulette wheels may look alike, but they do not all contain the same number of slots. The total count depends on the version in use, and this affects how the game operates and the betting options available if you decide to take part.
At a basic level, roulette uses a spinning wheel divided into fixed pockets, each marked with a number. After the ball is released, it eventually settles into one of these pockets, and that number determines the outcome for that spin. Because the wheel itself never changes, the number of pockets is a core feature of the game.
There are different versions of roulette, but two are far more common than the rest. These versions use wheels with different total counts, while other variations tend to share one of these layouts. This makes the main comparison one between two standard wheel types, which are explained in more detail below.
The number of slots on the wheel influences how likely any single outcome is. For that reason, both casinos and players tend to pay attention to this detail, even though the difference between wheels may seem minor at first.
European vs American Roulette Numbers
One common version of roulette uses a wheel with slightly fewer pockets. This wheel includes the numbers 1 through 36, along with a single green pocket marked with a zero. Together, these make up 37 slots in total.
Another widely used version adds one more green pocket. Alongside the numbers 1 to 36 and a single zero, there is also a double zero. This brings the total number of slots on that wheel to 38.
The numbers from 1 to 36 are divided evenly between red and black on both wheels. The green pockets are separate and do not belong to either colour group. Although this extra pocket might seem insignificant, it has a noticeable effect on the game if you are betting.
To explain why, it helps to look at how payouts compare with the total number of possible results. On both wheels, a straight-up bet pays 35 to 1. However, one wheel has 37 possible outcomes, while the other has 38.
This difference is what creates the casino’s advantage. On the wheel with a single zero, the built-in edge on standard bets is about 2.70%. On the wheel with both a single and double zero, that figure rises to around 5.26%.
Because of this, many players view the version with fewer slots as more favourable, if it is available. The other version remains common, particularly in certain regions. If you choose to play, understanding which wheel you are using helps explain why results differ between versions.
How Are Roulette Numbers Arranged On The Wheel?
Knowing how many slots are present only explains part of the picture. The way those numbers are placed around the wheel also plays a role in how the game behaves.
The order of numbers on a roulette wheel is fixed. Although it may appear random, it follows a deliberate pattern that has been used for many years. The idea is to spread different types of numbers evenly around the wheel so that neighbouring pockets are varied.
On wheels with a single zero, the numbers 1 to 36 alternate between red and black in most places, with the green zero standing apart. While there are a few spots where the same colour appears next to itself, the overall layout avoids long sequences of one colour.
The numerical order is also mixed. Low numbers sit next to high ones, and odd numbers are placed beside even ones. This means that adjacent pockets tend to belong to different betting categories, such as high and low or odd and even.
Wheels that include both a single and double zero follow a different fixed sequence to allow space for the extra green pocket. The two green slots sit next to each other, and the remaining numbers are arranged to keep colours and values spread out. Even so, each spin remains independent, and no past result affects the next one.
Why Do Some Roulette Wheels Have Zero And Double Zero?
The green pockets are central to how roulette works, even though they represent only a small part of the wheel. One version of the game includes a single zero, while another adds a double zero alongside it.
These pockets do not fall into any of the common betting groups. They are not red or black, not odd or even, and not high or low. Because of this, many common bets lose if the ball lands on green.
This design is what creates the casino’s advantage. For example, if you choose to place a straight-up bet, the payout is the same regardless of the wheel type, even though one wheel has an extra possible result. On a wheel with 37 slots, the built-in edge works out at about 2.70%. On a wheel with 38 slots, the additional green pocket increases this to around 5.26%.
Some tables using the single-zero wheel apply special rules on certain even-money bets. These may slightly reduce the impact of the zero in specific situations. However, these rules do not change how many numbers are on the wheel, and they are not used on wheels with a double zero.
How Many Red And Black Numbers Are On A Roulette Wheel?
The numbered slots in roulette are mostly split between red and black. Both main wheel types include the same number of red and black pockets.
The numbers 1 through 36 are divided evenly, with 18 red numbers and 18 black numbers. This is true whether the wheel has one green pocket or two. The green slots sit outside this colour system.
Because of this, a bet on red or black always covers 18 numbers. However, it does not cover every possible outcome. If the ball lands on green, that colour bet loses, even though the red and black numbers are balanced.
These colour bets are shown on the table as even-money options that pay 1 to 1. The presence of one or two green pockets, which are excluded from the bet, is what gives the casino its mathematical advantage over time.
How Do The Number Counts Affect Betting Options?
Every bet in roulette is linked to how many pockets are on the wheel. If you are playing on a wheel with 37 slots, each individual number has a 1 in 37 chance of appearing. On a wheel with 38 slots, that chance becomes 1 in 38. The payout for a single number remains 35 to 1 on both.
The same idea applies to other bets. Dozens and columns each include 12 numbers. This means they succeed with 12 out of 37 possible results on one wheel and 12 out of 38 on the other, while paying the same 2 to 1 in both cases.
Even-money bets, such as red or black or odd or even, cover 18 numbers. Again, the green pockets are excluded, which is why the overall figures work out to about 2.70% on a single-zero wheel and about 5.26% on a double-zero wheel.
Understanding how many numbers are on the wheel, and how those numbers are arranged, explains why different roulette versions behave differently. While no amount of knowledge might change the random nature of each spin, being informed helps you decide which version to play and which bets to consider if you choose to bet.
It is sensible to set limits that suit your personal circumstances and keep play occasional. If gambling begins to affect your wellbeing or finances, independent support is available through organisations such as GamCare and GambleAware.
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**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.