Roulette is one of the most international of all casino games. It was inspired by Britain and Italy, developed in France, perfected in Germany and Monte Carlo, and institutionalized in America. More recently it has been embraced by the casinos of the Far East and become a mainstay among Internet table games, too.

To get the most out any Roulette session, it is useful to have some helpful tips to follow, guiding one past frequently made mistakes and offering shortcuts to the goal of winning. A dozen of them are listed below. They represent lessons learned through years of direct experience at Roulette tables on four continents.

Establish Limits. Before ever heading off to the casino, set a fixed amount of money to wager with (a “bankroll”) as well as a deadline for ending play. Make a commitment to adhere to these limits and don’t be tempted to exceed them. Players should never wager more than they can afford to lose. If a losing streak comes along, as they often do, take a break and start again later. Don’t rush off to the ATM for more funds.

Have Specific Goals. Establishing a target for winning, such as “$100” or “double the initial stake,” allow a player to measure progress. It also indicates when success has been achieved. Those who play without a goal often over-bet or over-play. That’s because they never know how close they are to winning or when to stop.

Play the Odds. The numbers do not lie. The House edge is lower at European tables with a single zero (2.70%) than it is at American tables with a double zero (5.26%). It makes no sense to give the House a bigger edge if the betting limits are not prohibitive. Look for the wheel with only one zero.

Get the Best Position. In crowded casinos, the best playing position at the Roulette table is near the center of the layout. From this point, all sections of the table can easily be reached without stretching over the field to place chips. If seats are only available at the ends of the table, asking a croupier to position bets is allowed, but keep in mind that they are busy and sometimes make mistakes. Controlling one’s own bets is always the best policy.
Work the Math. Only a couple of simple equations are needed to calculate Roulette odds, and it doesn’t take long to become familiar with the payouts for various bets. Before ever making a wager, players should work out their betting strategies based upon probabilities of how much can be won and what risks must be taken. Roulette is truly a numbers game, those who study up on the math tend to fare better than those who don’t.

Master a Method. No matter what strategy for winning one chooses, it pays to master a system and use it consistently. This applies to betting progressions, such as Martingale or Labouchere, as well as betting patterns, including wheel sectors and table areas. Inconsistency can defeat even the best system.

Stay Flexible. Tenacity can be a useful character trait when playing Roulette, but it should not be confused with stubbornness. When system isn’t working, don’t stick with it rigidly to the bitter end. Change it up. Use another method of play. And if that doesn’t work, try moving to another table. Those who recognize when they are stuck and adjust to the conditions of play are the ones most likely to win again and again.

Follow the Money. Assume that at least a few of the players at any Roulette table have studied the game, developed strategies of play, and come up with approaches they believe will be successful. When a player who seems to know the game well is winning steadily, you can follow his/her betting patterns and back them with you own wagers. It is often possible to ride a good player’s coattails to huge wins.
Anticipate Streaks. Every spin of the Roulette wheel is an independent event, and the wheel doesn’t realize that black has just come up the last seven times in a row. Previous outcomes don’t matter at all, which is one reason why streaks are quite common. Some numbers may repeat frequently, while others don’t come up at all. These are by no means unusual occurrences. In fact, they are statistically inevitable. Anticipate streaks, both good and bad, and be prepared for how they may affect play.

Caveat Emptor. The old Latin phrase says it all: “Buyer beware!” It is always the player’s responsibility to be aware of the rules governing the game and to be on guard for any irregularities. Most casinos can be trusted, especially the major ones, but even there mistakes are made in adding up the number of chips won, in sweeping away the losers, and in cashing out the colored chips used in play. It pays to be observant and mindful at all times in order to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Patience is a Virtue. Winning does not usually happen quickly. Losses intervene. A player has to be able to take results in stride, whether they are good or bad. When one becomes stressed, anxious, excited, or over-eager, errors in judgment may occur. One key to winning is to relax, enjoy the game, and simply have fun. Roulette is a game and it is meant to be played.

The Most Important Tip – The average wage of a Roulette table croupier in the United States is about $8 an hour. To earn a living, they depend entirely on the generosity of strangers. Following a big payout or when cashing out after a winning session, it is customary to give the croupier a few chips as a tip. It creates goodwill and sometimes results in food or beverage comps…or at least a good seat at the table next session.