We would all like to find a foolproof system to beat the Casino at the Roulette Table – unfortunately, there isn’t one!
The thing to remember is that in roulette, each spin of the roulette wheel is totally random. If the colour red has come up ten times in succession, the odds of it coming up on the next spin are still 50% (actually, using a European roulette wheel it is 48.6% because of the chance of the ball landing on 0, reducing to 47.3% on an American wheel which also has a 00)
So unlike in card games, where previously dealt cards can have an effect on the next card, each spin of the roulette wheel is totally independent and unrelated to what happened previously. Therefore any mathematical system that relies on historical data must be unreliable as history has no relationship to the next spin of the wheel.
There are however ways in which you can help increase your chances of winning – at least some of the time. Always remember though, that you should play roulette for the thrill of the game and always ensure that you can afford to lose – I have never yet met a poor Casino owner!
First, always, if possible, play with a European roulette wheel, where the odds are slightly more in your favour. (The house advantage is 2.7% for European and 5.26% for the American table).
One popular method used to try and beat the wheel is called the Martingale system. Dating back centuries to the time when gamblers used to bet on the flip of a coin, it is a very simple system that, used wisely, can help the gambler come out on top, at least in the short term.
The principle behind this system is to bet on something that gives you an even chance – red or black, odd or even, high or low – and to chose the same bet every time and if your choice does not come up, double your stake. So for example, if you chose to bet on red you would start off with a £5 bet; if the ball lands on black, you then double your next bet so you again bet on red, but this time you bet £10. If you lose again your next bet would be £20 and so on. When your colour comes up, you win back all your previous losses and win an equivalent amount to your original stake – in this case, £5.
After a win, you start again with your initial stake.
This may sound foolproof but there are two basic downfalls. First, you might lose your bankroll before your choice comes up – for example if you are on a losing streak, your 9th bet, if you started with £1, would need to be £256, needing a total bankroll of £510. Starting with £5, you would need a total bankroll of £2,550. You really need to ensure that if you are on a losing run, you know when to stop and I would always recommend that you limit yourself to a maximum of 7 or 8 bets before accepting defeat.
Secondly, most, if not all online casinos, have a table limit and you can easily reach it before your choice comes up. With a table limit of £500 and starting with a £5 bet, you would be over the table limit by the time your 8th bet is due (£5, £10, £20, £40, £80, £160, £320, £640 – well above the table limit).
Despite all this, there are ways to improve your chance of showing a profit.
First, find a casino that is offering a good deposit for first time players, that way the casino is contributing to your bankroll.
The Martingale system works best in the short term, the longer you play, the more likely you are to experience a long (and expensive) losing streak. Once you have had a few wins, change the table you are playing at and change your bet, so instead of betting on red or black, change to betting on odd or even.
Don’t play for too long – I would suggest an absolute maximum of 2 hours, and when you play again, change casinos to make the most of the initial deposit bonuses available. Finally, always check that you are playing on a European table, what the house table limits are and check the t&c’c of the operator. And DON’T play with more than you can afford!! – enjoy!
Tony Murtagh has been involved in building and developing websites for over 10 years. At present his main focus of attention is on his Gambling portal – The Betting Directory (http://www.betting-directory.org.uk/) and he also runs several gambling related blogs, including Online Gambling News (http://bettingandgamingnews.blogspot.com/)
