We’ve talked a lot about the different types of roulette system out there but we’ve not said much about how to categorise them. Yes, there are progressive and non-progressive strategies. However, there are also inside and outside options.
Even if you discard the methods suggested in this piece, you’ll know that every roulette board features inside and outside bets. The former are located on the inner part of the board and are depicted by numbers. The latter are on the outside and are general categories.
In the sections below, we’ll show you where the top roulette betting methods fall in terms of being inside or outside. However, from a general perspective, inside bets are higher risk but offer better returns. Outside bets are comparatively lower risk wagers but aren’t quite as lucrative. To give you some more perspective on this, here's a brief overview of some popular betting tactics:
Roulette Inside Bet Systems
· Six-Pence System - The basic premise of this system is that you cover six numbers/group of numbers with the intention of breaking even with five of the bets and making a profit if you hit the sixth.
· Green Black Attack - The aim is here is to take advantage of the fact there are eight black numbers in the middle column. As well as betting on the middle column, you bet on black and make three split bets on zero. By doing this, you've covered black and green (zero), meaning there are only 12 numbers that won't earn you a win.
· Pivot - This strategy is based on the idea of hot numbers. When you see a number come in back to back, you must then bet on it for the next 35 spins.
· Law of the Third - After waiting for nine different numbers to appear, bet on those nine numbers for the next three spins. The idea here is two thirds of the wheel will strike at a consistent rate.
Roulette Outside Bet Systems
Outside roulette betting systems we've already discussed, include:
- Martingale
- Grand and Anti-Martingale
- D’Alembert
- Fibonacci
- Oscar’s Grind
- Labouchere
- Reverse Labouchere
In addition to the above, you could also try:
- Column King - This system requires you to bet on a column. If you don't win, you repeat the same bet on the same column. If you win, you'll make a profit. If you lose again, you have to up your bet for the next round.
- Wells Pendulum - The theory here is that 50/50 bets occur at an identical frequency and that no one category (e.g. red/black, high/low etc) will occur ten times more than another. Based on this, you start with 145 betting units and stake ten on a 50/50 option. If you lose, you reduce your next bet by one unit. If you win, you increase it by one unit. You end your session if your stake reaches 0 or 20.
- Guetting - Invented by Charles Guetting, this tactic works on the basis that you increase your bet by one unit following two consecutive wins. Your wagers should be made on 50/50 options and it's advised to start with two units. After two consecutive wins, go to three units, then to six and so on.
Inside Bets or Outside Bets System – Which One Should You Choose?
Choosing whether to stay inside or go to the outside will all depend on your tolerance. If you’re risk-averse, have smaller bankroll or simply prefer to use a more conservative strategy, outside bets are perfect. In comparative terms, these are low-risk options that have the potential to provide a steady stream of wins.
In contrast, if you’re all about adrenaline rushes and big wins, stick to the inside of the roulette board. Because single-number wins and splits provide the best payouts, those with the capital to cover the swings favour these bets. However, you have to be willing to take the ups and downs because the chances of hitting a single number versus a category such as red/black are a lot lower.
The final option is to use a combination of both. In fact, this is the reason roulette is such a popular game. Because you can place a variety of bets, you don’t have to stand fully in one camp. By mixing up inside and outside bets, you can get the best of both worlds and, if luck is on your side, scoop some cash.
Roulette Systems Tips & Tricks
Choosing the right roulette betting system comes down to personal preference. However, it’s also worth considering the table dynamics. Every roulette variant is slightly different in terms of odds and betting options. We’ll cover roulette odds and payouts in the final section of this guide. For now, it’s important to note that every table has a minimum and maximum bet.
You’ll need to know this because they’ll determine whether the game is suitable. For example, you wouldn’t choose a game where the minimum bet is £10 if you only have £50 to spend. Beyond knowing whether or not the stakes suit your budget, the betting options can also affect your strategy. We’ve already discussed the Martingale system and its limitations and this is where they’d show up.
For instance, you may lose six spins in a row. Because of your starting bet, the system dictates that you now need to wager £250. As well as being a fairly sizeable sum of money, you realise that the maximum bet per spin is £200. Therefore, you can’t implement the strategy. In turn, this means you can’t put the theory into practice.
Therefore, you need to select games that fit with your intended strategy. If you’re planning to use a progressive method where the bets can escalate quickly, you need a table with bigger betting limits. In tandem with using the game type to guide your betting strategy and vice versa, you should also consider the house edge. This is something we’ll explain in the final section of this roulette betting guide.
Roulette Systems You Should Avoid
In reality, the worst roulette betting system is the one that forces you to play in a way that feels uncomfortable. If we accept that no system is guaranteed to help you win, then it’s possible to say any strategy that fits with your style of play is one you should choose. Of course, you’re free to abandon all systems and bet however you like. However, if you want to bring some structure to your game, the main choice you have to make is progressive vs. non-progressive. Do you want to alter your bet size constantly or do you prefer to stick to one amount?
As a general guide, progressive betting systems tend to favour those with bigger bankrolls. If we take the Martingale roulette system as an example, the stakes can increase dramatically after a few losses. Therefore, unless you’ve got plenty of cash to play with, this strategy may not be effective or, indeed, possible. In contrast, if you prefer to have more control and flexibility, we’d suggest a non-progressive method. Because you can stick at one bet size, you can tailor it to suit your needs. In other words, if you’re a low-stakes player, you can continue to play for low stakes.
By following this rule, you stand a better chance of not going broke because you chose the wrong system. However, a final word of warning. If anyone tells you that a certain way of playing will guarantee you a win, ignore them. Roulette is a random game and no betting strategy can change that. Anyone that tells you otherwise is either naïve or trying to scam you.
Roulette Odds & Payouts
Before you go off and test out your favourite roulette betting system, we need to talk about odds vs. payouts. Because roulette is a casino game, the true odds and the returns you’ll receive will differ. For example, roulette odds on a European table are based on 37 numbers. However, the maximum return you’ll receive is 35:1. This slight difference in the odds and payout are what give the house an advantage.
But, just as you can make informed choices at the table, you can also alter your chances of a potential payout by selecting the type of game you want to play. For example, in a standard version of European roulette, the house edge is 2.59%. However, if you play American roulette, the house edge increases to 5.26%. This is because there are 38 numbers in play but the top payout remains static at 35:1.
By understanding roulette odds, you can work out which games have the best expected value. Of course, we know that anything can happen on a single spin. However, in the gaming world, you should always be thinking about how well you could do in the long run. Based on that, have a look below at potential rate rates for the top online roulette games here at Paddy Power.
Roulette Odds and RTP
Before we let you race off and try out some roulette systems for yourself, check out the list below. This list shows you the theoretical return percentages (RTP) you can expect when you play the top online roulette games here at Paddy Power.
· Live Roulette: 97.30%
· Lightning Roulette: 97.30%
· Paddy Power Live Roulette: 97.30%
· Roulette Deluxe: 97.30%
· Diamond Bet Roulette: 92.11%-95.39%
· Premium French Roulette: 97.30%
· Dragon Jackpot Roulette: 96.02%-97.30%
· European Roulette: 97.30%
· Spread-Bet Roulette: 97.30%
· Frankie Dettori's Jackpot Roulette: 94.72-94.74%
· Classic Roulette: 97.30%
· Age of the Gods Roulette: 94.74%-95.73%