Table Etiquette
Table Layout and Seating
In Europe, you’ll usually find two betting layouts with one single-zero wheel in between. The spinner, or croupier operates the wheel. Two dealers on either side watch the betting layout and assist with placing bets. In Europe, dealers often place about 80 percent of the wagers. Aside from the extra dealers, there is usually an inspector or boss who presides over the game. Interestingly, the Inspector must have the ability to recall all of the bets that were placed and whom they belong to, for the previous two spins! This is done to help alleviate confusion. One wheel can accommodate 12 to 16 seated players.
In North America, one wheel per betting layout is cus-tomary. The wheel is positioned at the far end beyond the top of the betting layout. Most times one dealer is stationed behind the wheel and controls the entire game. A floating supervisor or boss will monitor two tables at a time. These games will accommodate five or six seated patrons, but sometimes a second row of players will stand behind them. I’ve seen 10 to 12 patrons squeezing in to play at one table. In North America, the dealers assist with placing only about 20 percent of the wagers. Usually a second dealer will help to sort out chips when the action gets hot.
If you wish to sit and relax, find an open seat. If you have the option, select a seat that fits your needs. For example if you are a wheel watcher, you’ll probably appreciate sitting right next to the wheel. I call this first base. From this position you can easily see the wheel and cover the top and middle of the betting layout. The next position, I call center field, is the best seat for reaching the entire betting baize. With great access to the layout and good visibility of the wheel, this is probably my favorite seat. The third position (last seat on the straightaway) is second base. This seat offers the worst view of the wheel. You will need assistance from the dealer if you wish to place wagers at the top of the layout. Just around the corner are two seats that directly face the wheel. Keeping with our baseball analogy, these would be shortstop and third base. Reaching for anything beyond the third dozens would require quite a stretch, but they are usually afforded a good view of the action. Sometimes a sixth chair is positioned around the corner from third base (same side of the table as the dealer). This player can access most of the layout and has a great view of the wheel as well.
The European tables may have one or two additional seats on the same side of the table that the dealer occupies. Another option, which I usually accept, is to stand. I like to watch the wheel from behind the seated first base player. After the seated players have placed most of their bets, and the dealer has commenced spinning the ball, I reach over between first and center and place my bets. Usually a quick “excuse me please” is all that is required for them to give you some room.