Roulette Strategy: Expert Tips and Tricks
Success in roulette is all down to luck but every good player should be armed with a strong understanding of strategy. While the house will always have an edge in every game, our extensive strategy guide is here to give you all the best tips and techniques to bring to the table with you the next time you spin a roulette wheel.
Best Roulette Strategies
There’s no magic trick that will help you beat the house every time, but there are plenty of different strategies and playing styles. Choosing a strategy that fits your needs can help you take a more considered approach to roulette’s payout odds, betting types, and bankroll management.
While we encourage you to find a strategy you like, keep in mind that these cannot erase the house edge or guarantee wins. Take a look at our experts’ curated list of the top strategies and how to use them:
1) The Martingale Strategy
What is this strategy?
This is a loss-recovery progression for even-money bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low). The idea is to double your bet after each loss so that the next win will recoup all prior losses and add one base unit of profit.
How to use it
Set a base wagering unit. After each loss, double your wager; after a win, reset to your base unit. Assuming a base wager of $2, see the table below:
| Round | Your wager | Outcome | Running total (net) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2 on Even | LOSS | -$2 |
| 2 | $4 on Even | LOSS | -$6 |
| 3 | $8 on Even | WIN | +$2 |
Pros
- Simple, minimal tracking
- Fast recovery when a win comes before the table limit
- Low starting stake
Cons
- Stakes balloon quickly
- Requires a bankroll able to absorb losing streaks
- Table limits reached fast
2) The Reverse Martingale Strategy
What is this strategy?
Reverse Martingale (aka the Paroli roulette strategy) is a positive-progression for even-money bets. You double after each win and drop back to the base wager after any loss. This is intended to capitalize on winning streaks and limit losses during losing streaks.
Reverse Martingale and Paroli are sometimes used interchangeably; the key difference is simply that Paroli calls for you to reset to your original bet after three consecutive wins.
How to use it
Set a base wager unit. After each win, double your wager; after a loss, return to your base wager. Decide on a win cap of a few wins before returning to base. Assuming a base wager of $10, see the table below:
| Round | Your wager | Outcome | Running total (net) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $10 on Red | WIN | +$10 |
| 2 | $20 on Red | WIN | +$30 |
| 3 | $40 on Red | LOSS | -$10 |
| 4 | $10 on Red | WIN | $0 |
| 5 | $20 on Red | WIN | +$20 |
Pros
- Low risk during losing streaks
- Can earn quick profits if you set a win cap
- Simple rules; easy to reset
Cons
- Pressing your luck can erase gains fast
- Short win streaks are needed to finish ahead
3) The D’Alembert Strategy
What is this strategy?
Another progression bet strategy for even-money bets. D’Alembert is considered less aggressive than the Martingale strategy. The goal is to make incremental gains, theoretically evening out your bets in the long term. Like all roulette strategies, this does not override the house advantage, but it can be useful for managing your bankroll.
How to use it
Set a base wager unit. If you lose, increase your wagering amount by your base unit. If you win, decrease your wagering amount by your base unit. Check the table below with a $2 base wagering unit.
| Round | Your wager | Outcome | Running total (net) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2 on Even | LOSS | -$2 |
| 2 | $4 on Even | LOSS | -$6 |
| 3 | $6 on Even | WIN | $0 |
| 4 | $4 on Even | WIN | +$4 |
| 5 | $2 on Even | WIN | +$6 |
Pros
- Gentler stake changes
- Works for smaller bankrolls
- Simple to track
Cons
- Recoveries can be slower
- Stake can creep up during long runs of losses
4) The Fibonacci Strategy
What is this strategy?
Based on the famous Fibonacci sequence of numbers, where each number in the string is equal to the sum of the two numbers before it. This strategy offers a more gradual increase than the Martingale system and works best on even-money bets.
How to use it
Like many other strategies, you will need a base unit to begin wagering. This is often the table minimum. Bet using the base unit as your first wager amount; if you lose, increase your bet to the next number in the Fibonacci sequence. If you win, move two steps back in the sequence.
| Round | Your wager | Outcome | Running total (net) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1 on Even | LOSS | -$1 |
| 2 | $1 on Even | LOSS | -$2 |
| 3 | $2 on Even | LOSS | -$4 |
| 4 | $3 on Even | LOSS | -$7 |
| 5 | $5 on Even | WIN | -$2 |
| 6 | $2 on Even | WIN | $0 |
| 7 | $1 on Even | WIN | +$1 |
Pros
- Slower stake growth than Martingale
- Easy to track
- Sequence can be extended or reset however suits your budget
Cons
- Recoveries can be slower
- No built-in end so it can be easy to overextend your bankroll
Use the Fibonacci system wisely
For the Fibonacci strategy to be effective, players ideally need unlimited bankroll and no limits. As a result, the Fibonacci strategy is not recommended as a long-term or profitable tactic for a majority of casino players.
5) The James Bond Strategy
What is this strategy?
Usually used on European roulette wheels (single-zero wheels), this strategy involves a fixed three-bet wager. You place the same wager on each spin, covering the high numbers (19-36), the middle third (13-18), and the 0. It covers around 68% of the table but has a higher starting point.
How to use it?
Select a minimum wagering unit. Every spin, you will need to bet 1 unit on 0, 5 units on 13-18, and 14 units on 19-36. These aren’t the easiest figures to recall for newcomers, so you can check the table below, giving an example with a $1 wagering unit.
| Bet Value | % of Stake | Bet Placement | Numbers Covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1 | 5% | Single zero (0) | 0 |
| $5 | 25% | Middle third | 13-18 |
| $14 | 70% | High | 19-36 |
Pros
- Broad coverage of the table
- Easy to repeat your wager
- Wagering unit size can be changed as long as it remains within proportions
Cons
- High minimum wager per round
- Odds get worse on double or triple zero wheels
- Prone to large losses when 1-12 land
6) The Labouchere Strategy
What is this strategy?
This strategy was created over 100 years ago, but is still in use by roulette players today. Labouchere is a cancellation system ideally used for even-money bets. You need to set a win target, split it into smaller goals at random, and work your way through the sequence until you achieve your goal.
How to use it
Decide how much you want to win and divide that amount into a sequence of random amounts. Assuming your win amount is $10, let’s say you divide that amount into 2, 1, 1, 3, 2, 1. Choose the two numbers on the left and right and combine them (in this case, 2 and 1) to make your bet amount. You then cross off those numbers if you win and continue to work through the sequence. If you lose, you add your loss amount to the far right of your sequence.
Assuming your total goal is $10, using the sequence 2, 1, 1, 3, 2, 1 see the table below:
| Round | Sequence | Numbers Used | Your Bet | Outcome | Running total (net) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2, 1, 1, 3, 2, 1 | 2 + 1 | $3 | WIN | +$3 |
| 2 | 1, 1, 3, 2 | 1 + 2 | $3 | LOSS | $0 |
| 3 | 1, 1, 3, 2, 3 | 1 + 3 | $4 | WIN | +$4 |
| 4 | 1, 3, 2 | 1 + 2 | $3 | WIN | +$7 |
| 5 | 3 | 3 | $3 | WIN | +$10 (target reached) |
Pros
- Allows you to set a clear profit target
- Structured and methodical wagers
Cons
- Requires careful attention to sequence
- Sequence can grow quickly on a losing streak
How to Choose the Best Roulette Strategy for You
With so many different roulette systems available to use it can be difficult to choose the correct one to suit you. While we can explain how different strategies require certain levels of funds, experience or mathematical know-how, it's important you understand your limitations as well.
Ultimately no strategy can ever change the fact that the house will always have an edge, but they can help you to manage your bankroll and play responsibly. To help you choose a strategy, we've broken down three considerations you should make before you make your choice:
Budget: Can I afford this?
Many of the strategies account for losses but require persistent betting to eventually see success. Knowing your budget is incredibly important to avoid spending your bankroll before the strategy’s end goal has come to fruition.
Understanding: Do I know the rules?
Whether you're new to the game or not, brushing up on roulette rules is important. You don't want to ruin an effective strategy by making a basic mistake or missing your turn. Know the game's step-by-step process and plan your approach.
Experience: Have I played enough?
Some roulette strategies are complicated and require experience at the table to know when and where to bet. Play some free roulette first and trial some strategies in practice to learn without risking money.
Roulette Strategy Tips
Roulette is a simple game of chance and luck. There is no need for skill which makes it a very popular casino game to start playing quickly, for both new and seasoned casino players alike. However, having a bit of roulette know-how can help you navigate the roulette wheel and table a bit more easily.
Have a look at our top five strategy tips below for making smarter roulette bets. Don't forget to also check out our dedicated page on how to win roulette filled with tips and advice on checking the odds, using the right wheel and the best numbers to bet on.
Don’t Play Red and Black
A common mistake players make is betting on both red and black at the same time. In this case, you can only make even or lose – you’ll never win playing like this. We recommend choosing one or the other and spreading your bets evenly around the table to maximize your chances.
Play Outside Bets
These may have lower payouts in real money roulette, but they have higher odds of winning. We suggest making these bets more often in roulette to make your bankroll last longer. Read our roulette bets and payouts guide to learn more about the differing odds for each bet.
Know the Odds
If you can, we recommend playing European roulette as it has the lowest house edge (2.7%), helping you to maximize your potential payout.
Take Advantage of Bonuses
Online casinos offer welcome bonuses for new sign-ups and frequent offers for regular players. Essentially, these act like free credit for real money roulette. Find an online casino that fits your gameplay, and then search for all the extra casino bonuses they offer.
Take Your Losses
Losing is part of playing roulette. As a game of luck which has a higher house edge than other casino games, learning to accept losses and not chase them will help you enjoy it more, as well as keep your bankroll healthy.
Roulette Betting Strategies to Avoid
For every search on ‘best roulette strategies’, you’ll find some good advice (like the info listed on this page) but you will also find many theories on how to beat the system. These are usually based around finding biased roulette wheels, looking for dealer signatures, and spotting defective Random Number Generators (RNG) online. Some bettors dedicate hours searching for these faults in casinos instead of just playing for fun.
Find out why we don't recommend these mythical 'roulette techniques', and put our tips to the test instead:
- Biased Roulette Wheels
Some gamblers swear that casinos have roulette wheels with a tilt or deeper pockets on specific numbers. To find these, bettors must record thousands of roulette wheel spins to find the bias before they can exploit it to their benefit. In reality, it just wouldn’t make financial sense for a physical casino to defraud its customers. Plus they are rigorously regulated to ensure this sort of thing doesn’t happen. The same is true for legit online casinos too.
- Dealer Signatures
According to some gamblers, experienced croupiers can throw the ball in the roulette wheel so that it lands on the exact number of their choosing. With months and perhaps years of practice this might be true but finding such a dealer and getting an in with them to help you cheat your way to winning would surely be nigh on impossible.
- Defective RNGs
Online roulette games operate on RNGs. Some gamblers will search for a game that has a glitch in its software, in the hopes of manipulating it to pay out large winnings. However, this would not be in the best interests of the online casino so the time wasted finding this out could be better spent actually playing and enjoying the game.