Glossary of Roulette Terms

When you're new to roulette, sometimes it can feel like all of the other players are speaking a different language. Well guess what? They are! Roulette, as with all casino games, has a pretty big set of jargon that you'll be expected to know. Here is a collection of the most common, and important roulette terms.

Action Player

Any player who consistently is making large bets.

American Roulette

Unlike European Roulette (which is better), American roulette wheels have one additional pocket with a double zero (00). This brings the total to 38 pockets.

Backtrack

The track on the outer rim of the roulette wheel. This is where the ball spins.

Bankroll

The total sum of money you have set aside to play with.

Biased Numbers

Numbers that occur more frequently than normal; a product of biased wheels.

Biased Wheels

A roulette wheel with defects, damages, or imperfections that can regularly cause "unfair" results.

Big Number

Any number that appears significantly more often than would be predicted by statistics. Used to spot biased numbers and biased wheels.

Bottom Track

The portion of a roulette wheel that rests between the backtrack and the pockets. As the ball falls, it rolls over this region.

Cage

The secure room where the casino's cashiers can be found.

Chameleon Strategy

A tactic where you keep an eye out for a player who is winning consistently. No matter the reason for their luck, you copy their bets to share their good fortune.

Chasing Loses

A strategy where you increase you wagers as you lose to increase the value of an inevitable win. Attempts to make up for past losses.

Check Rack

Often called the 'chip tray', this rack holds and organizes chips.

Choppy Table

A game where neither the house, nor the players seems to have a distinct advantage. No hot or cold streaks.

Comp

These are gifts from the casino, awarded for betting based on how much you bet and how long you play. Can be meals, drinks, hotel rooms, and more.

Croupier

The employee who runs the roulette table. Often referred to as the dealer.

Dead Table

A roulette table that is operating, but currently doesn't have any players.

Double Zero

The 38th pocket, which is only found on American wheels; (00).

Dumping

When any given roulette table is losing more than it is winning over a considerable period of time, it is said to be dumping.

En Prison

A rule ,generally only found in European games, that safeguards your even-money outside bets when a zero is shown. Learn more here.

European Roulette

Utilizes only 37 pockets, no '00'. Is the best version for you because it has a lower house edge than American roulette.

Even Money Bets

A wager that pays out 1:1.

House Edge

The difference between fair odds, and the casino's payout. Estimates the casino's long run advantage winnings, and explains why online roulette casinos make a profit.

Hustler

A player who cheats or takes advantage of other players.

La Partage Rule

Much like En Prison rules. When you lose on an outside, even-money bet because a zero is shown, you get half of your money back.

Layout

The printed surface of a roulette table where all wagers are placed.

Orphans

A bet on three numbers that are close together on the wheel, but not on the table layout. Can be used to work a biased wheel.

Parlay

To parlay is to leave a standing bet on the table and to add an additional bet to it for the next round.

Past Posting

Posting a wager after the ball stops, or even just after the croupier says to stop all betting. Considered cheating and is usually also illegal.

Player Clocking

The technique of recording other players' successes and failures to use the Chameleon Tactic.

Pinching

The opposite of past posting; removing losing bets once the outcome of the spin is know. This is also illegal.

Roulette System

Any strategy, focused on betting patterns, to increase your chances of winning.

Roulette Table

Roulette Tables support the wheel, and host the table layout. This is where the whole game takes place.

Roulette Wheel

The spinning wheel into which a ball rolls. Has 37-38 numbered, colored pockets. Determines the outcomes of all wagers. More info here.

Ruin

When you've lost your entire bankroll.

Single-Zero Roulette

See European Roulette.

Surrender Rule

See En Prison.

Stack

A collection of twenty chips, 'stacked' on top of one another.

Visual Wheel Tracking

Attempting to predict in which pocket the ball will land simply by watching the spinning wheel.

Wager

A word that simply means a "bet".

Wheel Head

The portion of the wheel that houses the numbered, red and black pockets.

Wheel Strategies

Any strategies that attempt to take advantage of a biased wheel to gain an advantage.

Ready to Play Roulette?

Now that you know all of the roulette lingo and jargon, take it to the tables at CherryRedCasino.com. Cherry Red is our #1 online roulette casino because they offer European wheels (with the reduced house edge), a $777 sign up bonus for all new roulette depositors, and 24/7 customer support. Plus, their roulette payouts are the highest in the industry.