The Roulette wheels seen in casinos today are almost identical to the ones used more than a century ago. Their smoothly spinning mechanisms are based upon the 17th century design for a perpetual motion machine created by French mathematician Blaise Pascal (1623-1662). The numbers on their surfaces alternate red and black, with never more than two odd or even numbers adjacent to each other.

Although the pattern of numbers that circle the wheel appears to be random, they have been systematically distributed to create a balance among the various dozens and columns, so that no sector is overloaded. Similarly, Big and Small numbers are spread out, too.

Three Different Layouts

On the 38-number American wheel, each odd number has been positioned directly opposite from the next even number in sequence. Going around the wheel clockwise from the Zero, the numbers appear as follows: 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.

On the 37-number European wheel, with no double zero, the clockwise 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. The odd number of slots means that no numbers are directly opposite each other.

A third wheel layout has been used in Macau for many decades. It uses 37 numbers like the European version, but the sequence is quite different: 0-27-10-25-29-12-8-19-31-18-6-21-33-16-4-23-35-14-2-28-9-26-30-11-7-20-32-17-5-22-
34-15-3-24-36-13-1.

In 1888, some enterprising Americans tried introducing a wheel that had only 28 red and black numbers instead of 36. It also featured an American eagle symbol as a third banker slot, in addition to the zero and double zero, making 31 pockets in total. However, with a payout of only 27-to-1 for a straight up bet, the house advantage was 9.8% instead of 5.27% or 2.70% for the American and European games, respectively. There can be little wonder why the innovation did not catch on.

All around the Wheel

No matter which layout is featured, some aspects of the wheel do not change. Whether it spins in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction, the ball will always be spun in the opposite direction. Some casinos require that the ball be placed in action from the spot of the previous winning number. For the first spin of the day, the number associated with today’s date may be used as the starting point.

The portion of the wheel that spins is usually motorized and known as the “wheel head.” It contains the numbered slots, which are also called pockets. Most casino-quality Roulette wheels measure 20 inches in diameter and will be topped by a conical turret. Surrounding the wheel head, the stationary portion where the ball is launched by the croupier is called the “bowl” and it typically measures 32 inches in diameter.

Most Roulette wheels are made of laminated wood. Substances that can be magnetized are never used in their construction. The entire Roulette wheel unit may be surrounded by a heavy casing to prevent tampering, and a Plexiglas “cowl” is attached to prevent the ball from escaping from the bowl.

On the lower surface of the bowl, there are raised frets known as “deflectors.” When the ball loses speed and drops down toward the spinning wheel, it may hit one of these, which will bouncing and a more random movement. When the table is crowded, the croupier may use “long spins,” propelling the ball with greater velocity to give players more time to place bet. During slow periods, “short spins” may be used to speed up play. At an average table, the ball will drop about once every two minutes.

As a bit of Roulette trivia: When all of the numbers on the face of a Roulette wheel are added together, they total “666,” which is said to be the number associated with the antichrist. Some believe this implies that Satan has some involvement in the game and its outcomes. Whether that might be the case or not, the powerful influence of fickle Lady Luck on Roulette results can certainly not be denied.