Our team gathered the most popular roulette strategies in this guide. We’ll break them down and show you how to use them to optimize your gameplay. From simple strategies like the Martingale to more advanced systems like Fibonacci — we won’t leave any stone unturned. With some luck and armed with the right approach, you might tilt the odds in your favour!
How to Choose the Best Strategy
There are several factors which affect the choice of betting strategy. Progressive strategies require a bigger bankroll; others are best for small bets. You need to find the right one and use it to your advantage, despite the house edge:
- Consider your betting limits: Choose a strategy based on your bankroll and the game’s limits. Small ones are not suitable for progressive betting systems.
- Think of your game type: Stick to European or French roulette. The house edge here is smaller than the American version, giving you better winning odds.
- Analyse your bet choice: Each strategy uses distinct bet types with differing reward possibilities. Even-money betting strategies provide smaller, more frequent winnings, whereas inside betting strategies involve more risk but a larger payoff.
As you can see, finding and using the right strategy is not simple. This is why you have to fully understand them to get the best results.
Note:“Using betting strategies doesn’t guarantee a win at the tables. Roulette is a game of chance, so there’s no magic trick to help you win.”
Types of Roulette Strategies
Roulette techniques are often divided into two types — progressive and non-progressive. Understanding their distinctions will help you select the best one for your play style and risk tolerance.
| Type | Meaning | Examples | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | You increase the bet size in each round, following a predetermined progression | Martingale, D’Alembert, Fibonacci, and Labouchere | Require more extended gameplay, limiting losses in the long run |
| Non-progressive | The bet size remains the same for each hand | All In, James Bond, Four Pillars, 3/2 | Good for short-term play to make a quick gain |
Note:“Betting strategies work for even money bets (Red/Black, Odd/Even, High/Low).”
Martingale Betting Strategy
This is the most prominent and simplest betting strategy. You double your bet after every loss, winning back the previous bet when you hit a win. After a victory, you return to the original bet and start again.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Simple to use and follow | Chance of reaching the maximum bet limit of the table |
| Possible to get small wins in a short-term period | Bets can quickly rise to massive amounts |
| Good odds to recover your losses | Risk of running out of funds to cover the next progression bet |
How the Martingale Strategy Works
Choose any even money bet, usually red or black, and bet one unit. On every win, bet the same unit. On every loss, double the previous bet. Once you hit a win, you recover all your previous losses.
| Spin | Bet | Stake | Result | Profit | Running total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Red | $10 | Win | $10 | +10 |
| 2 | Red | $10 | Loss | -$10 | 0 |
| 3 | Red | $20 | Loss | -$20 | -20 |
| 4 | Red | $40 | Win | +$40 | +20 |
As you can see, this is a simple betting system with a low-risk factor. But if you hit a losing streak, doubling the bet can devastate your bankroll, and you can bust fairly quickly.
Paroli Betting Strategy
This progressive betting system is straightforward. Here, you keep your bet the same on losing spins, but you double on every win.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to learn and practice | Requires consistent gameplay |
| Reduced risk of significant losses | Winning streaks are unpredictable |
| Short-term wins are possible | Requires bigger bankrolls |
How the Paroli Strategy Works
You double your bet on the premise that you will hit a winning streak. With each consecutive win, your gains double. Unlike Martingale, Paroli only increases risk during a winning streak, minimising losses during downswings.
| Spin | Bet | Stake | Result | Profit | Running total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Black | $50 | Loss | -$50 | -$50 |
| 2 | Black | $50 | Win | +$50 | $0 |
| 3 | Red | $100 | Win | +$100 | +$100 |
| 4 | Black | $200 | Win | +$200 | +$300 |
It’s based on the assumption that you hit a hot streak sooner or later. However, players will probably lose money over time, just like with other roulette strategies.
Fibonacci Betting Strategy
The Fibonacci strategy is a bit more advanced and requires players to do some math at the table. The bets are determined by a sequence of numbers.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Relatively easy to grasp and follow | Requires increasing bet sizes during losing streaks |
| Adjustive to any bankroll | Relies on regular wins |
| Less aggressive than other approaches | No guaranteed success in the long run |
How the Fibonacci Strategy Works
The Fibonacci system follows the sequence where each number is the sum of the previous two. Usually, the sequence begins at 1, but you can start at any number you prefer based on your budget. While playing, you move along this sequence and use numbers as bets.
| Spin | Bet | Stake | Result | Profit | Running total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Red | $5 | Loss | -$5 | -$5 |
| 2 | Red | $8 | Loss | -$13 | -$13 |
| 3 | Black | $13 | Win | +$13 | -$5 |
| 4 | Red | $5 | Win | +$5 | 0 |
If a losing streak continues, the required bets can become quite large. This is why a bigger bankroll is necessary to use the strategy effectively and manage potential risks.
D’Alembert Betting Strategy
This is a popular negative progression method considered to be a more sensible one and closely related to the Martingale system. However, it’s less risky, requiring you to increase your bet on every loss and decrease one unit on every win.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The easiest strategies to use; perfect for beginners | Slow profit progression |
| Great for short-term plays | Requires you to chase losses |
| Less risky | Not effective in the long run |
How the D’Alembert Strategy Works
With this strategy, you first decide on a bet unit. After a win, you decrease your next bet by one unit. After a loss, you increase your bet by one unit. Here’s the breakdown if your unit is $5.
| Spin | Bet | Stake | Result | Profit | Running total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Red | $10 | Win | +$10 | +$10 |
| 2 | Black | $5 | Lose | -$5 | $5 |
| 3 | Red | $10 | Lose | -$10 | -$5 |
| 4 | Black | $15 | Win | +$15 | +$10 |
The main advantage is that you are betting conservatively, increasing your stake by a single unit. The good odds are that you will hit a win and recoup your losses, so you can eventually gain. It’s less volatile than the Martingale, where doubling the stakes can quickly add up to high amounts.
LaBouchere Betting Strategy
This approach is more complex than the Martingale but can yield better results. The basis here is that you set a target on how much you want to earn and split it into smaller amounts.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| You can make a nice profit on winning streaks | You need to be focused on the betting sequence |
| Helps to manage your bankroll better | May be confusing for newbies |
| Flexible in setting win targets | Does not affect the game’s odds |
How the LaBouchere Strategy Works
Let’s say you set a target of $20 to win. You divide that into several numbers: 2, 4, 5, 3, 1, and 5. Now, you take the first and last number as the sum of your bet, in this case, 7. On a win, you cross them out; on a loss, you add the 7 as the last number of the sequence, and you bet again, now $9. Repeat this until you win $20, then reset the numbers and start again.
| Spin | Bet | Stake | Result | Profit | Running total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1, 2, 4, 1, 2 | $3 | Lose | -$3 | -$3 |
| 2 | 1, 2, 4, 1, 2, 3 | $4 | Lose | -$4 | -$7 |
| 3 | 1, 2, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4 | $5 | Win | +$5 | -$2 |
| 4 | 1, 2, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4 | $5 | Win | $5 | $3 |
Although the Labouchere strategy can be fun to use, it’s a bit complicated as you have to keep track of your bets at all times. But, like any other strategy, you can lose a lot if you hit a long losing streak at the table.
Andrucci Betting Strategy
This method is based on high risk and reward and derives from the chaos theory. The concept is that certain numbers may appear more frequently on the roulette wheel over time. The strategy involves identifying these “hot” numbers and placing straight up bets on them.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Potential big returns | Big budget needed |
| Easy to apply | Risk of huge losses |
| Low odds |
How the Andrucci Strategy Works
You note the results from the previous 30-37 spins and see which numbers repeat themselves. So if 7 red came up 4 times in those spins, you bet that number for the next 30 to 37 spins. The idea is, if that number lands soon, you can win big.
| Spin | Bet | Stake | Result | Profit | Running Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Red 7 | $10 | Lose | -$10 | -$10 |
| 2 | Red 7 | $10 | Lose | -$10 | -$20 |
| 3 | Red 7 | $10 | Lose | -$10 | -$30 |
| 4 | Red 7 | $10 | Win | +$350 | +$320 |
The Andrucci is a very risky approach, as there is no guarantee that the number will land in the next 30-37 hands. However, if it does, you will win big due to the 35:1 payout on straight-up bets.
Which Betting System to Choose
Remember that roulette is a game of chance, regardless of your strategy. Eventually, it all comes down to luck, whether you win or lose. Different roulette tactics can help to achieve victory goals, but there are no guarantees.
| Player | Strategy | Reasons |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Paroli and D’Alembert | These are easy to use, less risky — ideal for newbies |
| High roller | LaBouchere and Martingale | Progressive strategies which require higher bankrolls, offering high-reward gameplay |
| Risk-taker | Fibonacci and Andrucci | Great for high-profit targets, but also quite volatile |
Pro Strategy Tips
You may select the optimal roulette approach using the key points we have gathered. Although there is a method to alter the odds, your option will rely on your bankroll size and betting style.
- Manage your bankroll: Always have a strict gambling budget for the day. If you lose, don’t chase your losses. Come back tomorrow and try again.
- The house always wins: The longer you play, the more the odds are against you. The house edge is 2.7% on the European version, 5.26% on the American and 7.69% on the triple zero wheel.
- Go for the European wheel: The lowest house edge is on French roulette, with the En Prison and La Partage rules.
- Hot numbers are a myth: Black can come up 5 spins in a row while you’re betting red. So the next spin has to be red, right? Not really. The odds are the same for black or red to come up on every spin.
- Start slow: For newcomers, starting with 1 unit per bet is best. Go only for even money bets to see how the game works and get a feel for the table.
Roulette is a straightforward and entertaining game. It has a low house edge, so you can play for a long time, even with lower bankrolls.
