Layout

Detailed Explanation

The layout is the printed felt cloth that covers a casino table and defines the betting structure for each game. Every distinct bet type has a designated zone: in roulette, the inner number grid and outer dozen/column/even-money sections; in craps, the pass line, come bar, place bets, and proposition boxes; in baccarat, the Player, Banker, and Tie sections with commission tracking dots.

Layout design is both functional and regulatory. Casinos must ensure that payout information printed on the layout matches actual payouts offered — regulators occasionally cite casinos for mismatch between printed and paid odds. Some casinos use subtle layout variations to adjust game feel without changing rules (e.g., 'double zero' roulette layouts visually differ from single-zero European layouts, and removing the printed 6:5 blackjack payout announcement was a marketing strategy for some properties).

For players, reading the layout is essential for understanding available bets and their payouts before sitting down. Layouts also indicate minimum and maximum bet limits (often supplemented by a placard at the table). In new or unfamiliar games, the layout is the primary reference tool; experienced dealers will explain any section on request.