Dispelling Roulette Myths

Past Trials' Results Affect Future Probabilities

Many roulette players base their betting decisions on the results of previous trials because they believe past outcomes influence future ones. These players generally fall into two groups.

Some think a particular result is “due” because it has not appeared for a while, while others search for streaks and keep wagering on numbers or propositions they consider “hot.” Worst of all, casinos do nothing to discourage this flawed reasoning.

In fact, the opposite is true. Large scoreboards are installed at every roulette table, giving players easy access to the past ten to twenty results. This encourages ideas such as “Red has come up five times in a row, so black is more likely on the next spin.”

Unfortunately, there is no truth to such statements because roulette is a game of pure chance. The odds reset after every spin, and each number has an identical probability of appearing in the next round.

It does not matter when a number last hit or how many times the ball has landed on it before; the odds remain 1 in 36 on single-zero wheels and 1 in 37 on double-zero wheels. Attributing special meaning to streaks serves no purpose in a game of chance like roulette.

Casinos go to great lengths to ensure absolute randomness at their roulette tables through frequent wheel inspections, maintenance, and data collection. These measures guarantee that every spin produces completely unpredictable results.

You Can Beat the Game with System Play

This is one of the biggest misconceptions among roulette players, who often turn to betting strategies in an attempt to beat the game. While some strategic thinking is useful when selecting your bets and tables, it cannot overcome the house edge.

For instance, a gambler is better off playing under European or French rules because they significantly reduce the house advantage. Likewise, outside bets offer a higher chance of short-term profit because they carry better odds of winning.

The problem is that many popular betting systems require you to adjust your wagers based on previous results. This approach is flawed, as each spin of the roulette wheel is an independent event that has no influence on future outcomes. Regardless of the system you employ, the house edge remains unchanged.

The most widely used system is the Martingale, where you double your bet after every loss. The idea is that you will eventually win after a losing streak, and the larger stake will recoup prior losses while leaving a profit of one betting unit.

Such systems may show short-term success with even-money bets but prove ineffective over the long run. They do nothing to increase your actual odds of winning, and they require a large bankroll along with very high table limits.

Moreover, long losing streaks are not uncommon with even-money bets. An eight-loss streak occurs roughly once every 170 spins. Considering the average wheel produces about 80 to 100 spins per hour, you can expect to encounter such a streak every couple of hours.

Because of this, most system players either exhaust their bankrolls or reach the table maximum, preventing them from recovering their sizable losses. Do yourself a favor and avoid system play – it is a risky tactic in a game of chance like roulette.

Hedge Betting Decreases the House Edge

Some roulette players hedge their bets so they cover a larger group of numbers with a single spin. But what is the “logic” behind this approach? The premise is that hedge betting increases the chance of winning while limiting losses. Consider the following example to see how it works.

• The player wagers $20 on the high numbers (19-36) for an even-money payout.
• The player places another $20 on the first dozen (1-12), which pays at odds of 2 to 1.
• With 30 out of 37 numbers covered, the player enjoys an 81.08% probability of winning.

At first glance, this seems reasonable because the player has a good chance of securing a payout. Let’s look at some possible outcomes.

• If 24 hits, the player wins $20 on the high bet, recoups the original stake, but loses $20 on the first dozen. In effect, they break even on this spin.
• If 9 hits, the player wins $40 on the first dozen, loses $20 on high, and nets a $20 profit.
• If 13 hits, the player loses both bets, ending the round with net losses of -$40.

It is clear the player relies on the dozen bet with its 2 to 1 odds to generate profit. Winnings from the high wager are largely offset by its even-money payout, and both bets lose when numbers 13 through 18 appear.

The issue is that you are still playing at a disadvantage no matter how cleverly you hedge. The game maintains a negative expectation, and you face the same house edge (2.70% in this example) regardless of how many numbers you cover on each spin.

All Roulette Wheels Are Created Equal

Some people quickly assume all roulette wheels are identical, but that is not the case. There are three main types of wheels, with the two most common being the European single-zero wheel with 37 pockets and the American double-zero wheel with 38 pockets. Each wheel features a unique number sequence.

Contrary to what inexperienced players may think, the number of zeros matters. The green pockets exist solely to provide the house edge in roulette.

These zeros dilute your odds, creating a 2.70% house advantage in European roulette and a 5.26% edge in American roulette. The percentage drops to 1.35% at single-zero tables that use the En Prison or La Partage rule.

Some land-based casinos, such as The Venetian in Las Vegas, even offer triple-zero roulette, adding a third green pocket for a total of 39 outcomes. The extra zero dramatically reduces players’ winning probabilities on every available bet. Consider the odds for the popular red/black, dozen, column, and straight-up wagers on triple-zero wheels.

• Red/black wins 18 out of 39 times on average, with a probability of 46.15%.
• Dozens and columns win 12 out of 39 times on average, with a probability of 30.77%.
• Straight-up bets on any individual number win 1 out of 39 times and have a probability of 2.56%.

By comparison, the winning probabilities for the same bets on a single-zero wheel with 37 pockets are 48.65%, 32.43%, and 2.70%, respectively.

Despite the worse odds, triple-zero roulette pays the same as American and European games. Here is what happens to the house edge for red/black wagers on triple-zero wheels, just as an example: (21/18 – 1/1) x 18/39 = (1.166 – 1) x 18/39 = 0.166 x 18/39 = 0.769 x 100 = 7.69%.

Clearly, roulette wheels are not created equal. The third zero nearly triples the player’s disadvantage, so it makes little sense to choose triple-zero roulette. Smart players never dismiss these percentage differences, small as they may seem. The bottom line is that you should always pick the games that cause you to lose at the slowest rate over the long term.

Online Roulette Games Are Rigged

Many disgruntled players jump to conclusions after a bad run at the online roulette tables, accusing operators of rigging the games to cheat them out of money.

You often hear claims like “This online wheel produced eight blacks in a row while I was betting on red, so the software must be fixed.” In reality, this is rarely true – at least when you play at a trusted and licensed online casino.

These accusations are unfounded for several reasons. First, you cannot draw reliable conclusions from a sample as small as eight or ten spins. As we explained earlier, streaks naturally occur in games of chance, especially when you are betting even-money propositions where the odds of winning and losing are nearly equal.

Second, why would a reputable casino cheat when it already has a legal edge? All trustworthy operators submit their games to independent audits involving hundreds of thousands of roulette spins.

This large sample allows auditors to verify with great accuracy whether a given online roulette variation returns its expected percentage (-2.70% or -5.26% on every dollar wagered in the long run). The test results are usually posted on the casino’s website for everyone to see.

From another perspective, it makes no business sense for an online casino to risk its reputation, customer base, and license when auditors can easily detect tampering. Since the shortened roulette payouts already favor the house, a licensed and well-regulated operator has no need to rig its games.

Casinos Use Magnets to Cheat You out of Your Winnings

Some roulette players in land-based casinos suspect foul play after a bad streak, assuming the wheel has been magnetically gaffed to produce non-random results. So, is magnetic wheel gaffing possible, and if so, how does it work?

One of the simplest ways to gaff a wheel is to replace some of the brass frets that separate the pockets with steel ones. Brass, a non-magnetic alloy of zinc and copper, does not react to magnets, whereas steel is highly magnetic.

A ball containing a magnet must also be used, as it will gravitate toward pockets with steel frets. The targeted pockets are chosen in advance, with the zeros being the most common choice at unregulated casinos. The dealer can manipulate the outcome by introducing the magnetic ball into play.

It is true that some unscrupulous operators have employed this tactic in the past, but it typically occurs at illegal casinos operating in unregulated jurisdictions where unethical practices may go unnoticed.

There is no reason to worry about gaffed wheels when playing at licensed gambling establishments that value their reputation and licenses. As noted earlier, regulated casinos already ensure profit by paying winners at shorter odds. Risking license suspension by using magnets would be irrational.

Roulette Dealers Affect Results through Ball Steering

Some players believe roulette dealers can control spin outcomes using a technique known as “ball steering.” The idea is that the dealer launches the ball at a consistent speed so it favors specific sections of the wheel.

In practice, this is far easier said than done. The method requires precise conditions such as a wheel with dominant diamond deflectors and perfectly consistent wheel and ball speeds. Setting the ball so it consistently lands in – or avoids – certain sectors is a skill that demands painstaking practice and persistence from both dealer and player.

Although some proponents claim the technique can improve a player’s odds, there are no documented cases of anyone exploiting dealer signatures with lasting success. Try it for fun if you are interested, but you will likely be wasting your time. On modern wheels, performing ball steering with the necessary accuracy is virtually impossible.

Only High Rollers Play Roulette

Roulette is often viewed as one of the most sophisticated games on the casino floor, leading some players to believe it is reserved for high rollers. Nothing could be further from the truth – you do not need a huge bankroll to enjoy the game.

Of course, it depends on where you play. In Las Vegas, for example, you can find tables with minimums as low as $1 or $3. The situation is even better for players who take their action online.

Many licensed gambling sites offer roulette variations with minimum bets of just $0.10. Some of these games closely replicate the land-based experience, featuring live dealers and real-time streaming captured by multiple high-definition cameras.

Combine the game’s low house edge with favorable odds for even-money bets, and roulette becomes one of the most accessible and attractive options on the casino floor.