WHAT IS ROULETTE STRATEGY?
If you want to get the most out of your roulette play, you’ll need to choose a solid roulette strategy that fits your personal goals and play style.
Unlike in some other casino games like blackjack, roulette strategy isn’t about making tough decisions that impact the result of each bet. Instead, the most successful strategies in roulette are about managing your bankroll and choosing a series of bets to help you meet a predetermined goal.
This is typically done by choosing a roulette betting system to follow. There are many different ones out there, each of which changes how you size bets, manage losing runs and experience volatility. None removes the house edge. A roulette system asks you to follow a series of betting rules, both in terms of what kinds of bets to make, and how much to bet on each spin. Usually, the result of one spin will determine how you bet on the next one.
The level of difficulty and complexity of each roulette betting strategy varies, as do the bankroll requirements. So, rather than push you towards a particular system, we cover a large number of systems to help you decide on the best roulette strategy for you.
CHOOSING A STRATEGY FOR YOUR ROULETTE PLAY
No matter how you enjoy playing, there’s a roulette strategy that’s right for you. Depending on your style of play, you might prefer a style that offers a high chance of winning a small amount, or a more volatile system that chases after huge profits.
Roulette betting systems also vary in how many chips are required to play them properly. Some roulette strategies allow you to implement them without bringing much money to the table, while others require a big commitment to use properly.
One thing to keep in mind is that none of these roulette strategies can change the mathematical house edge on a roulette game. The roulette odds for every spin remain the same, and no combination of bets can actually alter that. On the other hand, the type of roulette wheel you play on can make a difference, as European roulette has a much lower house edge than the American game.
Below, we list the features of the main roulette systems for inside and outside bets:
INSIDE BET ROULETTE SYSTEMS
Six Pence
- Requires betting only five chips on most spins.
- Guarantees close calls, adding excitement to every spin.
- Calls for knowledge of the wheel layout, making it a better option for advanced players.
Green Black Attack
- Combines many bets to cover most of the wheel.
- Many different outcomes are possible on every spin.
- Great for expert players who don’t mind having a lot of bets to keep track of.
Pivot
- A tracking system based on recent results; previous spins do not make a number more likely to repeat.
- Designed to be played over long casino sessions.
- Good for casual players with some roulette experience.
Law of the Third
- A tracking system based on a nine-spin sample; those previous results do not predict the next spin.
- Designed to be playable with a very small bankroll.
- Suits beginners who want to try spin tracking strategies.
OUTSIDE BET ROULETTE SYSTEMS
Martingale
- Doubles bets after losses, then resets after wins.
- Trades many small wins for the occasional large loss.
- Easy to play for beginners, but comes with significant risks.
Grand and Anti-Martingale
- Increases bets after wins, then resets after losses.
- Can lead to big wins during hot streaks.
- Easy to play and can be enjoyed by players of all levels.
D’Alembert
- Slowly increases bets after losses, then decreases them after wins.
- Raises stakes more slowly than the Martingale, but exposure can still build during a losing run.
- A slower progression than the Martingale, but still capable of producing larger losses.
Fibonacci
- Increases bets by using the famous Fibonacci mathematical sequence.
- Raises stakes according to the Fibonacci sequence, so exposure can still grow during a losing run.
- Ideal for intermediate and advanced players due to the required bet tracking.
Oscar’s Grind
- A slow, progressive system that keeps bets small.
- Targets a one-unit profit, but can require long sequences and does not improve the expected return.
- An advanced strategy, as players may have to track their bets over dozens of spins.
Labouchère
- Designed for players who want to win a specific amount of money.
- Can lead to big rewards, but also carries big risks.
- Requires a lot of math, making this an advanced roulette strategy.
Reverse Labouchère
- Perfect for players who want to stick to a bankroll.
- Uses a different progression pattern, but large losses are still possible.
- Like the original Labouchère, it comes with a heavy math requirement.
Column King
- A slow progression system that takes advantage of the 2-1 payouts on column bets.
- Variants can support conservative or aggressive play styles.
- Easy to play, and ideal for beginners looking to venture beyond even money bets.
Wells Pendulum
- An even money betting system that sees bets rise and fall as streaks occur.
- Can be modified for those who want to play with a smaller bankroll.
- Complex and risky, making it best suited to expert players.
Guetting
- A progression system that only makes you bet more when you’re winning.
- Only increases after wins, but losses remain possible and the system does not change the house edge.
- A great option for intermediate roulette players.
COMPARING ROULETTE STRATEGIES FOR YOUR BETS
The systems above differ mainly in stake progression, volatility and bankroll pressure; none changes the mathematical house edge. The examples below are useful for comparing how several commonly used systems behave in practice:
Labouchère
- Uses a target-based progression that can continue even through a mixed run of results.
- A roulette strategy that always lets you know how close you are to your goal.
- Most effective when you choose a reasonable goal: don’t expect to win millions unless you’re willing to bet big.
Green Black Attack
- An exciting inside betting system that doesn’t require a ton of money to play.
- Combines broad wheel coverage with inside-bet payouts, but does not improve the expected return.
- Be sure to remember to increase your bets after big wins to maximize your winning potential.
Column King
- Uses outside column bets with 2-1 payouts, while the underlying house edge remains unchanged.
- The 2-1 payout changes the stake pattern compared with even-money systems, but losses can still accumulate.
- Use this system with a fairly large bankroll: this roulette strategy works best if you can absorb some moderate losing streaks.
Law of the Third
- Uses recent spin tracking to select straight bets, but past spins do not make a number more likely to appear next.
- Uses flat stakes rather than a progression, although straight bets remain high variance.
- Tracking previous numbers does not change the probability of the next spin.
MORE ROULETTE STRATEGY TIPS FROM OUR EXPERTS
Betting systems can shape stake progression, but the more important choices are the wheel rules, bet type and how much of your bankroll you are willing to risk. Here are a few of the best pieces of roulette advice that our team of experts wants to pass on to you.
Game Choice:
The biggest factor in determining how you will do at roulette over the long run is what kind of game you choose to play.
European roulette offers a lower house edge than double-zero American roulette. The betting system itself does not become more effective, but the expected loss is lower because the game rules are better for the player.
For roulette strategies that rely on even money bets, you can do even better at European tables that use the la partage or en prison rules, which cut the house edge on those wagers in half.
Bet Choice:
Remember to always make bets that suit your play style and your chosen roulette strategy.
Even-money bets have a higher hit rate than inside bets, while straight bets are unreliable but can result in huge wins. A progression system like the Martingale is only meant to be used with even money wagers.
On the other hand, systems like the Green Black Attack rely on the big payouts from inside bets to make up for the fact that they are spreading several chips across the table on every spin.
Minimum and Maximum Bets:
One of the problems for players who use casino roulette strategies is that they fail to understand the range of bet amounts allowed, especially with progression systems.
If the minimum outside bet is $10 and the maximum just $500, you can only double the minimum bet six times before hitting the maximum – not much room to survive a losing streak.
The minimum bet can also impact how you play your inside bets. To make a series of $1 bets which don’t reach the minimum, consider whether you’re fine with playing for $2 per bet.
Strategies to Avoid:
We haven’t talked about every single roulette strategy on this page, because there are some that we’re just not comfortable recommending to you. In general, we advise you not to utilize any strategy that could cause you to lose more money than you can afford, or which might ask you to make a larger bet than you are willing to call. You should also avoid roulette betting systems that guarantee wins or try to convince you to play double-zero American roulette – these are almost always scams.
This is only the start of our guidance on roulette systems, bankroll management and lower-house-edge game choices. For more great dos and don’ts, check out our expert roulette tips.
HOW TO PRACTICE YOUR ROULETTE STRATEGY
Here at RouletteOnline, we believe that practice makes perfect. That’s why we recommend that you first try out a roulette strategy with free play before you think about placing any real money bets. We’ve put together a collection of more than 80 free online roulette titles that you can use to sharpen your playing skills and get confident with new strategies and betting systems.
Top Online Roulette Casinos
READY TO PLAY ROULETTE FOR REAL MONEY?
Now that you’re fully familiar with the best roulette strategies and have had the chance to test them out, you should feel ready to give real money roulette a try. Below, we’ve included a list of the top-rated roulette sites for you to choose from. Each of these great online casino options has a long track record of trustworthy operation, giving you a safe, secure, and reputable place for your online roulette play.
FAQ
Is there a winning roulette system?
Any roulette strategy can lead to short-term wins, but in the long run, the house edge always gives the casino the advantage. The best roulette betting systems can help you have a better chance of reaching your goals, whether that means booking a big win or grinding out some small profits.
What is the best bet in roulette?
If you’re looking for the best odds in roulette, you’ll want to seek out European roulette tables that use the la partage or en prison rules on even money bets. At these tables, betting on red/black or odd/even comes with a house edge of just 1.35% – by far the best of any roulette bet.
What are the worst roulette strategies?
The worst roulette strategies are ones that ask you to take unnecessary risks for no good reason. Any strategy that makes you uncomfortable with the amount of money you are asked to bet should be avoided. We also recommend staying away from scam systems which guarantee that you will always win.
Are online roulette tables fixed?
The online casinos we recommend offer fair, trusted roulette games that are independently audited to guarantee that they are truly random and safe to play on. While there have been rogue operators who have offered fixed roulette tables, you can avoid them by sticking with the sites featured in our top list.
How do I win a bet every time?
While you can craft your roulette strategy to win in a way that suits your play style, there’s really no way to guarantee you’ll win a bet on every single spin. Of course, you could try covering every possible outcome. That would definitely let you win every time, but you’d often come out behind anyway due to all the other bets you’re losing on those spins.