Roulette just so happens to be one of the oldest casino games. The history of Roulette itself can be quite fascinating. It used to amaze gamblers with the spinning wheel and the bouncing ball hundreds of years ago. If you happen to be one of those people who wonder how to win at roulette, then definitely you are not alone. The aim here is to guess where it would land, and though most of it is dependent on one's luck, there indeed are strategies to help you minimize losses and maybe even walk away with some winnings.
Types of Bets
Let's break down the kinds of bets one can make in roulette. Knowing these can make your game a lot more fun and strategic.
Inside Bets
Inside bets at roulette are bets placed upon specific single numbers or small groups of numbers. These are located in the center part of the field of a roulette table. Therefore, such bets are connected with a greater degree of risk and, respectively, a greater potential reward. Here is a summary of the major inside bets:
- Straight-Up Bet: This bet is placed on a single number. If the ball lands on this number, the payout is 35:1. This is the most straightforward and high-risk bet among inside bets.
- Split Bet: This bet covers two adjacent numbers on the roulette layout. Chips are placed on the line between the two numbers. The payout for a winning split bet is 17:1.
- Street Bet: Also known as a row bet, this bet covers three consecutive numbers in a row, such as 1-2-3 or 4-5-6. Chips are placed at the end of the row. The payout for a street bet is 11:1.
- Corner Bet: This bet involves four numbers that form a square on the betting layout. The chip is placed at the intersection of the four numbers. A winning corner bet pays out at 8:1.
- Six Line Bet: This bet covers six consecutive numbers that form two adjacent rows on the table. Chips are placed at the intersection of the two rows and the outside edge of the table layout. The payout for a six-line bet is 5:1.
- Five-Number Bet: Exclusive to American roulette, this bet covers the numbers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. It has a payout of 6:1, but it’s often considered the worst bet in terms of house edge.
Outside Bets
Outside bets are placed on larger number groups. You can wager that all red or all black numbers turn up, odd or even, or whether the winning number will fall within a certain range. In these bets, the risks are much lower compared to inside bets, but so are the gains. In my experience, the outside bets are the best if you want to enjoy the game without exposing yourself to huge risks. Here is a further look into the different outside bets:
- Red/Black Bet: This bet involves predicting whether the winning number will be red or black. If the ball lands on a number of the chosen color, the bet pays out 1:1. This bet has almost a 50% chance of winning, making it one of the most popular outside bets​.
- Odd/Even Bet: Here, you bet on whether the winning number will be odd or even. Like the red/black bet, the payout is 1:1. However, it's important to note that zero and double zero are neither odd nor even, so if the ball lands on these numbers, the bet loses​.
- High/Low Bet: This bet predicts whether the winning number will fall within the low range (1-18) or the high range (19-36). The payout for a successful high/low bet is also 1:1​​.
- Dozens Bet: The roulette table is divided into three dozen groups: 1-12, 13-24, and 25-36. Betting on one of these groups pays out at 2:1 if a number within the chosen dozen wins​​.
- Column Bet: The table layout has three columns of numbers. A column bet involves placing a wager on one of these columns, and it pays out 2:1 if the winning number is in the selected column​​.
- Snake Bet: This less common bet covers a series of numbers that form a zigzag pattern on the table: 1, 5, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 23, 27, 30, 32, and 34. It offers a payout similar to the dozens and column bets but is not available on all tables​​.
Basic Strategies for Beginners
Practice at Free Tables
Try playing at a free table before you put any money on the line. The majority of online casinos offer free versions of roulette. Thus, you can get a feel for the game without risking anything. I find it really convenient to practice this way.
Make Outside Bets
If you really want to increase your edge over the house, then do stick with outside bets, like red/black or odd/even. With almost a 50:50 chance of success, at least your stress levels will be less.
Set Limits
Decide in advance how much you're willing to lose, and don't play beyond that point. Also, set a win goal. This might mean doubling your money and then walking away. This helps you avoid chasing losses.
Avoid Alcohol and Drugs
It's nice to drink while playing, but it can obscure your judgment. I found it is a lot easier to stick to your strategy if you are sharp and not dulled by being intoxicated.
Advanced Betting Systems
While there is no system that will guarantee that you'll win, some betting strategies can assist you with managing your money and, therefore, allow you to stay in the game longer.
Martingale System
This system doubles your bet on an even-money bet after every loss, continuing until you win. It's very simple, but the bets rapidly become large, so it's quite risky.
Reverse Martingale System
This is the opposite of the Martingale. You will double your bet after a win; and after you lose, you go back to your base bet. It's a way to exploit winning streaks.
Fibonacci System
It's based on the Fibonacci sequence, where you increase your bet according to this sequence after a loss and step two back after a win. This one's a bit more gradual way to recover your losses.
D'Alembert System
You increase your bet by one after a loss and decrease it by one after a win. Being less aggressive than Martingale, this system makes bankroll management easier.
Less Traditional Systems
The following are slightly more advanced systems that may be of interest to fun and curious players:
Andrucci System
This system asks the player to log the winning numbers for a number of spins and then bets on the number that appears most often. It presupposes the presence of some wheel bias.
James Bond Strategy
Split your total bet into chosen amounts to selected parts, high numbers, six numbers and zero. This will give the best coverage of the outcomes but requires a larger bankroll.
666 Strategy
Place a bet on most of the numbers on the table, maximizing your chances of winning but requiring a lot of funds. This strategy is also called the Devil's Wheel.
Tips to Play Roulette
- Play European Roulette: If you have the choice, play European roulette instead of American roulette, as the house edge is lower.
- Observe the wheel and trends: Observe how the ball behaves in respect to the wheel. Surprisingly often, you can find some sort of pattern or bias.
- Bankroll Management: Always draw up a budget regarding the amount you are willing to lose and stick with it. Also, always cash out your winnings instead of adding them into your next bet.
- Gamble Responsibly: Remember that the most important thing is fun. Never wager more than you can afford to lose.
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