Roulette is a pretty straightforward and relatively simple game to follow and play. But to the untrained eye, the numbers and the layout - especially the racetrack - on the table can be confusing and perhaps even intimidating if you are playing roulette for the first time.
But it is pretty easy to understand and is there to help you have a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience. Here, we will help you polish up your understanding of the racetrack by explaining what it is and how it helps you make call bets. Don’t know what call bets are? Stick around; we’ll explain it all in this Wizard Slots blog.
What Is The Racetrack In Roulette?
The racetrack in roulette is this oval-shaped section usually located above the betting table. It helps you place specific bets on specific numbers or groups to eliminate placing them individually, saving you and the table time. These bets are called Call Bets or Announced Bets, but we will expand on that later.
It is often found in French and European roulette wheels more than in American roulette. You are also more likely to see it in online casinos than land-based, but there are some land-based casino tables that may have it.
That is because the racetrack is specifically for Call bets that you verbally shout, so in land-based casinos, they can be a little redundant. However, there are players who’d rather use it than their words. It is named the racetrack owing to its shape, which looks like a race track.
Roulette Racetrack Layout
The roulette racetrack is next to the main layout and follows the same order as the wheel; it looks like an elongated version of the wheel with numbers ranging from 0-36.
The roulette racetrack divides the numbers into four sections: the Tiers, Orphelins, the Voisins du Zero, and the Jeu Zero. Each section contains different numbers you can use for Call Bets.
What Are Call Bets In Roulette?
When playing roulette, players place their chips where they want to place a bet. However, there is another method of placing a bet where you call out the numbers or sections you want to bet on.
These types of bets are called Call Bets or Announced Bets, but in some places, they are called French Bets or Section Bets.
What Bets Can Be Placed Using The Racetrack In Roulette?
As mentioned above, the racetrack in roulette is for call bets. There are only four types of bets that can be placed on the racetrack; the Zero or Jeu Zero, Le Tiers du Cylindre or Tier, Orphelins, Voisins du Zero or Voisins, and we will dive into them below:
Zero or Jeu Zero
This type of call bet may not be available in every casino because it is a smaller version of the Voisins du Zero. It covers the numbers closest to zero on the wheel, such as 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, and 15.
Your wager would equal four units; its potential payouts are 17 to 1 and 35 to 1. All the numbers are paired, and the bet is split, hence the 17 to 1 payout. However, the number 26 is bet as a straight, hence the 35 to 1 payout.
Le Tiers du Cylindre or Tier
The Le Tiers du Cylindre, or Tier for short, translates to “Thirds of the Wheel”, is a type of bet that covers 12 numbers, including the numbers 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, and 33.
With this bet, your wager will be split, with each pair of numbers costing you one unit of bet. So, for instance, if you bet £2 per pair, your total bet would be £12. Since all bets are split bets, if any are successful, then you receive a 17 to 1 payout.
Orphelins
The Orphelins, or Orphans, basically cover all the numbers not covered by the Jeu Zero, Le Tiers du Cylindre, or the Voisins du Zero. The numbers are 1, 6, 9, 14, 17, 20, 31, and 34. Like the Zero bet, it has one straight bet; the rest are split bets, so the potential payouts are 17 to 1 and 35 to 1.
Voisins du Zero or Voisins
The Voisins du Zero or Voisins translates to “Neighbours of Zero.” This type of bet is used when placing a bet on zero and its neighbouring numbers on the racetrack. An example of the Voisins du Zero bets would look like this:
0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25, 26, 3, 35, 12, 28, 7, 29, 18, 22.
But, instead of the bets being single bets on each number, the bets consist of split bets, a bet on three numbers that isn’t a street bet and a corner bet (4 adjoining numbers in a square on the layout). That means you would be betting on 17 numbers with only nine units.
So, for example, this is how your wager would be divided (numbers - units - payout):
- 0, 2 & 3 - 2 units - 11 to 1
- 4 & 7 - 1 unit - 17 to 1
- 12 & 15 - 1 unit - 17 to 1
- 18 & 21 - 1 unit - 17 to 1
- 19 & 22 - 1 unit - 17 to 1
- 25, 26, 28 & 29 - 2 units - 8 to 1
- 32 & 35 - 1 unit - 17 to 1
Roulette Racetrack Strategy
Unfortunately, there is no strategy to help you win in roulette. Remember that roulette is a game of chance, and while some players may use the racetrack believing it assists in their strategies, be aware that it is still a game of chance and no “betting strategy” can influence the outcomes.
Roulette, like all casino games, has a house edge that favours the casino, meaning the house always wins in the long term.
Yes, betting on multiple numbers at the same time may increase your chances of landing a win, but it results in a smaller payout and still does not guarantee that you will win.
So, in light of this, you should always play responsibly and only bet money you are comfortable losing. Roulette and any other casino game should be seen as a form of entertainment instead of a way to make money.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins, etc.) mentioned in relation to this game are subject to change at any time.
