The Best Roulette Betting Strategies

Roulette has been among the favorite and most widely played table games, ever since it came onto the gambling scene. It has transformed and developed over time, in the process of becoming the casino game we all now know and love so well. And nowadays, you can spin the Roulette wheel in every gambling venue, be it a land-based one or a virtual one!

Roulette is a game whose outcome you cannot really predict, as it’s based on probabilities. However, there are certain strategies you can apply to your betting system to enhance your chances of winning. And the purpose of this article is precisely that — to introduce you to the best Roulette betting strategies!

Nevertheless, before I get to the details, we need to review the game in general, and all of its specific aspects. That way, once you get to the point where you finally need to apply a strategy, you’ll be fully aware of all the requirements you need to meet, as well as all the possible outcomes! I am Aussie — an extraterrestrial gambling aficionado, and I share your passion for Roulette. I am now taking you on a journey from the origins of Roulette to advise you on how to profit from it.

Roulette: From the Early Days to Contemporary Variations

Although the history of Roulette is mysterious, there’s one thing that we know for sure — its roots go back to France. The name of the game, when translated to English, means “little wheel.” The creation of Roulette was a chance occurrence. It was designed and developed by an established French mathematician, Blaise Pascal. What Pascal was actually trying to do when he happened to create a Roulette wheel was to construct a perpetual motion machine.

The history of Roulette began in the 17th century, but it was also present in certain forms in various ancient civilizations.

Some people believe that the game of Roulette is actually a significantly modified version of a board game that existed in ancient China. Dominican monks, who were profoundly interested in different aspects of Chinese culture, brought the game to Europe, albeit with certain modifications. However, since no one can establish how the Chinese game in question was played, this theory is probably just a legend. When the monks modified it, they supposedly added a zero slot. But this piece of information is faulty, because the earliest form of French Roulette featured both a zero and a double-zero pocket.

In ancient Rome, soldiers often used to engage in gambling activities. Some of the most common ones included spinning a chariot wheel or a shield, which resembles the game of Roulette.

Ancient Greeks also played a game that has certain similarities to modern Roulette. They used to draw symbols on their shields, and then place an arrow next to them and spin them. They then bet on which symbol the arrow was eventually going to land at.

Back on Track

Nevertheless, in spite of the abundance of theories out there, Roulette is most probably of French origin. The wheel designed at that time is, ironically, what we now know as the American Roulette wheel. The European version, that features only one zero slot, came onto the scene about five decades later. It gained in popularity during the 19th century, when a Monte Carlo casino included it in its game selection. European Roulette then took over the entire world; except for America, which continued using the original wheel, commonly known as the American Roulette wheel.

Different Versions of Roulette

1. American Roulette
2. French Roulette
3. European Roulette

Upon glancing at the list provided above, you may be confused. We’ve already mentioned two different types of the wheel based on the number of zero slots. How come there are three of them? Essentially, French and European Roulette greatly resemble each other, except that they differ in terms of the layout. Additionally, the French version features a rule according to which a player receives half of their wager if the ball lands in the zero pocket. The rule we are referring to is called the La Partage rule.

Those two wheels both feature a total of 37 numbers that range from 0 to 36. Since they don’t have a double-zero pocket, they provide higher odds of winning — 1 to 37, to be precise. The French version implies a lower house edge (1.35%) in comparison to the European one (2.7%), thanks to the La Partage rule.

American Roulette wheel, as we have already stated, features a double-zero slot in addition to the single-zero slot. Subsequently, the odds of winning are different (1 to 38), and so is the house advantage (5.27%). In addition to these differences which do affect your chances, there are some visual ones as well. The American Roulette wheel, as opposed to the European one, does not place numbers randomly. Instead, sequential numbers are placed opposite one another.

The Virtual Form of Roulette

Since we all live in the Information Age, be it on Earth or some other planet, the internet has greatly influenced all segments of modern living over the past several decades. Gambling is no exception, which is why we have a plentiful selection of online casinos today. The virtual gambling market has been expanding constantly. So nowadays you can find every casino game featured at the biggest, most popular venues online. However, as they transferred to the virtual world, each one of them had to be slightly modified. That goes for Roulette as well. In this section, we’re going to review the virtual game of Roulette and describe its two forms.

RNG or Live?

When it comes to the modifications we mentioned earlier, there are two ways you can play Roulette online. The most common variation is RNG Roulette, which you can find on almost any gambling website! This particular variation uses a random number generator, in order to regulate the randomness of the outcome of every spin. An RNG version is available not only for Roulette, but for every other table game as well. While using a random number generator is a safe way to assure every outcome is random, you can’t apply any kind of strategy to RNG Roulette, as it doesn’t even have a wheel to begin with! So this is why we strongly advise you to look for a casino that features live dealer games.

Although such gambling websites are less common, the effort you’re going to take to find one will certainly be worth it in the end. Live dealer games, as the name itself suggests, feature live dealers, and they’re played in real time. Essentially, the gaming process isn’t really much different from the one at a traditional casino, except for the fact that you participate from your home, observing the situation through your webcam. Naturally, a live game of Roulette features a wheel as well, which allows you to apply a strategy to your game.

Now as we’re on the topic of online gambling, keep in mind that there is a vast number of virtual casinos that offer you the free games option. So before making your wager, we strongly recommend that you test your knowledge and skills on one of the free games.

The Time Has Come: Which Bet to Place?

Now that you are aware of the differences between various forms of Roulette, both traditional and virtual, it’s time we dedicated our undivided attention to all the wagers you can place. Read the following lines attentively, as the information you’re going to gather from them is crucial for the process of learning about your chances of winning; and ultimately, your strategies as well!

Roulette features a wide range of options in terms of betting. You can wager on single numbers or select multiple numbers in a single bet. Note that each bet implies mathematically calculated odds and payouts, which we’re going to further discuss later. Your chances increase the more numbers you bet on, whereas the offered payouts exponentially decrease.

Essentially, there are three main types of bets in Roulette:

1. Inside bets
2. Outside bets
3. Announced bets

The first two types are available in every Roulette game, and so they should be memorized by heart. Alternately, the third type is generally considered more advanced, which is why only certain Roulette variants feature it.

Inside Bets

The Roulette table layout looks rather simple. There are numbers from zero through 36, and places for placing wagers — red numbers/black numbers, odd numbers/even numbers, 1–18/19–36, as well as columns and dozens. Inside bets are those you place on the numbers themselves, as they’re on the inside part of the table. Below is the list of all the inside bets.

1. Straight — covers a single number. Put a chip directly on a certain number, in order to make this wager.
2. Split — covers two bordering numbers. Placing a chip on the line that divides them counts as a split bet.
3. Street — covers three numbers in sequence on one line. Placing a chip in the outer corner of the line counts as making a street bet.
4. Six-Line — covers six numbers. Place a chip in the outer corner shared by a group of six bordering numbers, and you have made a six-line bet.
5. Corner — covers four numbers that form a square. A chip on the intersection of two lines means a player has made this one.
6. Trio — includes a zero or a double zero. Placing this bet means putting a chip on the line shared by the zero box and two other numbers.
7. Basket — covers numbers from zero to three. To make this bet, put a chip in the corner shared by the zero box and the one box.

Outside Bets

Outside bets are the ones you place on one of the fields on the outside part of the table.

1. Red/Black — covers every number in one colour.
2. Odd/Even — covers all the odd or all the even numbers.
3. 1–18/19–36 — covers all the low or all the high numbers.
4. Dozens — covers one third, as there are three groups of twelve numbers.
5. Columns — covers one of the three columns into which all the numbers are divided.

Aside from the standard outside bets, there’s also one that is not always available. Its name is the snake, as it assumes the form of a snake. It covers the following numbers: 1, 5, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 23, 27, 30, 32, and 34, which are all red. Alternately, the game can sometimes feature the possibility of placing the black snake bet, which covers these numbers instead: 2, 6, 8, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 26, 29, 28, 31, and 35.

Announced Bets

Announced bets are most commonly available in French Roulette, although they can sometimes be featured in a variant of online European Roulette. Since the French version of the game is the only one that offers you the possibility of placing these particular wagers, their names are in French.

Voisins du Zéro (Neighbours of Zero) Bet

This bet covers fifteen numbers in total — zero, plus two groups of seven numbers on each side of the zero pocket on the wheel. To make this bet, you ought to place nine chips in the following way:

• Two chips for a trio comprising zero, two, and three
• One chip per each of the five splits: 4/7, 12/15, 18/21/ 19/22, and 32/35
• Two chips covering a common corner of the following four numbers: 25, 26, 28, and 29.

Le Tiers Du Cylindre (One-Third of a Wheel) Bet

This bet consists of twelve numbers — 27 through 33 on the wheel. You win this bet if the ball lands in one of the following slots: 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23,10, 5, 24, 16, or 33. You will need six chips for making this bet, in order to cover the following pairs of bordering numbers: 5/8, 10/11, 13/16, 23/24, 27/30, and 33/36.

Orphelins Bets

This bet comprises all the numbers the two previously described bets don’t cover. It comprises the following eight numbers: 1, 6, 9, 14, 17, 20, 31, and 34. It requires you to cover number one, plus the following pairs of bordering numbers: 6/9, 14/17, 17/20, and 31/34.

Jeu Zéro (the Zero Game) Bet

This bet covers four numbers — zero, plus the three neighbouring ones on the wheel. Making this bet requires you to make one straight bet on the number 26, as well as to cover the following pairs of bordering numbers: 0/3, 12/15, and 32/35.

The Neighbours Bet

This bet covers any random number and two pairs of bordering ones on each side which form a series of five numbers on the wheel. For instance, the “5 and the neighbours” bet comprises the following sequence of numbers: 5, 24, 16, 10, and 23. If you want to make this bet, you need to use a betting section called “the racetracks.” Certain virtual Roulette variations feature it, but it’s not available on all gambling websites.

The Finales (Finals) Bet

This bet essentially concerns all the numbers that share the final digit. Betting on Finale 5 means covering the following numbers: 5, 15, 25, and 35.

Red/Black Splits

The last bet on the list of announced bets comprise all the bordering numbers on the table of the same colour, be it red or black.

Maximum Bets/Minimum Bets

Every Roulette table has certain wagering requirements. The maximum and minimum bets you are able to place directly depend on whether the game you play is a low-stakes one or a high-stakes one. In high-stakes games, the amount of money you can wager may range from $25 to $90,000. Some casinos set different betting limits for different types of wagers, depending on their position (inside and outside bets). Others, however, set an individual betting limit for every player participating in the game. Whichever the case, the betting limits are always prominently posted, or else clearly announced, at the beginning of an online Roulette game.

Which Bet to Place and How Much to Bet?

Your choice of bet depends on the strategy you decide to use. We’re going to discuss the best Roulette strategies in a separate section, so you can combine what you know about bets with the knowledge of strategies you are yet to acquire. The amount of your wager is determined by the particular Roulette game you choose to play, as I have already stated.

Exploring Probability: Chances of Winning

Since you will soon be able to consider yourself a Roulette player, you need to understand the game to its very core. That includes knowing the probabilities and payouts each Roulette bet implies. All of them are mathematically calculated. In this section, you will gain insight into all those calculations.

Inside Bets: Odds and Payouts

• The term “single number bet” implies the lowest probability out of all the inside bets — 2.70% for the European version and 2.60% for the American version of the game. Subsequently, the payouts are large — 35:1.
• Wagers that combine two numbers imply winning odds of 5.4% and 5.3% for European and American Roulette, respectively; whereas winning such a bet pays out 17:1.
• Bets combining three numbers imply the following odds: 8.1% for European Roulette and 7.9% for the American version of the game. The payout you’re going to receive if you win this bet is 11:1.
• Covering four numbers with a single bet implies odds of 10.8% and 10.5% for European and American Roulette, respectively. It pays out 8:1.
• Five-number combinations imply the following probabilities: 13.5% for European Roulette and 13.2% for American Roulette. It pays out 6:1.
• Six-number combinations pay out 5:1 and imply odds of 16.2% and 15.8% for European and American Roulette, respectively.

Outside Bets: Odds and Payouts

• Red/Black, Odd/Even, and High/Low bets imply probabilities of 48.6% for European Roulette and 47.4% for American Roulette, while they pay out 1:1.
• Dozens and Columns pay out 2:1, and the odds of winning with these bets are 32.4% for European Roulette and 31.6% for American Roulette.

Announced Bets: Odds and Payouts

• Voisins du Zéro (Neighbours of Zero) bet pays out 24:1 and has odds of winning of of 45.9%.
• Le Tiers Du Cylindre (One-Third of a Wheel) bet has a probability of 32.4% and the 17:1 payout.
• Jeu Zéro (the Zero Game) bet pays out 26:1, whereas the probability it implies is 18.9%.
• Orphelins bet pays out 35:1 or 17:1. It implies the odds of 21.6%.

Probabilities of other announced bets depend on the numbers you choose. The Neighbors bet generally implies the odds of 13.5%, whereas the odds of the Finales bet range from 8.1% to 10.8%.

How to Choose a Winning Wheel?

Given that Roulette is based on probability, there’s actually no such thing as a “winning wheel.” But you can still choose French Roulette over American Roulette and thus increase your chances of winning; as the latter features both a zero and a double zero slot. Additionally, French Roulette features the “La Partage” rule, which gives you the possibility of winning half of your wager back, even if you lose! Moreover, you can always choose between a low-stakes game and a high-stakes one, based on your budget. There’s a wide range of possibilities in terms of choosing a Roulette wheel, but none of them guarantees you will win. However, you can always use one of the best Roulette strategies and improve your chances to accomplish your goal, which is precisely what the following section is about.

To the Point: Roulette Strategies

Since you are a gambling aficionado, you’re probably aware by now that the house eventually wins. Moreover, Roulette is a casino game in which the element of chance is rather strong — possibly stronger than in any other game! So once the game commences, no one can know the outcome for sure. So even if you place a wager that offers the lowest odds, you may happen to win. Or alternatively, you can lose a bet that has high odds. Since it is all relative, all the knowledge you may have about mathematically calculated probabilities may well turn out to be irrelevant!

Notwithstanding, there are still some methods you can utilize to enhance your chances as much as possible. And yes, we’re talking about Roulette strategies! Roulette has been a crucial segment of the industry for centuries, so it comes as no surprise that numerous strategies applicable to it have been developed over that time. People choose different strategies for various reasons — personal preference, betting limit, their own budget, and so on. And that’s why we’re going to discuss the best Roulette strategies ever created. So read the following brief description of every one of them and decide which one suits you best!

The Martingale Strategy

This strategy implies doubling your wagers until you win. It has been developed under the assumption that probabilities cannot be against you forever. So essentially, if this is your strategy of choice, you need to keep making the same bet, doubling its size each time, until you win. Finding a Roulette table with a low minimum bet limit and a high maximum bet limit is crucial for using the Martingale betting system. Note that you may end up on a losing streak if this strategy turns out to be faulty! Roulette is a game of chance, so there’s no guarantee that the ball will land on red after repeatedly landing on black, for example.

The Reverse Martingale Strategy

This strategy implies using the same system, but in reverse. The goal is to raise your winning bets and decrease your wager after a loss. The reverse Martingale betting system has the same requirements as the Martingale strategy — finding a table with a low minimum and a high maximum bet limit. Now although it may seem like an improved version of the Martingale strategy, it also has certain flaws. You may get carried away while being on a winning streak, yet still end up losing a significant amount of money. The safest way to apply this strategy is to walk away while you’re still winning, which does take some willpower!

The D’Alembert Strategy

The D’Alembert betting system is a safer alternative to the previous two strategies. The initial requirement remains the same — find a Roulette table that allows you to place small minimum bets. You ought to place a small wager on red/black, high/low, or odd/even. Your next steps then depend on the outcome of each individual. When you lose, the strategy suggests that you increase your following wager by one unit. Alternatively, when you win, you should decrease it by one unit instead.

The Fibonacci Strategy

This strategy dates all the way back to the 13th century. An established Italian mathematician, Leonardo of Pisa, commonly referred to as Fibonacci (hence the name) studied a specific sequence of numbers. However, it wasn’t until the 19th century that this sequence became widely known as the “Fibonacci sequence.” Said sequence orders numbers in a way that after the initial two, every number sums up the two numbers that precede it: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, and so on. When it comes to using this system on Roulette, you should wager one unit the first two times. Every consecutive bet ought to be a sum of the previous two ones.

The James Bond Strategy

If you have seen the James Bond movies, then we’re sure you already know this famous fictional secret service agent has a real taste for Roulette! Ian Fleming named this particular Roulette strategy he developed after the fictional super agent he famously devised, claiming it was a foolproof method. The main requirement you need to fulfil prior to playing Roulette James Bond style is to have $200. You should then place three bets as follows: $140 on high numbers, $50 on 13 through 18, and $10 on zero. The obvious flaw of this betting system is the risk of having the ball land on one of the numbers between 1 and 12. If that happens, you can change your strategy and apply the Martingale betting system.

Additional Tips: How to Win a Game of Roulette

Now that you have acquired all the knowledge necessary for playing a game of Roulette, you can further explore the strategies discussed above, and decide which one to apply. However, there are some additional tips we also wish to share with you, to try and help you improve your chances of winning as much as possible!

Practice Makes Perfect

As I mentioned in the section regarding online Roulette, there are some gambling websites that offer you free trial games. So take advantage of your chance to practice, before making your first wager! Test your knowledge, your memory, and your ability to manipulate different strategies on a free Roulette game.

Outside Bets Equal Better Odds

You already know that outside bets imply better odds. So just use that knowledge to your advantage, and consider choosing them over inside bets. Remember: as long as each individual bet you place fulfils the requirements for the minimal amount you need to wager, you really can make a profit by placing outside bets.

Inside Bets Mean Higher Payouts

Although they imply slimmer odds, inside bets, if won, bring larger payouts. Keep that in mind if you feel like taking a risk. However, remember to choose the ones that combine several numbers, instead of making a straight bet!

Never Forget Your Profit Goals

The golden rule for all casino games is to only wager funds you can afford to lose. Set your own betting limit and don’t disregard it. You’re in charge of your game, so don’t get carried away by it. Walk away when you go on a losing streak and do the same after winning several times. Also, don’t exaggerate when it comes to alcohol — you need a clear head!

Choose European Roulette Over American Roulette

We’ve already discussed the differences between these two types of Roulette. These differences are all about your odds and the house edge, so they do directly influence your chances of winning. So whenever possible, make sure you do choose the European version of the game. In addition to this, do not forget the “La Partage” rule featured in French Roulette.

Choose a Strategy Depending on Your Budget and Ambitions

When choosing a Roulette betting strategy, it’s important for you to know whether a particular system implies high or low risks, and also to be aware of its impact on your budget. So for a low-risk game, apply the Fibonacci system. If you want to explore the possibilities of winning big, use the James Bond strategy. If you feel really adventurous, use one of the variations of the Martingale betting system.

Closing Thoughts

Whatever you do, make sure you keep in mind that Roulette is a game of chance! You can enhance your own by using one of the strategies we have listed, that much is true. Memorize the odds and payouts, learn the differences between the bets, and then choose your strategy. However, never forget that the house eventually wins; so make sure you do yourself a favour and walk away while you’re on a winning streak. Because that’s the only surefire way to make any strategy work for you, and not against you!

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