There are more than a couple of games at a casino that are based on luck, like Roulette, but there are more than a few ways that you can increase your odds of winning at this random game.
One of the coolest things to know about Roulette is that a mathematician designed it – and while we know it as a fun casino game, it was originally supposed to be a perpetual motion machine. Although Blaise Pascal’s experiment was, in his eyes, a failure 366 years later, it is one of the most popular casino games of all time.
The Roulette wheel is usually one of the most action-packed areas in a casino, and watching the wheel spin and waiting for the ball to make a home in one of the colours and numbers is exciting stuff. Even online roulette has managed to capture the exciting nature of the game.
But how can you make the most of Roulette and even increase your odds of scooping a win?
Play For Free
With so many casinos online now, there are thousands of free games that you can play – and in many cases, you can win real money. Head to your favourite casino and see what type of free games they offer and if there is real money-winning available.
You can also check out the signup bonuses! Demo mode and free play are always a great way to understand a little bit more about how the rules work.
17 or 7
Sometimes, even though a game is completely random and totally works on a chance basis, there are numbers that seem to have a little bit of magic about them. In the case of Roulette, some of the biggest wins of all time have been with the number 17. And, if you were to ask a croupier in almost any casino which number is the most popular, they’ll tell you the number 17.
However, globally, the number 7 has a high preference and is widely believed to be one of the luckiest numbers in a casino. So, you might just find going with either of these most popular numbers might land you a win.
Some of the other popular numbers for roulette bets are 23 and 24. Almost no one bets on the number 13 because it is believed to be unlucky.
EU Version
Roulette, like many casino games, varies in rules and play style from continent to continent. The European version of roulette is a single-zero wheel. The reason this is important is because the house edge on this version becomes lower. The American version of the game has house odds of 2.3%, while the EU version can be as low as 1.4%.
To get the more favourable odds, if the balls rest in any pocket with a zero digit, the bets that players have placed will continue in the next round.
While in almost all other ways, the game itself is played the same way, simply switching to the European version of Roulette increases your chances of winning by a not insignificant amount.
Table Minimum
It is common for people who have never played a casino game before to bet more than they might if they had a better understanding of the game. Roulette is no exception; new players often put a big bet down on their very first spin.
Doing this eats into the bankroll significantly and means that all other bets need to be more conservative.
Sticking to the table minimum and choosing the opposite colour on every new spin will mean you can comfortably cover 18/38 possible combinations and a 1:1 payout.
Also Read: The mathematics behind online casino bonuses
En Prison Rule
You might not find this rule everywhere, but it is worthwhile to play at a casino that does have it. You’ll find this rule at the European wheels, and it is what helps to knock the house edge down to 1.35%. And what’s more, is that you can use it for even-money bets.
Here is how it works:
- If you bet on red and the ball lands on zero, your bet stays on the table for the next spin.
- If the ball lands on red on the next spin, you will get your original bet back, but you won’t win anything.
- If the ball lands on black, you lose.
- If the ball lands on zero again, your bet stays just like before.
Spread Bets
If you have the bankroll to do it, you can spread bets. This means that you put equal bets down on some outside bets (the outermost wagers on a roulette table). You can place one bet on the 2:1 playing dozen or on the column and the other on an even-money bet. Placing your bets like this will mean you cover more numbers and increase the chances of winning.
There are a few books on roulette that can help you understand more about the game odds and how betting in a specific way can help; here are two to check out: Secrets of Winning Roulette – by Martin Jensen and Get the Edge at Roulette – by Christopher Pawlicki.
