There have been many roulette strategies formulated over the years, some dating back to the 1700s. The experts at roulettetop10.net have tried them all, and the strategies listed below are our favourites.
Note:
None of these strategies are guaranteed to improve your odds, but if you apply them intelligently they can be used to manage your bankroll effectively, keeping you in the game for longer.
The Martingale system
This is the most widely-used roulette system, in which you double your bet after each loss (negative progression.) The idea is that your next win will cover all previous losses and give you a little extra to boot.
The main problem with this system is that most tables have upper betting limits, and if you have a bad run of luck, you will run out of money very quickly with this method.
D’Alembert system
This system works by changing your bet whether you win or lose. When you win, you lower your bet by one unit and when you lose you raise your bet by one unit.
For example if your ‘unit’ is £1, then if you should add £1 after a loss and drop £1 after a win. Keep a limit that you don’t drop below otherwise you’ll be forced to bet with fresh air, which isn’t accepted by many casinos.
Dozens & columns
This is another system where you start betting more if you lose, however you specifically bet on either dozens or columns (see our page on roulette rules for details about these bet types).
Dozen and column bets have better chances of winning than inside bets, but also pay-out more than most other outside bets. This system only works in short bursts, so don’t rely on it for long stretches.
The Fibonacci system
This is similar to the Martingale strategy, except that it uses the Fibonacci sequence rather than a straight doubling pattern.
In the Fibonacci sequence, two consecutive numbers are added to make the next number (i.e. 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13 etc.). Accordingly, under this system, your previous two wagers should total your next bet. This is a little less risky than the Martingale system, but less effective at covering previous losses.
Guetting system
The Guetting system is a complicated strategy that requires players to raise their bet every time they win (positive progression.) This system works on four levels and has you bet each number of units on a level twice before progressing.
- Level 1 = 2
- Level 2 = 3, 4 and 6
- Level 3 = 8, 12 and 16
- Level 4 = 20, 30 and 40
Each time you win you move up a number of units (provided you’ve bet each value twice: 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 6, 6, 8 etc.) When you lose you move back to the first number of the previous level. In theory, this helps you win big whilst cutting your losses.
Hollandish system
This positive progression system also requires a little thought from the player. You start, as per usual, with a pre-determined betting unit. You then bet 1 unit until you win, at which point you should raise your bet to however many units you think are necessary to win back your losses. If you keep losing then you keep upping the bet.
This system requires the player to judge their situation independently and react accordingly, rather than acting out a pre-defined sequence of bets.
Oscar’s Grind system
This system requires players to decide how much a single betting unit will be (£1, £5, £10…it’s up to you.) You must then bet one unit on an even bet (odd/even, high/low etc.) If you lose, keep betting one unit; when you win you add an additional unit to your current bet.
This system also states that the player should stop when they have more money than they started with and try again later. This is actually sensible advice irrespective of your favoured system.
Parlay system
This is a fairly simple system, all you do is add the bet you made on the previous round on top of the winnings from that round, which totals your next bet. For instance, if you bet £5 and won £10, your next wager would be £15.
If you lose, then you should start again with your original betting unit. You should also be betting on even bets only and stop playing or start again once you make a profit.
Paroli system
Often referred to as the ‘reverse-Martingale’, this is a positive progression system in which successful bets are doubled for the next round. Rinse and repeat until you reach a pre-determined limit.
Pluscoup system
This strategy is rather similar to the Paroli system, in that you double your bet when you win. However, when you lose, you return to your original bet. In principle, this ensures that you ‘lock in’ your winnings.
Red & Black system
Begin by deciding on your starting bet (for this example we’ll say £10) and then bet on either red or black. If you win then keep placing your original bet, but if you lose twice in a row you must add your original bet to of your current wager (totaling £20 in this case.)
Every time you lose twice consecutively, add your original bet on top of your current bet. After two consecutive wins, lower your bet by the value of your starting bet (£30, £20, £10…)
Understanding the ‘gambler’s fallacy’
Many roulette ‘strategies’ depend on the superstitious nature of gamblers – don’t be fooled by these systems.
A lot of players believe (wrongly) that a number or colour cropping up regularly means it is more (or less) likely to appear in future, a belief known as the ‘gambler’s fallacy.’ This is a complete falsehood; the outcome of a roulette spin is always (to all intents and purposes) completely random every single time.
The systems listed on this page are designed to keep your bankroll stable and help you stay in the game for longer – that’s all. There is no such thing as a roulette system that actually improves your odds in the long run; it’s all about having fun and getting the best bang for your buck!