What’s up, Otaku Bettors!
Let me walk you through the anatomy of the roulette wheel!
The roulette wheel is the numbered spinning disc used to determine the winning number in casino roulette.
A roulette wheel looks like nothing more than a spinning disc rolling a ball around — but it’s actually made up of multiple distinct parts, each with its own function and name!
Turret
The Turret is the topmost part of the roulette wheel. The entire wheel rotates around this point, and it supports the center of the wheel.
Function
Beyond its role as the pivot for the wheel’s rotation, it also serves a decorative purpose — it’s a visual centerpiece of the wheel’s overall design.
Also Known As
Crown
Turret Base
The Turret Base fixes the Turret in place and forms the foundation that supports the entire wheel — it’s a critical component for maintaining wheel stability.
Function
Positioned between the Turret and the wheel base, it stabilizes the overall wheel structure.
Also Known As
Hub Base
Height Adjuster
The Height Adjuster is the component used to adjust the height of the Turret and wheel, keeping the wheel properly balanced.
Function
Fine-tunes the height and balance of the wheel to ensure fair play.
Wheel Head
The Wheel Head is the main rotating part of the roulette wheel. This is where the numbered, color-coded pockets that players bet on are arranged.
Function
Its rotation determines where the ball ultimately lands.
Also Known As
Rotor
Ball Pocket
The Ball Pocket is where the ball comes to rest. Each pocket is assigned a number and a color — red, black, or green.
Function
The most important component for determining the game’s outcome. European Roulette has 37 pockets (0–36); American Roulette has 38 (0, 00, and 1–36).
Also Known As
Slots
Compartments
Structural Factor That Directly Affects Outcomes
Pocket shape directly affects game outcomes.
Wheels with deep pockets (deep groove type) keep the ball settled once it drops, while wheels with shallow pockets (shallow groove type) produce more bouncing.
The floor material also matters.
Wheels with cushioned pocket floors keep the ball in place better, while those without cushioning produce more bounce.
Frets
Frets are the metal partitions that separate each pocket — small metal bars that divide the pockets — keeping the ball from crossing into adjacent pockets and adding to the game’s randomness.
Function
Positioned along the outer edge of the pockets, they also redirect the ball’s trajectory.
Also Known As
Separators
Dividers
Structural Factor That Directly Affects Outcomes
The height of the pocket dividers directly affects game outcomes.
On wheels with low separators, the ball frequently rolls over the wall and into an adjacent pocket.
Upper Bearing
The Upper Bearing is the upper bearing that supports smooth rotation of the Wheel Head, minimizing friction throughout the spin.
Function
Precision bearings keep the wheel spinning smoothly and extend its durability.
Cone
The Cone is the rotating disc at the center of the wheel — the ball rolls across it on its way toward the pockets.
Function
Complicates the ball’s trajectory on the way to the pockets, amplifying randomness and making outcomes harder to predict.
Also Known As
Center Cone
Hub Cone
Structural Factor That Directly Affects Outcomes
The slope of the Cone directly affects game outcomes.
On steeper-angled cones, the ball can’t climb it and tends to drop near the entry point. On shallower-angled cones, the ball can ride up and travel further around — making outcomes harder to predict.
Ball Deflector
The Ball Deflector is an obstacle mounted on the inside of the wheel. When the ball strikes it, the trajectory changes — making outcomes harder to predict.
Function
Placed as small protrusions or obstacles around the wheel, they randomize the ball’s movement.
Also Known As
Diamonds
Pins
Canoe Stops
Structural Factor That Directly Affects Outcomes
The shape, count, and placement of the pins directly affect game outcomes.
On wheels with slim, near-linear pins, the ball’s behavior after impact tends to be consistent. On diamond-shaped pins, the drop point varies depending on where the ball makes contact — making outcomes harder to predict.
Pin placement matters too.
The standard position is at the center of the sloped surface. When pins are placed slightly higher, the ball hits before it gains full speed — the rebound is weaker and the drop point is more predictable. When pins are placed slightly lower, the ball hits at peak speed — the rebound is stronger, and the ball bounces further, making outcomes harder to predict.
Ball Track
The Ball Track is the surface the ball travels along first, spinning at high speed around the outer edge of the wheel.
Function
A sloped track along which the ball glides smoothly as it gradually decelerates.
Also Known As
Ball Groove
Ball Runway
Lower Ball Track
The Lower Ball Track is the lower track the ball passes through before hitting the deflectors.
This is where the ball slows down on its way toward the pockets.
Function
A smoothly curved track that guides the ball along its path.
Also Known As
Inner Ball Track
Structural Factor That Directly Affects Outcomes
The angle of the Lower Ball Track directly affects game outcomes.
A steep angle causes the ball to drop earlier while still accelerating — producing a stronger bounce on landing. A shallower angle keeps the ball rolling longer, allowing it to slow down before dropping — meaning less bounce after it falls.
Spindle
The Spindle is the central axis of the Wheel Head — the shaft around which the wheel rotates.
This ensures precise, consistent rotation.
Function
The heart of the wheel — maintains the center of rotation.
Also Known As
Axis
Central Shaft
Lower Bearing
The Lower Bearing is the lower bearing that supports the Wheel Head’s rotation.
Working alongside the Upper Bearing, it ensures smooth spinning throughout.
Function
A precision component that maintains wheel stability and minimizes friction.
Bowl Rim
The Bowl Rim is the outer frame that encircles the entire wheel — the part of the wheel closest to the players.
It stabilizes the wheel structure.
Function
The outer frame enclosing the wheel, protecting the ball and the outer edge of the wheel.
Also Known As
Rim
Outer Rim
Bowl
The Bowl is the large structural component that supports the entire wheel — the inner frame within which the wheel spins.
It forms the space the ball travels through before finally dropping into a pocket.
Function
A circular frame that surrounds the center of the wheel and forms the outer base of the roulette assembly.
Also Known As
Wheel Bowl
And that covers the full anatomy of the roulette wheel.
The roulette wheel is made up of carefully differentiated parts, each serving its own specific purpose.
The precise arrangement and movement of all those components is exactly what makes roulette a fair and random game!
For the different types of roulette wheels — American, European, and French — check out “Types of Roulette“!