Beat the House: Roulette Strategy Tips

Throughout history, roulette has stood as one of the oldest and most renowned casino games globally, dating back to 18th century France. Its simplicity of rules and exhilarating gameplay have enticed players for centuries. Nonetheless, the game of roulette often faces misconceptions and underestimation from players.

Many individuals mistakenly perceive roulette as a game solely dependent on luck, assuming there are no means to increase their chances of winning. However, this belief is not entirely accurate. In this piece, we will closely examine the essential qualities of a professional roulette player and provide insightful tips to enhance your gaming skills. Discover various betting patterns, explore the most widely used strategies, and delve into our expert tips provided below.

Learn Roulette’s Fundamentals

The three staple Roulette games include American, European, and French versions. One notable difference is the inclusion of the 00 on the American wheel, which is not found on the French or European wheel used in European casinos. The French wheel features 36 numbers and a single 0, whereas the American wheel contains 36 numbers along with 0 and 00.

Regardless of the wheel variant, all bets are paid out based on odds that would be applicable if only the 36 numbers were present. The house advantage in roulette arises from 0 on the French wheel and both 0 and 00 on the American wheel.

In American roulette, players have to contend with a house edge of 5.26 percent. On the other hand, European players face a lower edge of 2.7 percent, which can be further reduced to 1.4 percent on even-money bets through a rule called en prison. When the house edge is 1.4 percent, roulette becomes a competitive option among other casino games, including online gambling games for real money. However, at 5.26 percent, it becomes a highly challenging game to overcome.

Understand About Roulette Chips

At a roulette table, it is uncommon to use regular casino chips. Instead, when a player places a bet and requests chips, the dealer will provide specialized roulette chips. Each player’s chips are assigned different colors, allowing the dealer to differentiate between them easily. This system ensures that there is no confusion regarding chip ownership. To maintain fairness and prevent disputes, the casino prohibits couples or friends playing together from sharing chips.

The dealer will inquire about the player’s preferred denomination for the chips. For a table with a minimum bet of $5, the player can usually assign a value of $1 to each chip. However, they can also assign them a value of $5, $10, or any other denomination. Once the denomination has been decided, the dealer will place a chip on a rail near the wheel and then position a marker on top to signify the value of that specific colored chip for the entire session.

Know when to Bet on the Column or Color

Roulette, unlike other casino games, permits players to make various bets. Bets like odd and even column bets are tailored to roulette’s legendary betting strategies, including the James Bond strategy, in honor of Ian Fleming’s fictional spy.

There are a total of 18 numbers with red backgrounds and an equal number of 18 numbers with black backgrounds. Placing a bet on red will result in a payout if the ball comes to rest in any of the 18 slots corresponding to the red numbers. Similarly, a bet on black will yield a payout if the ball lands on any of the black numbers. In the event of a thriving red or black bet, the player will receive an amount equal to their original bet, effectively doubling their money.

Casinos that offer a French wheel with the en prison rule have a unique feature. When the number 0 appears, players do not lose their even money bets. Instead, these bets are placed “in prison” and remain active for the next spin. If the bet wins on the next spin, it is released, allowing the player to reclaim it. However, the bet is considered lost if a second consecutive 0 occurs. This rule is quite favorable for players and is not commonly found in the United States.

Column bets involve placing bets on any of the three columns featured on the grid, resulting in a payout ratio of 2-1. The grid is meticulously arranged into 12 rows, with each row containing three consecutive numbers. To illustrate, the initial row encompasses numbers 1, 2, and 3, followed by the second row of numbers 4, 5, and 6. As a result, each number within a column is precisely three units higher than the number preceding it.

Know the Different Betting Systems

Regarding roulette, players often gravitate towards employing betting systems, possibly due to the game’s slower tempo than other casino games. However, it is essential to recognize that none of these systems yield any lasting advantages. No betting system can alter the inherent percentages of the game, and specific systems can even result in significant financial losses for the player. Nonetheless, there are a few systems that have managed to endure for several decades.

  • Martingale Strategy: Following each loss, the player doubles their bet progressively. Once victory is won, it results in a profit that matches the player’s initial bet. 
  • D’Alembert Strategy: The D’Alembert approach adopts a simple structure that exclusively functions with even bets, such as red or black. If you emerge victorious in a bet, decrease the subsequent wager by one unit, whereas if you encounter a loss, increase the subsequent bet by one unit. Winning hinges on the specific roulette variant you are engaged in, averaging 48%. 
  • Paroli Strategy: The Paroli betting system aims to secure three consecutive wins consecutively while progressively doubling the wager after each successful outcome.

Stay in Financial Control

It doesn’t matter how expert you are with your roulette strategies if you can’t manage your budget or have a gambling addiction. Before setting at the roulette wheel, pre-determine your budget and stick with it. Consider setting responsible gaming measures like playing and spending limits if playing roulette online.

Explore Roulette Variants

Compared to other casino games, roulette hasn’t changed much, so it hasn’t many variants like poker. However, live dealer play at iGaming sites might have variants like Auto and Lightning roulette.