Roulette Strategy Guide
Understand roulette odds, bet types, and smart bankroll management. Learn why European roulette gives you better odds than American.
Updated: January 2025
Key Takeaways
Play European
European roulette has 2.7% house edge vs 5.26% American. Always choose European.
Same Edge All Bets
All bets have the same 2.7% house edge. Bet type doesn't affect long-term results.
No Winning System
Martingale and other systems don't work. The house edge is mathematically unbeatable.
Bankroll Matters
Set limits and stick to them. Outside bets give longer play time.
European vs American Roulette
European Roulette
- House Edge: 2.7%
- Numbers: 0-36
- Expected Loss: ৳27 per ৳1,000 wagered
- Verdict: Always play this version
American Roulette
- House Edge: 5.26%
- Numbers: 0, 00, 1-36
- Expected Loss: ৳53 per ৳1,000 wagered
- Verdict: Nearly 2x worse odds
Roulette Bet Types & Odds
| Bet Type | Description | Payout | Win Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Up | Single number | 35:1 | 2.7% |
| Split | Two adjacent numbers | 17:1 | 5.4% |
| Street | Three numbers in a row | 11:1 | 8.1% |
| Corner | Four numbers in a square | 8:1 | 10.8% |
| Six Line | Six numbers (two rows) | 5:1 | 16.2% |
| Column | Twelve numbers (column) | 2:1 | 32.4% |
| Dozen | 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36 | 2:1 | 32.4% |
| Red/Black | All red or all black | 1:1 | 48.6% |
| Odd/Even | All odd or all even | 1:1 | 48.6% |
| High/Low | 1-18 or 19-36 | 1:1 | 48.6% |
Inside Bets (first 5 rows): Higher payouts, lower probability. More variance.
Outside Bets (last 5 rows): Lower payouts, higher probability. Longer play time.
Common Betting Systems (And Why They Fail)
Martingale System
How it works: Double your bet after every loss. When you win, you recover all losses + 1 unit profit.
Example: ৳100 → ৳200 → ৳400 → ৳800 → ৳1,600...
After 7 losses: ৳12,700 total wagered for ৳100 profit
Why it fails: Table limits stop the progression. Bankroll runs out. One long losing streak wipes out all previous wins. The math doesn't change.
Fibonacci System
How it works: Bet according to Fibonacci sequence (1,1,2,3,5,8,13...). Move back two numbers after a win.
Why it fails: Same problems as Martingale, just slower progression. Still can't overcome house edge.
D'Alembert System
How it works: Increase bet by 1 unit after loss, decrease by 1 after win.
Why it fails: Gentler progression but still loses to house edge over time. No betting pattern changes the mathematics.
The Mathematical Truth
Every spin is independent. The ball has no memory. The house edge is built into the payouts. No betting system can overcome the fundamental mathematics. The only winning strategy is playing for entertainment with money you can afford to lose.
Smart Roulette Tips
🇪🇺 Always European
Never play American roulette. The extra 00 doubles the house edge for no benefit.
💵 Set Limits
Decide your budget before playing. When it's gone, stop. Never chase losses.
⏰ Outside Bets = Longer Play
Even/Odd, Red/Black give nearly 50% wins. Less exciting but longer entertainment.
🎯 Accept the Edge
The house will win long-term. Play for fun, not profit. Treat wins as bonuses.
🚫 Ignore "Patterns"
Hot/cold numbers are meaningless. Each spin is completely independent.
🎮 Try Free Games
Practice with demo versions before wagering real money to understand the game.
Live Dealer Roulette
Why Play Live Roulette?
- Real Wheel: Watch a physical wheel spin in real-time
- Social Experience: Chat with dealer and other players
- Transparency: See exactly where the ball lands
- Atmosphere: Closest to a real casino experience
Best for Live Roulette
Takaboss
Multiple live roulette tables from Evolution Gaming. European roulette available 24/7.
Read Review →Roulette Strategy FAQ
What is the best roulette strategy?
There is no winning roulette strategy - the house always has an edge. However, you can minimize losses by: 1) Playing European roulette (2.7% edge) instead of American (5.26%), 2) Using outside bets for longer play, 3) Setting strict loss limits. No betting system can overcome the mathematical house edge.
Does the Martingale system work?
No. The Martingale (doubling after losses) doesn't overcome the house edge. It creates small frequent wins but occasional catastrophic losses. Table limits and bankroll limits make it fail long-term. No betting system changes the fundamental mathematics.
What is the difference between European and American roulette?
European roulette has 37 numbers (0-36) with 2.7% house edge. American roulette has 38 numbers (0, 00, 1-36) with 5.26% house edge. Always play European for better odds - it's twice as favorable as American.
Are online roulette games rigged?
Licensed casinos like Takaboss use certified Random Number Generators (RNGs) and undergo regular audits. Live dealer roulette uses real wheels you can watch. Stick to licensed casinos to ensure fair play.
What are the odds of hitting a specific number?
In European roulette, the odds of hitting a specific number are 1 in 37 (2.7%). The payout is 35:1, meaning you win ৳3,500 on a ৳100 bet. The house edge comes from paying 35:1 when true odds are 36:1.
Is there a pattern in roulette numbers?
No. Each spin is completely independent and random. Previous numbers have zero effect on future spins. Display boards showing "hot" or "cold" numbers are entertainment only - they provide no predictive value. This is called the gambler's fallacy.