There’s nothing like the thrill of playing Roulette – the spin of the wheel, the bounce of the ball, the adrenaline at every turn, and the exhilaration of an eventual win. Whether you’re a first-time player or a seasoned expert, it never fails to excite and delight. However, there may be times when you feel you aren’t getting as much as you could be from your Roulette experience. If that’s the case, it might be that you’re making unintentional mistakes with your game play. Take a look at some of the most common errors you could be making, and ensure that every bet you place is an informed one.

You don’t know the basics
While Roulette is actually a deceptively simple game to play, its betting system can seem complicated and intimidating to beginners – which is why many people simply start playing without wanting to become bogged down in complex rules. It’s here where you could be losing money inadvertently – by placing expensive bets with a high house edge without realising the level of risk involved.

Essentially there are two types of bets in Roulette – inside bets and outside bets. Inside bets lie inside the betting grid on a Roulette table, and outside bets lie outside the betting grid – hence their name.

Inside bets are bets on numbers – either a single number (which pays out at 35:1) or groups of numbers, each with varying odds. Outside bets are bets on outcomes, such as whether the ball will land on red or black, an odd or even number, and so on. Depending on the type of outside bet placed, these pay out at either 1:1 or 2:1.

It’s up to you as to which form of bet you place, but it’s important to understand the house edge on both before you do. While inside bets pay out more, the house edge is higher at the same time, meaning that your chances of winning are smaller. By contrast, the house edge on outside bets is much lower, but so are the payouts as well – so it’s your choice as to how you manage your risk and your reward.

It’s understanding these basics that can help you take control of your bankroll and your game play. If you’ve always been a conservative player and haven’t won much at Roulette, you might want to consider placing an inside bet or two. Or if you’ve taken a more reckless approach in the past and placed huge bets on single numbers with little luck, you may want to keep your account balance stable with a few outside bets in future. Either way, it’s knowing more about the basics that’ll help you and your bankroll stay in the game.

You’re playing American Roulette
“What’s wrong with that?”, you might ask. After all, isn’t it just another version of Roulette? What’s the big deal?

The big deal about American Roulette is the house edge it brings to the table – one that could be decimating your bankroll without you even realizing it. When you’re playing Roulette online, you’ll generally be given three traditional variations to choose from:

European: Closest to the land-based version of the game, European Roulette features 37 numbered spaces on the wheel, and offers standard inside and outside bets, with corresponding odds and payouts.
French: Similar to European Roulette in that it also features 37 spaces on the wheel, French Roulette offers a numbers of unique rules as well, such as En Prison and Le Partage, giving you a second chance if you should happen to lose an even money bet.
American: With the inclusion of a double zero in addition to the regular single one, American Roulette offers 38 available spaces on the wheel, and more of a challenge to interested players.

Why exactly does American Roulette offer more of a challenge? Because of that double zero space, one that has far more impact on the game than you might think. Bet on a single number in French or European Roulette, and you’ll have a house edge of 2.7%. Make the same bet in American Roulette, and the house edge will be 5.26% – more than double that of the other variations. And it’s all because of that extra double zero space.

That’s why if you’re a regular American Roulette player, you may find yourself going through your bankroll faster than expected – because the house’s advantage is literally double when you play. To stay on top of your bankroll management, rather play the Roulette game that’ll give you the best possible odds, and take a break from American Roulette for now. Your account balance will thank you.

You’re trying to use a system
Martingale, Labouchère, Fibonacci, D'Alembert. If any of these names sound familiar to you, then they could be the reason why you’re not getting as much out of your Roulette game play as you might like. That’s because they’re all progressive betting systems, and to beginner players, they can be incredibly costly.

What exactly is a progressive betting system? Essentially it’s one in which you change your bet size after winning or losing. A positive progression system sees you increasing your bet after a win, while a negative progression system will have you decreasing your bet after a loss instead.

While betting systems vary (hence the different names) they do have one thing in common – they’re unproven, and as such, they can be incredibly ineffective. While the theories and practices behind these systems may seem scientific and sound, the truth is that Roulette is based entirely on luck – there is no foolproof way to accurately predict the outcome of a spin. Which means that investing in one of these systems could see your bankroll significantly depleted by the end of a session.

The only real way to play Roulette is by budgeting for your game play and placing your bets wisely. Because there is no system that will ever beat the house – and if there was, you’d know about it already. So don’t waste your time and money on an ineffectual system – rather play responsibly and keep your bankroll top of mind instead.

You’re expecting a win
Ever heard of the gambler’s fallacy? It’s the belief that states that the outcome of a future event is affected by past events. So, for example, if you’ve had heads come up five times in a row after flipping a coin, you might believe that tails is more likely to come up the sixth time because it’s ‘due’ to happen. Or in Roulette, if the ball has landed on black a number of times consecutively, you might expect red to come up next, as it hasn’t done so for a while.

You can see how easy it would be to think this way, particularly when gambling. However a series of similar events does not affect the outcome of a single event. Just because you’ve had heads for a while doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll now have tails. Just because black has been a winner doesn’t mean that red will now make an appearance.

In both examples, the odds are 50:50 between heads and tails, and red and black. Having heads five times doesn’t mean you won’t have it a sixth. Having black come up over and over doesn’t mean it won’t happen again. There are equal chances of both outcomes occurring, and it’s important to keep this in mind when placing your bets in Roulette, or in fact any other game. Don’t expect your luck to change, because it’s just that – luck. Remember that gambling outcomes are always random, and never risk your bankroll on a false assumption.

You’re only betting on red or black
We know, we’ve already run through how inside bets are high risk, high reward, and so you should think about them carefully before playing. But there’s also a possibility of you swinging too far in the opposite direction and sticking to only red or black outside bets instead. Sure, these pay even money so if you’re a beginner, they’re a safe and easy way to familiarise yourself with the game of Roulette. But if you want to win a little more money, you’re going to have to take more of a chance.

While single number inside bets pose the biggest risk with odds of 35:1 and a win probability of just 2.7%, budgeting for a few of these can still add some extra excitement to your gaming. Plus there’s more to inside betting than simply wagering on a single number – you could bet on a pair of numbers (split), a row of three numbers (street), a group of four adjacent numbers (corner), or even a grouping of five or six numbers as well. Or if you’re hesitant to go all in on inside bets all at once, place your regular outside colour bet, and spread a few bets across the rest of the table at the same time.

It’s all about changing things up to keep the game exciting, and to challenge yourself to try something new too. Just remember to always keep your bankroll in mind and budget effectively for all your bets, and you’ll always leave the table a winner.

You’re not playing with a clear head
We get it – Roulette is fast-paced, non-stop, and packed with adrenaline. So it’s only natural in the face of this thrilling rollercoaster ride that you’d want to add even more excitement to the moment with a drink. Plus, if you’re playing online, you’ll have access to all the drinks you want, and no need to spend any extra money as you would at a bricks and mortar casino. What’s not to love?

Unfortunately, while gambling and alcohol do seem to go hand-in-hand, pairing your game play with a drink is virtually the worst move you can make. Not only will you be more likely to place riskier bets as your inhibitions lower, you’ll be more prone to making poor decisions, and potentially even playing with more than you can afford to spend as well. While playing Roulette might feel like a party, and should always be fun for you, it’s never a good idea to drink and bet, especially where your bankroll is concerned. Rather play through your session and crack open a cold one when you’re done. It’s the safest bet.

You’re not managing your bankroll effectively
Roulette is one of the most popular games at any casino and it’s easy to see why. Whether you’re playing at a real-life casino or placing your bets online, it’s thrill-a-minute stuff, and the adrenaline is infectious. However if you don’t keep control of your spending and your betting, getting caught up in the excitement could soon see you betting with more than you can afford to spend, if you’re not careful.

Responsible bankroll management is key to your success at any casino game, particularly ones as exhilarating as Roulette. In order to stay on top of your spend, you’ll need to budget meticulously and manage your bankroll at all times throughout your gaming session. The more disciplined you are with your finances, the longer you’ll be able to play over time – so stay in control throughout every spin, and keep your bankroll healthy.

You’re too attached to the outcome
We’ve said it before and we’ll keep saying it again and again, because it’s that important. Gambling is all about having fun and being entertained. The minute you find yourself becoming too attached to the outcome and prioritising money over enjoyment, that’s the point at which you become vulnerable to irresponsible gambling behaviour.

With its fast-paced nature, Roulette is a game that’s easy to become caught up in, and while there’s nothing wrong with experiencing all the thrills and exhilaration it has to offer, making emotionally-charged decisions can have a negative effect on your bankroll. Enjoy your game play by all means, just make sure to keep a clear head, stick to your budget, and remember that gambling is simply meant to be entertainment – nothing more.

Ready to hit the Roulette tables with all your new-found expertise? Place your bets, get that wheel spinning, and see if you can turn your knowledge into winning power. Good luck!