Going to a casino and playing roulette has been popular for generations, but never more than in the current decade. The evolution of online roulette gaming has seen the game become even more popular, and more and more people are looking for the best roulette strategy to ensure that they can win more on their bets.
The croupier spins the wheel in one direction and then drops the ball in the opposite direction. The ball will then bounce over numerous pockets before dropping when the wheel slows down. There are different variations of the game, and each of them differs. The European and French game will include 37 pockets, while the American includes 38. The returns are paid to anyone that had a winning bet, which means that you’re purely playing against the casino and not other players.
This factor also plays a part in the house edge, which ultimately enables the casino to profit. The European and French tables have 35-1 payouts on single numbers, which means should you pick the winning number you will be paid out 35 units plus your original bet. If the wheel would have been fair, you would expect to see odds of 37-1. The only way to beat this is by improving your odds of getting a winner.
Wagers on roulette are divided into inside bets and outside bets. The inside bets are the ones that you do in the middle of the table and require particular numbers to win. This could include a straight prediction on the winning number, or a split, which will require the player to cover two numbers. Inside bets also include a street, corner, six-line, trio, first four, and basket. If these terms are not familiar, then refer to the roulette guide page for all the basic details of how to play roulette.
The outside bets offer the bettor a layer of insurance on their bet as they will cover a wider range, and these options can be found on the outer skirts of the table. These will include betting red or black, and odd or even. Bettors can also just bet on the winning number ranging between 1 and 18 or 19 to 36. Other examples of outside bets include the dozen, column, and snake bet.
Roulette Basic Strategies and Why They Don’t Work
There is no full-proof way to win on roulette, and because of that, it is incredibly difficult to fully support one roulette strategy over another. Each good strategy will have its shortcomings, and it is important to understand them before beginning to play roulette.
Martingale
One of the most popular roulette tips is to use the Martingale betting strategy. It is very simple in essence, and it is hugely popular among most gamblers. The concept of the strategy revolves around the bettor doubling their stake when they have had a losing bet. This is believed to recoup the losses that came on the last hand and also leave the bettor with a slight profit. This isn’t a betting option for those that want to place inside bets, and the only success stories that come with it have revolved around playing the colours.
Let’s go over an example. If you are betting on red, you might start out by putting a one-dollar bet on red. If this loses then you increase your next bet to two dollars. If it loses again you increase your next bet to four dollars. You continue to double the bets each time you lose until you finally win. Once you win you go back to betting up the one dollar amount again or whatever the lowest amount was for that table. Of course, you don’t have to stick to betting on red. The point is you want to keep doubling the bets so that you will always end up being in profit once you win. You might think that this is a mathematically safe system because it starts out so small but the losses will add up as well.
Consider this, if you are using a starting bet of one dollar, then your total loss, once you lose once, is only one dollar. Then you double that amount for your next round and you bet two dollars. If you lose twice in your total loss has now reached three dollars. If you bet four dollars the next round, following with the strategy, and you lose three times your total loss has reached seven dollars. Remember that the total loss is going to get higher each time you bet. But the point is that short-term, let’s say you win on the fourth bet then, the amount you win is equal to or higher than your total losses.
One of the most important things to understand about this particular system is that it increases your chances of winning in the short term. By betting big in order to win small. You end up with more winning sessions than you do losing sessions but remember that the wins you actually get are small and when you lose, though less frequently, it will be a bigger loss.
The disadvantage with this betting strategy is the question of what will happen should you keep losing bets. If you keep losing bets, then that will mean that you keep raising the stakes. Should you go on a long losing streak, then the amount of money that you could be losing may be enormous. Also, there is no guarantee in roulette that just because one colour hasn’t won for a prolonged period that it won’t happen on the next spin. Both are important aspects to remember.
Labouchere
The Labouchere betting strategy is another progression example like the Martingale. However, this time, it doesn’t require the player to raise their stakes as quickly. This system instead requires simple math, as the bettor would use a series of numbers to determine their bet amount. This would typically involve adding the first and last numbers on the line together and then placing that value of the bet. Should the player win on that stake, then they will cross out the numbers that they have used. However, should the player lose, then they will add the stake of the last bet to the end of the line.
While there is still more freedom for bettors using this betting strategy since they can make up the sequence of numbers as they win, it still has the same drawbacks as the Martingale strategy. The stakes that bettors could be playing with could be enormous, which means that it may be better accustomed for high-rollers as opposed to infrequent gamblers.
d’Alembert
This strategy was imagined by a French mathematician with the same name and is based on the pyramid system. It is very similar to the Martingale strategy but with one big difference. Instead of raising the stake considerably when you lose, you instead just add one unit for the next round of betting. And when you have a winner, you deduct one unit from your stake. It is a favourite among players who want to keep their bets and losses to a minimum. For example, when you bet with one unit, to begin with, should this lose, then you will raise it to two. If that second bet wins, then you take the stake back down to one.
The biggest disadvantage to this strategy is that it is based on the belief that a loss is likely to come after a win for the bettor. This means, should a bettor go on a winning streak then they would be restricted in what they will be able to get in returns. Because of this, players who go on long winning runs often decide to swap strategies midway through.
Fibonacci
This is one of the betting strategies that may seem confusing to bettors at first, but once you understand it, then it is incredibly simple. It is a negative progression betting system, which again means that you will be increasing your stake after a loss. The big idea behind this is that you will have bigger returns on your winning bets than you will if you lose on wagers. The biggest factor that bettors must understand is how to adjust the stakes. This is the sequence that you will be betting using:
0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34
You will quickly notice that the third number is the total of the two numbers prior to it being added together, and that is essentially what this strategy is. On your first bet, you will set your stake and then comply with this sequence. For example, on your first bet, you will stake one unit, and should that lose your next bet will be for two units, and then three units. Should you have a winner, then you move back down the sequence.
However, in short, this betting strategy doesn’t work. There are overwhelming problems with it, the most notable being that a long losing streak could mean that you exceed the maximum bet on the table. Once that happens, then you are unable to continue playing using this sequence and are immediately trying to recover your losses.
Paroli
This is a positive betting progression strategy, and its name derives from the Latin term ‘par’, meaning equal. It is simple in essence and involves the bettor doubling after each winning wager until three wins are achieved. It is very straightforward and has been used commonly since the 16th century. At the start of the game, the bettor will bet on one unit, and that will be the case until the bettor wins. Should they win, then the stake is doubled to two. If there is another winner, then the final bet of the sequence will be worth four units. If the two units bet loses, then the sequence begins again. At the end of the sequence, the bettor would have either lost one unit or made a profit of seven.
Table of Outcomes for Paroli Betting Systems
We have already talked about the house edge, and that plays a part in this strategy, as the biggest negative for this tactic is that it is far too easy to lose. There are five patterns that can lose money over three bets, and one that breaks even. There are only two patterns that will actually see the bettor win.
James Bond
Most players would see the name of this strategy and be invested straight away, and it isn’t hard to be. This was once described by Ian Fleming as a ‘foolproof’ method to win money for a ‘good dinner’. However, the big drawback is instantly recognisable as bettors will have to wager £200 from the very first game. This is how that amount breaks down for players in terms of bets that need to be placed:
- £140 on high numbers (19-36)
- £50 on numbers 13 to 18
- £10 on 0
It isn’t difficult to see why this is proclaimed as a banker, but the fact remains that if your luck is out and any number between 1 and 12 comes up then you have just lost an enormous amount of money, and you probably should have been taking advantage of one of the other tips for roulette. However, should you win on at least one of these then you will be walking away with a hefty sum.
Kavouras
This betting strategy is in the minority as it is one of the only tactics that is specifically designed for roulette. It is completely different from that as it steers clear from the outside bets and instead focuses on the inside bets. The idea is simple. There will be bigger returns from betting on the inside bets. It is also pretty easy to remember as the betting numbers will remain the same. There are eight chips placed, but the value of these is dependent on the limit of the table or the amount that the player wants to play with. The betting pattern for this strategy is:
- One Unit: 0-1-2-3 (corner)
- Two Units: 31-32-33-34-35-36 (six-line)
- Five Units: 9-11, 13-14, 15-18, 17-20, 27-30 (split bets)
Gamblers that typically use this method won’t necessarily increase their stake from bet to bet, which means there is a clear limit on how much you can win from this. Plus, you could end up losing on this bet quite often due to the numbers that aren’t covered. However, it is simple and purely designed for roulette which undoubtedly makes it a strong candidate for players.
Red and Black Columns
This is one of the most common ways to bet for any player at the roulette table, as it literally involves a 50/50 chance of having a winner depending on the colour of the pocket where the ball lands. However, it still comes with its drawbacks as we mentioned, there is still a 50/50 chance, which means that it doesn’t the best way to win on roulette.
Oscar’s Grind
This strategy is also known as Hoyle’s Press and Pluscoup Progression in German and French. It was first documented in the 1965 book released by Allan Wilson titled ‘The Casino Gambler’s Guide’. It is a smart progression technique that ensures that a profit is obtained regardless of having a losing streak as long as a winning streak. Bets are kept low during losing streaks while winning wagers are increased. It is a very good betting system, but the main flaw remains that you can still lose after a winning bet.
Why Roulette Basic Strategies Don’t Work - Do The Math!
Let’s face it, there is no clear-cut way to ensure every bet is a winner when you are at the roulette table. Of course, you can increase your odds by following one of these strategies, but they aren’t foolproof, and they are known to fail. But, what happens then? Do you stick to the strategy or just change the way you are playing? At the end of the day, it comes down to you as the bettor to make that decision.
Countering chaos with more chaos isn’t always the answer, and the house always has the edge. The inside bets are paid at 35-1, while a fair game would see those odds raised to 37-1 or 36-1. That is even the case on the outside bets, with the house winning 20 times and the player winning 18 on the double-zero wheel. On the single-zero wheel, the gap is closed with the house winning 19 times and the player winning on 18 occasions. That means that the house edge is 5.26% of the double-zero and 2.70% on the single-zero wheel.
Famous Roulette Folklore- Big Wins Can Happen!
Of course, there have been strategies down the years that have been able to reap seismic results from the casino, but they have been meticulously thought out. Joseph Jagger took a casino in Monte Carlo to the bank in 1873 after realising that there was a biased wheel after watching it for several days. His research paid off as he was able to win a fortune. If the story is to be believed he won between eight and ten rounds. The bosses at the casino finally got rid of the table, but Jagger left with his pockets full and was never seen in a casino again.
Jagger’s achievement was broken between 1904 and 1911 when W.N. Darnborough won $415,000 in Monte Carlo. Like Jagger, he was a keen wheel clocker and noticed trends occurring at specific wheels in the casino. If the story is to be believed, he correctly predicted the number five would come on five successive spins. He gave up gambling in 1911 and began raising a family.
Remember- Random Events Can Happen
The world of roulette can be a very unpredictable place, and that is something that anyone must always keep in mind when they are betting. There is no clear way to win at the wheel, and players should never discount the possibility that zero may come up at any time. Putting something on zero is also good insurance should it happen. That is the main downfall of many of the betting strategies that we have spoken about, as they don’t seem to understand that random things can happen in the game. It is a factor that all bettors should be aware of, and these two examples highlight that anything can happen.
Online Roulette
One of the most popular ways to play at casinos is online, and this has opened up a whole new era for the game. There are now lots of different variations for players to enjoy, and all of them would be attractive for particular players depending on their tastes.
RNG (Random Number Generator)
This form of the game is simply defined as the technology that is used by many online casinos that ensure the numbers that are winners are randomised. Not only does this ensure that the game is entertaining, but it also ensures that customers have the best chance of winning without the game being planned by the casino. This will be regulatory for casinos holding highly-regarded licenses.
Live Tables
One of the most unique aspects of recent times is live roulette gaming. These will be streamed from well-respected casinos and studios across the world and will give online players the most lifelike experience of a casino. The croupier will be a real person in a stream, which is unlike many other online casino games where there is no apparent dealer.
Winning at Roulette?
Winning online roulette is very straightforward. Unlike in land-based casinos where you will have to wait for your chips to take them, in online casinos, the funds are handed straight into your balance. However, you will need to then move the chips should you want to put them in a different location.
Wheel Bias
This is a term used to define the same numbers winning on a frequent basis. This is often caused by wheel defects. This is no longer as prevalent as it once was, which means wheel-watching to see whether the same numbers come up multiple times isn’t as important.
5 Ultimate Roulette Tips
- The single-zero wheel (European) offers the best odds for players.
- If the options of en prison or surrender are available on a game, then you should consider just playing on the outside bets.
- The house edge is narrowed in half should players bet on the en prison or surrender versions of roulette.
- Slow down your game. Don’t be in a rush to make your bets. Settle your nerves and evaluate what you’re doing before you place your wagers.
- Always look for live roulette games as opposed to RNG games. These are more exciting and feel more lifelike.
The Very Best Roulette Strategy - A Final Tip
We have examined all the possible strategies that you can use when betting on roulette, but, there is no specific way to generate excess returns over time! By no means does that mean not to try them out, but be aware that there is no guarantee that you will be winning every single time. Also, only gamble what you’re willing to lose and ensure that your gambling doesn’t get out of hand. Good luck!
