Top Tips for Improving Your Roulette Strategy

Roulette sits alongside Blackjack and Slots at the top table of popular casino games. Whether playing online or in Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, the spinning wheel of chance has the potential to help you win big in just seconds. Moreover, as a game largely defined by luck, roulette can be enjoyed by everyone from first-time players to seasoned punters with a level playing field.

It is estimated that 26% of the world’s population has gambled at least once, and roulette is often one of the first games played. Meanwhile, millions more have played the game either with a physical tabletop wheel or by playing a digital version for hypothetical money. Whether you’re a first-time player or an experienced punter looking to enhance your hopes of winning long-term at the roulette table, read on.

Winning Big at the Casino

One of the most appealing aspects of roulette is that it offers the potential of gaining a huge payout with very little work. In a single spin, correctly predicting could turn your wager into a payout worth 35:1. So, if you bet just $10 on 1 Red and it comes in, you’ll get $360 back including your initial stake.

With this in mind, it’s not hard to appreciate the popularity of roulette. Virtually anyone could walk away as a winner while some of the biggest wins in history have come at the roulette table. When looking at the world’s largest roulette winners, we can see that Sir Philip Green walked away from a London casino with seven-figure winnings twice in December 2004 while Charles Wells famously hit 23 winners out of 30 spins back in 1891.

So, while the casino does always win in the long run due to the house edge, individual players can win big. While simply backing your lucky number is one option, visiting the table with a clear strategy in mind will give you a better shot at success.

How to Win Every Time

While the house does have an edge (2.7% on European roulette or 5.26% on American roulette), every punter on American, European, or Christmas-themed roulette should first ask: Is it possible to win every session?

Technically, the answer is yes. Firstly, you could get a return on every spin by backing every number - however, your winnings would be less than the stake. Another route to consider, though, is the Martingale system. It works on the philosophy of halving winning bets and doubling losing bets. It is most commonly used on the outside bets and is based on the idea that eventually a run of red/black or odd/even will end. Starting with a $1 bet on red, for example, the sequence may look like this;

• Bet 1: $1 on red. Red = $1 profit. Black/green = $1 down.
• Bet 2: $2 on red. Red = $1 profit. Black/green = $3 down.
• Bet 3: $4 on red. Red = $1 profit. Black/green = $7 down.
• Bet 4: $8 on red. Red = $1 profit. Black/green = $15 down.
• Bet 5: $16 on red. Red = $1 profit. Black/green = $31 down.
• Bet 6: $32 on red. Red = $1 profit. Black/green = $63 down.
• Bet 7: $64 on red. Red = $1 profit. Black/green = $127 down.
• Bet 8: $128 on red. Red = $1 profit. Black/green = $255 down.
• Bet 9: $256 on red. Red = $1 profit. Black/green = $511 down.

Given that bet one starts on the opposite of the spin before, you would have had 10 spins without red to reach this stage. Probability says that the chances of this happening are 0.0016. So, you’d be unlucky for it to happen.

Theoretically speaking, you are guaranteed to win using this method. However, you would need an endless balance, especially as a $10 table minimum for outside bets would mean that you are $5,110 after nine bets and another $5,120 if bet 10 loses. Meanwhile, most tables have an upper limit, which could blow the Martingale strategy apart. In other words, it’s better to look at alternative strategies.

Best Roulette Strategy Tips

Before looking at specific strategies, every roulette player should acknowledge the importance of discipline in any casino game. Putting some non-negotiables in place can be the key to avoiding major losses - with real or hypothetical money.

It works particularly well alongside tips for beginners, allowing new players to maintain control of their roulette activities. Here are some tips that you may wish to use as a foundation for building your strategy;

• Enter the casino/website with a clear figure in mind for the maximum losses you are prepared to encounter. Never go over this limit or chase your losses as this is when roulette can become problematic.
• Additionally enter the casino/website with a target for what you want to win. If you exceed this figure, only play with the surplus and be prepared to walk away once back down to your target figure.
• Study the roulette table, understand the difference in probability between American and European roulette, and learn the different payouts for each type of bet. For example 35:1 for a number or 2:1 for a column.
• Play on a free online roulette table like Valentine’s roulette to familiarize yourself with bets and test out a strategy before risking real money.
• Take breaks. The great thing about roulette is that you only need a few minutes to complete enough spins to implement your strategy. Once you have, take a break as this allows you to return with a fresh mindset.

If playing online, you should also take advantage of bonuses but understand the wagering requirements before accepting them. When used well, they will boost your chances of winning.

Mastering Roulette Techniques

Whether playing a themed roulette table like 4th of July Roulette or a traditional American/European wheel, understanding the types of bets that may be placed is an essential precursor for building a strategy. The main types of bets are as follows:

Inside Bets

• Straight bets: Betting a single number (including 0 or 00) for a payout of 35:1 but only a 2.63% (American) or 2.7% chance of winning.
• Split bets: Betting on two numbers next to each other on the grid. This could be on a row (i.e. 14 and 17) or a column (i.e 1 and 2). The payout is 17:1.
• Street bets: Betting on a row of three numbers (i.e 34, 35, and 36) from the grid. The chip is placed at the bottom of the row on the edge of the box at 34. The payout is 11:1.
• Six line bets: The same as a street bet, but covering two adjacent rows (i.e. 10,11,12 and 13,14,15. Tokens play at the bottom of the row, between 10 and 13. The payout is 5:1.
• Corner bet: This is when you bet on four numbers in a square (i.e. 17, 18, 20, and 21). The chip is played in the center of where all four numbers meet. The payout is 8:1.

When covering multiple numbers, your payout includes the full stake return, which compensates for the reduced payout on split bets. If you hit 23 Red on a straight bet for $1, you’ll get $36 back. Similarly, if you hit 23 Red on a corner bet for $4 ($1 on each of the four numbers), you’ll still get $36 back.

Outside Bets

• Red/Black: Betting on whether the number is red or black. The payout is 1:1 with a probability of 48.6% on European roulette.
• Odd/Even: Betting on whether the number will be even or odd. The payout is 1:1 with a probability of 48.6% on European roulette.
• Dozens: Betting on either 1-12, 13-24 or 25-36. The payout is 2:1 with a probability of 32.4% on European roulette.
• Columns: Betting on the three columns (1 through to 34, 2 through to 35, or 3 through to 36). The payout is 2:1 with a probability of 32.4% on European roulette.

By understanding both inside and outside bets, you can work out a strategy that reduces the house edge. However, your technique should also take your bankroll into account. For example, backing two of the three dozens for a 50% profit sounds great, but a small bankroll would fade quickly with a few losses. Therefore, opting for an odd/even bet may be smarter in this instance.

Top Strategies for Success

Understanding all bets, including their probability and payouts, is essential. If nothing else, it saves you from the threat of being underpaid by the spinner after winning. Still, several strategies could be utilized depending on your targets (such as winning big versus steady profit) and available bankroll. The Martingale system has already been discussed. Let’s look at some alternative solutions:

The Paroli System

The Paroli System is essentially the opposite of the Martingale. You half stakes after a loss and double after a win. The idea of this is that you can potentially edge ahead by many units with a good sequence of spins. Once you get ahead, it will take a long sequence of losses to bring you back.

However, it should be noted that the chances of winning several bets in a row is quite low. For example, there is a less than 3% chance of hitting just five Red (or Black) numbers in a row.

The Fibonacci System

The Fibonacci System is named after the mathematical sequence of the same name. It develops as follows; 1-1-2-3-5-8-13-21-34-55-89-144-233-377-610-987-1597-etc.

In relation to roulette, the system revolves around two rules. If you lose, you progress to the next number on the sequence. When you win, though, you move two numbers back down the sequence. In many ways, it combines some strategic elements of both the Martingale and Paroli system because it aims to win profit while managing the balance but can also open the door to significant growth if you hit multiple winners in a short run.

Again, it is theoretically guaranteed to win, but the realities of financial restrictions and table limits mean that you could potentially lose big on a particularly unlucky session. Bankrolls will fluctuate too. So, you must incorporate regular breaks when using this method.

The James Bond System

Introduced in Casino Royale, the James Bond method revolves around a 70% stake on 19-36, a 25% stake on 13-18, and a 5% stake on 0.

• If you hit the 19-36 section, you’ll get back a 50% profit.
• If you hit the 13-18 section, you’ll get back a 20% profit.
• If you hit 0, you’ll get back 90% of the total stake.

Only numbers 1-12 are a complete loss, meaning you have over a 2 in 3 chance of getting back a minimum of 90% of your stake and over 60% chance of profiting.

D’Alembert

Aimed at players with a large bankroll, this strategy focuses on splitting your bankroll into 100 units. So, if you have a $10,000 bankroll, each unit is $100.

Then, bet one is a five-unit stake. If it wins, you minus one unit to make the second bet worth four units. If it loses, you add one unit to make the second bet worth six units. It can be a good way to manage a run of losses as you only add one unit after each loss. However, even a run of three wins would see you edge ahead by 12 units (5 units, 4 units, and 3 units) before only losing two units if the next selection loses. Even after three consecutive losses from this point, you’d be two units ahead over the six-spin session.

This should only be used on 1:1 outside bets.

The Single Number Repeat

Finally, backing your lucky number could be a good option, especially when wanting to make your funds last. Statistically speaking, if you back a single number for 30 spins, you will have a 55% chance of hitting it at least once. While previous spins don’t technically impact previous spins, many players will pick a number that hasn’t hit for at least 10 spins. Theoretically, then, there is a 55% chance of hitting it within the first 20 spins.

Even hitting the number on the 30th spin would result in a profit of 6 units, assuming you’ve even staked. So, if you’ve put $1 on each spin, you’ll gain a $36 return after a total of $30 spent on spins. Of course, the earlier you hit the number, the better.

• Hit it on the first spin and you profit $35.
• Get lucky on the sixth spin and you profit $30.
• Hit it on the 18th spin and you profit $18.
• Hit it on the 25th spin, and you profit $11.

Even after 30 spins, you could potentially carry on until 36 spins in the knowledge that you’ll break even. Some players may even double up after 36. This way, you’ll get $72 back when it lands, meaning you have another 18 spins to hit your number and would cap your potential losses at $72 from 54 spins.

Once the number lands, most players move onto a different number - again focusing on one that has already been a few spins without landing.

Maximizing Your Roulette Bets

To maximize your roulette bets and experiences at the table, you should consider your enjoyment. Winning is still exciting and fun even when playing for small stakes of virtual money. So, one strategy is to focus on low-value bets or stick with free digital games. The psychology of roulette remains, and there is no risk of hitting financial problems. Moreover, even if you do lose, you’ll get more entertainment for your money.

Sticking to the table minimum and playing the outside bets doesn't only reduce the threat of racking up big losses in a single spin. It also allows you to cover a large volume of numbers. You could, for example, play 1-18 and the top row from 3 to 36. In this instance, you cover 24 numbers, giving you an almost 66% chance of winning something while also having a chance to win big. The payouts would be;

• Numbers 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, and 17 = break even (1 x 1:1 winner).
• Numbers 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, and 36 = 50% profit on the overall spin stake (1 x 2:1 winner).
• Numbers 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 = 150% profit on overall spin stake (1 x 1:1 winner and 2:1 winner).

Other ways to maximize your roulette bets, especially when playing real money, are to choose European roulette or look for tables featuring the en prison roulette rule that can let players win back losses without extra stakes.

Beating the Roulette Wheel

While having luck on your side will certainly help, it’s not just a game of chance. While it is possible to land a big 35:1 by backing a single number on a single spin, you will want to put a strategy in place.

Whether this means targeting the outside bets or picking a specific number for up to 30 spins with a 55% chance of at least breaking even is up to you. Above all else, you must know when to walk away - to cut your losses or celebrate winning before giving it back to the house.

Use free roulette to establish your strategy and build confidence in the tactics that work for you.

DISCLAIMER: The games on this website are using PLAY (fake) money. No payouts will be awarded, there are no "winnings", as all games represented by 247 Games LLC are free to play. Play strictly for fun.