Roulette is a great game of chance to play, it may be online by yourself or in a brick and mortar casino, standing around a buzzing table. Whether you’re playing in New Zealand or New York or at Canadian casinos online, the appeal to players is much the same - roulette is a fast-paced and thrilling game that sports a varied betting system and a comparatively low house edge. The rules of the game are relatively simple, which is another reason why the game has remained popular since it was first invented in 1655.

Players place bets on a specific number or series of numbers, colour, or whether the ball will land on a winning number that is either odd or even- sounds pretty straightforward, right? So where do roulette betting systems and strategies come into play?

What is a Roulette Betting System?

A betting system is a specific manner in which a player approaches a game or the use of a strategy in order to turn a profit. Betting systems, including those used for roulette, are based on statistical analysis with the aim of beating the house edge. By analysing data, players can try to figure out ways in which they feel they subtly stack the odds in their favour, or take advantage of certain situations.

No matter how many ways you look at roulette, it remains steadfastly a game of chance and its underlying math just doesn’t provide players with a betting system that can overcome the house edge. There are however a few systems that you can use to minimise the hit on your bankroll.

The Martingale System

In the realm of roulette betting systems, the Martingale is the grand-mac-daddy of them all and probably the oldest one that has ever been devised. While the name might not ring any bells, you’ve probably played with this approach on the roulette tables in some shape or form. The Martingale is a double-your-bet after you lose strategy.

Simply put, if you lose your first bet, you double the size of your next bet. It’s predicated on the assumption that if you keep doubling your bet after every loss, eventually you will win and recoup your losses, as well as ending up with a profit.

Many novice roulette players end up using the Martingale method as one of the first strategies they test out because it’s one of the simplest and theoretically you have to win your wager at some point. In theory, you will win frequently using it but in reality, a moderate losing streak resulting in between seven to nine losses in a row will knock the wind out of your sails and your bankroll, since you’re doubling your bet after every loss.

Example:

Bet 1: 5 units Result: Loss

Bet 2: 10 units Result: Win Profit: 5 units

Other Betting Systems

The sheer amount of betting systems for roulette is breathtaking, and you’ll be able to try them all out for yourself to see whether they’re worth your time or not. Popular and common methods include the Labouchere, the D’Alembert, the Fibonacci and the Paroli.

There are numerous others, but again, the only way to gain an edge over the house is to either influence the outcome of the game through a dealer signature or a biased wheel, or to accurately predict where the ball will land by using the laws of physics- we’re talking about differential equations here. High school physics just won’t cut it, I’m afraid.