Roulette Systems
| Updated: Since roulette, much like craps, is a game based entirely on chance, there is no surefire betting system that enables players to predict with absolute certainty which number the little white ball will land on. Each individual number on the wheel has an equal chance of winning on the next spin. Above all, roulette balls have no memory; each spin is independent of those that preceded it and has no influence on subsequent spins. The winning and losing outcomes of spins are evenly distributed and completely random.
Also, roulette is considered a negative-expectation game, which means that, in the long run, the house edge, or the built-in casino advantage, will catch up with players. The game is already tilted against gamblers due to the presence of the single-zero pocket, or worse, the additional double-zero in American roulette, which reduces the chance of collecting a payout on even-money bets such as red/black, odd/even, and high/low.
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However, this does not mean that roulette players cannot finish their betting sessions with a profit by adopting a betting system that suits their needs and bankroll size. While betting systems cannot affect the outcome of spins, they can help players manage their bankrolls more effectively by adjusting their bet sizes. Therefore, betting systems are primarily about money management, potentially allowing roulette players to recoup losses suffered during cold streaks or increase their profits during hot runs. The different types of betting systems applicable to roulette are outlined in further detail below.
Betting Systems Applicable to the Game of Roulette
The most popular roulette betting systems can be grouped into two major categories: positive and negative betting progressions. As mentioned above, these systems call for adjusting the size of wagers depending on the outcomes of previous spins. In other words, players alter the amounts they bet based on whether they won or lost on the previous spin.
Betting systems based on positive progressions require players to increase their stakes after each winning spin and reduce them after a loss. Typically, such positive betting systems are considered suitable for those who prefer to make less risky outside bets, where the chances of winning are higher.
The basic idea behind these positive systems is that they can potentially help players increase their profits during a longer hot streak. At the same time, positive betting systems enable roulette players to keep their losses to a minimum during prolonged losing streaks and avoid draining their bankrolls in unfavorable situations.
Betting systems based on negative progressions mirror their positive counterparts. In other words, they require players to bet more after each losing spin and decrease their stakes after a win. At first glance, such an approach may appear nonsensical, but on closer inspection, it begins to make sense.
Negative betting progressions are based on the idea that players can eventually offset the losses incurred during bad streaks with a single winning spin, as they gradually increase their stakes by a predetermined number of units after each loss. That being said, the profits will be far from impressive, but in many cases, players may at least be able to break even. It is worth noting that negative betting systems are not suitable for all roulette players and are recommended only for those who can afford to wait for a losing streak to end.
Players with a limited budget are advised to steer clear of negative systems, as there is a real risk of exhausting their bankrolls before a winning spin occurs. Additionally, some systems in this category increase stakes rapidly, which may cause players to reach the table maximum before they can offset their losses.
The Martingale System
The Martingale is arguably the most well-known negative betting system in the world and, as such, has both proponents and detractors. It works as follows: players choose a base betting unit before joining the roulette table, such as $10 for the sake of simplicity. Each time they lose a spin, they double their stake, which would mean betting $20 in this example.
After a win occurs, players return to their base betting unit and continue to wager this amount on subsequent spins. Thus, the Martingale would work like this: $10/loss, $20/loss, $40/loss, $80/win, $10/win, $10/win, $10/win, and so on.
| Roulette Martingale Betting System | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bet Number | Bet Size | Spin Outcome | Net Winnings |
| #1 | 10 | LOSS | -10 |
| #2 | 20 | LOSS | -30 |
| #3 | 40 | LOSS | -70 |
| #4 | 80 | WIN | +10 |
| #5 | 10 | WIN | +20 |
| #6 | 10 | LOSS | +10 |
| #7 | 20 | LOSS | -10 |
| #8 | 40 | WIN | +30 |
The Fibonacci System
The Fibonacci is another negative betting progression often used by roulette players. As the name implies, the system is based on the well-known Fibonacci sequence, in which each subsequent number equals the sum of the two numbers that precede it: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, and so on.
At the start of the game, the player wagers one base unit, such as $10. If a loss occurs, the player increases their next stake according to the Fibonacci sequence and wagers two units, or $20. After a winning spin, the player moves two steps back in the sequence. For example, if they win after betting eight units, their next stake should amount to $30, or three base units.
There is an exception to this rule, however: when players succeed in turning a profit during their betting session, they return to the beginning of the Fibonacci sequence and proceed from there. This system demands considerable concentration and can become difficult to follow during extended losing runs. The betting progression can also increase stakes rapidly.
| Roulette Fibonacci Betting System | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bet Sequence | Bet Size | Spin Outcome | Net Winnings |
| 0-1 | 10 | LOSS | -10 |
| 0-1-1 | 20 | LOSS | -30 |
| 0-1-1-2 | 30 | LOSS | -60 |
| 0-1-1-2-3 | 50 | LOSS | -110 |
| 0-1-1-2-3-5 | 80 | LOSS | -190 |
| 0-1-1-2-3-5-8 | 130 | WIN | -60 |
| 0-1-1-2-3 | 50 | WIN | -10 |
| 0-1-1 | 20 | WIN | +10 |
The Labouchere System
The Labouchere is another system that revolves around a negative progression and is also referred to as the Cancellation System or Split Martingale. Its downside is its complexity, which makes it unsuitable for some roulette players. The theory behind it is that players can recoup losses from bad streaks with a smaller number of winning spins. Unlike the Martingale, the Labouchere does not aim to recoup all losses with a single spin but can potentially help players offset them over several winning spins.
Because it is more complex, this system requires players to use a pen and notepad to record a number sequence. Players can choose any sequence they like, but it is recommended that they start with a simpler one, such as 1-2-3-4-5-6. The amount wagered is equal to the sum of the first and last numbers in the sequence.
On winning spins, players cross off the first and last numbers, after which the sequence looks like this: 2, 3, 4, 5. On losing spins, players append the sum of the first and last numbers, which is the amount they have just wagered, to the end of the sequence, like this: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (6+1). In short, players add a number to the list when they lose and cross off two numbers when they win, with each subsequent wager equal to the sum of the first and last numbers. When only one number remains, players simply stake the amount it represents.
| Roulette Labouchere Betting System | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bet Sequence | Bet Size | Spin Outcome | Net Winnings |
| 1-2-3 | 4 | LOSS | -4 |
| 1-2-3-4 | 5 | LOSS | -9 |
| 1-2-3-4-5 | 6 | LOSS | -15 |
| 1-2-3-4-5-6 | 7 | WIN | -8 |
| 2-3-4-5 | 7 | WIN | -1 |
| 3-4 | 7 | LOSS | -8 |
| 3-4-7 | 10 | WIN | +2 |
| 4 | 4 | WIN | +6 |
The Paroli System
The Paroli is among the most popular positive betting progression systems for roulette, which means players increase their bets after a win and reduce them after a loss. By using this system, players can potentially generate small but consistent profits.
The Paroli system is said to reduce the risk of players incurring significant losses during bad streaks. Because of this, the system is considered a more viable option for roulette players on a budget. Another advantage is the Paroli’s simplicity, as it is easy to learn and follow. Players should keep in mind that the system is most suitable for less risky outside bets that pay even money.
The system employs fixed betting amounts. Assume that a player starts with a betting unit of $10 and wins on black 31. The player then doubles the stake for the next spin and bets $20. If the player loses, they return to their base betting unit of $10 and continue to wager this amount on subsequent spins if further losses occur.
The main difference between the Martingale and the Paroli is that the latter requires players to return to their base unit after three consecutive wins. This is because three consecutive wins on even-money bets are more likely to occur than four consecutive wins.
| Roulette Paroli Betting System | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bet Number | Bet Size | Spin Outcome | Net Winnings |
| #1 | 10 | LOSS | -10 |
| #2 | 10 | LOSS | -20 |
| #3 | 10 | WIN | -10 |
| #4 | 20 | WIN | +10 |
| #5 | 40 | WIN | +50 |
| #6 | 80 | LOSS | -30 |
| #7 | 10 | LOSS | -40 |
| #8 | 10 | WIN | -30 |
The 1-3-2-6 System
The 1-3-2-6 system resembles the Paroli in that it also calls for increasing stakes after winning spins. However, the two systems differ in the betting sequences players are expected to follow. The 1-3-2-6 system is also used for even-money bets such as odd/even, black/red, and high/low.
The first thing players need to do is determine the size of their base betting unit, such as $5. After a winning spin, players must adjust the amount they stake according to the 1-3-2-6 sequence, which means betting $15 on the next spin in this example. Another win results in a bet of $10, or two betting units, on the third spin, and so on. If the fourth spin is also a winner and the player has bet $30 using six units of $5 each, the cycle is complete. The player then returns to the beginning of the 1-3-2-6 sequence and bets one unit again.
Players who lose on any spin during their session must return to their base betting unit. The system is straightforward to follow. One advantage of the 1-3-2-6 system is that players do not raise their stakes after a loss but return to their base units instead. This may help prevent losses from increasing as quickly.
| Roulette 1-3-2-6 Betting System | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bet Sequence | Bet Size | Spin Outcome | Net Winnings |
| 1 | 10 | LOSS | -10 |
| 1 | 10 | WIN | 0 |
| 1-3 | 30 | LOSS | -30 |
| 1 | 10 | LOSS | -40 |
| 1 | 10 | WIN | -30 |
| 1-3 | 30 | WIN | 0 |
| 1-3-2 | 20 | WIN | +20 |
| 1-3-2-6 | 60 | WIN | +80 |
Flat Betting and How It Applies to Roulette
Flat betting is an approach preferred by many recreational roulette players, as it is the simplest betting pattern and does not require them to track number sequences or mathematical progressions. The amount wagered does not fluctuate but instead remains the same throughout the betting session.
This approach can help players limit significant losses and may be more suitable for those content with smaller potential profits. However, to use flat betting, roulette players must first decide on the size of their betting unit. The unit should align with the size of their overall bankroll for the session. If a player has $200 available, choosing a betting unit of $30 would be unwise, for example.
The general rule of thumb is that the betting unit should amount to about 1% to 2% of the total bankroll. This means a player should flat bet no more than $4 per spin with a bankroll of $200.