Tier Roulette Explained: How Tier Bets Work in Roulette Games
Roulette offers plenty of bet types, and tier bets are one of the quieter options. They cover a defined section of the wheel, often called the tiers, and sit apart from the usual layout on the felt.
If you have seen a racetrack diagram on European or French tables, you have already met the framework behind tier betting. It maps the wheel’s order so you can back a slice of numbers in one go.
This blog post explains what a tier bet includes, how it links to the racetrack, how payouts and house edge compare with other bets, how it appears on different wheels, and a clear example of the placements.
Read on to learn more.
What Is Tier Roulette And How Do Tier Bets Work?
Tier Roulette refers to the “Tiers du Cylindre” bet, a wager that covers a block of numbers on the wheel rather than a tidy row on the main betting grid. It is most common on European and French roulette.
The tier section sits opposite zero and contains 12 neighbouring numbers. Because the group is defined by its position on the wheel, it is usually backed using a set of split bets that together cover the whole segment. On many tables this is made simple through the racetrack area, which mirrors the wheel’s number order.
Tier bets are simply another way to structure a wager around where numbers sit on the wheel. Whether it fits someone’s approach is a matter of preference. So which numbers does it actually cover?
Which Numbers Are Covered By The Tier Section On The Wheel?
The tier section consists of 12 numbers that appear together on the wheel, even though they are scattered across the main layout. They are:
5, 8, 10, 11, 13, 16, 23, 24, 27, 30, 33, and 36.
These sit opposite zero and form a continuous slice. On European and French wheels, the tier segment is standard, which is why many tables mark it clearly on the racetrack. With the numbers pinned down, the next question is how the racetrack helps you place the bet.
What Is The Racetrack And How Does It Relate To Tier Bets?
The racetrack is a curved section on many European and French layouts that reproduces the wheel’s order. Instead of listing numbers in sequence, it shows where they sit next to one another on the cylinder.
That design makes section bets straightforward. Choose the tier area on the racetrack and the table groups the correct numbers for you, saving the effort of chasing individual positions on the main grid. It is the most direct way to back a wheel segment without re-mapping the order in your head.
With that in mind, here is how a tier bet is actually put on the table.
How To Place A Tier Bet On The Roulette Table?
On tables with a racetrack, selecting the tier area places the required split bets in one action. A standard tier bet uses six splits that together cover all 12 tier numbers: 5/8, 10/11, 13/16, 23/24, 27/30, and 33/36.
Many online games and live tables recognise the tier as a dedicated option, so chips placed on the marked tier area are automatically divided into those six splits. If there is no racetrack, the same coverage can be created by placing chips directly on those split positions on the main layout.
Once the chips are down, what can you expect if one of those numbers lands?
Tier Bet Payouts And The House Edge
Each part of a tier bet is a split, and a winning split typically pays 17 to 1. Because a tier uses six splits, the payout for a hit comes from whichever split includes the winning number.
A quick example helps. If one chip is staked on each split, the total stake is six chips. When a covered number lands, the winning split returns 17 chips in winnings plus the original chip, so 18 in total. The other five chips lose. The net result is a gain of 12 chips on a hit, or a loss of six chips when none of the tier numbers appear. On a European wheel the tier covers 12 of 37 numbers.
The house edge for tier bets is the same as for other standard bets on the same wheel. It is usually about 2.7% on European and French roulette. On American wheels, the extra double zero increases the house edge to around 5.26%. Set sensible limits and only stake what you can afford to lose.
Wheel layout matters too, which is why the next section looks at how tiers appear across different versions.
Do Tier Bets Differ Between European, French And American Wheels?
On European and French roulette, the tier segment is consistent and the racetrack is often present, so the bet looks and feels the same on both. The 12 numbers sit together opposite zero and are placed using the same six splits.
American wheels include a double zero, which changes the number order around the cylinder. Because of that different sequence, racetrack-style bets, including the tier, are not always offered. Where they are available, check how the table defines the segment before you play, as presentation can vary.
To see how it all comes together in practice, here is a simple example.
Examples Of Tier Bet Placements
A tier bet is created by covering six split positions that together span the 12 tier numbers. Whether in a physical casino or online, the structure is the same and usually takes six chips, one per split.
For example, on a European or French roulette table, a single tier bet placement covers:
- 5/8
- 10/11
- 13/16
- 23/24
- 27/30
- 33/36
Placing one chip on each of these splits includes all numbers in the tier section. Some online roulette games let you click “Tier” on the racetrack to place all six splits at once. Chip values and stakes can be adjusted within the table limits, but the split structure stays the same.
If gambling starts to affect your well-being or finances, seek help early. Independent organisations such as GamCare and GambleAware offer free, confidential support.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.