So you are a fan of online gambling who likes to play different games. Getting good at a multitude of them is fun and beneficial, as it allows you to pick and choose casinos, platforms, and genres of games and still consistently have a high chance of winning money. However, getting good at certain games is more difficult than in others.
For example, card games like poker and blackjack have certain elements of skill and experience about them. The more you play, the better you are, and you improve your chances of winning. But what about games that mostly rely on luck and are tough to beat, no matter the surroundings and context?
One such example is the iconic roulette, a game synonymous with the entire gambling industry and the hobby of playing casino games. Roulette has been around for a long time, as decades have turned into centuries for this classic gambling activity.
Through the years, technology around it has changed, but the main formula has stayed the same. And yet, people still struggle to fully understand it and play it as they should. If it is your go to option when gambling, you have to know it on a deeper level, enough to unlock the secrets it has. The wheel is rich with nuances that the numbers, layouts, and bets do not tell you.
To become better at the game and win more often, you need the right advice and approach, as well as a top tier platform like Stake to play the best variety of the game. If you wish to find out more about the details of roulette, keep reading this guide.
It will reveal to you what you probably did not know before about this iconic staple of the gambling industry that remains the favorite for millions of players around the world. Only by playing it the right way, and often, can you break the bad habits you may have and learn the correct way to pick the numbers, optimize the bankroll, and lower the house edge.
The Secrets of the Roulette Table
The iconic roulette wheel, sleek, spinning, and very simple in its premise, has been captivating casino goers for centuries. The black and red numbers, the polished surface, it is a symbol of casinos and gambling as a whole. But beneath all of that lies a world of hidden patterns and psychological traps that players have to know how to navigate.
That is, if they mean to win in it. From the house advantages they overlook to optimal strategies to bet, there is a lot to learn for the average player. If you have ever wondered what the numbers, the layout, and the bets on a roulette table are hiding, it is high time you looked beyond the simple spin of the little ball.
The Numbers Are Not As Random as You Think
First off, we address the supposed complete randomness of the numbers. At a glance, the 0-36 range seems like a completely random assortment. But they are actually carefully arranged to create balance, not for fairness to the player, but to ensure maximum unpredictability.
Odd and even numbers, black and red pockets, and high and low values are strategically spaced to confuse pattern seekers. Other casino games do not have this level of nuance to them.
The order is not sequential for a reason, instead being designed to break up the betting systems like the Martingale or Fibonacci, which are coincidentally (or not?) the two most common strategies. The secret in all of this is that some numbers are more psychologically attractive to players, and casinos know it.
They place these numbers where your eye naturally falls, as it is all about the psychological characteristics of an average player. It is a mind game between the house and the customers.
The layout can be considered a psychological trap of sports, as the table is not just for placing bets. It is designed to influence how you bet. The grid format encourages “inside bets”, which imply betting on single numbers that offer high payouts of 35:1, but terrible odds. The “outside bets” include red or black, odd or even, and high or low. They seem safer, but carry the same house edge because of the zero(s).
Players tend to fall victim to the Gambler’s Fallacy, which is believing that if red has hit five times, black is due to hit soon. The layout feeds into this illusion of control and subtly nudges players into riskier and more irrational decisions that they would otherwise make.
Knowing how to recognize this and not allow it to dictate your moves is the deciding factor in becoming a better player. Give it a shot yourself, spin Stake’s roulette and test your luck in one of the best modern variations of the game available online.
Bets and Math Behind Them
Take a look at this table:
| Bet Type | Payout | True Odds | House Edge (EU) |
| Single Number | 35:1 | 1 in 37 | 2.70% |
| Red/Black | 1:1 | 18/37 | 2.70% |
| Dozens | 2:1 | 12/37 | 2.70% |
Seems important, right? Well, casinos tend not to highlight this. In American roulette, these edges jump because of the double zero. And yet, most players treat the two versions of the game as equal. They are absolutely not. If you are playing roulette and do not avoid the double-zero wheels, you are giving the house an extra advantage for no reason whatsoever.
Furthermore, “en prison” and “la partage” rules that some European and French versions have can reduce the house edge drastically. Still, sadly, most players do not know how to ask for them, nor do they think to skip American wheels.
You have to remember that, ultimately, eventually, the house always wins. Even if you manage to get a hot streak going, it will stop for good and keep rewarding the casino. The game is thrilling, fast, glamorous, and simple.
But every spin is carefully engineered to be against you, the player, and every flashy bet is designed to make you overestimate your chances and fall for it. That is the real secret, that it is not about the number or the color when gambling on roulette.
It is about the structure of the game and the fact that it should be about entertainment and good times first, and trying to win money second. Arming yourself with this knowledge means you are no longer just another player, and that may just be enough to take you to more frequent wins.
Fun Facts and Trivia about Roulette
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The “Devil’s Game”, a 666 Connection?
If you add up all the numbers on a standard roulette wheel (1 through 36), the total is 666, the so called “Number of the Beast”. This eerie total is why roulette is sometimes called “The Devil’s Game”. A nickname that’s stuck for centuries. Is it a spooky coincidence…or a clever design?
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French Invention, Global Obsession
Roulette was created in 18th century France by combining elements from various older games. It adopted the spinning wheel and an ancient Italian game called Biribi. The word “roulette” comes from the French word for “little wheel,” and it quickly spread across Europe and then the world.
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Zero Means Big Bucks, But For the House
When the green zero pocket was added to the wheel, it gave the casino a mathematical edge. Before that, the game was much closer to fair. The zero is what makes roulette profitable for the house. Before that, roulette was nearly even between the house and the player. The green pocket(s) changed the game and the profits.
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James Bond’s Lucky Number
James Bond may be iconic for his Agent 007 moniker, but there is another number he is known by. In the movies and novels, he frequently bets on the number 17. It has since become one of the most popular roulette numbers among fans and players, thanks to the iconic spy, thought to be luckier than others.
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No Number Is Ever ‘Due’
Many players fall for the idea that a number is “overdue” if it has not hit recently. It is tempting to think so, but it has no basis in reality. Every spin is independent, and the odds for each number remain the same no matter what happened before. That number that has not hit in 50 spins? It still has the same odds as any other number. Don’t fall for the gambler’s fallacy!
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The Great Roulette Scam of the 1900s
Joseph Jagger, an English engineer, made history by exploiting a biased wheel at the Monte Carlo Casino. He observed the wheel for patterns and walked away with a fortune, proving even a small flaw can make a big difference. Studying the wheels for their mechanical bias and winning big by betting on one that was slightly off balance earned him the alias “The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo”.
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The First Roulette Computers
In the 1970s, a team led by physicist Edward Thorp (yes, the same guy who beat blackjack) developed one of the first wearable computers to predict roulette outcomes using physics. It worked surprisingly well until casinos caught on and cracked down on the wearers.
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The Ball and Wheel Are Carefully Engineered
Roulette wheels and balls are manufactured with extreme precision to ensure fairness and randomness. Even the smallest imperfection can lead to patterns or biases, which is why casinos regularly inspect their equipment to prevent advantage play.
FAQs About Roulette
Additional questions with straightforward answers are bound to exist even after a comprehensive and detailed guide. With that in mind, here are 10 frequently asked questions about the game of roulette that can help both beginners and veterans.
What are the differences between American, European, and French roulette?
American roulette has two zeros (0 and 00), which increases the house edge to 5.26%. European roulette has a single zero, lowering the house edge to 2.7%. French roulette also uses a single zero but includes rules like “La Partage” or “En Prison.” They can reduce the house edge to as low as 1.35% on even money bets.
Can roulette be beaten with a betting system like Martingale or Fibonacci?
No betting system can overcome the house edge in the long run. Systems like Martingale can create short-term wins but also carry the risk of large losses during losing streaks due to table limits and bankroll constraints.
What are inside and outside bets, and which are better for beginners?
Inside bets are placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers and offer higher payouts with lower odds. Outside bets, like red/black or odd/even, offer lower payouts but better odds. Beginners often prefer outside bets for their higher probability of winning.
Is online roulette fair or rigged?
Licensed and regulated online casinos use certified random number generators (RNGs) to ensure fairness. Live dealer games add transparency by using physical roulette wheels streamed in real time. Always play on platforms with proper licenses and auditing.
Are there strategies to improve my odds in roulette?
While no strategy can guarantee a win, managing your bankroll, choosing the right version of roulette (preferably European or French), and focusing on bets with the best odds (like outside bets) can help you play more sustainably. Control what you can and be smart about it, and your chances will be a bit higher.
How important is wheel bias or dealer signature in modern roulette?
In brick and mortar casinos with real roulette tables, wheel bias and dealer signature were once exploitable. Today, wheels are regularly maintained, and dealers are trained to avoid patterns. Exploiting such phenomena is rare and generally not viable in modern play, especially online.
What are the best bets in roulette for consistent play?
Even money outside bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low) offer nearly 50% win probability and are the most stable in terms of bankroll management. They are ideal for players who seek lower volatility and longer gameplay sessions.
Can roulette be played using skill, or is it entirely luck-based?
Roulette is primarily a game of chance. While understanding the rules, odds, and table types can improve decision-making, the outcome of each spin is random. There is no skill component in predicting where the ball will land.