Of all the casino games I’ve played and like to play, roulette is hands down my favorite. Perhaps it’s a game of chance. Maybe I just like associating the numbers with different athletes or superstitions. However, there is some strategy to winning at the game of roulette. Much like any casino game, there’s a strategy to go along with some luck. Let’s take a look at how to play roulette and strategies for winning.
If you think I’m exaggerating my love for roulette, perhaps the roulette wheel I have downstairs should prove that I’m not. This isn’t just a game I play at the casino but also one played at home. I still remember playing roulette on New Year’s Eve with family and my five-year-old nephew (you have to start them young!) had his feet kicked back as he hit yet another nice win. I’m not going to take full credit. However, he was following my bets.
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How To Play Roulette And Strategies For Winning
Roulette truly is a game of chance. There are various ways to pick a number or a variety of numbers and outcomes. You’ll have a set amount of time to place your bets, which varies based on the casino, whether it’s online or in person. The roulette wheel will already be spinning when you are placing your bets. The dealer will spin the roulette ball and when it starts slowing down will announce, “No more bets”. At this time, you’ll wait to see the result.
The ball will slow down and then bounce into one of the numbers on the wheel, which is associated with a number on the roulette betting board. Once the number is determined, the dealer will place a pawn-looking statue, which is known as a marker, or dolly. The dealer will collect all losing bets and then begin paying out the winning bets.
One thing to remember when you’re in person is, do not take your chips back until that marker is lifted. You also cannot place new bets until that marker is listed. You’ll get scolded for doing so. Now let’s look at how to play roulette and some strategies that I follow.
Betting A color
One of the easiest roulette strategies to follow is just guessing a color. The numbers are all red or black, aside from the green zero and green double-zero. These zeroes are how the casino keeps the game slightly in its favor. However, the majority of the spins will statistically land on either red or black.
Often times when you’re at the roulette table, whether it’s in person or online, you’ll see the previous numbers and colors that have hit. You may see that it has hit red five times in a row and think black is a sure thing. It’s not. Each game is a new game and you cannot place your bets based on the history of past spins.
Betting red or black is as simple as it sounds. You pick a color and if the ball stops on a number that is that color, you win 1x your bet. For example, if you bet one unit on red and it lands on red 23, you get one unit. You always get your bet back on winning bets as well, so this would put you up one unit. Most casinos have fairly high limits on these bets since it is just a 1:1 bet.
An example of this bet is shown in the photo below where the blue chip is betting red. This is the easiest and most common bet in roulette.
Betting Even Or Odd
One of the other more common and easier roulette strategies is to place a bet on “even” or “odd”. This is another 1:1 bet where you’ll make a unit if it hits. It is also another bet where the house is slightly juiced because of the possibility that the ball lands on zero or double-zero.
This is another bet where I don’t recommend playing it based off of what the previous numbers were. These previous numbers aren’t going to affect the current outcome. Go with your gut and pick even or odd.
An example of this bet is shown in the photo below where the blue chip is betting odd. There are 18 of 38 outcomes that would allow this bet to pay. Note, there are only 36 numbers so you’re thinking 18 of 36, or 50% odds. However, don’t forget about the zeroes! This is also a very easy and common bet in roulette.
Betting Half the Board (18 numbers)
This is the last 1:1 bet we’re going to cover in our roulette strategies. I’ve been to a bunch of casinos and most of them have this option. However, for some reason not every online casino or app I’ve played offers this bet.
With a 47% hit rate, this has the same odds as betting red/black or even/odd. You’re betting that the ball is going to land on your choice of 18 numbers. These numbers can be 1-18 or 19-36. Remember, the zeroes will not count and you will lose your bet if it hits zero. However, you’ll win one unit if your section hits.
I see red and black or even and odd bet more than this one. I also see betting 12’s (the next section in our roulette guide) much more than this one. However, here is a photo showing what it’s like to bet a section of 18. In this example, any number between 1 and 18 will pay us 1x our money.
Betting 12’s
Now our roulette strategies start to get just a little bit more complex. This isn’t the most complex roulette bet, but it’s different than betting red/black or even/odd. However, because it’s a little trickier to hit, it also pays better. You can bet sections of 12 numbers and if they hit, you’ll make 2:1 times your money.
While the bet is simple, your implied odds aren’t quite as good. Counting the zeroes, betting to hit one of the 12 numbers in your section you bet is just under a third at 32%. However, if you bet two different sections and hit one, you still profit a unit. If you only bet one section and hit, you profit two units.
There are three sections on the roulette table where these are bet. They are labeled as, “1-12”, “13-24”, and “25-36”. With each section, you’re betting that section will hit. For example, if you are betting on the 13-24, any number between 13 and 24 would pay you.
Bettors often pair this with betting red or black. This allows you to break even if your section doesn’t hit. It could also win you up to four times if your section does hit, and you’ve correctly bet red or black. The photo below is an example of betting one section of 12 numbers.
Betting Horizontal Rows
The roulette strategies we’re covering moving forward get a little more complex with each. They aren’t complex in that they’re hard to understand, but more so they are complex because there are multiple ways to win them but their odds are longer. However, the good news is, that means they pay better.
The next bet type for roulette is betting horizontal rows. On the photos we’re using these are labeled first, second, and third. However, in most casinos I’ve been in, they are just labeled 2 to 1. That makes it easy to know what the payout is as well. Hitting one of these will give you 2x your money and you’ll be up two units.
The most common roulette strategy I see when betting these is to bet two rows. Yes, this means you’ll only win one unit each win. However, it increases the odds that you’ll be able to win. When you bet the rows you get the full row, which consists of 12 numbers. Much like betting 1-12, you get the same amount of numbers and have the same odds.
In the photo below you can see we’ve bet the third row. This covers each number in that row from three to 36. Any hit on one of those will pay you 2x your money. This includes one of my most bet numbers, number six. However, we’ll get into that more later.
Betting Six numbers with one chip
That’s the last of our generic bets. Now we get into some line placements that bet more specific numbers. While betting these are trickier to hit, the payout is greater. The first one we’re going to go over is how to bet six numbers with one chip. However, we’re going to add one of my roulette strategies to help improve our odds. Even though it decreases our profit, it helps minimize loss.
You can place a chip in between two columns of numbers (see photo below). When you do this, you’re betting the six numbers within those two columns. For example, if we place a chip at the bottom of the one and four numbers, right in the middle, we’re indicating we’re betting the one, two, three, four, five, and six numbers.
As you can imagine, it’s much harder to hit these because you’ve decreased your odds. Now you’re hoping it hits one of six numbers out of 38 possible outcomes. This brings your implied odds down to just over 15%. However, it also pays much better. If you hit one of these numbers, it pays 5:1. Therefore, you’ll get five units back, plus your original bet.
Multiplying This method
There is another way to play this though. Betting this in one spot is risky. 15% aren’t exactly great odds. However, maybe we want to try it a little differently. You could place it in four different spots just like this. A win this way will profit you two units and your implied odds are now 63%. The problem with playing this way is risking losing all four chips you’ve placed.
I’ve seen others place it on five spots. While this only gives you a one-unit profit, the odds are bumped up to 79%, making it much better odds than just placing one of the other 1:1 bets such as red or black.
Playing this way can be dangerous. One double-zero and you’re looking at a five-unit loss. However, if you have the bankroll, this is a fun way to play and slowly build on winnings. In the photo below there is an example of somebody placing five chips using this strategy. In this example, the only numbers that we will lose money on are 19-21, 28-30, and the zeroes. Every other number will profit us one unit.
Betting four numbers with one chip
One of the next roulette strategies we’re going to cover is betting four numbers with one chip. This involves putting a chip at the corner intersection of any four numbers. By placing it here, you’re betting on each number the chip touches. For example, you could bet 1, 2, 4, and 5 by placing a chip on the corner of those.
Obviously, the fewer numbers you’re betting, the harder it is to hit. The odds on this one are 10.5%. However, you may decide the payout is worth it as it pays 8:1. In other words, you could be up eight units after just one hit. However, keep in mind the odds of those numbers hitting aren’t great.
The example below shows betting 2, 3, 5, and 6. If any of these four hit, you’ll win a profit of eight times you’re bet. This is a risk-reward type of bet and usually, people will decide to place four or five chips down. You could lose all, but more exposure to more numbers equals a higher chance of winning.
Betting three numbers with one chip
We continue to make our way to lower and lower odds but higher and higher payouts. By betting three numbers, you’re betting one column. This is similar to a few sections ago when we bet six numbers, except rather than placing it in the middle of two columns, you’re only placing your chip on one column.
When you place this bet you’re betting the three numbers that are in the column associated with your chip. Counting the zeroes as numbers, this knocks your chances of winning down to 7.8%. However, you win 11:1 times your money. One of the roulette strategies I follow when betting columns is to bet multiple.
I will usually place bets on five columns. This still nets me a profit of six units, since it pays 11:1. If your number hits when betting five columns, you lose four chips but gain six. You also keep the original chip on the winning column.
In the photo example below we actually went with six chips on our bets. This means we could profit five units (lose five, gain eleven, and keep your original chip on the winning column). Betting six columns also bumps your winning percentage up to 47%. These are the same odds as betting black and red, however, much better profits if you win. The flip side to that is you will lose much more when you lose.
Betting two numbers
As we get further into our roulette strategies, the chances of hitting go down but the payouts go up. The next bet to cover is betting two numbers with one chip. This is as simple as placing a chip on the line right in between two different numbers.
Your chances of hitting one of your two numbers drops down to five percent! Not great odds. However, it’s like a long-shot parlay. Your odds may drop, but your payout goes up as this will pay 17:1. A 17-unit profit, +1700, whichever way you want to word it, it sure makes you feel good when you hit it.
Normally if people are betting this route they’ll put some chips on multiple places. Remember, you can lay down to 16 chips and still profit if one of your spots hit. And 16 chips would cover 32 numbers, increasing your implied odds to 84%. However, you risk losing 16 units, which is a lot to just try and gain a profit of one. Six to eight different spots seem to be the sweet spot from what I’ve seen at casinos.
At eight different spots, you have a 42% chance of doubling and gaining 9 units. The photo below is an example of betting two numbers. In this photo, if the roulette ball lands in two or in three on the wheel, you’re a winner.
betting one number
If you frequent the roulette tables at casinos you’ve all seen this play. Some person who is down on their luck thinks they have an opportunity to turn their night around. They walk up to the table and place one single chip on one single number, hoping the 35:1 payout is on their side. They have just over a 2.5% chance of hitting. However, they are feeling their specific lucky number and it’s going to get them back in the game.
It’s a low risk if you’re only betting one unit. It’s a huge reward if you win. 35 to 1, +3500, a 35-unit profit. Suddenly, instead of holding your head low and walking back to your car in the parking lot, you’re ready to go hit the blackjack table again and this time you’ll follow these strategies.
First, you have to hit it though. What number are you betting? Personally, if I’m doing just one number, I always pick 34. Being a Bears’ fan it’s a tribute to the late great Walter Payton.
The Beginner’s Bet
Maybe you’ve seen one of these specific roulette strategies and it makes you want to try it out. Maybe you’re still stuck on where to start. When I play roulette I factor in my bankroll as well as the min/max bets. At electronic roulette games in casinos, and sometimes online, you can bet smaller units such as a dollar. At most tables, you are betting five-dollar chips, which can eat up your money pretty quickly.
When it’s a five-dollar bet, the bet shown below is what I feel is a great starter bet. Sure, you’re welcome to just pick red or black. That’s a fine way to start and add some excitement each time you hit. However, I like to increase my odds just a little.
You’re not going to get rich quick betting this way. You may even prefer to just bet two rows like I explained above in the betting a row section. However, I like to add a little bit more when I just want to sit at the table for awhile.
Looking at the photo below we’re betting the 1st row, the 3rd row, and 1-12. Each of these spots pays 2:1. Let’s break down how we can win. First, let’s talk about the losses. If the zeroes hit, or the numbers 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, or 35 hit, we lose all three units.
If numbers 1, 4, 7, 10, 3, 6, 9, 12 hit, we actually gain a three-unit profit. (You’ll lose either the first or third row, but gain two units on the other row and on the 1-12 plus keep the chip that was on the winning bet).
If you hit 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, you break even (lose the two chips on 1st and 3rd row, but gain two chips for 1-12). This is the same if you hit in the first or third row on a number that isn’t in the 1-12 range. You break even. Therefore, you’ll break even a lot with this bet, but there are ten numbers that will get you a three-unit profit. This means you have 21% of gaining 3 units, a 52% chance of breaking even, and just a 17% chance of losing money.
Only having a 17% chance of losing money is what makes this bet desirable. Play around with it. Maybe you also want to add red/black or even/odd. Remember, this increases your loss if you miss on all bets, but minimizes loss if you at least hit. For example, if you bet red, and 23 hit. You’re only losing two units instead of three.
My Main Bets
The below photos show two of the bets I like to follow. Keep in mind, this is either if I have a bigger bankroll because I’m up on the night, or the bet size is smaller, such as a dollar.
The first photo covers my favorite numbers. Sure, I risk losing seven units this way. However, if any of them hit, it’s a 28-unit profit. My numbers may be a little silly but I’ll explain why they are my numbers. There’s six (Jay Cutler), 10 (Lionel Messi), 11 (double 1’s is just something I like), 13 (lucky number 13), 22 (Matt Forte), 23 (Michael Jordan), and as I already said, number 34 (Walter Payton).
In the second photo, you’ll see a little crazier bet. This is usually if I’ve hit one of my numbers once or twice and I’m way up I decide to get a little crazy. Yes, when it hits zero I look like a fool, losing 20 units. However, that’s why I only do it when I’m up big. In the second photo here’s the breakdown of what I would win if something were to hit. These are all one-unit bets minus two units on 23, two on 34, and five on red.
6: Would pay 35:1 – 15-unit profit.
10, 11, 13: Would pay 43:1 (35:1 for on the number 8:1 for being on four) – 23-unit profit.
14: Would pay 8:1 – 12-unit loss.
20, 22, 24, 26: Would pay 17:1 – 3-unit loss.
23: (don’t call me sacrilegious for adding a cross to my bets) – this is the number I’m aiming for. With two units on it plus the surrounding units, it would pay 138:1, or a 118-unit profit.
33: 35:1 – 15-unit profit.
34: (two units on it) 70:1 – 50-unit profit.
That’s roulette in a nutshell. As with all casino games it’s a gamble, but a fun one at that. Next time you’re at the casino or browsing online casino games, give roulette a shot. Even if it is just $5 on red. A friend of mine says always place a bet on red when you enter the casino and if it hits, you’ll have a good night. If it misses, you may as well go home. Good luck and let it ride!
With more roulette questions contact me on X (formerly Twitter) here. In the NFL offseason next year, Old-Fashioned Football is planning on a live-roulette stream for fun. Make sure you subscribe to our youtube so you’ll know when it’s happening!
