Is this your first time playing Roulette? If so, you must probably get overwhelmed with the foreign-sounding words you hear from the dealer and other players. Well, you are not alone. Many new players are not also familiar with the Roulette terms used in this game.
Given that the game originates in French, some terminologies used are in French, too. That is why you need to understand the Roulette terms for you to be able to learn the game. We recommended that you would browse our Roulette glossary.
Online Roulette Terms and Guide
Roulette Terms: A
Action
In Roulette, action means being in a position to bet. Also, it refers to the total amount of money you wager over a certain period.
Airball roulette
This refers to a specific type of Roulette wheel construction that works electronically with air pressure.
Agent
This refers to a person that works together with the croupier to cheat the casino on an “Inside job” scheme.
All-In
This is a roulette term referring to a player betting his whole pot on a single bet.
American Roulette
Also called Double Zero Roulette. A variation of Roulette wherein the Roulette wheel has 38 pockets. In addition, these pockets consist of numbers one to thirty-six. Aside from that, it also has zero and double zero pockets. Additionally, this Roulette variation gives the house a higher edge than its counterpart does.
Roulette Terminologies: B
Backtrack
Also known as Ball Track. This refers to the outer rim of the Roulette wheel where the ball spins.
Bet on the Layout
This refers to a wager placed anywhere on the numbers part of the Roulette table.
Biased Numbers
This is a Roulette term that you should know if you are going to play the game. This refers to the numbers on the Roulette wheel that statistically proven to hit more often than the others. Based on rumors and urban legends, many players score large winnings while they are exploiting the biased numbers.
Biased Wheel
Aside from “Biased numbers”, there are also “Biased wheels”. This refers to an unbalanced wheel in a land-based casino. Therefore, it may have a tilt to certain “hot zones”
Block Bet
This is a type of bet where the player is covering a block of numbers on the layout. Notably, a block bet does not mean that the numbers are in a block on the Roulette wheel.
Bottom Track
This refers to the slanted, inner area of the wheel. The bottom track remains immobile when the wheel is spinning. Additionally, the Roulette ball slides down the bottom track before it bounces into the wheel head.
Roulette Glossary: C
Card Roulette
This refers to a Roulette variant that uses a standard pack of playing cards that has two jokers. In Card Roulette, the house edge is between the American and European Roulette.
Carre
Another French word for roulette terms referring to a Corner Bet.
Chameleon Strategy
This is a Roulette terminology that describes a player who mimicks the strategy of other players.
Check Rack
A tray used in storing the Roulette Chips.
Cheval
This is a French Roulette terminology referring to a Spill Bet.
Colonne
Another French Roulette terminology referring to a Column Bet.
What are the most common terminologies in Roulette?
Combination Bet
A roulette terminology for any Roulette combination bets that has one or more chips placed into two or more numbers.
Corner Bet
This refers to a single stake placed in the corner of one of the four numbers. If you win, these bets will payout 8:1. In addition, it has a winning probability of 10.8%.
Croupier
Another word for roulette dealer. The croupier is the more formal terminology used for the casino employee who manages the Roulette table. He spins the wheel, takes the bets, and pays out the winning.
Cold Numbers
This refers to the numbers that have not come up for at least 37 spins.
Call Bets
These are more exotic bets that you can make in Roulette. An example of this is the “Voisins Du Zero bet”. This is bet is usually made when the wheel is spinning. Then, you “Call” them out. In addition, these are mostly made up of Sector Bets.
Roulette Terms: D
Double Zero
This Roulette terminology refers to the pocket on the Roulette wheel which is marked by “00”. You usually hear this term used when playing American Roulette. Moreover, the Roulette wheel used is called Double zero wheels.
Double Up System of Betting
This Roulette Betting terminology refers to the betting system where the player increases his bet by two after losing. Also called The Martingale betting strategy.
Dead Table
This refers to an open Roulette table where there are no players.
Roulette Glossary: E
En Plein
Another French Roulette terminology for Straight Up bet.
En Prison
This French Roulette phrase means “in prison”. En Prison is a Roulette rule applied to even-money wagers only. Here, when the ball lands on a zero, the player can take back half of his bet. Or, he can leave his bet “Imprisoned” for another round of spin. However, when the next spin hits another zero, then you will lose the entire bet.
European Roulette
This is a Roulette variation that is commonly used in European and Asian casinos. The wheel of European Roulette has only one zero.
Even Money
In Roulette, you will commonly hear this terminology. This refers to any bet that pays 1:1.
Roulette Terminologies: F
Five Number Bet
Another type of Roulette bet where you are betting that the numbers 0, 00, 1, 2, or 3 will comes out. Some say that this is the worst bet that you can make when playing American Roulette because of the terrible odds.
Flat Betting
This refers to your betting strategy wherein, you are staking the same amount, every spin.
French Roulette
This is another variation of European Roulette. Here, you will notice that the table layout is slightly different from its counterpart. Also, the names of the sectors are written in French words.
Roulette Terminology: G
Gaffed Wheel
This refers to a Roulette wheel that has been manipulated by the casino.
George
This refers to a Roulette player that gives a big amount of tips.
Green Pockets
This refers to the zero and double zero slots of the Roulette wheel.
Roulette Glossary: H
High Bet
This Roulette terminology refers to the bet one makes that the next spin one of the numbers between 19 and 36 will hit.
High or Low
This refers to an even-money bet placed on all the low numbers (1-18). Also, refers to an even-money bet placed on all the high numbers (19-36).
Hot Numbers
Also called Golden Numbers. This refers to the most common roulette numbers that hit more often than they should be – based on probability.
Roulette Terms: I
Impair
Another French Roulette terminology for the Odd bet.
Inside Bet
This refers to the bet made on the numbered and inside area of the Roulette layout. The inside bet covers only single numbers and small groups of numbers. Thus, the payout of Inside bet has relatively high odds.
Roulette Glossary: I
John
This refers to a Roulette player who is a good tipper. Also refers to the bathroom.
Jeton
Another French word for a token represents the term Grand Jeu. Grand Jeu is playing money. Jeton is a type of check made with 100% premium molded plastics. Oftentimes, they come with a crystalline or marbleized design similar to plaques.
Roulette Glossary: L
La Partage
This Roulette terms when the player loses half of his bet. Also, he does not qualify to leave the bet for a follow spin. Usually, this occurs the outside bet: Red/Black, High/Low, and Even/Odd bets.
Line Bet
This Roulette terminology refers to the bet on Six numbers and 2 lines of 3 numbers on the betting grid. If you win, the payout is 5:1 and you have a 16% chance of winning.
Low Bet
This refers to the bet placed by the player between 1 and 18 will hit.
Roulette Glossary: M
Marker
This refers to the apparatus used by the Croupier to mark the winning number after each spin. Thus, the players are not allowed to place bets for the next spin until the croupier removes the marker from the table.
Martingale System
This is the famous betting system in Roulette. Here, you double your bet after a losing bet. However, be careful in making this betting strategy because it could ramp up your bankroll quickly.
Mucker
This is a second croupier on the roulette table during busy times. He assists the croupier with chips. Also, the mucker double-checks the dealer’s maths. Moreover, he helps the dealer to pay out the winning bets.
Roulette Terms FAQs:
What is a High-Roller Roulette table?
These are Roulette tables that either has a high betting limit or don’t have a betting limit at all. Also, it gives VIP Roulette players a chance to earn a large amount of money.
Why does Roulette call the Devil’s game?
This is because the Roulette wheel is sometimes called the “Devil’s Wheel”. The reason behind this is that when you add up all the numbers on the wheel, the sum is 666.
In Roulette, what does “neighbors” mean?
This is the type of bet wherein you would include the two numbers on each side. Therefore, your stakes would be covering the numbers 3, 26, 0, 32, and 15 respectively. For a neighbor bet, your stakes will be broken down into 5 parts, thus, each part will go on each number.