Roulette is one of the most famous casino games, and also one of the oldest. The first records of a game similar to roulette being played date back to Venice in 1716, with the first written mention of the game of roulette showing up in Canada in 1758 on a list of banned games.
With such a lengthy history, it is no surprise to learn that roulette has built up quite a large vocabulary all of its own. We have done our research to come up with an extensive glossary of roulette terms and phrases, along with a brief description of each of them. Some of these terms will be crucial for any would-be players to know, while others are a little more obscure.
Either way, we have come up with your one-stop-shop for all of your roulette lingo from A to Z.
A • B • C • D • E • F • G • H • I • J • K • L • M • N • O • P Q • R • S • T U • V • W • X • Y • Z
A
Action – The total amount of money wagered by a player in a roulette session.
All-In Bet – When a player wagers their entire remaining bankroll on one spin.
American Roulette – A roulette variant with two zero pockets (0 and 00), increasing the house edge to 5.26%.
Angle Shooter – A player who tries to exploit loopholes in casino rules to gain an advantage.
Announced Bets – Special bets declared verbally and commonly used in European and French roulette.
Auto Roulette – An automated roulette game without a live dealer, typically found in online casinos.
Autoplay – A feature in online roulette that allows players to set multiple spins to run automatically.
Average Bet Size – The typical bet amount a player places per spin.
B
Backtrack (Ball Track) – The outer rim of the roulette wheel where the ball spins before dropping into a pocket.
Ballistics Roulette – A rare strategy where players attempt to predict winning numbers based on ball speed and physics.
Balance Wheel – A properly calibrated wheel that ensures randomness and fairness in roulette.
Banker’s Cut – Another term for the casino’s house edge in roulette.
Bankroll – The total funds a player has set aside for gambling.
Bias Analysis – A method of tracking a roulette wheel to determine if any numbers appear more frequently than expected.
Biased Wheel – A wheel with mechanical imperfections causing certain numbers to appear more frequently.
Black Action/Bet – A high-stakes bet placed on black numbers.
Blackout Bet – A risky strategy where a player covers almost the entire table, leaving only a few numbers uncovered.
Bottomless Bankroll – A term referring to a player who never seems to run out of funds.
Bottom Track – The smooth part of the wheel where the ball slows down before landing.
Box Bet – A nickname for the Square Bet (Corner Bet), which covers four numbers.
Burning Chips – Placing high-value chips on multiple bets to try and cover losses quickly.
Bust – Losing all money in a roulette session.
C
Call Bets – Bets placed verbally rather than using chips, common in French roulette.
Call Bet Limits – Some casinos limit how much players can bet on announced bets (Call Bets).
Carousel Bet – A pattern-based betting strategy where a player repeats the same wagers across multiple spins.
Carre – French term for a corner bet, covering four numbers.
Check Change – A dealer’s action when a player exchanges high-value chips for lower denominations.
Chip Tray – The area where unused chips are stored by the dealer.
Clocking the Wheel – Observing the roulette wheel to identify potential mechanical biases.
Cluster Betting – A system where players wager on a small group of adjacent numbers.
Cold Number – A number that has not appeared for a long time.
Column Bet – A bet covering one of the three vertical columns of 12 numbers.
Combination Spread – A bet that covers multiple types of inside and outside bets at the same time.
Controlled Drop – Theoretical concept that a dealer might be able to control where the ball lands, though this is extremely rare.
Cooler – A losing streak in roulette.
Corner Bet (Square Bet) – A bet on four numbers, placed at their intersecting corner.
Croupier – The casino employee who operates the roulette wheel and manages bets.
D
D’Alembert System – A progressive betting system where bets increase by one unit after a loss and decrease after a win.
Dampening Effect – A slowdown of the roulette ball before it lands in a pocket.
Dealer’s Signature – The theory that a dealer may have an unintentional pattern in how they spin the ball, leading to predictable results.
Deep Bankroll Strategy – A strategy where a player gradually increases bet sizes to recover losses over multiple spins.
Deuce Street Bet – A bet covering a set of three numbers, also called a street bet.
Double Ball Roulette – A special version of roulette where two balls are used, creating two winning numbers per spin.
Double Street Quad Bet – A combination bet covering eight numbers (six from a double street bet plus two more from an adjacent corner bet).
Dozen Bet – A bet covering 12 numbers (1-12, 13-24, or 25-36).
Drop Box – The casino’s secure container where cash and chips are stored from player transactions.
Drop Zone – The area of the wheel where the ball is most likely to land.
E
Edge Sorting – A controversial technique where players attempt to identify imperfections or patterns on the wheel or cards to gain an advantage.
Eight-Number Bet – A bet that covers eight consecutive numbers, typically by combining a Double Street Bet with an additional wager.
Electronic Roulette – A computerized or automated version of roulette, often found in online and land-based casinos.
En Prison Bet – A special rule in French Roulette where even-money bets are “imprisoned” after a zero spin, allowing players a second chance to recover their wager.
European Wheel – The single-zero (0) roulette wheel, used in European and French roulette, offering a lower house edge (2.7%) than the American wheel (5.26%).
Even Wager – A 1:1 payout bet on even-money options like Red/Black, Odd/Even, or Low/High.
Eye in the Sky – A term referring to casino security cameras, which monitor roulette tables to detect cheating or irregular play.
F
False Shuffle – A method of cheating in roulette where a dealer manipulates the wheel or ball to influence results (extremely rare in regulated casinos).
Fast Roulette – A variation where the dealer or an automated system speeds up the game, reducing waiting time between spins.
Fibonacci Betting System – A progressive betting system based on the Fibonacci sequence (1-1-2-3-5-8…), where each bet is the sum of the previous two bets.
Final Bet (Finale Bet) – A French Roulette bet on all numbers ending in the same digit.
Example: “Finale 5” would cover 5, 15, 25, and 35. Flat Betting – A strategy where the player bets the same amount every spin, regardless of wins or losses.
Flush Bet – A term for a bet placed entirely on one color (all red or all black numbers).
French Bets (Call Bets) – Special bets in French and European roulette, including:
- Voisins du Zéro – Covers numbers near zero.
- Tiers du Cylindre – Covers one-third of the wheel opposite zero.
- Orphelins – Covers numbers not included in the other two sections.Friendly Table – A roulette table where players and the dealer engage in friendly conversation.
Full Cover Bet – A betting strategy where a player covers as many numbers as possible to increase the chance of winning.
G
Gamblers Fallacy – The mistaken belief that past results affect future spins, such as assuming a red streak means black is “due to hit.”
Golden Chip – A special bonus chip offered in online roulette, often used for risk-free spins.
Grand Martingale – A high-risk betting system where a player doubles their bet + an extra unit after every loss.
Grind Strategy – A conservative betting approach where players aim for small, consistent wins over many spins.
Grid Bet – A term used for placing multiple overlapping bets on the roulette table.Group Bet – A wager on a specific section of the table, such as a column or dozen bet.
Guilty Number – A personal superstitious term for a number that a player consistently loses on.
H
Half Back Rule – A variation of the La Partage rule where half of a losing even-money bet is returned if the ball lands on zero.
Hand Spread – A technique where players quickly place multiple bets across the table in a short period.
Hard Stop – A pre-set loss limit where a player decides to walk away after reaching a certain amount of losses.
Heat – When a casino begins closely watching a player’s bets, often due to suspected advantage play.
High Bet (19-36) – A wager on numbers 19-36, paying 1:1.
High Roller Roulette – Roulette games that cater to VIP players with large bankrolls, allowing very high max bets.
Hit Frequency – The rate at which a specific number or section of the table wins.
Hot Number – A number that has hit frequently in recent spins.
House Edge – The built-in advantage the casino has over players.
- European Roulette (single zero 0) → 2.7% house edge
- American Roulette (double zero 00) → 5.26% house edge
- French Roulette (La Partage/En Prison rule applied) → 1.35% effective house edge (on even-money bets).
I
Implied Odds – The potential payout ratio compared to the likelihood of winning a bet.
Inside Bets – Wagers placed on the numbered section of the roulette table (e.g., straight-up, split, street, corner, six-line).
Instant Roulette – A fast-paced online version of roulette where multiple wheels spin simultaneously, allowing players to bet on the next available result instantly.
Insurance Bet – A strategy where a player covers multiple low-risk bets to minimize losses.
Intelligent Betting – A strategic approach where players adjust bets based on probability rather than emotion or patterns.
Irregular Spin – A spin where the ball does not rotate properly, sometimes leading to a re-spin in physical casinos.
Isolated Number Bet – A bet covering a single number with no adjacent coverage.
J
Jackpot Roulette – A progressive jackpot version of roulette, usually found in online casinos, where players can win a large prize if certain conditions are met.
Juice – Slang for the casino’s edge or profit margin.Jumping Bet – A strategy where players move their bets around the table unpredictably.
Junket – A VIP casino trip often offered to high rollers who gamble large sums of money.
K
Kesselgucken (Wheel Watching) – A German term for “watching the wheel”, where players attempt to spot patterns or dealer biases.
Key Bet Strategy – A betting system where one number is chosen as a “key”, with surrounding numbers covered in a structured way.
King’s Bet – A slang term for a large wager placed on a single number.
L
La Partage – A French roulette rule where half of an even-money bet is returned if the ball lands on zero, reducing the house edge.
Labouchère System – A negative progression betting system where players use a sequence of numbers to determine bet sizes.
Lag Time – The time delay between when a spin occurs and when results are displayed in online or live dealer roulette.Lane Bet – A nickname for a Street Bet, which covers three numbers in a row.
Late Betting – Placing a bet just before the dealer calls “no more bets”.
Layout – The betting grid on the roulette table, where players place chips.
Limit Bet – The maximum amount a player can wager on a single bet.Live Dealer Roulette – A real-time streamed roulette game with a human dealer, allowing online players to experience a physical casino environment.
Loaded Wheel – A tampered or biased roulette wheel designed to favor certain numbers.
Low Bet (1-18) – A bet on numbers 1-18, paying 1:1.
M
Martingale System – A negative progression betting strategy where a player doubles their bet after every loss to recover previous losses and make a small profit.
Max Bet (Table Limit) – The highest amount a player can wager on a single spin, set by the casino.
Mechanical Roulette Wheel – A computer-controlled roulette wheel, often found in automated or electronic roulette.
Mini Roulette – A smaller version of roulette with only 13 numbers (0-12) instead of the traditional 37 or 38.
Money Management – A strategy where players control their bankroll to extend play and reduce losses.
Multi-Ball Roulette – A roulette variation where two or three balls are spun simultaneously, leading to multiple winning numbers.
Multi-Wheel Roulette – A roulette version where a single bet is placed across multiple roulette wheels, increasing the chances of a win.
Multiplier Roulette – A newer variation where random multipliers (e.g., 50x, 100x, 500x) can be applied to numbers, as seen in Lightning Roulette.
N
Negative Progression Betting – A betting strategy where bets increase after losses, used in systems like Martingale and Labouchère.
No Commission Roulette – A variant where the casino does not take a commission on winning bets, but compensates by adjusting payouts or rules.
No More Bets – The dealer’s announcement before the ball lands, stopping any new bets from being placed.
Non-Value Chips – Special chips used at roulette tables that do not have a specific cash value but instead are assigned a value by the player.
Number Spread – A betting method where a player covers a wide range of numbers for increased probability of a win.
O
Odds Bet – A wager that has a 50/50 probability of winning, such as Red/Black or Odd/Even.
Online Roulette – A digital version of roulette played in online casinos, either as computerized games or live dealer versions.
Orphelins (Orphans Bet) – A French bet covering 8 numbers not included in Voisins du Zéro or Tiers du Cylindre.
Oscar’s Grind – A betting system where wagers increase only after a win, making it a lower-risk progressive strategy.
Outside Bets – Bets placed on the outer part of the layout, covering Red/Black, Odd/Even, Low/High, Dozens, or Columns.
Overlapping Bets – A betting strategy where multiple bets cover the same numbers, increasing the chance of a payout.
P
Parlay Betting – A strategy where players reinvest winnings into subsequent bets, compounding potential profits.
Paroli System – A positive progression betting strategy where bets double after each win (opposite of Martingale).
Partage Rule – A French roulette rule where a player loses only half of an even-money bet if the ball lands on zero, lowering the house edge.
Pattern Betting – A strategy where a player places bets in specific patterns, such as zig-zags or rows, hoping for a sequence to emerge.
Payout Ratio – The amount a player wins relative to their bet, such as 35:1 for a straight-up bet or 2:1 for a column bet.
Penny Roulette – A low-stakes version of online roulette where players can bet as little as $0.01 per spin.
Permanent System – A fixed betting system where players follow a specific sequence of bets every spin.
Pill – A slang term for the roulette ball.
Pinching Bets – Illegally removing a bet from the table after the spin outcome is known (a type of casino cheating).Pivot Bet – A strategy where players track a repeating number and bet on it consistently.
Player’s Edge – The rare situation where a player has an advantage over the casino, usually due to bias detection or wheel tracking.
Pocket Cam – A hidden casino camera used to monitor the ball landing in a specific numbered pocket.
Pocketing Chips – The illegal act of removing chips from the table to secure winnings without cashing them out officially.
Positive Progression Betting – A strategy where a player increases bets after wins, used in systems like Paroli and Oscar’s Grind.
Progressive Roulette – A roulette variation that features a progressive jackpot, where a percentage of each bet contributes to a growing prize pool.
Push – A rare situation where a bet neither wins nor loses, usually occurring with special rules like La Partage or En Prison.
Q
Quad Bet (Corner Bet) – A wager that covers four numbers forming a square on the betting layout.
Qualifying Bet – A minimum bet required to be eligible for bonuses, cashback, or loyalty rewards in online casinos.
Quick Bet Mode – A feature in online roulette that allows fast-paced gameplay by reducing the delay between spins.
Quick Spin – A roulette setting that speeds up the animation or removes unnecessary delays between results.
Quint Bet (Five-Number Bet) – A bet exclusive to American roulette, covering 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3, which carries the worst house edge (7.89%).
R
Race Track (Racetrack Bet Layout) – A curved section of the betting layout found in European and French roulette, used for placing call bets (Voisins, Orphelins, Tiers du Cylindre).
Railbird – A term for a spectator watching roulette players, often seen in high-stakes games.Red Bet – A wager placed on all red-colored numbers (1:1 payout).
Reel Roulette – A hybrid game combining slot mechanics with roulette-style betting.
Replay Feature – A function in online roulette allowing players to view previous results and bet history.
Reverse Martingale (Paroli System) – A positive progression system where bets double after a win instead of a loss.
Risk-Free Bet – A casino promotion allowing players to place a bet where losses are refunded.
Roulette Chips – Special chips used at roulette tables, often color-coded for individual players.
Roulette Clocking – Observing the dealer’s spinning habits to try to predict landing zones (very difficult to do in modern casinos).
Roulette Strategy – A set of betting patterns used to maximize winning potential or minimize losses (e.g., Martingale, Fibonacci, D’Alembert).
Roulette Variant – Different types of roulette, such as European, American, French, Multi-Ball, and Mini
Roulette.Rounder – A skilled roulette player who travels between casinos looking for the best conditions.
RNG Roulette – Online roulette that uses Random Number Generators (RNG) instead of a physical wheel.
S
Same Color Bet – A strategy where a player continuously bets on either red or black.
Satellite Roulette – A networked online roulette system where multiple casinos share the same game and dealer.
Scattered Bets – Placing multiple small bets across different sections of the table.
Section Bet – A bet that covers a specific part of the wheel, like Voisins du Zéro, Orphelins, or Tiers du Cylindre.
Self-Limiting Play – A casino feature allowing players to set betting limits to control losses.
Session Bankroll – The amount of money a player sets aside for one roulette session.
Short Spin – A dealer’s spin where the ball lands quickly in a pocket, sometimes leading to disputes or re-spins.
Six-Line Bet (Double Street Bet) – A bet covering six consecutive numbers.
Slow Roll – A technique where the ball takes longer than usual to drop, often due to an aging wheel.
Snake Bet – A bet covering a zig-zag pattern of numbers on the layout, usually 1, 5, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 23, 27, 30, 32, and 34.
Soft Limit – A casino-imposed maximum bet that is not strictly enforced but may lead to warnings.
Spin Cycle – A term used to describe tracking multiple spins to identify patterns.
Split Bet – A bet covering two adjacent numbers, offering a 17:1 payout.
Stacked Chips – Placing multiple chips on one bet, often used in high-stakes games.
Stacking Strategy – A method where a player increases bet sizes based on recent results.
Straight-Up Bet – A bet on a single number, offering the highest payout in roulette (35:1).
Street Bet (Row Bet) – A bet covering three consecutive numbers in a row on the layout.
T
Table Etiquette – Proper behavior at a roulette table, such as placing bets on time, not interfering with other players, and respecting the dealer.
Table Layout – The betting area where all wagers are placed.
Table Limits – The minimum and maximum bet sizes allowed at a roulette table.
Table Management – A player’s ability to control bets, avoid high-risk plays, and adjust strategies mid-game.
Tandem Bet – A wager where two or more players make identical bets, often used by casino teams.
Tapping Out – Leaving the game after losing a set amount of money.
Target Betting – A strategy where players set specific profit goals before adjusting bets.
Tear Drop Spin – A ball drop that follows a steep descent pattern, potentially favoring certain pockets.
Theoretical Return – The estimated payout percentage of roulette over a long period (e.g., European Roulette’s RTP is 97.3%).
Three-Number Bet (Trio Bet) – A bet covering three numbers, including zero (0 or 00) in American roulette.
Tiers du Cylindre – A French bet covering 12 numbers opposite zero on the wheel.
Tilt Factor – The emotional state of a player who starts making irrational bets after losses.
Time at the Table – A player’s total session length, which can influence fatigue and decision-making.
Token Chips – Chips with a pre-set value, usually used in online or electronic roulette.
Turbo Roulette – A fast-paced version of roulette with minimal waiting time between spins.
Turnover Rate – The total money wagered per session, often used to calculate casino bonuses.
U
Underlay – A bet where the potential payout is lower than the risk, making it a poor value bet.
Underdog Bet – A wager on low-probability outcomes, such as a single-number straight-up bet (35:1 payout).
Uniform Wheel – A perfectly balanced roulette wheel with no mechanical bias.
Unlucky Streak – A long period of consecutive losses in roulette.
Up as You Win – A betting strategy where a player increases bet sizes only after a win, similar to the Paroli system.
Up as You Lose – A high-risk strategy where players increase bets after each loss, like the Martingale system.
Upper Limit – The maximum bet allowed at a roulette table, set by the casino.
V
Value Bet – A wager that provides the best possible payout odds based on probability.
Variance – The statistical measure of how much roulette results fluctuate over time.
Virtual Roulette – An online roulette game using RNG (Random Number Generator) software instead of a physical wheel.
Visual Wheel Tracking – A strategy where players attempt to predict landing zones based on how the dealer spins the ball (highly unreliable in modern casinos).
Voisins du Zéro – A French bet covering 17 numbers surrounding zero on the wheel.
Volatility – A term describing how frequently big wins and losses occur in a roulette game.
Vortex Spin – A dealer’s spinning technique that causes the ball to move erratically before dropping into a pocket.
W
Wagering Requirement – The number of times a player must bet casino bonus funds before withdrawing winnings.
Walking Away – The act of leaving a roulette table after hitting a profit target or losing a set amount.
Weak Hand – A situation where a player has poor luck in consecutive spins.
Wheel Bias – A flaw in the roulette wheel that affects results.
Wheel Clocking – The process of tracking roulette spins to try and predict patterns (nearly impossible with modern, well-maintained wheels).
Wheel Head – The central spinning part of the roulette wheel.
Wheel Hub – The fixed base of the roulette wheel that remains stationary while the wheel head spins.
Wheel Imbalance – A flawed or biased roulette wheel that favors certain numbers due to wear and tear.
Wheel Watching – Observing the wheel to determine if certain sections win more frequently than others.
Winning Streak – A run of consecutive wins in roulette.
Winning Zone – A section of the wheel where players believe the ball is more likely to land (often a myth).
X
X-Bet – A general term for large or multiple bets placed across the table.
X-Factor – A slang term for an unpredictable dealer spin pattern that makes outcomes harder to track.
Xtreme Roulette – A high-stakes version of roulette where betting limits are significantly increased.
Y
Yield Percentage – A statistic showing how much a roulette system returns over time compared to the total amount wagered.
Yo-Yo Betting – A strategy where a player constantly switches between increasing and decreasing bet sizes.
Yellow Chips – Casino chips that usually represent high values, often $1,000.
Z
Z-Bet – A slang term for an all-in bet covering multiple sections of the layout.
Zero Bet (Straight-Up on 0) – A bet placed directly on the single zero (0), with a 35:1 payout in European roulette.
Zero House Edge Roulette – A rare roulette variation where the house edge is removed, typically compensated by charging a fee per bet.
Zero Play Strategy – A method of betting only on zero and its surrounding numbers, common in French roulette.
Zig-Zag Betting – A system where a player places bets in a zig-zag pattern across the board.
Zoom Roulette – A fast-paced online roulette version where spins occur in rapid succession.
Now you know the lingo, check out our tips on playing roulette to help take your game to the next level!
