Knowing how many black numbers on a roulette wheel can help players who opt for the ‘black’ even-money bet. This is used in accordance with many progressive strategies, such as the Martingale or Fibonacci. In this article, Heart Bingo takes a look at the roulette wheel as a whole, focusing on the black pockets!
The Basics of Black Numbers on a Roulette Wheel
A standard roulette wheel contains 37 or 38 pockets, depending on whether it’s European or American style. The pockets are numbered from 0 to 36 and, in the American version, there is an additional 00 pocket.
In total, there are 18 black numbers on a roulette wheel, alternating around the board until a zero pocket is reached. These numbers are strategically placed to strike a balance between high (19-36) and low (1-18) numbers, odd and even, as well as black and red.
On a European and American roulette wheel, the black numbers are 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29, 31, 33, and 35.
Strategies Involving Black Numbers on a Roulette Wheel
As mentioned earlier, there are a handful of strategies that involve black numbers on the roulette wheel. These are known as progressive betting strategies and involve players changing their stake size on even-money bets, which include red or black, odd or even, and high or low. Some examples include:
- Martingale – First up is the Martingale strategy, where players double their stake size should they lose on the previous spin.
- Paroli – This strategy is essentially the opposite of the Martingale. Should players lose, their bet size will remain the same; however, the wager will be doubled following a win.
- Fibonacci – As the name suggests, this strategy revolves around the Fibonacci sequence (0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, and so on). Players adjust their stake size up one position on a loss, or backwards by two after a win.
It’s worth highlighting that these strategies do not guarantee wins and are more about offering different ways of managing your bet sizes and bankroll. Never bet more than you can afford to lose. Our Safer Gambling tools are here to help along with our friendly customer support staff available 24/7.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are 18 different black numbers on a roulette wheel, regardless of whether you’re playing on a European or American alternative. It’s also worth mentioning that on both wheels, the black numbers are the same.
There are a variety of progressive betting strategies that focus on even-money bets, which can include laying chips exclusively on black numbers. These include the likes of the Martingale, Paroli, and Fibonacci strategies. If you decide to play roulette online, with or without one of these strategies, make sure to set a limit in advance to stay in control throughout your session.
Frequently Asked Questions about Black Numbers in Roulette
In total, there are 18 different black numbers on a roulette wheel.
Many people think that the numbers alternate from red to black in ascending order; however, this is not the case. The black numbers on a roulette wheel are 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29, 31, 33, and 35. As for their layout, they are positioned randomly around the board to ensure a good mix of high and low, odd and even, as well as black and red numbers.
The number of pockets on a roulette wheel will either be 37 or 38, depending on whether you’re playing on a European or American variation.
Yes, there is a selection of progressive betting strategies that players can follow whilst laying chips on black numbers. These include the Martingale, Paroli, and Fibonacci betting strategies, to name just a few. Just remember that these do not guarantee a win and can act more as a guide for bankroll management.



