Turning the tables

Many people consider roulette to be a casino game that is purely about luck, but a belief in this theory is one way of ensuring that you will lose every time you hit the roulette tables. In actual fact there is far more to success at roulette than fortune, which means winning is actually within your control. This piece will serve as a guide to playing roulette successfully, giving you a better chance of a win each time you spin.

It is true to say that roulette is one of the easier casino games to master – not as straightforward as the slot machines, but simpler than the likes of blackjack, craps and poker. However, as with those games, the first thing to understand is that you shouldn’t start playing roulette – or trying to adopt any systems – until you understand the basic rules and what kind of roulette you are playing. The basic idea behind the game is to place one or more bets on numbers, red or black colours, or odds or evens, with the result determined by which number and colour the ball eventually lands on.

Once you are familiar with the basics of the game, you can begin to look at different betting strategies, and one of the easiest to understand is the Lucky Numbers System. It is easy because it involves picking a single number to place your bet on – one that you consider lucky – and beginning by putting a single chip bet on that number. If it doesn’t deliver you will have to bet two-times your initial stake on the same number, then three times and so on. Because of the increased stakes each time, the longer you go before getting the win, the more you stand to claim – and it offers a five-time greater shot at winning than losing. However, because of the bet increases, it is a system really only open to those with big bankrolls, as there really aren’t lucky numbers on a roulette wheel.

One of the most popular roulette betting strategies among enthusiasts is the Martingale system, and this can be particularly successful on a short-term basis. It involves placing even money bets – for example on black in roulette – at around £5 a time and maintaining this betting amount for every win. For losses you double the bet, ensuring a net £5 win even after several losing bets once you actually win again. It can definitely be a useful strategy for those who can afford it and who don’t plan on playing for long periods of time.

While players may develop certain superstitions – and it could be argued that the Lucky Number system essentially is just that – most betting strategies are more about calculating the odds. For example, opting to play European Roulette rather than American Roulette is based on the higher probability of winning even money outside bets with the latter game.

Once you have selected the type of roulette that you want to play, and decided which strategy you are going to use to maximise your chances of winning, the best way to try out your new skills is to hit the online roulette tables and see how you get on.