Roulette Glossary: Key Bets, Wheel Terms and Table Rules — Updated 2026

Last updated: November 3, 2026

Roulette terms are easier to follow when you know what the wheel, table layout and payout language mean. This glossary explains the common vocabulary and points out practical details—such as what a payout ratio includes—that can be easy to miss when you are new to the game.

Wheel and table basics

Wheel: The numbered, pocketed wheel that determines the result of a spin. The ball lands in one pocket; bets are settled according to that result.

European wheel (single-zero wheel): A standard European wheel has 37 pockets: numbers 1 through 36 and one green zero. American wheel (double-zero wheel): A standard American wheel has 38 pockets: numbers 1 through 36, a zero and a double zero. With standard payouts, the extra pocket gives the American game a higher house edge: about 5.26%, compared with about 2.70% on a European wheel.

Backtrack or ball track: The outer track where the croupier spins the ball before it drops into a numbered pocket.

Croupier: The dealer who operates the wheel, announces the result and manages bets at a live table.

Spin: One round of roulette, from the ball being spun through to the settlement of bets.

Understanding the bets

Inside bet: A bet placed on the numbered section of the layout. It may cover one number or a small group. Common examples include:

• Straight-up: One number; pays 35 to 1.
• Split: Two adjoining numbers; pays 17 to 1.
• Street: Three numbers in a row; pays 11 to 1.
• Corner: Four numbers meeting at a layout corner; pays 8 to 1.
• Six-line: Two adjoining rows, covering six numbers; pays 5 to 1.

Outside bet: A bet placed on a larger group shown around the numbered grid. Red or black, odd or even, and low or high are even-money bets. A dozen bet covers 1–12, 13–24 or 25–36; a column bet covers one of the three columns. Dozens and columns typically pay 2 to 1.

Even-money bet: A bet that pays 1 to 1 in winnings. For instance, a winning $5 red bet earns $5, and the original $5 stake is also returned. Under standard rules, a zero is not red or black, odd or even, or high or low, so it normally causes these bets to lose.

Combination bet: A general term for a wager covering more than one number. Roulette layouts have specific names for common combinations, such as split, street and corner.

Five-number bet: On a standard American layout, this bet covers 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3. It is sometimes called a basket bet and typically pays 6 to 1. Check the table’s rules and layout before placing it.

Payouts, rules and money terms

Payout odds: A ratio such as 35 to 1 describes the winnings, not the total amount handed back. If a $1 straight-up bet wins at 35 to 1, the player receives $35 in winnings plus the original $1 stake. This distinction makes it easier to read a paytable.

En prison: A rule that may apply to even-money bets when the ball lands on zero. Instead of losing immediately, the stake is held for a later spin. What happens after that spin depends on the table’s precise rules. La partage is another rule found at some tables: it returns part of an even-money stake when zero appears. Neither rule should be assumed; check the posted terms.

Bankroll: The amount a player has set aside for gambling. It is a limit, not a target to spend. Decide in advance what you can afford to lose, and stop when you reach that limit.

Action: The amount wagered during a round or over a session. The term can be used differently by players or venues, so ask what is included if it appears in a promotion or table discussion.

Parlay: Rebetting a winning stake, the winnings, or both on a later spin. A parlay changes how much is at risk on the next bet; it does not make that spin more likely to win.

Putting the terms to use

Before a spin, identify the wheel type, check the minimum and maximum limits, and confirm any special rules for zero. Then match the bet name to the layout and read the payout as winnings plus returned stake. If you are comparing roulette formats, learn how different roulette versions suit different preferences. For live play, this guide to table limits and etiquette covers practical checks before taking a seat; live casino basics can also help explain the dealer-led format.

Knowing the vocabulary helps you understand the wager, not predict the result. Roulette spins are uncertain, so keep play within a pre-set entertainment budget.