Understand the Roulette Wheel Numbers: Complete Guide to Sequences & Layouts

Most people look at a roulette wheel and think the numbers are thrown on there at random. Red, black, high, low, odd, even, zero. But the roulette wheel number order is anything but random. Every position is deliberate, and every sequence exists for a reason. Once you know what to look for, the wheel starts to make sense.

In this guide, we will walk through how roulette wheel numbers are arranged, how many numbers are on a roulette wheel, and why European and American wheels differ. In the end, our goal is to help you understand what you are actually looking at when the wheel spins.

How Many Numbers on a Roulette Wheel?

The total number of pockets on a roulette wheel depends on the variant you are playing. This is one of the most important differences between European and American roulette, and it directly affects the odds, the house edge, and how the game feels in practice.

A European roulette wheel has 37 pockets. These include the numbers 1 to 36 plus a single zero. This is the most common format in Europe and in many online casinos, and it is generally preferred by players because it offers better odds.

An American roulette wheel has 38 pockets. It includes the same numbers 1 to 36, but adds both a single zero and a double zero. That extra pocket might not look like a big change, but it increases the house edge and shifts the balance of the game in the casino’s favor.

There is also a triple zero roulette wheel, which has 39 pockets. These wheels include 0, 00, and 000. They are still relatively rare and are usually found in promotional formats, novelty games, or specific casino launches. From a player’s perspective, they are the least favorable option because the additional zero further increases the house advantage.

Here is a simple comparison to make the differences clear:

Variant	Number of Pockets	Zeros	Notes
European (Single Zero)	37	0	Lower house edge
American (Double Zero)	38	0, 00	Higher house edge
Triple Zero (Rare)	39	0, 00, 000	Promotional or novelty

Understanding how many numbers are on a roulette wheel is the foundation for everything else in this guide. Once you know which wheel you are dealing with, the number order, the sequence logic, and the layout differences all start to make more sense.

European vs American Roulette Wheel Comparison

The roulette wheel number order is not random. It is engineered to balance red and black, odd and even, and high and low numbers across the entire wheel.

Standard Roulette Wheel Number Orders

The roulette wheel uses a fixed sequence around the rim (the “number order”), and that order depends on the roulette variant.

Below are the standard sequences used in real casinos and in virtually all legitimate online roulette games.

3.1 European / Single-Zero

A European (single-zero) wheel has 37 pockets: 0 plus 1–36.

European roulette wheel number order (clockwise)

Starting at 0 and moving clockwise, the standard sequence is:

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

European roulette wheel number order (counterclockwise)

If you move counterclockwise, you are simply reading the same wheel in reverse. Starting at 0:

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

3.2 American / Double-Zero

An American (double-zero) wheel has 38 pockets: 0, 00, plus 1–36.

American roulette wheel number order (clockwise)

Starting at 0 and moving clockwise, the standard sequence is:

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, 14, 2

3.3 Rare Variants

You will occasionally see triple-zero roulette (0, 00, 000) and other custom promotional wheels. These are typically marketed as “new” roulette formats, but the practical effect is simple: more zero pockets increase the house edge and reduce player odds.

You might be interested to know if all roulette wheels have the same number order. The answer is no, but almost every roulette wheel you encounter follows one of two standard sequences:

The European single-zero order (37 pockets), or
The American double-zero order (38 pockets)

Everything else is the exception, not the rule.

European Roulette Layout

Why Are the Numbers Ordered That Way?

Once you see the roulette wheel number order written out, the next obvious question is why the numbers are written like that. The short answer is that the layout is designed to spread outcomes evenly around the wheel, not to follow numerical logic.

The main goal is balance. The wheel is engineered so that red and black pockets are distributed as evenly as possible around the circle. If similar colors were grouped together, players could easily spot patterns, and the game would feel biased. By alternating red and black most of the time, the wheel avoids long visual runs of the same color.

The same principle applies to odd and even numbers. Instead of clustering odds on one side and evens on the other, the sequence mixes them. You will not see several odd numbers or several even numbers sitting next to each other. This helps keep the distribution visually and mathematically balanced across the entire wheel.

High and low numbers are treated the same way. Numbers from 1 to 18 and 19 to 36 are deliberately spread out.

Another important design choice is the avoidance of numerical clustering. You will not find long runs like 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 30, 31, 32, 33 grouped together. The sequence jumps around on purpose.

That said, the wheel is not perfectly alternating. You will notice occasional breaks in the pattern. Two reds in a row. Two odds next to each other. Two high numbers side by side. These quirks are normal and unavoidable when working with 37 or 38 unique values. The key point is that over the full circle, everything evens out.

Why are there two different roulette wheel number orders?

Because European and American roulette evolved under different casino traditions and house edge structures. The European wheel was designed with a single zero to keep the game tighter and more balanced, while the American wheel added the double zero to increase the house advantage.

Sectors, Neighbours & Memorization

Once you understand the roulette wheel number order, the next layer is learning how players group numbers on the wheel. This is where sectors and neighbour bets come in. These concepts are most relevant in European roulette and are built around the physical layout of the wheel.

What are neighbour bets?

A neighbour bet is a way to cover a number and the numbers physically next to it on the wheel. For example, if you place a “5 neighbours” bet on 32, you are betting on 32 plus the two numbers on each side of it.

Neighbour bets are popular with players who track where the ball is landing on the wheel and prefer to play zones rather than red/black, or high/low numbers.

The Three Main European Roulette Sectors (and Jeu Zéro)

Sectors in European Roulette

The European wheel is traditionally divided into three large sectors. These are standard, and you will see them referenced in most casinos and live roulette games. They are based on the physical position of numbers on the wheel, not their position on the betting layout.

In addition to these three, some casinos also offer Jeu Zéro, which is a tighter zero-focused grouping.

Voisins du Zéro (Neighbours of Zero)

This sector sits around the zero area of the wheel and is the largest of the three. It covers the entire arc surrounding zero and is the most commonly played sector in European roulette.

Numbers included:
0, 2, 3, 4, 7, 12, 15, 18, 19, 21, 22, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 35

This is the sector most people mean when they talk about “the zero side of the wheel.”

Jeu Zéro (The Zero Game)

Jeu Zéro is a tighter subset of the zero area. It focuses on the core cluster of numbers directly surrounding zero, rather than the full Voisins sector.

Numbers included:
0, 3, 12, 15, 26, 32, 35

In practical terms, this is the “inner circle” of the zero zone. Some casinos offer it as a separate betting option, while others include it under neighbour bets. When it is available, it allows players to target the zero region more precisely without covering the entire Voisins du Zéro sector.

It is important to note that Jeu Zéro does not change the wheel and does not represent a different layout. It is simply a specific grouping of numbers on the same standard wheel order.

Tiers du Cylindre (Third of the Wheel)

This sector covers roughly the opposite side of the wheel from zero. It represents about one-third of the wheel and is positioned across from the Voisins area.

Numbers included:
5, 8, 10, 11, 13, 16, 23, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36

This sector is often used by players who prefer to avoid the zero zone entirely.

Orphelins (The Orphans)

These are the numbers left over that do not fall into the other two main sectors. They sit between the Voisins and Tiers sections on the wheel.

Numbers included:
1, 6, 9, 14, 17, 20, 31, 34

The name “orphans” simply reflects the fact that they do not belong to either of the larger groups.

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

FAQs / Common Questions

How many numbers are on a roulette wheel?

That depends on the variant. A European roulette wheel has 37 pockets: numbers 1 to 36 plus a single zero. An American roulette wheel has 38 pockets because it includes both 0 and 00. There are also triple-zero wheels with 39 pockets, but these are less common and usually appear in promotional or novelty formats.

Do all roulette wheels have the same number order?

No. There are two main sequences in use. The European single-zero wheel follows one standard order, and the American double-zero wheel follows a different one. Almost every legitimate roulette game you encounter will use one of these two. Custom wheels exist, but they are the exception.

Is the sequence the same in all casinos?

Yes, within each variant. A European roulette wheel in Las Vegas, London, or an online live casino will use the same standard European number order. The same applies to American wheels. Casinos do not invent their own sequences.

Is there a pattern to the order?

There is no numerical pattern like counting up or down. However, there is a design pattern. The wheel is arranged to spread red and black, odd and even, and high and low numbers as evenly as possible around the circle.

Why do roulette numbers seem random?

They seem random because the order does not follow simple counting rules. The jumps between numbers are intentional. This prevents clustering and keeps outcomes evenly distributed around the wheel. Once you understand the balancing logic, the layout starts to look deliberate rather than chaotic.

What number is opposite zero?

On a standard European wheel, the number roughly opposite zero is 26. It is not perfectly opposite in a geometric sense, but it sits on the far side of the wheel from zero. On American wheels, zeroes are opposite each other.

Is there any advantage to memorizing the sequence?

There is no mathematical advantage. The odds do not change. Each spin is independent. However, memorizing the sequence can be useful if you:

Play neighbour bets
Use sector betting
Track ball movement on the wheel

In those cases, knowing the layout helps you place bets faster and read the wheel more confidently.

Why do numbers add up to 666?

If you add all the numbers from 1 to 36, the total is 666. This is a simple arithmetic result, not a hidden meaning. The presence of 666 in roulette has led to myths and stories over the years, but it has no impact on gameplay, odds, or design.

Understand the Roulette Wheel Numbers: Complete Guide to Sequences & Layouts

How Many Numbers on a Roulette Wheel?

Standard Roulette Wheel Number Orders

3.1 European / Single-Zero

European roulette wheel number order (clockwise)

European roulette wheel number order (counterclockwise)

3.2 American / Double-Zero

American roulette wheel number order (clockwise)

3.3 Rare Variants

Why Are the Numbers Ordered That Way?

Why are there two different roulette wheel number orders?

Sectors, Neighbours & Memorization

What are neighbour bets?

The Three Main European Roulette Sectors (and Jeu Zéro)

Voisins du Zéro (Neighbours of Zero)

Jeu Zéro (The Zero Game)

Tiers du Cylindre (Third of the Wheel)

Orphelins (The Orphans)

FAQs / Common Questions

How many numbers are on a roulette wheel?

Do all roulette wheels have the same number order?

Is the sequence the same in all casinos?

Is there a pattern to the order?

Why do roulette numbers seem random?

What number is opposite zero?

Is there any advantage to memorizing the sequence?

Why do numbers add up to 666?

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