Few games in a casino are as intimidating to a beginner as the Roulette table – a sea of numbers, colors, and apparent impossibilities. Isn’t it easier to just go press buttons and watch reels spin on a slots machine instead? Surprisingly, no. While the Roulette table may seem confusing at first glance, in fact it’s a wonderfully simple casino game to understand… once you get the hang of it, of course. The key is to learn how to bet properly.
Though there are many “how to play roulette” books and guides on so-called perfect Roulette strategy, the truth is that there is no fool-proof method to win. However, this does NOT mean that players can’t learn how to bet in roulette effectively to increase their bankroll.
Once you have done your homework, in just a few quick spins you’ll be betting and playing like a pro – and hopefully winning like one too. So, let’s get started and take a look at how at some of the best tips on how to play Roulette and win!
Despite appearances, the rules of Roulette are actually quite simple. Standard Roulette consists of a spinning wheel, a betting table, a ceramic ball spun by a croupier, and a series of wager options available to each player. Before each round, simply place your wager in chips on the Roulette table, and watch the croupier spin the wheel with the Roulette ball in motion in the opposite direction. Eventually, the ball will slow down and land in a numbered pocket. If the wager you made matches the ball’s final destination, congratulations you are a winner! If not, spin again and see what the tides of fortune have in store for you.
Officially, there are three variations of Roulette that exist, American, European and French Roulette. Players may bet on a single or a range of numbers, colors red or black, odd or even, or high (19–36) or low (1–18) numbers. The winning number is thus determined when the ball drops into one of 36 colored and numbered pockets on the wheel or a zero pocket (American roulette utilizes a double zero).
Real Money Roulette tables have their own chips, and players are designated different colored chips so the croupier will know who to pay and who to take. Each table also will have a minimum bet posted.
The two key areas for Roulette betting is inside and outside. The minimum bet for the table is generally the same for both inside and outside of the table with one difference. Inside bets allow you to spread out the minimum bet over a range of numbers; whereas outside betting requires that a bet be made to equal the minimum. So if the minimum bet is £5, an inside bet must be made that adds up to £5, i.e. multiple chips can placed on the table covering a set of numbers that add up to the minimum. Each outside bet must equal £5.
There are varieties of ways you can bet inside the Roulette table. Below are the types of inside bets:
It’s worth noting that while inside bets have a higher house edge, the payouts are much greater – so it’s up to you to weigh the risk to reward ratio.
Outside bets are the most popular bets to make for Roulette due to the lower house edge. This makes them ideal for beginners, as they are less risky. Below is a list of the type of outside bets:
Outside bets come at a lower risk and are safer bets to make in the long term in terms of your investment, but payout lower.
French and some European Roulette tables also utilize what are known as French or called bets. These refer to certain sections of the Roulette table that represented by corresponding numbers and phrases on an ellipse. These are Voisin du zero, Orphelins and Tiers du Cylindre, and are based on a particular section’s proximity to zero. The numbers within the ellipse function in a similar manner.
Due to the addition of an extra zero in American Roulette, the house edge is increased to an unfavorable 5.26% compared to its European counterpart. European Roulette has halved house edge due to its use of a single zero, making it 2.7%. If you’re a fan of American Roulette, by all means take a spin; but it’s good especially as a beginner to keep in mind that the house has a greater advantage of taking your money.
Speaking of money, it’s important to note that money management in Roulette is crucial. Though the rewards of landing a 35:1 odd straight bet might seem enticing, the odds are heavily against you. Just keep in mind that before you wager, set yourself a loss limit. It’s easy to get caught up in the thrill of gambling especially with a group of people cheering the ball on, but a loss is a loss, and money should be managed in moderation. Whichever way the wheels of fortune spin, it’s great if you win big, but you’ll also feel better about yourself if you come away from the table with your bankroll intact.
While the game of Roulette offer tons of excitement, with your adrenaline pumping be sure not to get caught up in the moment and always keep your emotions in check. After all, the spin of the wheel will determine the outcome, and not perceived hot or cold streaks. Every time the ball lands is a singular event, so just because the outcome has been a red number three times in row, this does not mean that the ball will be more likely to land on a black number on the next spin. You can have a lot of fun playing Roulette, but the more you can keep a calm head on your shoulders, the more wisely you will bet and can end up winning big!
You’ve got the basics down, the bets, and the odds. Now it’s time to learn a few roulette betting strategies. Though we cannot guarantee that any betting strategy is 100% successful, we can introduce you to a few that just might up your bankroll.
Beginners should stick to betting outside the table. Though the profits may not be as large, they are statistically more consistent. Betting red or black, high or low, and odd or even ensures a lower probability of losing money, as all of these bets pay out even money. Straight bets are a long shot, and consistent outside betting yields more return in the long term.
One of the most popular Roulette strategies, the Martingale system, is a fairly easy one to learn and replicate. The system itself is named after London casino owner John Henry Martindale, who encouraged players to double their bets after a loss. It works like this: simply place an even money bet, and if you lose, double your bet the next time round. If you win, place the exact same original bet on the next spin. Using this betting strategy will help you keep control of your bankroll, and while you may not win millions, you’ll be able to walk away with a healthy account balance – which most players would call a win in itself.
Fibonacci System
A slightly more complex betting strategy, this system is based on the famous Fibonnaci sequence – 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, and so on, with each number being the sum of the previous two numbers. This sequence of numbers was conceived by the 13th century Italian mathematician Leonardo Pisano Bigollo, who first brought the Arabic numeral system to the west. To apply it to roulette, start your play with a real money online casino bet, and then simply apply this sequence with a matching bet increase every time you lose. Let’s say for example you bet £1. If you lose your bet, next time round you’ll bet £2 – then you’ll go from £2 to £3, £3 to £5, and up the rest of the sequence. Should you win your first bet, you’ll start again at £1. If you win further down the sequence, cross off the last two numbers at the point where you began to win, and start from the next one. The theory underpinning the system is that each lost bet will be recouped by betting the lost amount on the next wager, covering consecutive losses by moving up and down the numerical sequence. While a viable theory, like the Martingale, you could end up blowing your bankroll if you hit a solid losing streak.
D’Alembert System
The D’Alembert system was invented by the 18th century French mathematician Jean-Baptiste le Rond d’Alembert and is perhaps the easiest of all Roulette strategies to apply. As a negative progression system, it involves you placing a bet, adding one unit to it if you lose, or removing a unit from it if you win, i.e. raise when you lose, lower when you win. Predicated on the idea of natural equilibrium, the D’Alembert strategy works best when applied to a set of even wins and losses for the same bet – but of course you won’t know what the Roulette wheel has in store for you until you start to play.
Whatever your method, there is no absolute winning strategy. The outcome of where the ball will land is a matter of chance, and each roll is a unique occurrence that should be treated as such. Though you may feel inexperienced there is an old say about Roulette, “the wheel has no memory.” Black and red, odd or even, and all bets on the table have the same amount of chance hitting on any given spin. This is huge positive for players new to the game, as Lady Luck could be just around the corner.
What are the best Roulette tips for beginners to understand how to win at Roulette?
Most importantly, you should have fun! Roulette is a very entertaining casino game that offers huge rewards to those willing to try. So give it a chance. If you don’t want to visit a brick and mortar, head over to an Online Casino today to have a spin at the Roulette table. You might just end up winning big! Good luck!