Roulette Tips: The Strategy

Playing roulette is more fun when you win. While roulette is a game of luck and there's no way to guarantee a winning session, a few strategy considerations can improve your odds of coming out ahead.

1. Try to Avoid the 00

American roulette wheels have a 0 and a 00, while European wheels have the single 0. Since roulette bets pay out according to what the odds would be if there were no zeroes on the wheel, the wheel with fewer zeroes is obviously better. You may be able to find a European roulette wheel in an American casino. If not, you can always find one online. Basically all online casinos offer the European version.

2. Avoid the Basket Bet

On American roulette tables, players can take the "basket bet," covering 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3. Covering an odd group of numbers skews the odds a bit, and this bet offers the worst odds on the board for the player, with a House edge of nearly eight percent.

3. Beware of Systems

Betting systems like the Martingale, where you double your bet every time you lose, are risky ways of playing. They alter your win/loss pattern by creating a situation where you have a number of small wins and eventually one very large loss.