Roulette Call Bets
| Updated: What Are Roulette Call Bets?
Roulette is an enchanting game with simple rules. It is one of the most popular and most played games both online and in land-based casinos. Invented by two French brothers, the game has preserved its basic rules over the years. Roulette is a game dependent mostly on luck rather than strategy. Thus, the real strategy is to place the right bets and wager only money you can afford.
Basically, players control the risk by placing specific bets on particular numbers or colors. Each type of bet has a different payout. Naturally, bets that have a lower probability of landing offer higher payouts. Covering larger sections of the betting layout provides better chances for players to win, but the payout is lower. In order to determine which option is best for them, players should know the nuts and bolts of the different bet types and their payouts.
The rules of roulette are simple, but the complexity comes from the betting options the game offers. To better understand the different bets, every player should know that there are three main variations of the game – American, French and European. In fact, the European and French roulette tables are governed by pretty much the same rules. Here, it should be mentioned that there are European tables where the French rules apply as well. Before starting to play, find the most strategic seat that will provide you with access to all parts of the betting layout, and make sure that you are familiar with the rules at the table.
We will start by introducing players to the main variations of roulette and the two main categories of bets, namely inside and outside bets. Then, we will provide further information on the betting options available on French roulette tables. We will examine in detail the essence of the two major groups of call bets – the variable call bets and the fixed call bets.
Variations of the Game
Though the basic framework is the same for each game, the difference lies in the number of pockets. In American roulette, there are thirty-eight pockets in total – thirty-six numbered pockets and two zero pockets. The presence of the second zero pocket increases the house edge to 5.26%, which is why American roulette is considered less advantageous for the player than the other two variations. Although one might think that a single extra pocket is trivial, it can actually make a considerable difference in terms of risk.
On the other hand, European roulette has only one zero-pocket for a total of thirty-seven pockets. This means that the chances for the house to win are only 1 out of 37 possible outcomes. This reduces the house edge significantly to 2.70%.
Placing a Bet
The game starts when all the players place their bets by using the betting layout, which every table offers. It comprises an inside part that contains all the numbers represented on the wheel. The outside part represents the different categories of numbers – for example, black vs. red numbers or even vs. odd. To place a bet, players need to put the chips on the particular section of the layout. Depending on the type of bet they want to place, the chips are arranged in a particular way.
Additional Betting Options on the French Table
Along with the two types of bets that are common to all three variations of the game, there is one more type that is quite exciting for most players. It originates from the French table, but it is also offered at many European tables, virtual tables included. These are the well-known ‘call bets’. The name itself hints at how the bet works. Players need to say the bet out loud without covering it with chips. This is the reason why it is also referred to as a bet on credit and it is forbidden in most casinos.
Please note that “announced bets” are similar to “call bets”, but there is money on the table which covers the bet. These bets are made before the croupier announces “No more bets” and before the ball lands in a particular pocket of the wheel. There are various types of these bets.
The Variable Call Bets
To be more precise, it should be noted that there are two major groups of call bets – “fixed” and “variable”. This means that the variable type of bet is placed on different numbers on the wheel, in accordance with the preferences of the player. There are two different types of variable call bets, which are explored in detail in the following lines.
The Neighbors
The Neighbors cover five numbers in total. This type of bet involves wagering on a single number and the two numbers to its left and right. The bet costs five chips, and it is a straight-up bet. For instance, if a player wagers a neighbor bet on 0, they would be betting on the numbers 15, 32, 0, 26, and 3. With this type of bet, the player decides which will be the “central number”. Based on that choice, the other four numbers are determined.
To calculate the odds of the bet, we need to take into account that the French wheel has one zero pocket and 37 pockets in total. So, the chances for the player to win are 5 out of 37, which equals 13.5%.
The Finals
This is the other type of variable bet, also known as “finaal” or “finale” bets. These are subdivided into two types:
Finales en Plein Bet
It is placed on a digit preferred by the player and on all other numbers that end with that digit. For example, if your favorite number is 3, you place your bet on “Finales 3”. This bet covers 3, 13, 23, and 33. Depending on the selected digit, the bet covers either three or four numbers. If the player selects 9 as the final digit, the bet is placed on 9, 19, and 29. The odds of winning are 8.1% for three covered numbers or 10.8% for four covered numbers.
Finales a Cheval Bet
It is quite similar to the Finales en Plein Bet. Here, the player selects two digits and places a bet on all the numbers that end with those digits. For instance, “Finales 4/5” means that the bet is placed on 4, 14, 24, 34, 5, 15, 25, and 35. This is a combination of split and straight bets, which makes it more complicated for amateur roulette fans. Depending on the chosen digits, the bet is placed on 6 or 8 numbers and can cost from 3 to 5 chips.
Full Complete Bet
The Full Complete or Maximum Bet is normally preferred by high-stakes roulette players, and it covers all inside bets. Although some players also use the Full Complete Bet to cover outside bets like dozens and columns, this is rarely the case.
The main reason why players favor this bet type is that it allows them to cover a greater range of numbers, thus spreading the risk—not to mention the handsome payout awarded for a winning Maximum Bet. No matter its appeal, gambling enthusiasts should not forget that such bets can quickly eat up their bankroll as they are rather expensive.
Something essential roulette fans should bear in mind is that while making such a bet, they will not place any of their chips on the betting layout. When playing in a land-based casino, gambling enthusiasts simply need to tell the dealer that they want to make a Full Complete Bet and they will be good to go as soon as the dealer acknowledges the bet type and the staked amount.
Presuming that you decide to make such a bet on 17, this will mean that you will place a Straight-Up bet on that number, as well as four Split bets on 17/14, 17/16, 17/18, and 17/20. Additionally, you will place four corner bets on 17/16/13/14, 17/18/14/15, 17/16/19/20, and 17/18/20/21. Finally, players should make two Six Line bets, one on 17/16/18/13/14/15 and another on 16/17/18/19/20/21.
The Fixed Call Bet
Unlike the variable call bets, the fixed ones are placed on a particular section of the wheel, which is always one and the same. The wheel is subdivided into three main sections, which outline the different types of bets.
Voisins du Zero Bet
The name is very significant for this type of bet. Those who are fluent in French will immediately recognize that this bet is placed on numbers, which are “neighbors of zero”, including the zero itself. If we look at the wheel, this is the section from 22 to 25. In other words, this bet covers the following numbers: 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2 and 25.
The bet is placed on 17 numbers and it is a combination of split and corner bets. Players place 2 chips on the trio 0, 2, 3 and the corner 25, 26, 28, 29. The other numbers are represented by split bets, covered by one chip for each pair of numbers. The bet costs 9 chips in total and the odds of winning are 45.9%, since it covers the biggest portion of the wheel.
Tiers du Cylindre Bet
This type of bet refers to the 12 numbers, which are opposite to the “neighbors of zero”. In fact, the name means “thirds of the wheel”. The bet is placed on 12 numbers, which represent the section from 27 to 33 inclusive. In other words, these are the following numbers: 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, 33. It is a split bet, which requires 6 chips. The odds of winning are 32.4% and it covers the second largest portion of the wheel.
Orphelins Bet
This bet covers all the numbers which are not included in Tiers du Cylindre or Voisins du Zero Bet. That is the reason why they are called orphans, because they are not “adopted” by any of the two opposing sets. The numbers included in this type are 1, 6, 9, 14, 17, 20, 31 and 34 and it costs 5 or 8 chips, depending on which of the following subtypes you will go for:
Orphelins en Cheval Bet
It is represented by 4 split bets and one straight bet on the number 1. What is unique about the Orphelins bet is that it places an overlapping bet on the number 17. Hence, the split bets look as follows: 6/9, 14/17, 17/20 and 31/34.
Orphelins en Plein Bet
It is represented by straight-up bets on all the 8 numbers. The player places 1 chip on every number.
Jeu Zero Bet
This type is also known as a zero game. It is very similar to the Voisins du Zero Bet, but it covers a smaller section of the wheel from 12 to 15, including the zero itself. In other words, this section contains the following seven numbers: 0, 3, 12, 15, 26, 32, and 35. It allows players to bet on the closest numbers to zero by utilizing split bets on 0/3, 12/15, 32/35 and a single chip on the number 26.
Call bets are not offered by every casino, but they definitely contribute to the excitement the game provides to its fans. That is the reason why the French tables with call bets are some of the most dynamic in casinos.
FAQ:
Call bets are special wagers in roulette, typical for land-based roulette tables where players can simply announce their wagers without placing chips on the table initially. They’re mainly found in French and European roulette variations. These bets cover specific sections of the roulette wheel, not the table layout, offering a quick way to bet on groups of numbers related by proximity on the wheel. Call bets have been also implemented in numerous online versions of roulette, allowing players to make more advanced bets.
The “Voisins du Zero” (Neighbors of Zero) covers a large swath of the wheel around the zero, including 17 numbers from 22 to 25. It’s a mix of split and corner bets requiring 9 chips. With almost half the wheel covered, your odds of winning are roughly 45.9%, making it a popular choice for many players.
The “Tiers du Cylindre” (Thirds of the Wheel) bet covers 12 numbers opposite the zero, offering a 32.4% chance of winning, with 6 chips being placed on split bets. The “Orphelins” (Orphans) bet coverd the numbers not included in the Voisins or Tiers call bets, using either straight or split bets, and including a unique overlap on number 17, offering a different strategic angle for betting.
The “Jeu Zero” (Zero Game) bet focuses on the numbers closest to zero, covering seven positions on the wheel with four bets (three splits and one straight on 26). It requires 4 chips and offers a targeted way to bet on this high-probability section of the wheel, appealing for players looking to capitalize on the wheel’s layout.
Call bets can significantly enhance your roulette strategy, allowing complex betting patterns without the need to place chips on every number individually. They offer a strategic depth, especially for