If you’ve ever looked at a roulette table and noticed players placing chips on specific groups of numbers, you might have seen what's known as section bets or sector bets. These bets sit between individual numbers and outside options like red or black.
Playing roulette in the UK, whether in a physical casino or through an online platform, includes several ways to stake your chips. Understanding how section bets work could help you approach the table with more awareness of the available options.
Read on to learn what sector bets are and how a sections strategy might influence how you choose to bet.
What Does "Section Bet" Mean In Roulette?
A section bet is used to cover a group of numbers that are positioned next to each other on the roulette wheel. Instead of betting on single numbers or colours, you place chips across a set of splits, corners, and sometimes a trio, to target a segment of the wheel. These bets are based on the position of the numbers on the wheel, not on the table layout.
The most recognised sector bets are Voisins du Zéro, Tiers du Cylindre, and Orphelins. These are typically selected using a racetrack layout, which replicates the order of numbers on the wheel for easier selection.
Each sector has a common chip pattern. Voisins du Zéro covers 17 numbers using 9 chips, often including a 0-2-3 trio, multiple splits, and the 25-26-28-29 corner. Tiers du Cylindre spans 12 numbers with 6 chips placed on six specific splits. Orphelins covers 8 numbers with 5 chips, made up of four splits and a straight-up bet on 1. While chip placements can vary slightly depending on the table, the goal remains to cover the intended section of the wheel using a defined pattern.
Not every roulette game offers these preset bets. Some online versions include a racetrack layout with one-click sector options, while others may only offer the standard number grid. It could be a good idea to check the help section of the game to see whether sector bets are available and how they are arranged.
Players should always remember to gamble responsibly and within their means- never wager more than you can afford to lose.
Where Are The Major Sectors On The Wheel?
On a European single-zero roulette wheel, there are three commonly referenced sectors:
- Voisins du Zéro: Translates as "neighbours of zero". This sector includes the 17 numbers nearest to 0 on the wheel. Moving clockwise, it starts at 22 and ends at 25.
- Tiers du Cylindre: Meaning "third of the wheel", this sector covers 12 numbers on the opposite side of the wheel. It runs from 27 to 33.
- Orphelins: This group includes the 8 remaining numbers that are not part of the other two sectors.
These sectors do not form clear blocks on the table because the table layout does not match the wheel order. This is where the racetrack could be useful. It presents the wheel’s number order visually, showing which numbers belong to each section. On American double-zero wheels, these sector arrangements do not align in the same way, and some games may not offer these options at all.
Recognising which numbers fall within each sector could potentially help you understand how different bet types relate to each other.
Is Sector Betting a Good Strategy For Roulette?
Sector betting might help you organise your bets based on a segment of the wheel. It does not change the probability of a spin outcome. On a European roulette wheel, each number has an equal chance of being the result on every spin. The house edge remains at 2.7% for standard bets, including those that form part of a sector pattern.
The way your stake is distributed across the wheel is what changes. For example, a Voisins bet involves splits, a corner, and a trio. If the ball lands on a number you've covered, you may receive a return from one or more of those parts, while the rest of the bet may not pay. Compared to a single straight-up bet, you may see more frequent returns, though they tend to be smaller because more chips are in use. Tiers and Orphelins work in a similar way, with different numbers and placements.
Some players use sector bets to follow areas of the wheel they prefer or to vary how widely they place their chips. Table limits still apply to each part of the bet, so it could be useful to check the minimum and maximum stake allowed for splits, corners, and other options at the table you are playing on.
Do Any Roulette Strategies Actually Work?
Roulette strategies have been shared for many years. These include staking systems like Martingale, Labouchere, or Fibonacci. Such systems are sometimes used to plan bet sizes or manage bankrolls.
These systems do not change the outcome of spins. In both physical and online casinos licensed in the UK, every roulette spin is independent. Games are tested to ensure fairness and randomness. European wheels have a house edge of 2.7% across all standard bet types, and that does not change through any staking pattern. Betting limits are in place to limit the impact of progressive systems that aim to recover losses.
Some players use systems to decide how much to bet or how many numbers to cover. These approaches could potentially help maintain consistency, though they do not remove risk. They are not designed to influence where the ball lands.
Play Casino Games at Pay By Mobile Slots
Pay By Mobile Slots offers a range of casino games, including roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and a variety of slots. Games are available on mobile, desktop, and tablet.
Depositing using pay by mobile is simple. You can add funds through your phone, either charged to your monthly bill or deducted from a pay-as-you-go balance. Transactions are processed using recognised security standards.
Games are supplied by licensed providers and operate under the rules of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). Information on returns, bet limits, and how each game works is clearly available before you begin.
Pay By Mobile Slots includes tools to help you manage your play. These include deposit limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion options. If you are interested in trying sector bets or exploring other features, you can do so with a straightforward sign-up and clear navigation.
**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 games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.