The roulette table layout is a map that converts chip position into a specific wager. A chip in the middle of a numbered box is a straight-up bet. The same chip moved onto a line, corner, row edge, dozen, column, or even-money box covers a different group of pockets and receives a different payout.
The layout is not a picture of the wheel order. On the felt, 1 through 36 are arranged in a regular grid for efficient betting. On the wheel, the numbers follow a deliberately different physical sequence. Use the roulette wheel layout when the question is about pocket order or neighbors on the wheel.
At the table, intention matters only when it is expressed clearly before betting closes. The final chip position is the main evidence of what was wagered.
Read the number grid first
The standard grid contains 12 rows of three numbers:
| Row | Numbers |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1, 2, 3 |
| 2 | 4, 5, 6 |
| 3 | 7, 8, 9 |
| … | … |
| 12 | 34, 35, 36 |
The three long sets running through the grid form the columns. The first column contains 1, 4, 7, and so on through 34; the second contains 2 through 35 in the same pattern; the third contains 3 through 36.
The zero area sits at one end of the grid:
- a single-zero layout has 0;
- a double-zero layout has 0 and 00;
- other approved variants may add another special pocket or use a modified layout.
Zero and double zero are not part of 1–18, 19–36, odd, even, red, black, any dozen, or any standard column. That exclusion is what creates the normal house edge on those outside bets.
Inside bets are defined by edges and intersections
Inside bets use the numbered grid and its borders.
| Common name | Chip position | Numbers covered | Normal net payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight-up | Center of one numbered box | 1 | 35 to 1 |
| Split | Line shared by two adjacent boxes | 2 | 17 to 1 |
| Street | Outer edge of one row of three | 3 | 11 to 1 |
| Corner | Intersection shared by four boxes | 4 | 8 to 1 |
| Six-line | Outer intersection joining two adjacent rows | 6 | 5 to 1 |
“Adjacent” means touching on the printed grid. Numbers that sit near each other on the physical wheel do not create a split or corner unless the layout also places them together.
One chip, five possible wagers around 17
Consider the central area around 17:
- Center of 17: straight-up 17.
- Line between 17 and 20: split 17/20.
- Outer edge beside 16, 17, 18: street covering that row.
- Intersection of 16, 17, 19, 20: four-number corner.
- Outside intersection joining rows 16–18 and 19–21: six-line covering 16 through 21.
A few millimeters can change the wager. At an uncrowded table, a dealer may ask for clarification before the spin. Once betting closes and the result is known, a player cannot normally move the chip and redefine the bet.
Outside boxes cover larger groups
Outside wagers sit beyond the numbered grid.
| Bet | Numbers covered | Normal net payout | What zero does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Column | 12 | 2 to 1 | Loses under normal rules |
| Dozen | 12 | 2 to 1 | Loses under normal rules |
| Red or black | 18 | 1 to 1 | Loses unless a special rule applies |
| Odd or even | 18 | 1 to 1 | Loses unless a special rule applies |
| 1–18 or 19–36 | 18 | 1 to 1 | Loses unless a special rule applies |
The dozens are consecutive ranges: 1–12, 13–24, and 25–36. The columns are the three repeating vertical groups created by the grid. They cover the same number of pockets and normally pay the same, but they are not the same numbers.
Outside bets hit more often than straight-up bets because they cover more pockets. They are not automatically better priced. On a standard wheel, the payout schedule is designed so the green pocket or pockets produce the house edge across the normal bets.
See inside versus outside roulette bets for a risk comparison.
The layout changes with the wheel type
The grid from 1 to 36 is familiar across many versions. The zero end tells you which wheel is attached to the table.
Single-zero layout
A single-zero wheel has 37 pockets. On a standard straight-up wager:
$$P(\text{win})=\frac{1}{37}$$
At 35 to 1, the expected value of a one-unit bet is:
$$EV=\frac{1(35)-36(1)}{37}=-\frac{1}{37}\approx-2.70%$$
Double-zero layout
A double-zero wheel has 38 pockets:
$$EV=\frac{1(35)-37(1)}{38}=-\frac{2}{38}\approx-5.26%$$
The printed straight-up payout looks the same, but the extra losing pocket doubles the standard edge from 1/37 to 2/38.
The same principle applies to a corner. On single-zero roulette, four pockets win and 33 lose:
$$EV=\frac{4(8)-33}{37}=-\frac{1}{37}$$
On double-zero roulette, four win and 34 lose:
$$EV=\frac{4(8)-34}{38}=-\frac{2}{38}$$
The layout position defines how many pockets are covered. The wheel type determines the denominator.
Use the roulette odds calculator to check any standard group.
The zero area can support special combinations
Double-zero layouts may include positions for combinations involving 0 and 00, such as splits, three-number groups, corners, or the well-known first-five group 0–00–1–2–3. The exact printed geometry and approved payout matter.
A player should not assume that a chip “near zero” automatically covers every green pocket. The official rule may define a specific line or intersection. Optional call-bet, neighbor, racetrack, or color-sector areas can also appear on some layouts. Those are not universal features of the main number grid.
The Massachusetts roulette rules, for example, define wagers by their precise location on the approved layout and list straight, split, three-number, four-number, first-five, six-number, column, dozen, red, black, odd, even, low, and high wagers along with optional approved groups. Another jurisdiction or casino may offer a different approved layout, so the table in front of the player controls.
Racetrack and neighbor areas are a second map
Some roulette tables or electronic terminals display a racetrack: an oval representation of the wheel sequence. It is used for sector and neighbor wagers based on physical wheel adjacency.
This creates two maps on one betting surface:
- the rectangular number grid groups numbers for standard inside and outside bets;
- the racetrack groups numbers by their position on the wheel.
A neighbor bet on the racetrack is normally a collection of straight-up wagers, not one special bet with a new probability rule. If five neighboring numbers are selected for one unit each, the total wager is five units. The payout on the winning straight-up component must be considered together with the four losing components.
Do not confuse a wheel neighbor with a grid split. A split is created by a shared printed line on the main layout.
Chips identify both player and value
Roulette often uses non-value chips of different colors so the dealer can distinguish players whose chips occupy the same crowded layout. The player chooses a value for that color at the table, subject to limits. Those chips normally belong to that table and must be converted before leaving.
Value chips may also be accepted depending on house procedure. The evidence problem is different:
- color identifies whose non-value chips are whose;
- stack height identifies how many units are on a position;
- the assigned chip value determines the money at risk;
- the exact base position determines the wager.
A player should confirm the chip value before betting and keep stacks centered. Leaning stacks that cover multiple positions create avoidable disputes.
What happens when betting closes
A typical live sequence is:
- Players place or instruct wagers while betting is open.
- The dealer spins the ball and announces the closing call according to procedure.
- No additional wager should be placed or moved after betting closes.
- The ball settles in a numbered compartment.
- The dealer marks the winning number.
- Losing wagers are cleared.
- Winning inside and outside wagers are paid according to procedure.
- The marker is removed and the next betting period begins.
The regulator rule cited above states that the player remains responsible for correct positioning even when the dealer assists and that settlement follows the wager’s position on the layout when the ball comes to rest. A verbal explanation after the result is weaker evidence than a clearly placed chip before the closing call.
If a dispute occurs, the useful facts are:
- table and approximate time;
- wheel type;
- player chip color and assigned value;
- exact chip position and stack size;
- whether the dealer repeated an instruction;
- whether betting had closed;
- surveillance or table records available under local procedure.
Special rules may change only selected outside bets
French-style rules such as La Partage or En Prison may reduce the cost of qualifying even-money wagers when zero appears. They do not normally alter straight-up, split, corner, dozen, or column bets.
A layout or table sign should identify the applicable rule. Read house edge with La Partage and house edge with En Prison rather than assuming every single-zero table returns or holds half the wager.
A quick layout check before the first spin
- Confirm whether the wheel is single-zero, double-zero, or another approved version.
- Locate the zero area and any optional first-five or sector positions.
- Identify the center, shared lines, row edges, and four-number intersections.
- Separate dozens from columns.
- Remember that 0 and 00 are outside the standard red/black, odd/even, low/high, dozens, and columns.
- Confirm chip value and table minimums.
- Ask about an unfamiliar position before betting closes.
- Count the total amount spread across the layout, not only the largest stack.
The roulette felt can look like a strategy board because it offers many precise positions. Its real function is simpler: each position names a fixed set of wheel pockets. Learn the set, payout, denominator, and special rule before deciding what the bet costs. Continue with roulette bets explained, roulette odds, and why zero exists.