The European roulette table, square by square

Thirty-six numbers in twelve rows of three, 1-2-3 at the top nearest the zero down to 34-35-36 at the bottom. Red and black alternate in a fixed pattern. Each number is a straight-up bet at 35:1. The lines between numbers are where the combination bets go:

• Split (17:1): chip on the line between two adjacent numbers, across or down.
• Street (11:1): chip on the outer edge of a row, covering its three numbers.
• Corner (8:1): chip on the intersection of four numbers.
• Six line (5:1): chip on the outer edge where two rows meet, covering six.

A single green box above the first row. Straight-up at 35:1, or split with 1, 2 or 3, or in a street with 0-1-2 or 0-2-3. On the French layout some tables also mark the Jeu Zéro, a seven-number section around zero on the wheel.

At the foot of each of the three columns is a box, often marked "2 to 1". A chip there covers all twelve numbers in that column. Along the long side of the grid are three boxes for the dozens: 1st 12, 2nd 12, 3rd 12. Also 2:1, also twelve numbers each. Columns and dozens are the middle ground of the layout, winning about a third of the time.

Outside the dozens, six boxes: 1–18, Even, Red, Black, Odd, 19–36. Each covers eighteen numbers, pays 1:1 and loses on zero. On French-style tables these boxes are split, three on each side of the grid, with the names in French; the bets are identical.

Beside or above the grid on most online tables is the racetrack, an oval showing the numbers in wheel order with the three French sections marked. It exists because some bets follow the wheel, not the table: neighbours (a number and those either side of it on the rim) and the Voisins, Tiers and Orphelins sections. One tap on the racetrack places the whole pattern of chips on the grid for you.

One green box or two. Where the dozens and columns are. Where red and black sit. Whether there is a racetrack. That is enough to place any standard bet. RouletteFinder's guide to the wheel and table goes through the same ground with the wheel and the grid side by side, which helps if you are trying to picture how a neighbours bet lands.

Many tables set a lower minimum for inside bets than for outside: 20p chips inside but £1 on red, for example, or a £1 total per spin however it is spread. The limits panel in the game shows both. It is worth reading before the first chip, because a table advertised at one minimum often means something slightly different on the inside and the outside of the grid.