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A roulette strategy is a system that determines where to place your bets, how much to stake, or both. For centuries, gamblers have tried to answer the questions, “How do you win online roulette bets consistently?” and “What’s the best mathematical roulette strategy?”.
Some claim to have found the answer, believing they can increase long-term winning chances. In this guide, you’ll explore the most popular roulette systems, What the best roulette strategies are to win money, how they work, whether they suit your play style, and if they truly improve your odds.
Roulette Strategies & Systems
What is a roulette strategy? It is a way of betting that aims to improve your long-term expected value (EV). Expected value is the amount of money you stand to win over the long run. It’s based on the probability of a bet hitting (i.e. its odds) and your stake. A roulette strategy aims to maximize your EV in every situation.
One of the main ways to implement a strategy in roulette is to use a betting system. Popular roulette systems such as the Martingale or Fibonacci are designed to be used on even-money bets such as red or black.
We’ve listed the best strategies for roulette, based on popular opinion, and how to use them at the top offshore casino sites in the following sections.
Positive Progression vs Negative Progression Systems
Most roulette betting systems don’t dictate where to place your bets when you play at a roulette casino but instead focus on bet sizing. These strategies generally fall into two categories: positive progression and negative progression systems.
Positive progression strategies require you to increase your bet size after a win and either keep it the same or reduce it after a loss. For example, if you start with a $1 bet and lose, your next bet remains $1. If you win, your next bet increases—often to $2, though the exact increase depends on the system.
Negative progression strategies take the opposite approach: you increase your bet after a loss and either repeat or lower it after a win. For example, if you start with a $1 bet and lose, your next bet might be $2. If you lose again, your third bet could rise to $4, following an escalating pattern until you win. Once you secure a win, you either reset your bet to the initial $1 or lower it based on the rules of the chosen system.
Joe YarnoldCasino & Betting Expert
Best Roulette Bets & Odds
Roulette systems look great on the surface but are not always practical. You need unlimited resources in this game of chance and no betting restrictions. Plus, you’re counting on having no house edge to make roulette strategies like the Martingale and Labouchere work.
We need to look toward the roulette odds. Specifically, what the odds are for each roulette bet. From this, we can pick out the best roulette bets based on their risk vs. return.
Again, it’s important to stress that the house always has an edge. We can’t show you how to play roulette and win every time because the house always wins. What we can do, however, is use the roulette strategy chart below to identify the least risky bets. Picking these bets is the best way to win at roulette in the short term.
| Bet Type | Bets Included | Payout | Winning Probability – European | Winning Probability – American |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Up | Cover single numbers from 0 to 36 | 35:1 | 2.7% | 2.6% |
| Split | Cover two connected numbers e.g. 4 and 5 | 17:1 | 5.4% | 5.3% |
| Street | Cover three numbers in a row e.g. 1, 2, 3 | 11:1 | 8.1% | 7.9% |
| Corner | Cover four connected numbers e.g. 1, 2, 4, 5 | 8:1 | 10.8% | 10.5% |
| Double Street | Cover six numbers in a row e.g. 1, 2, 3 and 4, 5, 6 | 5:1 | 16.2% | 15.8% |
| Dozen | Cover 12 numbers in 1/3 of the board e.g. 1 to 12 | 2:1 | 32.4% | 31.6% |
| Column | Cover 12 numbers in a column e.g. 3 to 36 | 2:1 | 32.4% | 31.6% |
| 1-18 | All the numbers from 1 to 18 | 1:1 | 48.6% | 47.4% |
| 19-36 | All the numbers from 19 to 36 | 1:1 | 48.6% | 47.4% |
| Even | All the even numbers | 1:1 | 48.6% | 47.4% |
| Odd | All the odd numbers | 1:1 | 48.6% | 47.4% |
| Red | All the red numbers | 1:1 | 48.6% | 47.4% |
| Black | All the black numbers | 1:1 | 48.6% | 47.4% |
Choosing the Right Roulette Game
Today, there are numerous roulette variants available online, including Bitcoin Roulette, Double Ball, and No Zero, to name just a few. Each variation offers slightly different gameplay, available bets, and house edges (the casino’s advantage). The house edge is crucial in deciding which version to play, as it directly influences your chances of winning.
Among the many variations, the three classic versions—American, European, and French—are the most commonly found at online casinos. Below, you can compare the bets and house edges for each of these variants.
American Roulette
The house edge in American Roulette is 5.26%, largely due to the presence of 38 numbers on the wheel, including both a single zero (0) and a double zero (00). The addition of the double zero decreases your chances of winning any bet, as you now have a 1 in 38 chance of hitting a number.
This impact isn’t limited to straight-up bets—all bets, including even-money wagers commonly used in roulette strategies, are affected. The double zero reduces your odds by over 1% on even money bets increasing the house edge significantly compared to other roulette variations.
One advantage of American Roulette over its European and French counterparts is the option to place a “Basket Bet,” which covers the numbers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. However, this bet carries a hefty house edge of 7.89%, the highest of any roulette bet. For this reason, it’s generally not in your best interest to place a Basket Bet.
European Roulette
The house edge in European Roulette is just 2.7%, which is 2.66% lower than that of American Roulette. While this might seem small, it significantly increases your chances of winning.
The lower house edge is due to the European Roulette wheel having only a single zero, for a total of 37 numbers. Though the payouts remain the same across all bets, the reduced number of pockets means better odds for the player, which is why the house edge is lower in European Roulette.
French Roulette
French roulette isn’t as common as the previous variations, but many of the best online casinos offer this variant. The house edge in French Roulette is 1.35%, thanks to a special rule known as La Partage. At its core, French Roulette is the same as its European counterpart because it has the same wheel.
However, the odds are better in French Roulette because La Partage gives players 50% of their bet back if they make an even-money bet and the ball lands on zero. In the context of our discussion on how to win roulette online games, this makes French variants the best option.
Top 5 Roulette Tips
We’ve talked about roulette systems and what the best roulette bets are, so now let’s talk tactics. You can’t devise a roulette strategy to win every time you play because the house has an advantage.
A roulette system such as the Martingale works in theory but falls short in practice because of certain betting restrictions.
What you can do, however, is think logically, play sensibly, and make smart decisions. The following roulette strategy tips give you the best chance of getting maximum value from your time at the table.
Avoid American Roulette
The house edge for American roulette is double what it is for European roulette and over triple of French roulette. So even if you use the best strategy for roulette, playing at American roulette significantly reduces your odds.
There are also many other versions of roulette, such as Lightning Roulette, Double Ball, Min, etc., but check the payouts, RTP, and the probability of the bets you will make before playing to make sure that it’s not lowering your chances of winning.
Play Roulette Responsibly
The best roulette strategy tip we can give you is to play responsibly. Only risk a small percentage of your roulette bankroll in any given session.
Remember not to get carried away by consecutive wins. Even if you make a profit three or four sessions in a row, don’t assume the strategy is foolproof (none are). While it’s okay to slightly increase your stake in proportion to your growing bankroll, avoid going all-in or drastically upping your bets. Stay disciplined and avoid overconfidence.
Use Basic Roulette Strategy
The basic roulette strategy recommends favoring lower-risk bets for the best long-term expected value (EV). As shown in our table earlier, the most favorable bets are red/black, odd/even, and 1-18/19-36. Most strategies are designed for even-money bets, and attempting to apply them to inside bets significantly increases the risk of losses.
Double Your Bets on Dozens and Columns
While most strategies aren’t suited for inside bets, some can be applied to dozens and column bets if you place two bets at a time. Dozen and column bets pay 2:1, so betting on two at a time can lead to a profit. However, to achieve your desired profit, you’ll need to double your stake since your profit will be half of your total bet.
For example, if you stake $5 on 1-12 and $5 on 13-24, your total wager is $10. If any number between 1 and 24 hits, you’ll win $15, giving you a $5 profit where as a $10 outright bet on black/red or odd/even would get you a $10 profit. This strategy spreads your risk while maintaining a balanced approach.
Patterns Don’t Exist
Ask any superstitious gambler how to beat roulette, and they’ll probably say you should look for patterns. However, each roulette spin is an independent event. Previous results have no bearing on future spins, so there aren’t any patterns. Tracking numbers won’t improve your chances, so don’t waste your time. Bet sensibly, try some roulette systems if you’d like, but more than anything, remember to have fun. The game is meant to be enjoyed, not overanalyzed.
What is the Best Roulette Strategy?
As you’ve seen, there are several roulette strategies to choose from. While no roulette strategy guarantees you win money or even reduces the house edge, they can help some players manage their bankroll and avoid emotional betting or chasing losses without a plan.
The best strategy for roulette depends on your play style, bankroll, and goals. High rollers might favor the Martingale system, while beginners can try the low-risk Paroli system. Experienced bettors may combine the James Bond strategy with a progressive system. To find what works, test strategies with low stakes or free play first.
Other Casino Strategy Guides
FAQ
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Responsible Gambling
Always use roulette systems responsibly. Never gamble more than you can afford to lose and don’t put yourself at risk unnecessarily. Read our responsible gambling guide for more information. You can also seek further information and professional help from the following resources:
