Orphelins—French for “orphans”—is a European roulette wheel-section bet covering the numbers that sit outside the two larger named sectors, Voisins du Zéro and Tiers du Cylindre. The standard single-zero Orphelins call uses five chips and covers eight different numbers.
The bet is based on the physical order of numbers around the wheel, not their positions on the rectangular table layout.
Plain Talk
On a European single-zero wheel, the orphan numbers are:
1, 6, 9, 14, 17, 20, 31, and 34
The standard five-chip placement is:
- 1 chip straight up on 1;
- 1 chip on the 6/9 split;
- 1 chip on the 14/17 split;
- 1 chip on the 17/20 split;
- 1 chip on the 31/34 split.
Notice that 17 is covered twice because it appears in two split bets. That double coverage is essential to understanding the payout.
The Singapore Gambling Regulatory Authority roulette rules publicly define the Orphelins package in this five-piece form. A public Bavarian casino roulette guide also shows Orphelins among the announced racetrack bets.
Why Five Chips Cover Eight Numbers
Four of the chips are split bets. Each split covers two adjacent numbers on the table layout, while the straight-up chip covers only 1.
| Chip placement | Numbers covered | Standard winning payout |
|---|---|---|
| Straight up 1 | 1 | 35 to 1 |
| Split 6/9 | 6 and 9 | 17 to 1 |
| Split 14/17 | 14 and 17 | 17 to 1 |
| Split 17/20 | 17 and 20 | 17 to 1 |
| Split 31/34 | 31 and 34 | 17 to 1 |
There are eight unique winning numbers, but 1 and 17 carry two-chip-equivalent coverage outcomes:
- Number 1 wins the straight-up chip.
- Number 17 wins both split chips that touch it.
Net Result by Winning Number
Assume one unit on each of the five placements.
If 1 wins
The straight-up chip pays 35 to 1 and its stake returns. The other four chips lose.
- Winning return: 36 units
- Total amount wagered: 5 units
- Net result: +31 units
If 17 wins
Both 14/17 and 17/20 split bets win. Each returns 18 units including stake. The other three chips lose.
- Winning returns: 18 + 18 = 36 units
- Total amount wagered: 5 units
- Net result: +31 units
If 6, 9, 14, 20, 31, or 34 wins
One split wins and returns 18 units. The other four chips lose.
- Winning return: 18 units
- Total amount wagered: 5 units
- Net result: +13 units
If any other number wins
All five chips lose.
- Net result: −5 units
Probability and House Edge
On a single-zero wheel there are 37 possible numbers. Orphelins covers eight unique numbers, so the chance that at least one placement wins is:
8 / 37 = 21.62%
That does not mean the bet wins the same amount on all eight numbers. Numbers 1 and 17 produce the larger +31-unit net result; the other six covered numbers produce +13 units.
The expected result for a five-unit Orphelins package at standard single-zero payouts is:
(2 × 31 + 6 × 13 − 29 × 5) / 37 = −5 / 37
That equals an average loss of about 0.1351 unit per five-unit package, or 2.70% of the total amount wagered. The named package does not change the standard single-zero roulette house edge because it is constructed from ordinary straight-up and split bets.
On a double-zero wheel, a similarly named feature can have different coverage, availability, or mathematics. Orphelins is fundamentally a single-zero European wheel concept.
Racetrack Layout Versus Main Layout
The racetrack is an oval representation of the wheel order. It lets a player select named sectors without manually placing every component bet.
When a player touches Orphelins on an electronic terminal, the interface normally places or records the five component wagers automatically. On a live table, a casino may accept the announced call and have the dealer place the chips, or it may require the player to use the racetrack or place each bet directly. House procedure controls.
The racetrack is a placement tool. It does not create a separate probability system.
A Table Example
A player calls “Orphelins, one unit” before no more bets. The dealer places five chips in the standard pattern.
The ball lands on 17. Two split bets win, not one. The dealer pays both 14/17 and 17/20. If the dealer or player remembers only that Orphelins covers eight numbers and overlooks the double coverage on 17, the settlement can be wrong.
This is why announced bets require clear calls, correct unit size, and trained placement.
From the Casino Side
Orphelins is operationally simple only when everyone uses the same definition.
The casino must control:
- whether announced bets are accepted;
- the minimum unit and total five-chip cost;
- the approved placement pattern;
- the betting cutoff;
- treatment of ambiguous or late calls;
- payout on 1 and double payment on 17;
- racetrack terminal mapping;
- chip ownership when dealers place bets for several players.
On a busy roulette table, similar-sounding calls—Voisins, Tiers, Orphelins, Zero Game, neighbors—can overlap. Dealers should repeat the call when required, place chips visibly, and avoid accepting an amount that cannot fund the complete package.
Surveillance review focuses on timing, placement, ownership, and payout. Electronic roulette reduces manual placement risk but introduces interface, mapping, and system-verification responsibilities.
Common Misunderstandings
“Orphelins covers only five numbers because it uses five chips.”
No. Four chips are splits. The package covers eight unique numbers.
“Every covered number pays the same net amount.”
No. Number 1 wins a straight-up bet, and 17 wins two splits. They produce a larger net result than the other six covered numbers.
“The orphan numbers are statistically neglected.”
No. The name only describes where they sit relative to the other named wheel sectors.
“Orphelins has a special lower house edge.”
Not at standard single-zero payouts. It is a package of regular inside bets with the usual 2.70% house edge on total action.
“The bet is one unit.”
A one-unit Orphelins call normally means one unit on each of five component bets, for a total cost of five units.
“It works the same on American roulette.”
Do not assume that. Check whether the table offers the bet and how a double-zero wheel changes the rules.
Player Checklist
Before placing Orphelins:
- confirm the wheel is single zero;
- verify that the table accepts racetrack or announced bets;
- understand that one-unit Orphelins costs five units total;
- check the dealer’s placement if live procedures permit;
- remember that 17 has double split coverage;
- avoid confusing sector coverage with a prediction that those numbers are due;
- include all five chips in your session budget.
Hard Truth
“Orphans” sounds like a hidden family of numbers. In practice, Orphelins is five ordinary inside bets packaged under one memorable name.
FAQ
Which numbers are in Orphelins?
1, 6, 9, 14, 17, 20, 31, and 34 on the standard single-zero wheel.
How many chips does Orphelins cost?
Normally five chips at the selected unit size.
Why is 17 special?
It is covered by both the 14/17 and 17/20 splits, so both bets win when 17 appears.
What is the chance of an Orphelins win?
Eight of 37 numbers are covered on a single-zero wheel, or about 21.62%, but the payout varies by winning number.
What is the house edge?
At standard single-zero straight-up and split payouts, 2.70% of the total five-unit wager.
Is Orphelins the same as Voisins du Zéro?
No. Voisins covers a larger sector around zero. Orphelins covers the numbers outside Voisins and Tiers.
Related Reading
Continue with Roulette, European Roulette, Racetrack Bet, Voisins du Zéro, Tiers du Cylindre, Zero Game, Split Bet, and Straight-Up Bet. Use the Roulette Bet Calculator to compare total action and expected loss.