Tier Roulette Explained: Bets, Wheel Layout & Casino Info
Roulette is one of the most recognised casino games, yet its wheel layout and betting options can sometimes puzzle newcomers.
One bet that often raises questions is the tier bet, also known as tiers du cylindre. It’s not a separate version of roulette, but a specific type of wager found in many European and French games.
This guide explains what a tier bet is, how it connects to the layout of the wheel, how to place it, and how it compares to other wheel-based bets. Whether you’re learning the basics, or simply want to understand what’s happening on the racetrack layout, this guide can help make the concept clear and easy to follow.
What Is Tier Roulette?
Tier roulette refers to the tiers du cylindre bet — a French term meaning “third of the wheel”. It covers a group of 12 numbers that sit together on one side of the European or French roulette wheel:
27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, and 33.
Although these numbers appear scattered across the table’s betting grid, they form one continuous section on the wheel. A European roulette wheel has 37 pockets numbered 0–36, with the zero representing the house advantage. The tier section covers roughly one-third of those numbers, sitting directly opposite the zero.
Tier bets are call bets, meaning you’re betting on a specific section of the wheel, rather than a random group of numbers. These bets are usually available on European and French tables, but rarely on American roulette wheels, which have a different layout and an extra double-zero pocket.
How Does the Tier Section Work on the Roulette Wheel?
Roulette wheels are designed with a specific number sequence to create balance between red and black numbers, as well as odd and even outcomes. The tier section runs continuously around part of the wheel, covering 12 connected numbers.
To place a tier bet, you use six split bets. A split bet covers two numbers by placing a chip on the line between them. The six splits used to make up a tier bet are:
- 5/8
- 10/11
- 13/16
- 23/24
- 27/30
- 33/36
These six splits together cover all 12 numbers in the tier section. The bet is designed around how numbers sit on the wheel, not where they appear on the main betting grid.
Because this bet depends on wheel order, it’s not available in American roulette. If you’re playing online, you can check the game’s information or rules section to confirm which bets are offered.
Tier Roulette Bets Explained
Understanding where the tier bet fits among standard roulette bets can help make sense of how the game is structured. Here’s how it compares to the two main bet types — inside and outside bets.
Inside vs Outside Bets
Roulette bets fall into two main categories: inside bets and outside bets. Inside bets focus on specific numbers or small combinations, offering higher payouts, but lower odds of winning. Outside bets cover larger areas such as red/black or odd/even, which tend to win more frequently, but pay less.
The tier bet is an inside bet because it targets 12 specific numbers using six splits. It’s a structured way to back a section of the wheel, rather than a broad category on the table.
Payouts for Tier Bets
A successful split in a tier bet pays 17 to 1. If you place £1 on each of the six splits (a total of £6), and one of your splits wins, you’ll receive £17 plus your £1 stake back for that winning split — £18 in total. The other five splits lose. This means a net gain of £12 for that spin.
For example, if the ball lands on 8, the 5/8 split wins. If it lands on any number not included in your tier section, the entire bet loses. The game’s randomness means no outcome can ever be predicted or influenced, and there’s no strategy that guarantees a return.
The house edge in European roulette is 2.7%, due to the single zero pocket. French roulette offers similar odds, but some versions include rules like La Partage or En Prison, which can slightly reduce the house edge for certain bets.
Roulette Wheel Layout and the Tier Section
The wheel layout is key to understanding the tier bet. While the table grid lists numbers in order from 0 to 36, the wheel arranges them in a specific alternating pattern of red and black, even and odd, designed to balance the game.
The tier section forms a single arc opposite the zero pocket. On a European or French wheel, this group of numbers lies between 27 and 33, wrapping around one side of the wheel.
American roulette wheels add a double-zero (00) and use a different number sequence, which breaks up this natural section. This is why call bets like tiers du cylindre are almost never available in American versions.
When choosing a roulette game, it can be helpful to look for one that clearly displays its wheel layout and explains which bets are supported. European and French tables in UK-licensed casinos must provide transparent information about their rules and paytables.
How to Place Tier Bets at the Table?
Roulette tables that include tier bets usually feature a racetrack layout next to the main betting area. This oval diagram mirrors the actual order of numbers on the wheel, making it easier to place bets based on wheel sections.
If you’re playing in a land-based casino, you can announce a “tiers bet” to the croupier, who will place six chips on the correct split positions for you. Online, most European and French roulette games include a racetrack option. Clicking on the “tiers” section automatically places the six required splits.
If a game doesn’t show a racetrack, check the information or help menu. Some digital roulette games, especially those based on the American version, don’t include this feature.
Differences Between Tier, Orphelins, and Voisins
European and French roulette often include three main wheel-based bets: tiers du cylindre, orphelins, and voisins du zéro. Each covers a different section of the wheel and uses a set number of chips.
- Tiers du Cylindre (Tier Bet) – Covers 12 numbers opposite the zero, using six splits.
- Orphelins (“Orphans”) – Covers the eight numbers that fall outside both the tier and voisins sections. It usually requires five chips (four splits and one straight-up).
- Voisins du Zéro (“Neighbours of Zero”) – Covers 17 numbers that surround the zero, from 22 through to 25 on the wheel, using nine chips including splits, a corner, and a trio bet on 0-2-3.
Each section offers different coverage and cost, but all operate under the same house edge and payout rules. None provides a higher statistical return than another — they simply focus on different parts of the wheel.
Remember, roulette is a game of chance and any winnings cannot be guaranteed.
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