Playing roulette in a land-based casino is such a classic. I immediately think of fancy dressed people all gathered around the shiny wooden wheel. This is exactly how I got to know the game 5 years ago and even though I now prefer the online casino platforms, roulette is still in my favourites list. The practices which I am about to share with you are enough to enjoy the game even if you are a beginner. To avoid any misunderstandings, I am not saying that my tips would make roulette something more than a game of pure chance. They will just assist in optimizing these chances!
The French Way or the Highway
If you don’t know what I mean with that, it’s my attempt to proclaim French Roulette as the best roulette variation. This is, of course, my personal preference but all statistics can back me up on this. Roulette is actually a French word meaning “small wheel” giving away its French sophisticated roots. Both European and French roulette have a single 0 slot on the wheel as opposed to the American variation which has a zero and a double zero slot. This additional position increases the house edge from 2.70% up to 5.26%. The difference is not huge, but your bankroll would feel it, I guarantee you!
Improve the Odds with High Probability Bets
The best bets in roulette are red/black, even/odd, and 1-18/19-36. I know they are not the most exciting ones to play with but if you want 48.6% winning odds, stick to these three bet options. Column bets (1-12, 13-24, and 25-36) are also a good alternative. My best strategy is to make a combination of two bets on two column sectors. The result is an even higher winning potential. Whatever you do, betting on a single number (a straight bet) is never smart although, I admit, the 35:1 payout is tempting. The French roulette has one further advantage which all advanced players appreciate – The La Partage or the En Prison rules. The first one cuts the house edge in half by returning half of your bet in case you’ve made an even bet and the ball lands on zero whilst the second provides a second chance by keeping your bet on the same spot for an extra round.
Avoid Gambler’s Fallacy
Many roulette variations feature some type of а statistics board. It tracks the last 10 or 20 numbers where the ball chose to land. This is an easy way for casinos to make you think that there is something else in charge of the outcome besides randomness. This is a very wide-spread myth and not falling for it will only benefit your gameplay. I am also not a huge believer of the Martingale betting system which happens to be one of the most popular roulette strategies. Its doubling-up concept can offer short-term success but it’s full of risks because of its steep progression. If you want to give it a go, apply it on no more than a few rounds. The bankroll disaster, in the long run, is guaranteed.