Roulette strategy: betting systems and tips explained
A roulette strategy is a plan for how you place and size your bets, so you make fewer snap decisions at the table. No system can change the odds, and none can promise a profit, but some are much kinder to your budget than others. Whether you play at online roulette casinos or in a venue, we’ve set out the most popular betting systems below, with worked numbers so you can see what each one costs before you play.
Understanding Roulette Odds
Roulette odds are related to the probabilities of winning a bet at the table. Very different from sportsbook odds, the odds against hitting a single number are 36 to 1 on European roulette and 37 to 1 on American roulette, while the table shows what a winning bet pays, such as 35 to 1.
American roulette has an extra Double Zero slot, which gives the casino a bigger edge. So in an American game, placing a stake on a single roulette number has a one in thirty-eight chance of landing, or about 2.6%. A winning single-number bet pays 35 to 1, so one unit of stake returns 35 units of profit plus your stake. The payout is high because the chance of winning is low. On a European wheel the chance is one in thirty-seven, or about 2.7%.
You can pick bets with a higher percentage probability for lesser odds. A Red or Black, for example, is selecting one of two outcomes for a 1:1 ratio. A Red or Black pick wins about 47.4% of the time on American roulette and 48.6% on European, because the zero slots are neither colour.
Under the standard roulette rules, a roulette table is split up into Inside and Outside bets. The Inside bets like Singles, Splits (2 numbers) and Corners (4 numbers) refer to the numbers on the Roulette Grid where the riskier bets with lower probability reside. Outside bets are bets with smaller payout ratios like Even/Odd and Black/Red.
The House Edge
It’s worth noting that you won’t get the exact odds from the probability. For example, the true odds against a Single Number are 36 to 1 on European roulette and 37 to 1 on American, but the casino pays 35 to 1. It is that difference created between the odds and the payouts that give the casino an advantage over you. This is called the house edge, and it varies depending on the roulette type and bets you play.
Here are the common bets with their payouts and your chance of winning on each type of wheel. The payouts are the same on both, but the European wheel gives you slightly better chances because it has one less slot.
| Bet | Payout | Chance to win (American) | Chance to win (European) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single number | 35 to 1 | 2.63% | 2.70% |
| Split (2 numbers) | 17 to 1 | 5.26% | 5.41% |
| Street (3 numbers) | 11 to 1 | 7.89% | 8.11% |
| Corner (4 numbers) | 8 to 1 | 10.53% | 10.81% |
| Dozen or column | 2 to 1 | 31.58% | 32.43% |
| Red/black, odd/even | 1 to 1 | 47.37% | 48.65% |
Popular Roulette Betting Systems
One thing before we start: no roulette strategy changes the odds. Every spin is independent and the house edge stays the same, whichever system you use. Think of these as ways to manage your budget, not ways to beat the wheel. If you’d like support or tips on staying in control, take a look at our responsible gambling guidance. 18+.
To this day, roulette is one of the most popular casino games. And as long as gambling has existed, people have been using strategies to maximise their winnings.
Having a system in place before approaching a table is a good idea. It takes some emotional betting aspects out of things, as you know how to react to situations.
The different roulette betting systems listed below vary from aggressive to conservative. However, they all have their risks.
D’Alembert Roulette Strategy
D’Alembert is gentler than Martingale and works on even-money bets. You add one unit after a loss and take one unit off after a win. With a £5 unit, a run of lose (£5), lose (£10), win (£15), lose (£10), win (£15) leaves you £5 up after five spins, even though you lost three of them. The stakes climb more slowly, so losing streaks cost you less, but the house edge is still there.
Martingale Roulette Strategy
Martingale is a well-known system for even-money bets such as red or black. You double your stake after every loss and go back to your starting stake after a win. Because a win returns your earlier losses plus one unit, each winning run only ever makes you your base stake.
Here’s how it looks with a £5 base stake if red keeps losing:
| Losing spin | Your stake | Total staked so far |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | £5 | £5 |
| 2 | £10 | £15 |
| 3 | £20 | £35 |
| 4 | £40 | £75 |
| 5 | £80 | £155 |
| 6 | £160 | £315 |
After six losses in a row, you’re £315 down. The next stake would be £320, and even if that wins, you’d finish just £5 up. Six losses in a row isn’t unusual either: on a European wheel it happens about 1 time in 55 whenever you start a new run.
Table limits make it harder still. Every table has a maximum bet, so once the next doubled stake goes over it, you can’t keep doubling and the system stops working.
Labouchere Roulette Strategy
You write down a sequence of numbers that add up to the total you want to win. The first bet is the sum of the first and last numbers. If that bet wins, the numbers are crossed out, and the new end numbers are used for the next stake. After a loss, that loss amount goes to the end of the list, and the process starts again. It’s a time-consuming and complicated strategy to keep track of.
Andrucci Roulette Strategy
The Andrucci is a go-big strategy. It also takes a lot of work and needs a healthy budget behind it. After playing between 30 and 40 1:1 bets, you note every number that comes up. Then, you study those results to look for the most frequent ones to play going forward.
Fibonacci Roulette Strategy
Fibonacci follows the number sequence 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, where each number is the two before it added together. You move one step along after a loss and two steps back after a win. With a £5 unit, six losses in a row means stakes of £5, £5, £10, £15, £25 and £40, a total of £100. The same six losses on Martingale would cost £315.
What is the best roulette strategy?
There isn’t one that beats the house edge. Every roulette bet carries the same built-in edge, 2.7% on European roulette and 5.26% on American, so the best roulette strategy is the one that keeps your losses small and your play enjoyable. If you’re wondering how to win at roulette, the honest answer is that nobody can promise it. For most of us, a flat stake on European roulette, with a budget set before the first spin, is the sensible starting point.
Here’s how the main systems compare:
| System | Risk level | How stakes grow | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat betting | Low | Same stake every spin | Very low |
| D’Alembert | Low to medium | Up one unit after a loss, down one after a win | Low |
| Fibonacci | Medium | Follows 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 and so on | Medium |
| Labouchere | Medium to high | Set by a list of numbers you cross off | High |
| Martingale | High | Doubles after every loss | Low |
| Andrucci | High | Stakes on the numbers that have come up most | High |
A lower risk level means your losses grow more slowly, not that you’re more likely to win. All of them face the same house edge.
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Tips & Tricks for Playing Roulette
These roulette tips won’t change the odds, but they can make a session more comfortable and keep your spending in check.
Roulette should be experienced first before being gambled on. Play some free games online and learn the ins and outs. Get used to the bets, ratios and probabilities. The more you understand, the better your approach to the game will likely be.
Explore the suitable tables that fit and play with strategies on a piece of paper first in dry runs to find the ones that appeal to your style. Set a budget before you start, never play with more than you can afford to lose, and stick to the plan you’ve made.
The biggest tip for playing roulette is knowing when to call it a day and walk away.
Factors that Affect Roulette Strategies
As can be seen above, there are different approaches you can take. There are also factors at the table that can affect strategies.
Type of Roulette – There are European, American, and French roulette rules and tables. There are even more variations of the game at online casinos. The different games have different rules, and American Roulette has that extra slot compared to European tables. American play returns the worst odds value.
Payouts & Limits – Different roulette games will also have their different payouts and betting limits to factor in. A payout limit could hinder what you need to win to cover previous losses. It’s also worth considering the casino’s overall payout rate, as this varies between sites. Our guide can help you find the best payout casinos for you to try.
Budget – Every roulette strategy assumes deep pockets. If a losing streak hits, you’ll have to dig deeper and deeper while you wait for a win, and you can run out of money before it comes.
Roulette System Bets: What type of bet does a given roulette strategy require? Are they Inside or Outside bets? Make sure you are happy with what a strategy calls for regarding risk.
Roulette Variations & Their Strategies
There are three traditional versions of roulette, American, European and French. Here is a breakdown of what they are and what it means regarding strategy.
American – The table which has the extra slot. The Double Zero favours the House, cutting down fractionally on the value across the rest of the table compared to European. Even though there is an extra slot, the payouts do not change.
European – Arguably the most popular form of Roulette with the standard 36 numbers and the green zero segment. European House edge is at 2.7%, meaning there is better value there against American ones.
French – Depending on your game, the green zero can pay back half of an Even bet or leave the chips to ride for the next spin. So there is extra insurance with ‘la partage’ or ‘en prison’ under French rules. On single numbers the edge is the same as European tables (2.7%), but La Partage cuts it to about 1.35% on even-money bets.
Top 10 Roulette Tips
- Play for better odds and returns at French or European tables
- Stick to mostly outside bets for lower risk
- Look for low minimum bet tables
- Avoid single-number bets
- ‘Surrender’ or ‘In Prison’ rules cut the house edge on even-money bets
- Play practice games to familiarise yourself with action
- Learn the rules inside out
- Diversify your plans
- Have a roulette betting strategy
- Manage your money
Ready to Play Roulette Online?
Online roulette can be enjoyed on a website or an app in various ways. There are random number-generated outcomes at virtual or live dealer tables to play. A roulette strategy can still be applied.
The same types of bets can be played, such as red or black, odd or even, single numbers or groups of numbers. You will want to check the payouts at the online tables first before playing, as they vary greatly.
Online roulette is easy to learn and fun to play, but it also involves risk and uncertainty, but plenty of online casinos offer free play for practice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the most successful roulette strategy?
No roulette strategy is proven to be the most successful, because none can beat the house edge. The best known is probably the Martingale system, which is the one players mention most.
Does the Martingale strategy work on roulette?
No betting system beats the house edge, and Martingale is no exception. It wins small amounts most of the time, but one long losing run can use up your whole budget, and table limits can stop you doubling. Over time, the house edge still applies.
What is the best roulette strategy for beginners?
Keep it simple. Play European roulette, which has the lower 2.7% house edge, stick to even-money bets like red or black, and set your budget before you start. A flat stake, where you bet the same amount every spin, is easier to follow than a progression system and keeps your losses predictable.
Can you be banned from a casino for using a roulette strategy?
Using a betting system like Martingale or Fibonacci isn’t illegal. A casino can still close an account or refuse entry if you break its terms, for example through bonus abuse or multiple accounts, so check the T&Cs if you’re unsure.
What is the safest roulette strategy?
No strategy is safe, because the house edge applies to every bet. Flat betting on outside bets, where you stake the same amount each spin, keeps losses the most predictable. D’Alembert, where you add one unit after a loss and take one off after a win, raises stakes more slowly than Martingale, so it suits cautious players better.
What is the smartest bet in roulette?
Sticking to the Outside of the table is usually the best way. The Even bets, Columns or 12s are decent ways to go. Target the smaller odds as seeking more frequent smaller wins is a sensible approach.
What is the house edge in roulette?
The house edge is the built-in advantage the casino has on every bet. It is 2.7% on European roulette and 5.26% on American roulette, which has the extra Double Zero. Under French rules, La Partage can cut the edge on even-money bets to about 1.35%.
What numbers hit most in roulette?
Every number has an equal chance of being hit on a given spin. 17 has long been associated with being a lucky number at the table. Others point towards 7, 17, 23 and 24.
Will any roulette strategy guarantee that I win each time?
If you covered every number on a Roulette table, the House edge would take away that profitability immediately because of all the lost stakes. So no roulette strategy can guarantee a profit – think of them as instructions instead.
Will I need a different strategy for winning at online roulette compared to offline?
Not really. A standard roulette strategy would still follow the same principles as a progression betting strategy. In addition, strategies can be taken online.
