Roulette Racetrack Overview: Call Bets Guide & Table Layout
The classic game of roulette introduces you to new sights and unfamiliar terms, especially around the racetrack-style table layout and call bets. These features are not reserved for experienced players; they provide simple ways for anyone to understand the wheel and explore different betting options. Even if it looks a bit confusing at first, these elements can be easily picked up with some guidance.
This article will clarify what the racetrack section is, how call bets work, and how both fit into the roulette experience. If you want to see how roulette stands apart from other games, let’s break down the essentials together.
What Is the Roulette Racetrack and How Does It Work?
The roulette racetrack is a part of the table used in many casinos, both land-based and online. Shaped like an oval, it sits next to the grid of numbers and directly reflects the order of numbers found on the actual roulette wheel, rather than the mixed order seen in the main betting grid.
You’ll find groupings known as call bets or announced bets on the racetrack. Each marked section relates to a set of numbers positioned together on the wheel. Placing chips here covers several numbers at once—such as “Voisins du Zéro”, “Tiers du Cylindre”, or “Orphelins”. The amount of numbers and chip placement for each section follows its own rules, matching how those groups lie around the wheel.
Some online casinos include a visible racetrack on their table layouts, while others might not display it at all. It could be worth checking the help section or game rules to see which racetrack features are available in your chosen game.
Players should always remember to gamble responsibly and within their means- never wager more than you can afford to lose.
Roulette Racetrack Layout Explained
Compared to the standard betting grid, the roulette racetrack adds an elongated oval showing all wheel numbers ordered as they actually appear on a European roulette wheel.
Each number from 0 to 36 appears on this racetrack, making it easy to see which numbers are neighbours. Special named areas highlight collections of numbers—like “Voisins du Zéro”, “Tiers du Cylindre”, and “Orphelins”—helping you place chips on groups of numbers swiftly rather than individually.
Selecting a racetrack segment with your chips means placing bets that stretch across significant sections of the wheel. This saves time when making complex bets and keeps things straightforward, especially for those who wish to cover neighbouring numbers.
Availability and appearance can differ between online roulette games. Some sites give extra features such as customising neighbours, while others may stay with a simpler layout.
What Are Call Bets in Roulette?
Call bets, sometimes called announced bets, are pre-defined groupings that let you cover specific sets of numbers exactly as they are arranged around the roulette wheel. This differs from standard bets made directly on the main table layout.
Each call bet has its own name and corresponds to a place on the wheel. “Voisins du Zéro” covers 17 numbers next to zero, “Tiers du Cylindre” takes in 12 on the opposite side, and “Orphelins” includes the remaining numbers not part of those larger groups.
You can place call bets by using the racetrack feature mentioned earlier. In some online games, additional call bets or custom group options may appear, but not all casinos or platforms offer the same options—so you might want to check the rules for specific details in the game you’re playing.
Which Call Bets Are Available on the Racetrack?
Most racetrack layouts include several key section bets, grouped by where numbers sit on the wheel rather than their spot in the usual betting grid.
The “Voisins du Zéro” bet covers the 17 numbers surrounding zero, making it the largest standard section. “Tiers du Cylindre” captures 12 numbers on the wheel’s far side from zero. “Orphelins” includes the eight leftovers not part of the other groups.
You’ll also often find “neighbours” bets, which let you back a main number as well as a certain number of adjacent slots—commonly two on either side, for a total of five.
Each online casino may label and organise these sections differently. If a custom feature or unique section is available, you’ll usually find it within the racetrack’s betting options or the game’s help guide.
Neighbours Bet
A neighbours bet covers a chosen number and several numbers directly to its left and right on the wheel itself; this groups numbers that are physically beside each other, rather than just next to each other on the betting grid.
To place a neighbours bet, simply select your main number on the racetrack, and specify how many neighbours you want to include. A common setting is “neighbours of 2”, which covers five consecutive numbers centred around your selection. For instance, choosing 10 with two neighbours covers 8, 9, 10, 11, and 23.
Each number in the group is backed with a separate straight-up bet, so your total wager is spread evenly. A £1 stake per neighbour on a bet with four neighbours would mean £5 in total for five numbers.
Voisins du Zéro
The Voisins du Zéro (“neighbours of zero”) bet covers 17 numbers clustered around the green zero on a European roulette wheel. These numbers are: 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, and 25.
Placing this bet on the racetrack splits your stake across several types of bets—using a mix of splits, corners, and straight bets—to ensure all included numbers are covered. This approach is based on an established pattern recognised in UK casinos.
The actual placement might look a little different in online versions, but the general coverage and idea stays the same. If you’re unsure, your game’s help section or instructions for placing the Voisins du Zéro wager could give you the step-by-step details.
Tiers du Cylindre
Tiers du Cylindre, or “third of the wheel”, is another classic section bet found on the racetrack. It accounts for 12 numbers sitting opposite zero: 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, and 33.
Chips are placed as six two-number splits, each covering two adjacent numbers within the group. For example, bets might be placed on 5-8, 10-11, and so forth, to put a stake on every number in the section.
Whether you play in-person or online, most UK casinos highlight this section clearly. If the interface looks unfamiliar, you could always refer back to the earlier section on racetrack layout for general guidance.
Orphelins
Orphelins, meaning “orphans,” refers to the eight numbers not included in either Voisins du Zéro or Tiers du Cylindre. These numbers—1, 6, 9, 14, 17, 20, 31, and 34—sit in two separate clusters on the wheel.
This bet is made using five chips: one placed directly on 1, and four more as splits (6-9, 14-17, 17-20, and 31-34). Each number in Orphelins is therefore covered in one way or another.
You’ll often find the Orphelins section marked on both in-person and online racetracks. The exact position and appearance might differ, so you could check your chosen game’s guide if you need a refresher on which numbers you’re covering.
How to Place Call Bets on the Racetrack
Placing call bets on the racetrack is simple once you know the process. If you’re at an in-person table, tell the croupier which call bet you wish to make (such as “Voisins du Zéro” or “Tiers du Cylindre”) and they’ll place your chips for you.
In online roulette, the racetrack will let you click directly on the area you want to back. The system will show you how many chips are required for the bet, which numbers you’re selecting, and allow you to adjust the type if relevant. Some games also let you customise the number of neighbours.
The complexity of a bet affects how many chips you need and your total stake, so make sure to check minimums and limits before committing. For extra detail, each provider includes a help section explaining exactly how to set your bets.
Roulette Racetrack vs Standard Table Layout
Roulette offers two visuals when it comes to placing bets. The standard betting grid presents all numbers from 0 to 36 in rows and columns, letting you make single-number or group bets easily—these are the basics most players start with.
The racetrack takes a different approach by listing the numbers in their real order as found on the wheel. This visual makes it simpler to cover sequences of numbers next to each other and is specially designed for section bets like Voisins du Zéro, Tiers du Cylindre, Orphelins, and neighbours.
Depending on the casino or online roulette game, you might have access to only the standard grid, only the racetrack, or both. The layout, naming, and interface will vary, so being familiar with both styles could be useful for anyone moving between different games.
Are Racetrack Bets Worth It?
Racetrack bets give another way to engage with roulette, letting you quickly back several numbers in their actual wheel positions. Since the house edge for all standard European roulette bets is 2.7%, the expected returns do not change whether you use the racetrack or stick to the grid.
Many players appreciate racetrack bets for the ease of covering favourite number clusters without having to place chips one by one. You may find these options clearer after you’ve seen how the racetrack is designed and how call bets work.
Features around racetrack bets can vary, with some online games offering more flexibility and choice. Again, for your chosen game, the help section might be a handy reference for specific information about available bets.
Roulette Racetrack Strategy Basics
Roulette is a game of chance and all outcomes are random, so no strategy guarantees a win. That said, getting to know the different racetrack bets, such as what they cover and how to place them, could help you set up the table layout you feel comfortable with.
If you’re playing online, you might come across extra features such as statistics, repeat bet options, or adjustable neighbours. These do not influence where the ball lands, but might make it easier to manage your chosen style of play and see where your chips are going.
Always remember to gamble responsibly and within your means- never wager more than you can afford to lose, and view casino games as a means of entertainment as opposed to financial gain.
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**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these slot games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.