Roulette Betting Strategies
Do you want to play roulette and are looking for a strategy that works? You’re in luck! Here we discuss the most popular roulette betting strategies, their advantages and disadvantages, and share tips for playing roulette.
What Types of Roulette Bets Exist?
Before we dive into the most popular roulette strategies, let’s first explore the different types of roulette bets. There are two main types of bets: inside bets and outside bets.
Inside Bets
| Bet Type | Description | Payout |
| Straight Up | A bet on a single number | 35:1 |
| Split | A bet on two adjacent numbers | 17:1 |
| Street | A bet on three numbers in a row | 11:1 |
| Corner (Square) | A bet on four numbers forming a square | 8:1 |
| Six Line | A bet on six numbers (two adjacent rows) | 5:1 |
| Trio | A bet on three numbers including 0 (0-1-2 or 0-2-3) | 11:1 |
| Basket | A bet on 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3 (only in American roulette) | 6:1 |
Outside Bets
| Bet Type | Description | Payout |
| Red / Black | A bet on the color (red or black) | 1:1 |
| Odd / Even | A bet on odd or even numbers | 1:1 |
| Low / High | A bet on a range (1-18 or 19-36) | 1:1 |
| Dozen | A bet on one of the three dozens (1-12, 13-24, 25-36) | 2:1 |
| Column | A bet on one of the three vertical columns | 2:1 |
Top roulette betting strategies
There are two types of кoulette betting strategies:
- Progressive Bets – These are related to bet size. Depending on whether you win or lose, the bet amount increases or decreases. The most popular progressive roulette betting strategy is the Martingale system.
- Non-Progressive Bets – These are related to the type of bet rather than its size. The idea behind non-progressive betting systems is to cover as many numbers on the table as possible, reducing the chances of losing and ensuring a consistent payout per spin.
Most Popular Roulette Strategies
Martingale
This strategy is used for Red/Black, Odd/Even, Low/High bets. The game starts with a minimum bet of 1 chip. If you lose, the bet is doubled (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, etc.). If you win, you return to the initial bet.
Example:
- Bet $1 → Lose (-$1)
- Bet $2 → Lose (-$3)
- Bet $4 → Lose (-$7)
- Bet $8 → Lose (-$15)
- Bet $16 → Win (+$16, total profit = $1)
Main advantage: Simple and easy to follow.
Main disadvantage: A long losing streak can result in huge losses. For example, after 10 consecutive losses, your next bet would need to be $1024. What’s more? Casinos set limits, so doubling your bet “to infinity” is not possible.
Paroli (Reverse Martingale or Anti-Martingale)
This strategy is also used for Red/Black, Odd/Even, Low/High bets. It follows the same principle as Martingale, but instead of doubling after a loss, you double after a win.
Example:
- Bet $1 → Win (+$1, total $2)
- Bet $2 → Win (+$2, total $4)
- Bet $4 → Win (+$4, total $8)
- Bet $8 → Lose (-$8, total $0)
- Bet $1 → Win (+$1, total $1)
- Bet $2 → Lose (-$2, total -$1)
Main advantage: Maximizes winning streaks while minimizing risk.
Main disadvantage: A single loss erases all previous progress.
Pro Tip: Set a profit target, and once you reach it, withdraw your winnings and return to the initial bet.
Fibonacci
Another progressive betting system, similar to Martingale and Paroli, but instead of doubling, bets increase according to the Fibonacci sequence:
1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21… (each number is the sum of the two previous ones).
- After a loss → Move one step forward in the sequence.
- After a win → Move two steps back.
Example:
- Bet $1 → Lose (total -$1)
- Bet $1 → Lose (total -$2)
- Bet $2 → Lose (total -$4)
- Bet $3 → Lose (total -$7)
- Bet $5 → Win (total -$2)
- Bet $2 → Win (total $0)
- Bet $1 → Win (total +$1)
Main advantage: Safer than Martingale because bets increase more slowly.
Main disadvantages:
- A long losing streak can still result in large bets.
- Wins are relatively small.
D’Alembert
Another progressive betting system, like Martingale, Paroli, and Fibonacci. This strategy is used for Red/Black, Odd/Even, and Low/High bets. The idea is simple: increase your bet by 1 unit after a loss and decrease it by 1 unit after a win.
Example:
- Bet $1 → Lose (total -$1)
- Bet $2 → Lose (total -$3)
- Bet $3 → Win (total $0)
- Bet $2 → Win (total +$2)
- Bet $1 → Win (total +$3)
Advantages of D’Alembert: Bets increase slowly, reducing risk. However, losses take longer to recover compared to Martingale.
Oscar’s Grind
This is a Reverse D’Alembert. Iinstead of increasing the bet after a loss, you increase it by 1 only after a win.
Example:
- Bet $1 → Lose (total -$1)
- Bet $1 → Lose (total -$2)
- Bet $1 → Win (total -$1)
- Bet $2 → Win (total +$1)
Once you reach a +1 unit profit, the cycle resets, and you start again with the minimum bet.
Advantages of Oscar’s Grind: A more stable and safer approach than Martingale. However, during a long losing streak, it may take a long time to recover losses.
Most Popular Non-Progressive Roulette Strategies
These strategies focus on covering a large portion of the table, increasing the chances of winning.
Cuban System
In this system, one bet is placed on a Column, and another on a Dozen, covering 24 out of 37 numbers (65%).
Example of Cuban System in Action:
- Bet 10 chips on the 1st Column (12 numbers).
- Bet 10 chips on the 2nd Dozen (another 12 numbers).
- If 7 is spun (it’s in the first column) → win 2:1.
- Net profit: +10 chips.
- If 30 is spun (third dozen, not covered), the bet loses.
There’s also a variation using a color bet + Column bet. Columns have specific color distributions:
- Column 2-35 has 8 black and 4 red numbers.
- Column 3-36 has 8 red and 4 black numbers.
There are two ways to play Cuban System with color bets:
- Bet on Column 3-36 + Bet on Black
- 10 red numbers remain uncovered.
- If a red number in the third column lands, you win 1 bet.
- If a black number in the third column lands, you win 3 bets.
- If any black number outside the third column lands, you break even.
- Loss: If a red number from the 10 uncovered lands or 0 appears (losing 3 bets).
- Bet on Column 2-35 + Bet on Red
- 10 black numbers and zero remain uncovered.
Advantages of Cuban System: No rapid stake increase, covers 65%-70% of numbers, depending on the bet type.
33/4 System
Similar to Cuban System but only betting on numbers. This system uses the following bets:
- 4 bets on the 1st Dozen (1-12).
- 4 bets on the 2nd Dozen (13-24).
- 2 bets on a Six Line (26-30).
- 1 bet on a Street (31-33).
Hitting any covered number results in a +1 unit win. If 0, 34, 35, or 36 appears, you lose all 11 bets.
Example with $10 bets (Total stake: $110)
| Spun Number | Winning Bet | Payout | Net Profit | Bankroll |
| 5 (1-12) | 1st Dozen | 2:1 | +$10 | $120 |
| 17 (13-24) | 2nd Dozen | 2:1 | +$10 | $130 |
| 28 (26-30) | Six Line | 5:1 | +$40 | $170 |
| 32 (31-33) | Street | 11:1 | +$100 | $270 |
| 0, 25, 34-36 | Loss | 0 | -$110 | $130 |
Advantages of 33/4 System: One of the most stable systems, covering 86% of the table. You win +1 unit per spin, but lose 11 units if one of 5 uncovered numbers appears.
James Bond System
This strategy was described in Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels. It consists of three bets:
- 70% of total bet on High Numbers (19-36).
- 25% of total bet on a Six Line (13-18).
- 5% of total bet on Zero (0).
Example Bets with a $200 Bankroll:
- $140 on 19-36 (payout 1:1).
- $50 on 13-18 (payout 5:1).
- $10 on Zero (0) (payout 35:1).
Example:
| Spun Number | Outcome | Payout | Net Profit |
| 19-36 | Win | 1:1 | +$140 |
| 13-18 | Win | 5:1 | +$100 |
| 0 (Zero) | Win | 35:1 | +$160 |
| 1-12 | Loss | 0 | -$200 |
Advantages of James Bond System: Covers 67.6% of the table. No doubling of bets after losses.
Disadvantages: 1-12 is left uncovered — a streak of low numbers can wipe out your bankroll.
Rent (5/6) System
In this system, bets are placed on Low/High, Dozen, and Six Line. The betting structure is:
- The table is divided into 6 sections of 6 numbers each.
- 1-6, 7-12, 13-18, 19-24, 25-30, 31-36.
- The bet depends on where the last spun number was.
- Bets follow a progression of 1-2-4 or 5-10-20.
- If the maximum bet is lost, you reset to the minimum bet.
Betting Rules Based on Last Spun Number:
- 1-6 appears: Bet 3 units on High (19-36) + 1 unit each on 7-12 and 13-18.
- 7-12 appears: Bet 3 units on High (19-36) + 1 unit each on 1-6 and 13-18.
- 13-18 appears: Bet 3 units on High (19-36) + 2 units on 1-12.
If Zero appears, you simply repeat the bet.
Advantages of Rent (5/6) System: Covers 81% of the table.
Disadvantages: 6 numbers + Zero remain uncovered.
Final Note
There are many different roulette strategies, and you can even create your own. However, roulette is mathematically designed so that no strategy can guarantee 100% success. The casino always has an edge in the long run.
5 Tips for Playing Roulette
- Play only European roulette – it has only a single zero and no double zero, which increases your chances of winning. European roulette house edge = 2.70%. American roulette house edge = 5.26%.
- Know the betting limits – especially if you’re using a progressive betting system. Every table has a maximum bet, which can interfere with your strategy.
- Bring only the money you are willing to lose – never bet more than you can afford to lose.
- Remember that roulette is entertainment, not a source of income – the casino always has the advantage in the long run.
- Roulette is pure randomness – the same color can appear multiple times in a row. If red has come up 8 times in a row, it doesn’t guarantee that the next spin will be black.