Strategies for playing roulette

Over the years, betting enthusiasts have devised many betting systems and strategies in order to overcome the house advantages. So far, they have succeeded in developing skills to tilt the system to their favor but still there is no foolproof method to win consistently. Gambling is purely based on chances, and roulette has been one of the favorites with gambling buffs.

There have been numerous roulette strategies to improve the odds of winning but the fact remains that winning odds in simple terms of probability remain at 48.64% only. So which is the most effective strategy that allows the player a little advantage over the house?

These simple yet effective strategies do not guarantee an outright win but winning in the long run. However, the primary advantage always remains with the casinos and they continue to flourish against any of the winning strategies applied. Some of the common gambling systems that continue to give results are:

• The Martingale System

• D'Alembert System

• The Labouchere System

• Fibonacci System

The Martingale system - It is one of the oldest and most well liked gambling system. The basic strategy of the Martingale system is very easy to understand and apply. It states that, whenever a player loses the bet, double the amount of the next bet. Playing according to this system will ensure some profit booking at the end of each win. After winning a bet, the player can bet again starting from a low level as before.

To make it clear, on a $1 bet loss, bet $2. Again if you lose bet $4 and if this time you win, the profit is $1 combining all the three bets.

D’Alembert System - this scheme follows the theory of nature in quest of equilibrium. Based loosely on probability, it was devised by Jean Le Rond D’Alembert. It can be explained by an example- if you bet $1 and lose, increase the next bet by 1 i.e. $2. Again, if you lose, bet $3. If you win this one, then decrease the bet by 1 and bet the rest, $2 in this case. This simple system is very easy to follow and it can be very effective too.

The Labouchere System - this system requires some math skills. This system is used to book profits in the long run. It is also called the cancellation system due to cancellation of digits. The player bets on different combination of numbers from a list of numerals that are decided by the outcome of the bet. This system is tough to master and thus proficiency is required to pull one off by this system.

The Fibonacci Series System - based on the simple Fibonacci series, this system involves betting on the sequence of numbers depending on the outcome of the previous bet. Leonardo Pisano developed the Fibonacci Series System.

Whatever strategy you may choose, the house does have an advantage over you. European roulette, because of an extra 0, the exact probability of winning decreases from 50% to 48.64%. Nevertheless, the best probability of winning is the “even money” area that includes red/black odd/even and high/low. The system can only help to some extend but in the end all that matters is your luck.