Roulette Systems

Principal Strategist in the field of iGaming and Online Casino Security
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Roulette is a game of chance and each spin of the wheel is independent of the previous ones, which means that the house always has a mathematical advantage. In the game of roulette, this advantage ensures that, roulette strategy from the strategy or betting system one employs, the casino always has a long-term chance of winning.

The use of these systems can increase the enjoyment of the game and bring short-term profits, but their regular application for profitability is risky and can lead to significant financial losses. Safety in gambling is based on a responsible approach: setting limits on losses, playing within available financial means and recognising that gambling is a form of entertainment, not a way to earn a living. It is also important that players are informed about roulette odds before they decide to participate in a game.

The most famous roulette systems

Martingale

One of the most well-known and simple strategies. It is based on doubling the bet after each loss. In theory, the first win will cover all previous losses plus a small profit. The main risk of this system is that a series of defeats can quickly increase the stake to levels that exceed the table limit or the player’s available money.

SpinBetStakeResultEarningsTotal run
1Red€1Lose-€1-€1
2Red€2Lose-€2-€3
3Red€4Lose-€4-€7
4Red€8Earn+€8+€1
5Red€1Lose-€1€0

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Martingale System in Roulette

Although simple to implement, the Martingale system is controversial as it requires considerable financial strength and involves high risk. The main advantages and disadvantages of using this strategy are listed below.

Pros
  • Easy to Understand and Apply
  • Potential loss recovery
  • Quick Short Term Profits
Cons
  • High Risk of Large Losses
  • Large capital required
  • Restrictions from the Casino Limits
Practical Examples of the Martingale System

Example 1: Initial Bet €5

  1. First Turn (Loss): Bet €5 → Loss €5
  2. Second Turn (Loss): Double to €10 → Loss €10 (Total Loss: €15)
  3. Third Turn (Win): Double to €20 → Profit €20

With this win, the losses are covered and a profit of €5 is achieved.

Example 2: Initial Bet €10

1. First Turn (Loss): Bet €10 → Loss €10
2. Second Turn (Loss): Double to €20 → Loss €20 (Total Loss: €30)
3. Third Turn (Win): Double to €40 → Profit €40

The losses are recovered and a profit of €10 remains.

Fibonacci

Fibonacci’s roulette betting strategy is based on the well-known mathematical sequence, where each number is the sum of the previous two (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, etc.). In roulette, players increase their bet according to the next number in the sequence after each loss, and after a win they return two numbers back in sequence. This roulette strategy is considered safer than Martingale, as it does not require such large increases in capital, making it less risky for players with a limited budget.

SequenceStakeResultEarnings
11Lose-€1
1, 22Lose-€3
1, 2, 33Lose-€6
1, 2, 3, 55Lose-€11
1, 2, 3, 5, 88Earn€5
1, 2, 33Lose€2

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Fibonacci Strategy in Roulette

Pros
  • Less Risk of Loss
  • Easy application
  • Loss Recovery with Gradual Rise
Cons
  • Slow Profit Recovery
  • Requires Greater Patience
  • No Guaranteed Profit
Practical Examples of the Fibonacci Strategy in Roulette

Example 1: Initial Bet €5

  1. 1st Turn (Loss): Bet €5 → Loss €5
  2. 2nd Turn (Loss): Bet €5 → Loss €10
  3. 3rd Turn (Loss): Bet €10 → Loss €20
  4. 4th Turn (Loss): Bet €15 → Loss €35
  5. 5th Turn (Win): Bet €25 → Profit €25

After winning, the player returns two numbers back in the sequence and continues with a bet of €10.

Example 2: Initial Bet €10

  1. 1st Turn (Loss): Bet €10 → Loss €10
  2. 2nd Turn (Loss): Bet €10 → Loss €20
  3. 3rd Turn (Loss): Bet €20 → Loss €40
  4. 4th Turn (Win): Bet €30 → Profit €30

This win reduces the total losses and the player continues with a bet of €10, following the sequence.

D’Alambert

In this roulette systems , the player increases his bet by a fixed number after each loss and decreases the same amount after each win. The system assumes that luck will eventually “even out”, offering a more conservative approach to capital management.

Bet amountResultResultEarnings
€1Lose-€1-€1
€2Lose-€2-€3
€3Lose-€3-€6
€4Earn+€4-€2
€3Earn+€3€1

Advantages and Disadvantages of the D’Alambert Strategy in Roulette

Pros
  • Phased Capital Management
  • Less Risk of Loss
  • Easy to understand and apply
Cons
  • Slow Loss Recovery
  • Requires Patience
  • It Does Not Eliminate the Casino Advantage
Practical Examples of the D’Alambert Strategy in Roulette

Example 1: Initial Bet €5

  1. 1st Turn (Loss): Bet €5 → Loss €5
  2. 2nd Turn (Loss): Increase by €5 → Bet €10 → Loss €10 (Total Loss: €15)
  3. 3rd Turn (Win): Decrease by €5 → Bet €5 → Profit €5 (Total Loss: €10)
  4. 4th Turn (Win): Decrease by €5 (but stays at €5, as it cannot go lower) → Profit €5 (Total Loss: €5)

With this strategy, the player gradually recovers losses with each win, without excessive increases in betting.

Example 2: Initial Bet €10

  1. 1st Turn (Losing): Bet €10 → Loss €10
  2. 2nd Turn (Losing): Increase by €10 → Bet €20 → Loss €20 (Total Loss: €30)
  3. 3rd Turn (Win): Decrease by €10 → Bet €10 → Profit €10 (Total Loss: €20)
  4. 4th Turn (Win): Decrease by €10 → Bet €5 → Profit €5 (Total Loss: €15)

The D’Alembert strategy allows the player to gradually reduce losses, without sudden increases in bets, while maintaining control of his capital.

Labouchier

Players start by writing a sequence of numbers, e.g. 1-2-4-1-2. Each bet is equal to the sum of the first and last numbers in the sequence. On winning, these numbers are deleted. In case of a loss, the bet amount is added to the end of the sequence. The goal is to delete all numbers in the sequence.

BetSequenceResultResultEarnings
€31, 2, 4, 1, 2Lose-€3-€3
€41, 2, 4, 1, 2, 3Lose-€4-€7
€51, 2, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4Earn+€5-€2
€51, 2, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4Lose-€5-€7
€72, 4, 1, 2, 3, 5Earn€7€0

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Labouchier Strategy in Roulette

Pros
  • Flexibility in Betting
  • Fast Loss Recovery
  • Easy Control of Bets
Cons
  • Complicated for Beginners
  • Fixed Capital Required
  • It Does Not Eliminate the Casino Advantage
Practical Examples of the Labouchier Strategy in Roulette

Example 1: Initial Sequence [1, 2, 3, 4]

  1. 1st Spin (Bet €5): First number (1) + Last number (4) → Bet €5 → Loss €5
    • New sequence: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
  2. 2nd Turn (Bet €6): First number (1) + Last number (5) → Bet €6 → Loss €6
    • New sequence: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
  3. 3rd Turn (Bet €7): First number (1) + Last number (6) → Bet €7 → Win €7
    • Delete numbers 1 and 6
    • New sequence: [2, 3, 4, 5]
  4. 4th Turn (Bet €7): First number (2) + Last number (5) → Bet €7 → Win €7
    • Delete numbers 2 and 5
    • New sequence: [3, 4]

With each win, the sequence gets shorter, getting closer to the player’s target profit.

Example 2: Initial Sequence [2, 3, 5]

  1. 1st Turn (Bet €7): First number (2) + Last number (5) → Bet €7 → Loss €7
    • New sequence: [2, 3, 5, 7]
  2. 2nd Turn (Bet €9): First number (2) + Last number (7) → Bet €9 → Win €9
    • Delete the numbers 2 and 7
    • New sequence: [3, 5]
  3. 3rd Turn (Bet €8): First number (3) + Last number (5) → Bet €8 → Win €8
    • Delete numbers 3 and 5
    • The sequence is complete, and the player has achieved the profit target.

These examples show how the Labousier strategy helps the player maintain control of the bet by gradually recovering losses.

Columns/Dozens

Strategies based on betting on columns or dozens, which cover 12 numbers in roulette. Players can fluctuate their bets depending on the outcome, using betting management systems such as those above.

Paroli

Positive progression system, where players double their bet after each win instead of each loss. The goal is to take advantage of “hot streaks” and maximize their winnings.

SpinBetStakeResultEarningsTotal run
1Red€1Lose-€1-€1
2Red€2Lose-€2-€3
3Red€4Lose-€4-€7
4Red€8Earn+€8+€1
5Red€1Lose-€1€0

There are many roulette strategies that players use to increase their chances of success in the game. These strategies are based on mathematical or managerial methods that aim to reduce the casino’s advantage and better manage capital. From the Martingale system to the Fibonacci system, each roulette strategy has its own advantages and risks.

It is important to remember that no roulette system can guarantee certain winnings, as roulette is fundamentally a game of chance. However, proper strategies can help the player to stay longer in the game and manage his capital better. Choosing a system for roulette that suits your own style and risk tolerance can make the roulette experience more enjoyable and interesting.

Here are some popular strategies and roulette systems that are worth knowing.

  1. Thier du Silandre (Third of the Wheel) – This strategy focuses on betting on a section of the roulette wheel that covers about a third of the numbers on the wheel. Players place bets on numbers that are physically close to each other on the wheel, hoping that the ball will land in this sector.
  2. Orphans – The “Orphans” bet covers the numbers not included in the “Thiers du Silandre” and “Vouchers du Ziro” section. This is a bet on a specific set of numbers on the wheel that are considered “orphans”.
  3. Bouazen du Ziro (Neighbours of Zero) – Bets are placed on numbers close to zero on the roulette wheel. This is a popular choice among players as it covers many numbers around zero and is often used in European and French roulette. In roulette how 0 pays depends on the type of roulette and the rules of the casino. Typically, in European roulette, 0 pays like other single numbers, offering payouts of 35 to 1 for a successful bet on exactly 0, but it also affects outside bets where it is considered neither red nor black, neither even nor odd, nor part of the usual 1-18 or 19-36 divisions.
  4. Red bet (Red bet) – This simple strategy is based on increasing bets on red if black comes out, with the idea that at some point red will have to come out. It is a variation of the Martingale system, but focuses on color bets.
  5. 1-3-2-6 System – In this system, bets are increased according to a specific sequence after each winning bet. The purpose is to take advantage of a series of wins, reducing the risks during losses.
  6. Sotwell system – The Sotwell strategy suggests betting on a specific set of numbers to increase the chances of winning. This system was popular in the 1970s and suggests betting on a specific combination of numbers to cover as much of the wheel as possible.

Each of these systems has its own advantages and disadvantages. It is important to remember that no betting system can guarantee consistent winnings due to the built-in casino advantage, known as the house edge. Players should approach any betting system with caution and play responsibly. Also of interest is the sum of the roulette numbers, which adds another factor to the history and analysis of the game.

Common Roulette Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Roulette is one of the most popular gambling games, and despite its apparent simplicity, players often make common mistakes that can lead to significant losses. A sensible approach, such as using a proper roulette system, combined with avoiding basic mistakes, can increase enjoyment and reduce the risk of losses. Listed below are some of the most common mistakes and tips to avoid them.

Unrealistic Profit Expectations
  • Mistake: Lack of budget can lead to big losses, especially when using an aggressive roulette system.
  • Avoidance: Set limits on your bankroll before you start playing and stick to them strictly.
Pursuit of Losses
  • Mistake: After losses, some players increase their bets to recoup their losses, increasing their risk.
  • Avoid: Use a solid strategy, such as the D’Alembert system, which does not require large bet increases.
Misunderstanding of Statistics and Probability
  • Mistake: Players often believe that a particular outcome (e.g., red or black) “must” occur after consecutive outcomes of the opposite.
  • Avoidance: Remember that each round is independent of the previous one. Your betting should be based on strategy, not false assumptions.

By avoiding these mistakes and adopting a strategic approach, players can improve their experience and minimise the chances of big losses in roulette.

Alexandros Papadopoulos is a distinguished expert in the field of iGaming, with a deep knowledge of online casino games and betting strategies. Recognized for his analytical ability and his focus on the patterns and probabilities of games, Alfonso offers expert and safe advice to players. His expertise includes gaming legislation, cybersecurity and responsible gaming, offering a comprehensive and informed perspective for the livecasinosgreek.com audience. His work reflects a unique combination of technical expertise and a commitment to fair and ethical gaming.

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