Roulette strategy guide
Roulette is one of the most established casino games in the world and, along with poker and blackjack, one of the most famous thanks to TV shows and movies over the years. In the hundreds of years since its creation, a huge number of roulette strategies have been developed. Today, we'll look at some of the most popular.
Roulette strategies - how they work
While online roulette is a game of chance like most other casino games, having key betting patterns in place before getting to the table increases the chances of getting the target results. These strategies affect which bets should be made and when especially in reaction to other bets.
It should be noted that, as with any strategy for gambling or anything else, there are no guarantees of winning, especially when the strategy relies on chance. Also, many of these strategies are based on the so-called 50/50 bets in roulette, such as odds or evens, or also reds or blacks. They don't have the same effect on bets with lower odds like straight-number bets.
Progressive vs. non-progressive strategies
Roulette strategies generally fall into one of two separate categories: progressive strategies and non-progressive strategies.
Progressive strategies, such as the Martingale or Oscar’s Grind systems, involve increasing or decreasing your bet based on previous outcomes. Here, players place wagers in a sequence of betting units, increasing or reducing them depending on the outcome of the previous spin.
In contrast, players using non-progressive strategies favour a steadier, more consistent approach. With strategies in this more risk-averse category, players cover specific numbers or use a fixed betting amount for every round.
Progressive and non-progressive strategies each come with their own perks and pitfalls, which we will cover in greater detail below.
Most popular roulette strategies
You'll come across dozens of online roulette strategies when researching. We've gathered below a list of some of the most popular ones to use at the roulette table.
Martingale strategy
The Martingale method is often presented among the best roulette strategies. The system has been applied to games of chance or, in fact, any situation when wins and losses are based on unknown factors. While it has been more commonly used as a strategy with things like crypto recently, it was originally a gambling strategy.
It is one of the most popular progressive roulette betting systems. The basic premise is that, if the result of the wager is either 50/50 or extremely close to it, then the reaction to a loss should be to double the wager and make the same bet again. For example, if the losing bet was 20 on red, the next bet should be 40 on red, as a win will recover the first loss.
New gamblers like this straightforward system, but for experienced players, this is not a popular strategy, as it's entirely possible to have a string of losses and accrue a much larger loss than the original one. Unless the player has essentially unlimited funds, it can't be considered a successful roulette strategy.
Mechanics: The Martingale Strategy, which is believed to be named after 18th-century London casino owner John H. Martindale, involves doubling your bet after every loss. When you do finally win, you’ll recover all of your previous losses plus a small profit.
For example, let’s say you bet €10 on red, but the ball rests on black. With the Martingale System, you would then place a €20 bet on red for the next spin. If that spin returns a winner, you’ll have won back your original €10 bet and earned a €10 profit. However, if you’re unlucky enough to lose again, your next bet will have to be raised to €40, and so on.
Pros: The system’s simplicity is its biggest pro. The Martingale Strategy also has the potential to recover losses quickly when it works.
Cons: If you hit a bad streak, you could find yourself in a deep hole pretty quickly. Table limits and bankroll limitations can also hit this system hard.
Evaluation: The Martingale Strategy is often glamorised, but it’s a high-risk approach. If you don’t have deep pockets and nerves of steel, this system might feel like more of a trap than a tactic.
Paroli system
The Paroli system, based on the work of famous mathematician Blaise Pascal, is in many ways the opposite of the Martingale, as it relies on doubles bets based on wins instead of losses. After the first winning bet, the same bet should be made again with double the stake, and if that also wins, then the same should happen again.
The key point to the Paroli is, however, that the stake should be reset both after a loss and also after three wins. This is based on the idea that after three wins in a row on a 50/50 bet, the probability of getting a fourth win drops dramatically. Therefore, in theory, putting a smaller bet down after the third win reduces the chance of a large loss.
This is a popular betting system to use on the roulette wheel for those who wish to play with low stakes, as it is seen as one of the safer methods available. In reality though, it only feels safer because it constantly pushes the wager down.
Mechanics: As the name suggests, with the Reverse Martingale (or Paroli) Strategy, players double their bet after each win (instead of each loss). The ultimate aim here is to take advantage of winning streaks while simultaneously minimising losses during losing streaks.
Pros: The Reverse Martingale Strategy allows players to make the most of lucky runs, while also serving to soften the hit from losing bets.
Cons: Players need to show serious willpower to walk away from the table before their luck turns. That is never easy when you’re riding a hot streak.
Evaluation: This is easily one of the best roulette strategies for conservative players. It’s a low-risk and relatively simple-to-manage approach, and it’s easy to see why it appeals to so many players.
Fibonacci system
Those who are familiar with mathematics will have heard of the Fibonacci sequence before, although not likely in connection with betting. The sequence works by having every number equal to the total of the previous two numbers, ending up with this sequence: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, and so on.
In betting, the idea is that for every loss, the player should increase their wager to the next number in the sequence, and for every win, they should decrease the wager by two numbers in the sequence. Essentially this just boils down to the same system as Martingale.
The key difference is that, because of the 'two steps back' on a win, it is slightly less risky than the Martingale, and a string of losses will increase the stake more slowly. For instance, with a starting wager of one, 10 losses in a row using Martingale ends up with losses just over 1,000, whereas 10 losses using Fibonacci equals just under 200.
Mechanics: Fans of Dan Brown’s novels might be familiar with this one. The Fibonacci Strategy is another common progressive approach to roulette. It may be a step up from the Martingale Strategy in terms of complexity, but it works in a similar way.
With this strategy, you bet according to the Fibonacci number sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8…). After a loss, players add their last two losing bets together to determine how much to place on their next bet. If they win, they go back two places in the system.
Pros: Players tend to feel like they are exerting more control using the mathematically-led Fibonacci system.
Cons: The tracking system is a little more complicated than others. This means confusion can heighten across longer sequences, potentially leading to disaster.
Evaluation: Despite the catchy name, the Fibonacci Strategy isn’t all that effective. It may appeal to math nerds, but it is not a great approach due to its complexity and the risk involved.
D'Alembert system
The D'Alembert method is really just another variant of both the Martingale and Fibonacci systems and takes parts of each. Overall it is a much simpler system, where the player chooses a small wager to start with. With each loss, the player increases the next wager by that amount or decreases it after a win.
For instance, starting with a bet of five, a loss would increase to 10, and another would increase it to 15. Overall, this means that the wager amount increases much more slowly than in the other methods, although any wins are also lower, so covering any losses is more difficult.
While it is slower and generally safer than both Martingale and Fibonacci, it does rely on the same flawed logic as they both do, and so it doesn't make a very good strategy either.
Mechanics: Named after French mathematician Jean le Rond d’Alembert, this strategy involves adding 1 unit after a loss and subtracting 1 unit after a win.
For example, if you bet €10 on red but the ball lands on black, you would bet €11 on red for the next spin under the D’Alembert System. If you win, you’ll have won back your original €10 wager, plus a €1 profit. If you lose again however, you would increase your bet to €12 for the next spin, and so on.
Pros: With the D’Alembert Strategy, players can reduce volatility to make their bankroll stretch a little further.
Cons: This is slower than the Martingale method and can be a tedious way to build up any winnings. Prolonged losses still sting, however, which isn’t ideal if you’re having no luck at the table.
Evaluation: This is a solid, middle-of-the-road style of approach for players who want to play roulette in a structured way without the extremes.
Labouchere roulette strategy
Compared to the other roulette strategies already mentioned, the Labouchere method sounds a lot more complex, although it is fairly simple in practice. It starts with the player laying out a sequence of numbers, for instance, 1-2-3-4. The sum of all those numbers is 10, which is the total target winnings for the session.
In each round, the player takes the first and last number in the sequence, adds them together then wagers that amount. If that wager wins, the player removes those numbers and keeps going until there are no numbers left. If the wager loses, the player adds that wager to the end of the sequence and continues. For 1-2-3-4, that would be 1+4 or 5.
The theory is that once all the numbers are finally crossed off, the target winnings will be achieved. However, like Martingale or the other variants of it, it also doesn't account for an extended streak of losses. As a result, it can easily end up with the player going through their funds without ever completing the numbers. Effectively, it is Martingale but with more mathematics behind it.
Mechanics: This slightly more complex strategy is known as a cancellation system. It involves writing a list of numbers down based on a target profit amount and then crossing two off following a win and adding one after a loss.
Players bet the sum of the first and the last of their numbers and adjust afterward depending on the result. Theoretically, players only need 1/3 of their bets to land for the Labouchere system to work.
Pros: This strategy is customisable and flexible, and it can be oddly satisfying to “complete” the sequence as you play. You can also do pretty well from winning streaks.
Cons: Its complexity means that tracking can become messy. A long losing streak can inflate your bets, and there is the potential for high losses if the strategy isn’t managed properly.
Evaluation: This is a solid approach for disciplined players who enjoy structured betting.
James Bond roulette strategy
Despite the name, this isn't linked to the super spy himself, only named after him. This is probably the most complex roulette strategy out there, as well as the one that requires the largest betting fund to start with. It uses more than just the 50/50 bets and instead it covers bets across the board.
The method requires 20 'units' of bets in each round; for the sake of simplicity, take 20 as the total wager as an example. In that case, the player would bet 14 on a 50/50 bet, 5 on a six-line, and 1 on the zero. In theory, only 12 numbers on the wheel would then result in a complete loss, whereas all other numbers would pay a profit.
The issue is that only the zero bet pays more than a loss of 20, so a single losing spin could wipe out several wins at once. In the end, the odds are not really improved, and because of the larger initial outlay, this is only a roulette system for those extremely secure in their available funds.
Mechanics: The James Bond Roulette Strategy, named after the famous spy’s gameplay in the novel Casino Royale, is a unique approach that involves placing a series of bets that covers most of the roulette table.
For example, players typically plan a €200 spin with €140 on numbers 19-36, €50 on 13-18 and €10 on the 0. The chief idea behind this strategy is to provide as much insurance as possible for your spin.
Pros: You get to cover numerous angles and outcomes. It’s easy to follow and put the strategy into action.
Cons: It’s a high-stakes and high-risk endeavour. If you use it as a long-term strategy, long-term losses are likely.
Evaluation: This stylish strategy is best suited to casual players during short sessions. It isn’t a sustainable way to play roulette over longer timeframes.
Constant Bet Strategy
- Mechanics: This one is straightforward and self-explanatory. It involves placing a bet of the same value on each spin, regardless of the result (win/loss).
- Pros: The Constant Bet Strategy is easy to implement and just as simple to track. You know exactly what you’re getting here.
- Cons: Players have limited scope for recovering losses or riding hot streaks with this approach. It’s also hard to secure significant profits.
- Evaluation: This system is well-suited to more casual roulette players who are seeking simplicity. It’s easy to implement and a breeze to track, even for complete novices.
Red Bet Strategy
Mechanics: The Red Bet Strategy involves placing bets on both red and black at the same time, but with different amounts. Pros: This strategy is not considered prudent. If you like to throw away money for no reason, however, this is the strategy for you. Cons: The Red Bet Strategy is a route to guaranteed losses due to the presence of the green zero (or double zero) pockets. It makes no sense to adopt this approach. Evaluation: If you’re ever asked what is the worst roulette strategy, it’s this one. Avoid it at all costs.
Oscar’s Grind Strategy
Mechanics: This is another progressive strategy that aims to land profit across a longer period. Here, players increase their bet after a win but maintain the same bet following a loss. The idea is to secure a 1-unit profit per cycle.
Pros: Risks are lower with Oscar’s Grind Strategy, and it’s less aggressive than some of the other progressive systems on the list.
Cons: As the name suggests, it can be a bit of a grind. Long playing sessions are a must, and table limits can have a telling impact on the strategy’s effectiveness.
Evaluation: If you’re equipped with buckets of patience and are ready for a slow, steady, methodical march towards some moderate profit potential, Oscar’s Grind is right up your alley.
1-3-2-6 Strategy
Mechanics: Another structured way of playing, the 1-3-2-6 Strategy involves placing bets in a set sequence (1 unit → 3 units → 2 units → 6 units). If you work through a complete cycle or hit a loss, the sequence resets to 1 unit and you must build up again from there.
Pros: This is an easy-to-follow, structured way of playing roulette that allows players to lock in small wins without the need for aggressive betting.
Cons: Players need to hit a streak of four wins to hit maximum profit, making it ineffective during inconsistent runs that alternate between wins and losses.
Evaluation: This is one of the more balanced systems and is a solid strategy for players who prefer short-term betting cycles with controlled risks.
Andrucci System
Mechanics: The basis of the pattern-based Andrucci System is that some numbers will appear more regularly than others over time. Players take note of the numbers that appear the most frequently inside a short period and bet heavily on them in the hope that they land again.
Pros: If you’re lucky enough with this, you can hit big profits.
Cons: The Andrucci System is based entirely on the gambler’s fallacy. Past outcomes don’t influence future spins, and there is no mathematical backing for the theory.
Evaluation: This is too risky of a strategy to be recommended to anyone. However, if you like to track patterns and numbers, you might find it interesting. Just don’t expect consistent wins.
64% Strategy
Mechanics: The 64% Strategy is another coverage-based approach where players bet to cover two of the three dozen (e.g., 1–12 and 13–24), putting a blanket over 24 of the 37 numbers on the board (in European Roulette).
Pros: Frequent wins are possible, which provides a nice psychological boost. This system strikes a nicely balanced risk-to-reward ratio.
Cons: With so many bets down each time, only small profits are possible. In addition, the house edge still eats away over time.
Evaluation: This is a good option for players who like frequent wins. Your wins will be on the small side, however.
Most effective roulette strategies
- Reverse Martingale (Paroli) Strategy – Low risk plus high discipline can equal short-term profitability. This does everything right as far as strategies go: it helps to maximise profits during hot streaks while limiting losses during luckless runs.
- D’Alembert Strategy – This is a balanced approach with manageable losses. Slow and steady wins the race!
- Labouchere Strategy – This customisable and methodical system for focused players can be complicated, but it is satisfying when done correctly.
Least effective roulette strategies
- Red Bet Strategy – This is illogical and guarantees losses. Don’t even consider it!
- Martingale Strategy – This is a potentially dangerous rabbit hole that can leave you with empty pockets very quickly if you endure an unlucky run.
- Fibonacci Strategy – This strategy has an impressive name but unimpressive results. It rarely works in practice and is unnecessarily complex for most players.
Roulette strategy tips
As explained above, the important thing to remember is that regardless of the system used on a roulette game, there is no guarantee of a win, and while having a set goal and an idea of betting limits is good to have to control the total spend, there is no 'beat the casino' system. If there were, casinos around the world would be out of business.
The key thing to remember is to bet responsibly and know the limits. Setting a budget before the session and not exceeding it is essential to play roulette or any other live casino games.
Conclusions
In short, while names and calculations with complex formulas can look impressive, the reality is that roulette will always come down to a game of chance, and any system that claims to be a guaranteed win is simply misleading. Don't be lured in, be sensible and remember that there is always a risk when playing roulette.