How Many Numbers Are On A Roulette Wheel?

Roulette is one of the most iconic and widely recognised casino games but many players often wonder how the roulette wheel is structured, especially when it comes to its numbers. Depending on the version of roulette the number of pockets on the wheel can vary which impacts the odds and house edge. This key difference is what makes European, French, and American roulette at Ivy Casino unique in their gameplay and appeal.

In this article, we’ll break down the numbers on each type of roulette wheel, explain their historical origins, and show how the variations affect the game’s dynamics.

The Basics Of Roulette

Roulette players place chips on a betting layout and choose from a range of options including single-number picks, number splits, and outside wagers like red/black or odd/even. Once bets are finalised a small ball is released onto a spinning roulette wheel which contains a sequence of coloured and numbered pockets. The player wins If the ball settles on a pocket that aligns with a player’s wager.

When it comes to how many numbers on a roulette wheel, the total depends on whether you’re playing a European or American variant. European and French versions feature 37 pockets (numbered 0–36), whereas the American format adds an extra double-zero (00) for 38 pockets in total. These roulette wheel numbers create different odds and house advantages but the fundamental process—spinning the wheel, dropping the ball, and awaiting the outcome—remains the same.

How Many Numbers Are On A Roulette Wheel?

The number of pockets on a roulette wheel depends on the type of roulette you are playing. While European and French roulette wheels feature 37 pockets, American roulette adds an extra double-zero pocket which brings the total to 38.

European Roulette

European Roulette traces its origins back to the mid-19th century when French developers François and Louis Blanc introduced the single-zero wheel to reduce the house advantage. This version became popular throughout Europe due to its relatively favourable odds, largely because there is only one zero pocket rather than two. The single zero is always marked in green to distinguish it from the alternating red and black pockets.

Such an arrangement results in a house edge of around 2.70% which makes European roulette a preferred option for many players looking for a balance between tradition and better returns. Despite its name this format is now found worldwide, especially in countries where casino regulations permit single-zero gameplay.

Below is a typical clockwise arrangement of pockets on a European Roulette wheel. The layout is designed to alternate between high and low and odd and even numbers which gives an overall balance:

0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25, 17, 34, 6, 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, 33, 1, 20, 14, 31, 9, 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26

French Roulette

Although fundamentally identical to European roulette in terms of wheel design and the single-zero pocket, French Roulette has an even richer heritage. Early references date back to 18th-century France with this style evolving over time to include specific betting rules like La Partage and En Prison. Both of which can cut the house edge for even-money wagers. 

The same 37 pockets appear, numbered 0 to 36, but the table game layout often includes French terms and additional betting sections such as Voisins du Zéro and Tiers du Cylindre. While the wheel shares the same numeric configuration as European Roulette the extra rules can push the effective house edge down to around 1.35% on certain bets. This appeals to players who value more advantageous odds.

Since the wheel itself does not differ from European roulette the clockwise arrangement remains consistent:

0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25, 17, 34, 6, 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, 33, 1, 20, 14, 31, 9, 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26

American Roulette

American roulette developed from European variants during the 19th century as the game spread to the United States. Casinos in North America introduced the double-zero pocket alongside the single zero which creates 38 total slots (labelled 0, 00, and 1–36). This extra pocket increases the house edge to approximately 5.26% which gives the casino a greater built-in advantage than in single-zero versions. Despite the steeper odds, American Roulette remains popular in many venues across the US and beyond. The presence of both 0 and 00 has become a defining feature of this format which differentiates it visually and statistically from its European and French counterparts.

Below is a typical clockwise order of pockets for an American Roulette wheel which balances red, black, and green pockets in a way that adds an extra zero pocket for greater unpredictability:

0, 28, 9, 26, 30, 11, 7, 20, 32, 17, 5, 22, 34, 15, 3, 24, 36, 13, 1, 00, 27, 10, 25, 29, 12, 8, 19, 31, 18, 6, 21, 33, 16, 4, 23, 35, 2, 14

Why Do Roulette Wheel Numbers Differ Between Variants? 

The differences in the numbers on roulette wheels stem from variations in the game’s design as it evolved across regions and eras. European and French roulette wheels feature 37 pockets, numbered from 0 to 36, and were created to offer a simpler format with a lower house edge. This single-zero setup was introduced in the mid-19th century and became the standard for European casinos as it offered a house advantage of just 2.70%.

In contrast, American roulette adds a double-zero (00) pocket to the wheel which increases the total to 38 pockets. This variation originated in 19th-century North America where casinos sought to boost their edge, raising it to 5.26%. The additional pocket also introduces subtle differences in betting odds which makes American roulette less favourable for players compared to the European and French formats.

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