Exploring betting systems in roulette – Do they really work?

Roulette is one of the most popular casino table games in the world. The simplicity of the game, combined with the excitement of seeing the outcome and the potential of huge payouts, make it an instant favourite for both live and online players.

Despite roulette being a game of chance with a clearly defined house edge, players all around the world still try to beat the wheel by using betting systems and strategies in an attempt to defy the odds.

Here we explore the world of betting systems in roulette and using two examples we ask the question – do they really work?

 

Roulette is a game of pure chance

Roulette is a game of pure chance. In a casino, the ball is spun around the wheel by a croupier, who releases it on a random trajectory. Although many have tried, it’s impossible to predict where the ball will land on a given spin.

Unless you bring sophisticated laser technology into the casino, which is a sure way to get yourself banned, you’ll have to take a pure guess at the outcome of a roulette spin.

If you’re playing online roulette in Canada or elsewhere in the world, the outcome of a roulette spin is determined by a sophisticated algorithm known as a random number generator (RNG). The RNG creates a seed number and an outcome is generated from the seed. Again, this process is impossible to predict.

People have tried to come up with all sorts of ways to beat roulette by using different strategies and betting systems.

The most famous of these is the Martingale system, which is widely touted as being a “guaranteed” way to win. This is nonsense, of course. We’re here to tell you that the Martingale method, like all other methods of tricking the wheel, still carries risk.

 

Debunking the Martingale betting system

The Martingale system is one of the most popular roulette betting systems, probably because it is the easiest to remember and apply. It has been praised as an unbeatable system, a guaranteed way to edge out a small profit at the roulette tables.

The premise is that you start with your initial bet, which you place on an even-money proposition like red or black. Every time you lose, you double the size of the bet. This continues until you eventually win.

The theory behind this approach is that you can’t lose forever. At some point, you’ll inevitably correctly choose red or black. When you do, you’ll recuperate all of your losses, plus a small amount more.

Let’s illustrate the Martingale system, starting with a bet of $2 on red or black. You lose the bet, so double up to $4. You lose again and double to $8. By this time, your total spend is $14. If you win the $8 bet, you’ll gain $16, giving you a small profit of $2.

After winning a bet using the Martingale system, you then start the whole process again with your original bet size.

Theoretically, it’s likely you’ll start pocketing small amounts from this method of betting. However, there is one huge problem with the Martingale system that can potentially be very costly.

The theory depends on you having a literally unlimited bankroll. Otherwise, it’s not guaranteed that you will win before going broke. In fact, you’ll be surprised to see how quickly small bets can escalate into nosebleed gambles if you keep doubling your stake.

Take the same example as above. If you start off with a $2 bet, this doubles to $4, then $8, $16, $32, $64, $128 and so on. By only the eighth bet, you’d be risking $256. The tenth bet will be worth over a grand.

 

Even if you win the $256 bet, you’ll be back up to just $2 profit and then the whole process starts again.

This only gets more extreme the bigger your initial bet. If you start off with an initial $10 bet, by the tenth failed spin you’d be betting $5,120 to try to claw back a small profit.

The Martingale betting method does not improve your odds, nor does it in any way guarantee a win. It’s simply a way of breaking down bets to make small wins more likely. This is balanced out by the times that you run bad and lose multiple times in a row.

 

What about the Andrucci strategy?

Nearly all other roulette betting methods work similarly to the Martingale system. They are simply ways of sizing up or sizing down bets depending on whether you are winning or losing. No roulette betting systems influence odds, only the nature of wins and losses.

But what about the Andrucci strategy?

The Andrucci strategy is a little bit different. It’s based on the idea that past outcomes can help you to predict future numbers. In this case, players will either make small bets or simply observe and record numbers that come out on the wheel until they start to see patterns.

Proponents of this so-called strategy will then place bets on “hot” numbers that have been coming up more than usual, or on “cold” numbers that are “due” to hit.

This is complete nonsense. In roulette, as with all games of chance, the outcome of the current spin is in no way influenced by the outcome of past spins. Each is its own independent event.

It’s impossible to predict roulette numbers by looking at past numbers. All the Andrucci strategy serves to achieve is to give people a feeling of control over events that they ultimately have no control over.

 

What can you do to get the best odds in roulette?

Roulette is a game of pure chance and should be enjoyed in this way. Sit back and see where the ball lands. If it hits, then you win the bet.

What’s important is that you play within your bankroll with funds that you can afford to lose. Set yourself stop limits and even win limits, so that you always know when to walk away.

If you’re looking for the best roulette odds, opt for European roulette, which has only a single green zero slot. This offers better odds than American roulette, which also has a green double-zero. 

If you’re playing at a physical casino, you might not get the choice between European and American roulette. If you’re playing at an online casino, you’ll find both on offer, so pick the European tables for the best odds.

 

You can control the volatility of the game by choosing how you bet. A less risky approach is to bet on even money options like odd-even, red-black, or on sections of the board. If you want a more volatile option, you can pick single numbers.

Roulette is one of the top casino games out there. Just don’t expect to beat the odds using the Martingale system!