Call Bets: Guide to French Roulette Bets

Understanding Call Bets in Roulette

When you first approach a roulette table, you see a layout with numbers, colors, and various betting boxes. Most players stick to these inside and outside bets. However, seasoned players, especially at European or French tables, might use a different type of wager: call bets. These bets are based on the sequence of numbers as they appear on the wheel itself, not on the betting grid. This is a crucial distinction that opens up unique strategic possibilities.

The term 'call bet' literally means a bet you 'call out' to the croupier without placing chips down immediately. Historically, this was done on credit. Today, this practice is banned in most jurisdictions. Instead, we have 'announced bets,' where a player announces their intended bet and immediately gives the croupier the necessary chips. Though the terms are technically different, 'call bets' is commonly used to describe these announced wagers.

Transitioning to the digital realm, playing at a modern online casino entirely eliminates the need for verbal communication or rushing to hand over chips. Instead, players are typically provided with a dedicated digital "racetrack" interface that perfectly mirrors the physical wheel's sequence. With a single click on specific sections, the software automatically distributes your chips to the corresponding numbers on the main layout. This instant automation not only speeds up the gameplay but also ensures flawless mathematical accuracy, allowing enthusiasts to execute complex, wheel-based patterns effortlessly before the virtual ball is released.

The Main Types of French Roulette Bets

These bets are divided into several fixed and variable categories. The most famous are the three fixed French roulette moves that cover specific sections of the wheel. Many tables feature a special 'racetrack' layout to make it easier to place these bets.

Voisins du Zéro (Neighbors of Zero)

This is the largest of the call bets, covering the 17 numbers that surround the zero on the wheel: 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, and 25. It requires a total of nine chips (or multiples of nine) placed as follows:

• Two chips on the 0, 2, 3 trio.

• One chip on the 4/7 split.

• One chip on the 12/15 split.

• One chip on the 18/21 split.

• One chip on the 19/22 split.

• Two chips on the 25/26/28/29 corner.

• One chip on the 32/35 split.

Tiers du Cylindre (Third of the Wheel)

The Tiers bet covers the 12 numbers located directly opposite the Voisins du Zéro section on the wheel. These numbers are: 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, and 33. This bet is simpler to place, requiring six chips (or multiples thereof). Each chip is placed as a split bet, covering two numbers:

• 5/8 split

• 10/11 split

• 13/16 split

• 23/24 split

• 27/30 split

• 33/36 split

Les Orphelins (The Orphans)

This bet covers the remaining eight numbers on the wheel that are not included in the Voisins or Tiers bets. These two small sections of numbers are 1, 20, 14, 31, 9, and 17, 34, 6. The bet uses five chips:

• One chip as a straight-up bet on the number 1.

• One chip on the 6/9 split.

• One chip on the 14/17 split.

• One chip on the 17/20 split (note: 17 is covered twice).

• One chip on the 31/34 split.

Other Common Announced Bets

Beyond the big three, a few other bets are common:

• Jeu Zéro (Zero Game): A smaller version of Voisins, this bet covers the seven numbers closest to zero (12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, 15) using four chips.

• Neighbor Bets: A player can bet on a specific number and its neighbors on the wheel. For example, '8 and the neighbors' would typically be a five-chip bet covering the number 8 and the two numbers on either side of it on the wheel.

How to Use it in Your Strategy

Why use these complex bets? Some players believe in 'dealer signatures' or 'wheel bias,' where they suspect certain sections of the wheel are more likely to hit. These bets provide an efficient way to cover these sections without placing a dozen individual bets. They streamline the betting process for those who want to focus on wheel dynamics rather than the static table layout.

"Call bets transform roulette from a simple game of random numbers on a grid to a more nuanced game focused on the physical properties and segments of the wheel itself. It's a classic approach favored by European players." - Casino Floor Manager

While these bets add an exciting dimension to the game, it's vital to remember that they do not alter the game's inherent house edge. The odds of winning remain the same. However, they provide a structured, quick way to implement a specific betting pattern, making your time at the table more dynamic and organized.