5 Ways to Gain a Valuable Edge on Roulette

Roulette is one of the most popular casino games in the world. But, amazingly, not many players are shrewd or disciplined enough to maximize their chances of winning on the game. There are many, many forms of roulette out there, with American, European and French Roulette among the most famous and popular, in a game believed to have originated in France during the 18th century and which became famous in Vegas in the 1960s. All three of these games are played on a spinning wheel, consisting of red, black and green slots, running from numbers 0-36 (although the American version also has 00). While each variant of roulette has its own unique set of rules and odds, there are some core roulette principles you can follow in order to increase your chances of winning – and limit your risk – which we’ll now run through.

1) Play European Roulette for Better Odds

Compared to other variations of the game, European Roulette offers the best odds for players. While both European and American Roulette typically offer odds of 35/1 on single number bets, the American version of the game has 38 numbers to choose from, compared to European’s 37, due to the having both a zero and a double zero, whereas the European game has just a zero. This may sound a minuscule difference, but in reality this means the house edge on European Roulette is just 2.7% compared to the 5.26% edge on American Roulette. This means you have a 2.56% lower chance of winning a single-number bet on American Roulette compared to European Roulette.

2) Avoid Top-Line Bets on American Roulette

Nevertheless, if you still prefer to play American Roulette, at least try and avoid the “Top Line” bet if you want to maximize your chances of winning. The Top-Line bet covers number 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3, offering odds of 6/1. This is the worst possible bet you can make on American Roulette, as it gives an 7.89% edge to the casino – significantly higher compared to the 5.26% edge on all other bets on the table. Ensuring the odds are closer to your favor is key for any gambling strategy – and this is no different with roulette. Don’t hamper yourself by giving the house an even bigger advantage.

3) Play for Free

Now, if you’re looking for real roulette value, then look no further than free roulette bets. In the pursuit of luring you in, most online casinos will give you free bets and bonuses when you sign up – and this applies to roulette too. Keep an eye out for deals that offer free roulette bets with the potential of winning real cash prizes. One thing to note on these kind of deals, though, is that such “free” offers often have strict terms and conditions that will either mean you have to wager your free bet X amount of times before you can withdraw it as cash, or will restrict your winnings. Nevertheless, free is free. A free bet on roulette is always worth a spin as you simply having nothing to lose!

4) Experiment

Experimenting with different variants of the game, such as multiplayer or Premier roulette, is also a good way to develop your knowledge and experience. A site like Hippodrome Casino offers no fewer than 10 roulette variants - it's especially worth trying the immersive or live roulette games which feature real dealers you can interact with via your webcam. Experimenting the game both online and live helps to get grounded. With live online roulette, you can get the casino experience wherever you are - meaning when you do go to a bricks-and-mortar casino, the pressure of the lights won't get to you. Although it's not yet available to the wider public, Microgaming has even developed a virtual reality roulette game for which it scooped a prize at the Global Gaming Awards in 2015.

5) Never Chase

Whatever you do - whether it’s playing American, European or any other variant of roulette - never, ever chase losses. Treat roulette as a fun game that gives you the chance to win, and if you do, treat it as a bonus. Just because you’ve been betting on black and five reds have come in in a row, does not mean that the next one is more likely to be black. The odds of any particular outcome (e.g. on a certain number or particular color) are just as likely on every single spin – regardless of what has proceeded it, so never bet beyond your means on the basis that a certain color or number is “due” – because it simply isn’t.

With tips four and five in particular - follow these rules and you’ll never be left too disappointed after playing roulette – but hopefully you’ll be left happy after having a fun and exciting roulette experience.

References & Sources:

1. dummies.com - Improving Odds at Roulette

2. hippodromeonline.com - Online Casino Site

3. microgaming.co.uk - Our Story of iGaming

4. roulettegeek.co.uk - Free Roulette Tool