Roulette has remained among the world’s most popular casino table games for centuries, with its iconic spinning wheel captivating gamblers and casual spectators alike. Much of its enduring appeal owes to the game’s chessboard-like betting grid juxtaposed against the unpredictably bouncing ball up top determining wins and losses on each spin. But just how many numbered slots comprise a standard roulette wheel? What other markings exist? And how do minor differences in wheels impact odds and gameplay?
Roulette Numbers Overview
Roulette wheels contain either 37 or 38 numbered pockets, with distribution as follows:
Numbers on a European Roulette Wheel
- 36 number slots (1-36) – 18 red slots, 18 black slots
- 1 green zero slot (0)
Numbers on an American Roulette Wheel:
- 36 number slots (1-36) – 18 red slots, 18 black slots
- 1 green zero slot (0)
- 1 green double zero slot (00)
Other Wheel Markings and Variations
Besides the numbered slots, additional wheel features include:
- Haphazard frets/deflectors designed to further randomize ball trajectory
- Diamonds, circles, and other alternating band accent cutouts just for aesthetics
- Base colors like green, beige, mustard yellow, etc. also merely decorative
- Single or double sided layouts (numbers on both inner and outer rings) allow bigger betting range
Getting familiar with normal and quirky variations between roulette wheel models aids in detecting possible biases during spins.
Roulette Wheel FAQs
What direction do roulette wheels spin?
Most wheels spin counterclockwise, with the ball traveling opposite around the rim.
What numbers are colored green on the wheel?
Only the zero(s) slot(s) – 0 in European games, 0 & 00 in American – are colored green.
Do any numbers or sections seem to hit more frequently?
Intricate frets causes wide variety over near infinite possible ball trajectories, though individual wheels frequently exhibit subtle, exploitable bias.
So now you know exactly how many numbers a roulette wheel contains – either 37 or 38 depending on game type – and what else defines their colorful spinning surfaces! Leverage this knowledge to hone winning roulette strategy.