| Updated: September 26, 2025Roulette debuted on the gambling scene in the 18th century. Over the years, it has garnered a great deal of attention. Nowadays, roulette is one of the most popular casino games. If you visit a land-based casino, you will notice that the roulette tables often become crowded. Casino fans enjoy roulette for various reasons – some appreciate its straightforward rules, while others relish the suspense of waiting for the ball to come to rest.
Whatever the reason for playing roulette, every casino enthusiast hopes to leave the casino with a heavier wallet. However, luck plays a key role in roulette. The pocket in which the ball comes to rest is determined by chance, so no strategy can help you predict exactly where the ball will land. Experienced roulette players know that the only truly effective approach is proper bankroll management.
Even though roulette is a game of chance, many avid players have tried to develop a strategy for improving their odds and beating the house. On the Internet, you will encounter various roulette strategies that players swear by. In this article, we discuss some of the most popular systems, explain how they work, and examine whether they are effective.
- High Stakes Roulette
- Low Limit Roulette
- Fibonacci Roulette System
- Parlay Roulette System
- Martingale Roulette System
- Inside Bets
- Outside Bets
- Roulette Rules
- American Roulette
- French Roulette
- European Roulette
- American and European Wheel Sequences
- Roulette – From a Perpetual Motion Machine to a Casino Landmark
- Roulette Basics and Rules of Table Conduct
- Roulette's Bet Types
- The French Roulette Layout
- Independent Trials, Odds, and Casino Edge in Roulette
- En Prison and La Partage
- Taking Your Roulette Game to the Next Level with Call Bets
- The Many Faces of Roulette – Interesting Variations to Try
- Progressive Roulette Systems
- Reading Biased Wheels and Other Predictive Methods
- The Master of the Wheel Gonzalo Garcia Pelayo
- Improving Your Roulette Game
- Dispelling Roulette Myths
- How to Protect a Roulette Bankroll
- Software Providers of Online Roulette
- Roulette Games with Progressive Jackpots
- Live Dealer Roulette
- Roulette Goes Mobile
- Roulette in Literature, Film, and Television
What You Need to Know in Advance
The different types of betting systems help players adjust the size of their wagers based on the outcome of the previous round. However, the result of one spin does not affect the outcome of any future spins, so it is wrong to believe that using a betting strategy will shift the odds in your favor.
Unfortunately, many people assume that if a certain event occurs frequently, it will influence the probability of future outcomes. This misconception is known as the Gambler’s Fallacy.
D’Alembert
Roulette enthusiasts who favor even-money outside bets often rely on the D’Alembert betting strategy. The system is relatively straightforward – you increase your wager by one unit after a loss and decrease it by one unit after a win. Because it carries comparatively low risk, it is well-suited to rookie players. Let us use an example to see how this classic system works:
| Bet Number | Bet Size | Outcome | Net Profits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | Win | 10 |
| 2 | 9 | Lose | 1 |
| 3 | 10 | Lose | -9 |
| 4 | 11 | Win | 2 |
| 5 | 10 | Win | 12 |
| 6 | 9 | Lose | 3 |
This example shows that when the numbers of wins and losses are equal, the D’Alembert strategy produces a net gain equal to the number of wins.
Pros and Cons Reverse D’AlembertPros and Cons
The main drawback of this betting system is that you can easily reach the table minimum, which interrupts the sequence. To avoid this, your initial wager should be higher. On the positive side, the D’Alembert strategy limits players’ exposure to large losses, although it also offers limited potential for significant profits.
Another important point is that if you play roulette long enough, losses are likely to outnumber wins because of the zero pocket(s) on the wheel. As you may know, European and French Roulette use a single-zero wheel, while the American version features an additional double-zero pocket, which further increases the house edge and your chances of losing.
Reverse D’Alembert
The Reverse D’Alembert strategy instructs players to increase their bets by one unit after a win and decrease them by one unit after a loss. It was devised by roulette players who failed to generate returns with the original D’Alembert system. Anyone employing this approach should set both a loss limit and a winning target before starting.
Martingale
The Martingale betting system is one of the earliest betting strategies ever devised. Under it, players double their bets after each loss and return to the original stake after a win. This negative progression approach is best suited to high rollers. Novice roulette enthusiasts are advised to avoid it, as no one can predict exactly when a win will occur.
| Bet Number | Bet Size | Outcome | Net Profits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | Lose | -10 |
| 2 | 20 | Lose | -30 |
| 3 | 40 | Lose | -70 |
| 4 | 80 | Lose | -150 |
| 5 | 160 | Win | 10 |
Pros and Cons Grand MartingalePros and Cons
With this strategy, roulette aficionados can recoup their losses and still earn a small profit, even after an extended losing streak. However, the major drawback is that you can quickly reach the table’s maximum limits, since you never know how long a losing streak will last. Moreover, the system is effective only in the short term, and your bankroll must be large enough to keep up with the required bet increases.
Grand Martingale
The Martingale strategy has several variations, of which the Grand Martingale is the most popular. Under this version, players double their wagers and add one extra unit each time a loss is recorded. This allows roulette fans to maximize their winnings even after a prolonged losing streak, but it is considerably more aggressive than the original system.
| Bet Number | Bet Size | Outcome | Net Profits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | Lose | -10 |
| 2 | 21 | Lose | -31 |
| 3 | 43 | Lose | -74 |
| 4 | 87 | Lose | -161 |
| 5 | 175 | Win | 14 |
Paroli
The Paroli strategy, also known as the Reverse Martingale, is a positive progression betting system, meaning bets are increased after each win. It works well with even-money wagers and instructs players to double their stakes after a win and place flat bets after a loss. A key rule is that once you achieve three consecutive wins, you should return your wager to its original size. Essentially, the Paroli system capitalizes on winning and losing streaks.
Example Pros and ConsExample
| Bet Number | Bet Size | Outcome | Net Profits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | Lose | -10 |
| 2 | 10 | Lose | -20 |
| 3 | 10 | Win | -20 |
| 4 | 20 | Win | 0 |
| 5 | 40 | Win | 40 |
Pros and Cons
The chief advantage of the Paroli system is that even players with limited bankrolls can use it confidently. It is considered one of the safest betting strategies – the worst-case scenario is a series of small losses. If you manage to score three wins in a row, you can leave the roulette table with a respectable profit, and you are unlikely to hit the table limits.
Nevertheless, the system has drawbacks – the probability of achieving three consecutive wins is low. As a result, you may accumulate many small losses. Even on a lucky day when your wins outnumber your losses, you are unlikely to walk away with a substantial profit.
Fibonacci
As its name implies, this negative progression betting system is inspired by the Fibonacci sequence, in which each new number equals the sum of the two preceding numbers. The sequence starts with 0 and 1 and continues 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, and so on. The Fibonacci strategy is primarily applied to even-money bets, and its first active number is 1, so your initial stake is one unit.
The basic idea is to move one step forward in the sequence after each loss. When a win occurs, you move two steps back.
Example Pros and ConsExample
| Bet Number | Bet Size | Outcome | Net Profits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Lose | -1 |
| 2 | 1 | Lose | -2 |
| 3 | 2 | Lose | -4 |
| 4 | 3 | Win | -1 |
| 5 | 1 | Win | 0 |
| 6 | 1 | Win | 1 |
Pros and Cons
The Fibonacci system is popular among roulette fans who prefer negative progression strategies. The chief reason is that its bet increases are less aggressive than those of other systems in the same category. The downside is that it is designed mainly for even-money bets, which limits your potential to earn substantial profits.
Parlay
Sports bettors are likely familiar with the parlay (accumulator) system, but many do not realize that it can also be applied to roulette. In short, players wager an amount equal to the sum of their winnings plus their original stake. This betting system can be used for both inside and outside roulette bets. Because it is a positive progression strategy, bets increase after a win and decrease after a loss.
To use this system effectively, you must first decide on the size of your initial stake and set a clear winning target. Failing to establish a goal may leave you walking out of the casino empty-handed. Let us illustrate the system with an example.
Example Pros and ConsExample
| Bet Number | Bet Size | Outcome | Net Profits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | Win | 10 |
| 2 | 20 | Win | 30 |
| 3 | 40 | Win | 70 |
| 4 | 80 | Win | 150 |
Pros and Cons
The Parlay betting system is considered a relatively safe strategy because each new wager is funded by the winnings from the previous spin. This approach allows roulette fans to earn profits with minimal risk. However, it is effective only in the short term. Another drawback is that the probability of achieving four or five consecutive wins is relatively low.
Labouchere
Also known as the Split Martingale, the Labouchere is a negative progression betting system that relies on a small number of wins to recoup losses. The core principle is to increase your bet after a loss and decrease it after a win. Unlike other negative progression systems that aim to recover losses with a single win, the Labouchere seeks to do so through several smaller wins.
The strategy is primarily used for even-money bets. Although it is more complex than the systems discussed above, once you understand its nuances you should have little trouble applying it. The first step is to write down a sequence of numbers.
Novice players are encouraged to start with a simple sequence such as 1, 2, 3, 4. Your stake should equal the sum of the first and last numbers in the sequence.
After a win, your next bet is the sum of the new first and last numbers. If you lose, you add the amount of the lost bet to the end of the sequence. When only one number remains, your next wager should equal that number. Here is how the Labouchere system works when your sequence is 1, 2, 3, and 4:
| Bet Number | Sequence | Bet Size | Outcome | Net Profits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1, 2, 3, 4 | 5 (4 +1) | Win | 5 |
| 2 | 2, 3 | 5 (3 + 2) | Lose | 0 |
| 3 | 2, 3, 5 | 7 (2 + 5) | Lose | -7 |
| 4 | 2, 3, 5, 7 | 9 (2 + 7) | Win | 2 |
| 5 | 3, 5 | 8 (3 + 5) | Win | 10 |
Pros and Cons Reverse LaboucherePros and Cons
Many roulette enthusiasts favor the Labouchere system because it allows them to choose their own sequence and thereby adjust bet sizes to fit their budget. Additionally, the bet increases are not as steep as in some other strategies, which adds to its appeal. However, a prolonged losing streak can quickly drain your bankroll if it is not large enough to sustain the required bets, potentially leading to significant losses.
Reverse Labouchere
The Reverse Labouchere applies the opposite rules of the original Labouchere strategy. Accordingly, players add winning bets to their sequence instead of losing ones. The premise is that a losing streak cannot last indefinitely. When applied at the roulette table, this approach may result in frequent but small losses.
| Bet Number | Sequence | Bet Size | Outcome | Net Profits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1, 2, 3, 4 | 5 (4 + 1) | Lose | -5 |
| 2 | 2, 3 | 5 (2 + 3) | Lose | -10 |
| 3 | 1, 2, 3, 4 | 5 (1 + 4) | Win | -5 |
| 4 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | 6 (1 + 5) | Win | -1 |
| 5 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 | 7 (6 + 1) | Win | 6 |