Roulette wheel games are the heart of the real casino feeling. Forget red/black! Learn how to master the game with the Great Series and neighbours.
Why you'll love kettle games: 5 unbeatable advantages
Before we dive deep, let me quickly tell you why this isn't voodoo, but can REALLY change your game. If you want to get away from just „clicking“ at online roulette, this is your next level.
- 🎯 More target area, less frustration: Instead of hoping for a single number, you cover logical sectors of the cauldron. This simply feels better because you land „a hit“ more often, even if it is small.
- 🤵 The professional factor: Honestly? It just looks damn cool. If you shout „Voisins du Zéro“ to the croupier instead of panicking and moving chips around the tableau, you have immediately a different status on Table.
- ⚙️ Structure instead of chaos: Cauldron games give you a clear betting plan. You don't have to think anew with every spin („Do I take the 17 now or grandma's Birthday?“). You have a system.
- 📈 Perceived risk management: Even if the Bank advantage equal remains (more on this later), scatter your risk. You bet on a group of numbers and therefore have a more balanced volatility than with a pure plein game.
- 😎 The „flow“ of the game: You play with the boiler, not against the tableau. You start to feel the rhythm of the ball and understand the geography of the wheel. This is pure roulette feeling.
What are kettle games anyway? (And why they're better than your gut feeling)
Okay, let's get down to it. When most people play roulette play, they stare at this huge green felt field, the „tableau“. They bet on red, on black, on 17 (because James Bond thought it was cool) or on 23 (Michael Jordan!). The problem? These numbers are nicely organised next to each other on the tableau, but in the Boiler - the thing that turns - they are wildly scattered.
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And this is exactly where the pot games, also known as „announcement games“ or „call bets“, come into play.
These are bets that do not relate to the layout of the tableau, but to the Actual, physical arrangement of the numbers in the boiler. This is the fine art of French Roulettes. You bet on sectors that are next to each other. You basically say to the croupier: „I think the ball will land about over there."
I see it all the time: people who are frustrated because they bet on the 5 and the ball lands on the 10. They curse. But a wheel player knows: In the wheel (in European roulette), 5 and 10 are right next to each other! You were damn close. Wheel games exploit precisely this proximity. It's the difference between betting on a map and betting on the real thing.
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Understanding the beast: The structure of the roulette wheel (Why 22 is next to 18)
Before you bet even one euro on a series, must internalise that. The boiler is not a Random generator, but rather a masterpiece of engineering designed to create patterns that are Avoid.
Of course, we are only talking about the European (or French) roulette. The one with the one zero. Forget American roulette with its double zero (00). The bank advantage there is almost twice as high (5.26% vs. 2.7%). Anyone who plays this voluntarily has lost control of their life. Sorry, that's the way it is.
The European kettle has 37 compartments (0 to 36). The arrangement is ingenious and mean at the same time:
- Red and black (almost) always alternate.
- High (19-36) and low (1-18) numbers (almost) always alternate.
- There are no obvious „blocks“ of even or odd numbers.
The sequence is (clockwise, starting at 0):
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
Do you have to memorise this learn? God forbid, no. But you must accept, that the 29 is not next to the 30, but next to the 18 and the 7. Only when this „clicks“ will you understand why the „Great Series“ is called what it is.
The Great Series (Voisins du Zéro) - The classic for professionals
This is the top dog. The „Voisins du Zéro“ or „neighbours of the zero“. As the name suggests, this bet covers a massive block of numbers surrounding the zero in the cauldron.
It is the biggest single pot bet and a real all-rounder. If you have the feeling that the ball „pulls it“ to zero, this is your bet.
- What are these figures? The large series covers 17 numbers. That's almost half of all the numbers in the cauldron!
- The figures in detail: 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25.
- How many crisps do you need? That's the crux of the matter. You always need 9 chips (or a multiple thereof).
Why 9 chips for 17 numbers? Because you don't play every number „en plein“ (i.e. full). You share the stakes on splits (chevaux), corners (carrés) and the famous trio.
How do I set the Large Series? (A step-by-step guide for practical use)
Now it gets practical. You stand at the table, the ball rolls, the croupier says „Your bets, please“ (Faites vos jeux).
Option 1: The „professional“ announcement (my favourite)
You place 9 chips (let's say 9 x €1) on the table and say loudly and clearly to the croupier: „One large series, please“ or „Voisins du Zéro“. The croupier will nod, your Insert and place the 9 chips perfectly on the tableau. He (or she) is trained to do this. You don't need to know where to put which chip. You sit back and look professional.
Option 2: The „Racetrack“ (online & live casinos)
In almost every online roulette game (especially with live dealers) you will see a small, oval representation of the wheel. This is the „racetrack“. Here you simply click on the „Voisins du Zéro“ sector and the system automatically places the 9 chips for you. Super simple, but not so stylish.
Option 3: The „do-it-yourselfer“ (Not recommended!)
You could place the 9 chips yourself. But that's pure stress. You would have to remember:
| Number of chips | Placement (bet) | Covered figures |
| 2 chips | Trio on 0, 2, 3 | 0, 2, 3 |
| 1 Chip | Split (Cheval) on 4/7 | 4, 7 |
| 1 Chip | Split (Cheval) on 12/15 | 12, 15 |
| 1 Chip | Split (Cheval) on 18/21 | 18, 21 |
| 1 Chip | Split (Cheval) on 19/22 | 19, 22 |
| 2 chips | Corner (Carré) on 25/26/28/29 | 25, 26, 28, 29 |
| 1 Chip | Split (Cheval) to 32/35 | 32, 35 |
| Total: 9 chips | 17 Figures |
Let's be honest, by the time you've placed them all, the croupier has already said „Nothing works“ (Rien ne va plus) and pushes your hand away. Leave it alone. Make the announcement.
The hard-hitting truth: chances and payout of the Great Series
Now comes the damper. Or reality, as I call it.
You cover 17 out of 37 numbers. That gives you a hit probability of approx. 45.9%. Sounds great, doesn't it? Almost 50/50, but with better Payments than red/black!
Just a moment.
The problem is the payout. Because you split the stakes, you don't always win the same amount.
Let's assume you play with 9 x €1 (total stake: €9).
- The „Big Hit“ (Trio or Carré):
- If you hit 0, 2 or 3 (trio), you get 11:1 on 2 chips. Profit: €22 + €2 stake back = €24. Net profit: +15€.
- If you hit 25, 26, 28 or 29 (Carré), you get 8:1 on 2 chips. Profit: €16 + €2 stake back = €18. Net profit: +9€.
- The „Small Hit“ (the splits):
- If you hit one of the split numbers (e.g. 4/7, 12/15, ...), you get 17:1 on 1 chip. Profit: €17 + €1 stake back = €18. Net profit: +9€.
As you can see: In 10 out of 17 cases (the splits and the Carré) you double your stake (€9 in, €18 out). In 3 out of 17 cases (the trio) you make an even better profit. And in 20 out of 37 cases (54.1%) you lose your entire €9.
My personal opinion: The Big Series is a „grinding“ bet. You often win small amounts, keep yourself in the game for a long time and hope for the trio hit. It's great for getting a feel for the table, but it won't make you rich overnight. The bank wins always in the long term (thanks to the 20 figures that not are covered).
Neighbours (Les Voisins) - The ultimate „feeling“ mission
This one is my personal favourite. It is the most flexible, intuitive and - in my opinion - the most exciting kettle bet.
„Neighbours“ means you choose a only number you like and bet on it and their direct neighbours in the boiler.
By default, you play „one number and the two neighbours“ (left and right). This means
- You choose 1 number.
- You bet on this number + 2 left + 2 right.
- Total number of bets: 5 numbers.
- Chips required: 5 chips (or a multiple).
Each of these 5 numbers is played „en plein“ (full). So you lay down 5 chips and say to the croupier: „The 8, two neighbours.“ (Or „8 and two neighbours“).
The psychology of neighbours: why we are chasing the „hot sector“
Why do we love neighbour bets? Because they appeal directly to our „gut feeling“.
We humans are pattern recognisers. We can't help it. If the ball lands three times in a row in the sector around the 5 (so maybe 10, 5, 24), our brain screams: „THE SECTOR IS HOT!“
Is that statistical nonsense? Yes, absolutely. Each throw is independent. The ball has no memory.
Is it still fun? Hell yes!
It's pure „gambler's fallacy“, but in its most beautiful form. You're not chasing tendencies on red/black, you're trying to „read“ the „flow“ of the croupier or the pot.
I once sat in a Casino, a croupier (rather unknowingly) had a very similar throwing style. Over 10 rounds, the ball kept landing in the sector opposite the zero (at the „animal“). An old gentleman next to me recognised this, consistently played „neighbours on the 33“ and won four times. Was that luck? Yes. Did it feel like pure genius? Absolutely.
A bet on 5 neighbours (e.g. 1 chip on 5 numbers) is a high-risk bet.
- Chance to meet: 5 / 37 = approx. 13.5%
- Payout on hit: 35:1 You get 35 chips + 1 chip bet back = 36 chips.
- Your commitment: 5 chips.
- Net profit: +31 chips.
That's the kick. You often lose, but when you hit, the gain is massive.
Small series (Tier du Cylindre) & Orphelins - The forgotten siblings
You can't talk about cauldron games without mentioning the other two fixed series that cover the rest of the cauldron.
H3: Small series (Tier du Cylindre)
This is effectively the counterpart to the Great Series. „Tier“ means „third“. This bet covers 12 numbers that are exactly opposite the zero in the pot.
- Figures (12): 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, 33
- Chips: 6 chips
- Placement: Is set to 6 splits (chevaux) (e.g. 5/8, 10/11, 13/16...).
- Opportunity: 12 / 37 = approx. 32.4%
- Payout: You bet 6 chips. If you hit, you win 17:1 (plus 1 chip back) = 18 chips.
- Net profit: +12 chips.
My judgement: I like the „Tier“ system. It's cheaper than the Big Series (6 chips instead of 9) and the payout is fixed (you always triple your bet if you hit). It covers the „hot“ sector that many believe croupiers often hit.
H3: Orphelins (The Orphans)
„Orphelins“ means „orphans“. These are the 8 numbers that „remain“ between the Major and Minor Series. They are distributed across two opposite sectors.
- Figures (8): 1, 20, 14, 31, 9, 17, 34, 6
- Chips: 5 chips
- Placement: A mixture of 4 splits and 1 plein (on the 1).
- Opportunity: 8 / 37 = approx. 21.6%
- Payout: Variable. If you hit the 1, you get 35:1 (+1) = 36 chips. If you hit a split, you get 17:1 (+1) = 18 chips.
- Net profit: +31 chips (for the 1) or +13 chips (for the splits).
My judgement: A favourite for gamblers. It's relatively cheap (5 chips) and offers the chance to win 35:1 with the 1, while still covering 7 other numbers. A nice compromise.
Online roulette vs. real casino: Where wheel games make more sense
I have to talk straight here. There is a HUGE difference.
Category 1: Online Roulette (RNG)
RNG stands for „Random Number Generator“. This is software roulette, as you will find in 90% online casinos. Here, the wheel is just a graphic. The number is selected by a computer algorithm.
- Do boiler games make sense here? No. Statistically, it doesn't matter whether you click on „Big Series“ or place 9 chips by hand on the same numbers. The „pot“ does not exist. There is no physics, no croupier, no „hot sector“. It's just a convenient user interface to bet faster.
Category 2: Live dealer online roulette
That's better. Here you see a real person spinning a real kettle. There could theoretically be tendencies here (a croupier who always throws the same way; a kettle that has a slight imbalance - which is called a „kettle error“). The wheel games (usually via the racetrack) make „sense“ here again in terms of feel.
Category 3: The real casino. The casino.
This is the premier class. This is what cauldron games were invented for. It's all about the interaction. The sound of the ball, the „Rien ne va plus“, the eye contact with the croupier.
When you shout „Voisins!“ and the croupier elegantly places your bet with the „rateau“ (the rake) while 10 other people are standing at the table the is roulette. Here, wheel games are not Strategy, they are culture. They are part of the experience.
My honest opinion: Is this all humbug or a real strategy?
Time for a summary. And I am mercilessly honest.
The bad news first: No bet in the world, no series, no „neighbour“ will override the mathematical banking advantage of the casino. In French roulette, this advantage is 2.7%. This is due to the Zero.
If the zero comes up and you have not bet on it (or a combination with it), all „easy chances“ (red/black etc.) are gone or blocked (La Partage / En Prison). In pot games it is even simpler: If the zero comes up and it is not part of your series (e.g. in the „Tier“), your chips are simply gone. Point.
The good news (and my point): It doesn't matter. Roulette is not a job. It's not an investment. It is entertainment.
Boiler games are the most intelligent and most elegant way to enjoy this entertainment.
- Pro:
- You structure your game.
- You cover sectors instead of arbitrary numbers.
- You optimise your ratio of stake to potential hit area.
- It's a thousand times more fun and feels more professional an.
- Contra:
- You change nothing in the long term House advantage.
- It leads to „gambler's fallacy“ (belief in hot sectors).
- It requires higher basic stakes (9 chips for the series are more than 1 chip on red).
My advice: Don't use kettle games to win. Use them to better to play. Set yourself a clear Limit (Bankroll Management!), go to the casino (or Live casino), order a drink and enjoy the game like a pro.
Checklist: Are you ready for the cauldron games?
A little reality check. Answer this for yourself before you put your money on the table.
- [ ] I only play European / French roulette (with only ONE zero).
- [ ] I have understood the difference between tableau (felt) and boiler (wheel).
- [ ] I know that I need 9 chips (or a multiple) for the large series.
- [ ] I know that I need 5 chips (or a multiple) for „two neighbours“.
- [ ] I know how to „announce“ the bet or use the racetrack.
- [ ] I understand that by doing so I will lose the bank advantage not but just change my style of play.
- [ ] I have a fixed budget (bankroll) for the evening that I am prepared to lose.
If you have ticked everything: Congratulations. You are ready. Have fun.
FAQ: The most frequently asked questions about cauldron games (quick answers)
### What is the best kettle game for beginners?
Clearly the Large series (Voisins du Zéro). Even though it costs 9 chips, it has the highest hit rate at 45.9%. You often win back (albeit sometimes only small amounts) and stay in the game longer, which minimises the frustration factor at the beginning.
### How many numbers does the large series have?
The large series (Voisins du Zéro) covers 17 Figures on the boiler. These are: 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25 and is bet with 9 chips (or a multiple).
### How many neighbours do you normally play?
The standard for a „neighbour“ announcement are two neighbours to both sides. So if you say „The 5 and two neighbours“, you are betting on a total of 5 numbers (the 5 itself, plus two on the left and two on the right in the pot). However, you can also say „one neighbour“ (3 chips) or „four neighbours“ (9 chips).
### Can I also play casino games on slot machines?
Yes, most modern roulette machines (and almost all online roulette games) have a so-called „Racetrack“. This is an oval representation of the cauldron on which you can simply click on the sectors (Voisins, Tier, Orphelins) to place the bet automatically.
### What is the difference between animals and voisins?
Voisins du Zéro (Large series) is the large sector (17 numbers) around the zero. Tier du Cylindre (Small series) is the sector (12 numbers) that is exactly opposite the zero in the boiler. They cover completely different areas of the boiler.
### Does it make sense to play the Big and Small Series at the same time?
No, that makes little sense. Together they cover 29 numbers (17 + 12). You can almost bet on two dozen. You would win very often, but the winnings would be minimal and the zero (which is only included with Voisins) would cancel out your animal bet. Concentrate on one sector.
### What does „Jeu Zéro“ (zero game) mean?
This is a „mini version“ of the Grand Series that some players memorise. These are just the numbers that are closest to zero: 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, 15. That's 7 numbers that start with 4 chips (3 splits and 1 plein on the 26).
### Do boiler games change the bank advantage (house advantage)?
No. Absolutely not. Never. The bank advantage in European roulette is 2.7% and is generated solely by the existence of the zero (0). Every bet, whether Red/Black, Plein on 17 or Big Series, has exactly the same negative expected value.
### Why do croupiers say the numbers in French?
Roulette is a French game that was invented in the 18th century. The technical terms („Rien ne va plus“, „Faites vos jeux“, „Voisins du Zéro“, „Tier“) are part of the Tradition and etiquette. It's simply part of the upmarket casino flair.
### What is a racetrack?
A racetrack is the Oval, graphic representation of the boiler layout on the screen (in online roulette) or sometimes as a separate small tableau in the real casino. It is used exclusively to place wheel games (series and neighbours) more easily by clicking or pointing.
Glossary: The little roulette lexicon (so you sound like a pro)
- Bank advantage: The mathematical advantage that the casino has in the long term with every bet due to the zero (0). In French roulette, this is 2.7%.
- Carré: Bet on four numbers that form a square on the tableau. Payout 8:1.
- Cheval (Split): Bet on two neighbouring numbers on the tableau. Payout 17:1.
- Croupier: The casino employee who manages the game, throws the ball, accepts bets and pays out winnings.
- En Plein (Plein): Bet on a single, full number. The highest payout at 35:1.
- Boiler: The rotating wheel with the 37 numbered compartments (0-36).
- Orphelins: „The Orphans“. The 8 numbers that do not belong to either the Major or Minor Series. Bet: 5 chips.
- Racetrack: The oval representation of the cauldron for easy placement of cauldron games.
- Tableau: The large felt playing field on which the bets are placed on numbers, colours or columns.
- Tier du Cylindre: „Third of the cylinder“ (small series). 12 numbers opposite the zero. Bet: 6 chips.
- Transversal Pleine (Street): Bet on a row of three on the tableau (e.g. 1-2-3). Payout 11:1.
- Voisins du Zéro: „Neighbours of the zero“ (large series). 17 numbers around the zero. Bet: 9 chips.
Next steps: What you should read next
If you enjoyed this in-depth look and want to deepen your roulette knowledge, these are the topics that should be next on your list:
- The Martingale system: Why Double is the quickest way to ruin (and why it still feels good).
- Bankroll management for gamblers: How to go into the casino with €100 and not come out broke after 5 minutes.
- The (real) physics of roulette: boiler errors, croupier signatures and the hunt for the holy grail.
- French vs. American Roulette: The detailed comparison (and why „La Partage“ is your best friend).
- Roulette etiquette: 10 things you should NEVER do at the real table.
My personal conclusion: the kettle continues to turn...
At the end of the day, after all the maths, all the strategy and all the „feeling“, roulette remains a game of chance. A damn fine, elegant and exciting game of chance. The wheel games are your tool to enjoy this game at a higher level.
You swap clumsy „guessing“ for structured „covering“. You take the geography of the cauldron seriously and play with you. Whether you go home with more money in the end is still decided by this little ball of ivory (or today rather Teflon). But the Path there is far more stylish.
Don't go to the casino to get rich. Go there to feel like James Bond for a few hours. And if you then casually slide your 9 chips to the croupier and say „Voisins“ - then, my friend, you have understood roulette.
- 🧠 Know the boiler: The difference between tableau and boiler is the key to everything.
- 🎲 Choose your series: Are you the „grinder“ (large series) or the „gambler“ (neighbour/animal)?
- ❤️ Play with understanding: Boiler games don't change the maths, but they maximise the fun factor and the „professional feeling“.
Sources and further links
I didn't make all this up. Here are a few dry but important resources if you want to dig deeper.
- Wikipedia on roulette (The basics, boiler arrangements and history)
- Wizard of Odds - Roulette (The best site for hardcore maths and odds, English)
- Casino Association Germany (Industry information and game basics)
