There may not be a more exciting 15 seconds in casino games than during the spin of the roulette ball. While we often see roulette as a game of class and sophistication, for a brief moment in time, the people watching that little white ball online feel the same excitement as worldly casino-goers.
While the game really does come down to that little white ball, understanding the rules and odds of roulette can increase your chances of success—and your chances of having fun. Learn which American roulette betting strategies are most likely to win before starting your next game of roulette.
Bet type | Numbers | Payout Ratio | Payout on $100 | Odds of a Win | Odds of a Win (%) |
1Straight- Up Bet | Any single number you like | 35:1 | $3,500 | 1/38 | 2.63% |
Split Bet | Two bordering numbers | 17:1 | $1,700 | 2/38 | 5.26% |
Street Bet | Any row of three numbers: 1-3, 4-6...to 34-36. | 11:1 | $1,100 | 3/38 | 7.89% |
Corner Bet | Four numbers forming a square | 8:1 | $800 | 4/38 | 10.53% |
Five-Number Bet | 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3 | 6:1 | $700 | 5/38 | 13.16% |
Line Bet | Two consecutive rows of three squares, so 1-6, 4-9 etc. | 5:1 | $500 | 6/38 | 15.79% |
Five-Number Bet | 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3 | 6:1 | $700 | 5/38 | 13.16% |
Columns Bet | Column 1: 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34 Column 2: 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, 35 Column 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36 | 1:1 | $200 | 12/38 | 31.58% |
Dozens Bet | 1-12, 13-24 or 25-36 | 2:1 | $200 | 12/38 | 31.58% |
Red Bet or Black Bet | Red: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 30, 32, 34, 36 (The red numbers) Black: 2, 4, 6, 8 ,10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29, 31, 33, 35 (The black numbers) | 1:1 | $100 | 18/38 | 47.37% |
Evens Bet or Odds Bet | Evens - Even numbers | 1:1 | $100 | 18/38 | 47.37% |
High Bet or Low Bet | High - 1-18 | 1:1 | $100 | 18/38 | 47.37% |
Knowing how to bet in roulette is just the first step. Roulette betting strategies can help you decide when to increase your bet, combine bets, or put it all on the table; many strategies take into account the outcome of your previous bets.
While the odds of winning will not change, and in the long run, would not affect overall win/loss percentage, people throughout history have come up with methods they think can give a person an edge. While we do not advocate that a person use any of these methods, they can provide a unique and fun twist to the game.
Martingale Strategy:
Whether they refer to it as the Martingale strategy or not, many roulette players have likely used the Martingale strategy at some point. Allegedly named after 18th-century casino owner John Henry Martingale, this strategy builds on the belief that players can get out of a losing streak by doubling their next bet.
Make an outside bet with close to 50% odds of winning (columns bet, dozens bet, red/black bet, odd/even bet, high/low bet).
If your bet loses, double it and try again.
If your bet wins, keep your bet the same, but make the opposite bet in the next round.3.
The Martingale strategy is considered risky, since you’re putting more money after losing money, potentially doubling your losses. However, with nearly 50% odds of winning, you have a decent chance of breaking even and recovering past losses.
D'Alembert Strategy
Another roulette strategy for outside bets is the D'Alembert strategy, named after French mathematician Jean le Rond d'Alembert. It’s a lower-risk way to manage your bankroll without risking high losses—unless you get into a losing streak.
1. Choose a betting unit, such as $1 for low bets or $20 for higher bets.
2. Make your first outside bet with four units.
3. If you win, lower your next bet by one unit.
4. If you lose, raise your next bet by one unit.
The reverse D’Alembert strategy switches these strategies (raise by one unit if your bet wins, lower by one unit if your bet loses). While neither strategy results in large payouts, they’re conservative ways to stay in the game until your luck turns around.
Paroli System
Sometimes known as the reverse Martingale strategy, the Paroli system takes another, opposite approach toward outside bets. It comes from the Latin par, meaning “one which is equal,” and aims to extend winning streaks to three wins in a row.
1. Make an outside bet with a single betting unit.
2. If you lose, make the same bet.
3. If you win, double the bet (two betting units).
4. If you lose the second bet, stay at two betting units.
5. If you win the second bet, double it to four betting units.
If you’re a believer in winning streaks, the Paroli system may be for you. But it can result in a deep loss if you get stuck in a losing streak and keep throwing good money after each round.
Fibonacci Sequence:
Based on the mathematical Fibonacci sequence, a series of numbers in which the sum of two numbers equals the next number (such as 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, etc), this strategy also involves outside bets.
1. Make an outside bet with one betting unit.
2. On the next bet, keep your one-unit bet the same based on the Fibonacci sequence, regardless of winning or losing.
3. Increase your one-unit bet to two units.
4. Increase your two-unit bet to three units.
5. Increase your three-unit bet to five units.
6. Continue betting according to the Fibonacci sequence or until you hit your budget.
Labouchère System
Sometimes called the cancellation system, the Labouchère system involves reaching a payout goal in a slightly risky way. It’s named after Henry Labouchère, a renowned 19th-century politician and gambler who came up with the system, and tries to make up losses gradually.
1. Make a numerical goal for your winnings.
2. Split that number into smaller, positive numbers and put them in random order.
3. Add up the first and last numbers.
4. Bet the sum on an outside bet.
5. If you win, put an X through the numbers you used and repeat the process with your new sequence.
6. If you lose, add the bet amount to the end of your sequence and repeat the process with your new sequence.
For example, you’d like to win $20 at the roulette table. You split that bet into 6, 2, 6, 4, and 2, then add up the left and right numbers (6 and 2) to get $8.
You bet $8 on an outside bet and win, so you cross off the right and left numbers and work with a new sequence (2, 6, 4). Use the same strategy: Add the left and right numbers (2 + 4 = 6), so now you bet $6.
If your bet loses, don’t cross anything off. Add the number of your bet to the end of your sequence (6, 2, 6, 4, 2, and now 8) and add up the left and right numbers (6 + 8 = 14) for your new bet of $14.
Once you’ve chosen your ideal roulette betting strategy, it’s time to decide exactly how many chips should hit the table. But there’s only one person who can answer that question, and it’s you.
Always set a betting limit to ensure that you’re gambling responsibly, both in person and on DraftKings. Many roulette betting strategies involve increasing bets, so make sure you have a limit to how much you’ll bet at a time and in total. Like all casino table games, roulette is about having fun—and losing all your money is not fun at all.
In the end, there are a lot of ways to bet, but they all amount to the same thing: You have a 2.63% chance of winning per square, and you’re watching time slow to a virtual standstill while the ball is circling the wheel. It’s exciting, it’s intense, the house edge is small, and you’re in for a lot of fun.
Enjoy playing DraftKings online roulette for convenient casino play, and the chance to win real money.
Check out our casino blog for all the tips, tricks and strategies you need to take your gameplay to the next level.
Check out our casino blog for all the tips, tricks and strategies you need to take your gameplay to the next level.
