Roulette strategy: How to win in roulette, best bets, tips and optimale roulette strategy

Finding the best roulette strategy at the best online casinos in the U.S. simply comes down to risk tolerance, game variation and a system that aligns with players' bankrolls. While online roulette is a game of chance, players can still approach the popular table game with a game plan.

First and foremost, let's be clear: No roulette strategy can beat the house. At its core, online roulette is a game of luck rather than skill.

That said, roulette strategies allow players to better manage their bankrolls while also providing a structured approach and framework for making decisions regarding when to wager more or bet less.

There are different optimal roulette strategy variations, but they fall within umbrella categories known as "progressive" and "flat" betting systems. Progressive roulette strategies involve increasing or decreasing bet sizes depending on the previous spin's outcome. Flat betting, meanwhile, keeps wagers consistent throughout gameplay.

The rules of online roulette are simple, really. American roulette features 38 pockets on the wheel, including 36 alternating black and red slots numbered 1-36, a green 0 slot, and a 00 green slot. European and French roulette wheels, meanwhile, have 36 red and black numbered pockets and a green 0 slot.

Before the ball – commonly referred to as a pill – is dropped, players place their bets on a table, essentially predicting where it will come to rest. The various available wagers include:

As noted, the roulette wheel can vary depending on the variation of the game played at the best online casinos. There are 0 and 00 pockets in American roulette, while the European and French versions have just a single 0 slot, which leads to improved roulette odds and payouts. What all three variations share, however, are the types of bets available.

Before getting into what wagers are available on the roulette table, let's go over what inside and outside bets are:

Inside bet payouts at a glance
As noted, an inside bet is one made on an individual number or a small set of numbers in the center of the table. These wagers carry larger payouts if they hit, but they also carry lower odds, making them riskier options. Inside bets (and their payouts) include:

Outside bet payouts at a glance
Bordering inside bets are a set of wagers that have better odds of winning as outside bets contain more wedges within the roulette wheel. Recommended for beginner players, outside bets (and their payouts) include:

For the most part, all online roulette games have the same aspects: a wheel, a pill and inside and outside bets. However, American, European and French roulette differ in the pockets within their respective wheels.

In American roulette, considered one of the more popular variants of the table game, the wheel features 38 slots, with 36 alternating black and red pockets numbered 1-36 as well as green 0 and 00.

European and French roulette each have 37 slots (black and red numbered 1-36 and a green 0). Where French roulette differs is in the additional side bet offerings. The tiers du cylindre, for example, includes a set of 12 numbers furthest from the green 0 on the wheel, while the voisins du zéro wager covers 17 numbers closest to that pocket.

Despite these small differences, they certainly have an impact on the house edge and return-to-player (RTP) rates:

One category of popular roulette strategies is known as progressive systems, with the common thread being the variance of bet sizes based on the previous spin's result, whether it be a win or a loss. Here is a collection of popular online roulette strategy approaches.

First up is the Martingale strategy roulette approach, a roulette betting strategy that is arguably the most popular in the progressive system. Here, players double their bets after each loss in an attempt to not only recover previous losses but also make a profit equal to the original wager if they win. It is especially popular among beginners looking to take advantage of even-money payouts on outside bets.

To put it into practice, consider a user wagering $10 on red. If they lose, the next bet is $20 on red. Fall short again, and the player increases it to a $40 wager. Once a win comes, the player returns to their original $10 bet.

This roulette strategy is simple to comprehend and can lead to a quick recoup of losses, and it is a go-to for users playing shorter sessions. That said, it does require a larger bankroll, as bets can escalate rapidly.

Reverse Martingale: The positive-progression flip

Also known as the Paroli system, Reverse Martingale is considered by many to be the best roulette strategy as it builds upon wins rather than seemingly chasing losses in the Martingale system.

Here, as opposed to doubling bets on losses, users keep their wagers at the original amount but double its size after every win. Once three straight victories come about, players return to the base wager and start the roulette strategy again.

Grand Martingale — Higher risk, bigger potential return

Another Martingale spinoff that some deem a roulette strategy to win, the Grand Martingale adds an extra unit to every doubled wager. Understand, though, that while this roulette strategy increases potential profits, it also exposes players to more risk.

After losing, users don't just double their wager; they double it and add an extra unit. So if a player's original bet was $5, their next wager after a loss would be $11. Doing so creates the opportunity for quicker profit accumulation, but it could also rapidly deplete players' bankrolls.

The Grand Martingale is an optimal roulette strategy for more aggressive users and high-rollers with larger budgets.

Based on the well-known mathematical sequence, this roulette gambling strategy can take some time to understand at first. But once players pick up on it, they no doubt consider it the best mathematical roulette strategy.

The Fibonacci sequence is a mathematical pattern where each number is the sum of the two preceding numbers (0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, etc.). As a result, the Fibonacci system is a more gradual progression strategy when compared to Martingale. 

After each loss, players move to the next number in the sequence. When they win, they move back two spots. As an example, a player betting $1 and loses would then go to $2, then to $3 and then to $5. If they win there, they move back to $2. Using this roulette strategy creates a more reasonable increase in wagers after losses and, therefore, provides players with more control over their bankroll.

In essence, the Fibonacci approach is a middle ground between Martingale and more conservative flat betting strategies.

Speaking of middle grounds, the D'Alembert system is also a good roulette strategy for beginners or moderate bankroll users who still want to use a progressive system. Here, players increase their bets by one unit after each loss and decrease them by one unit following a win.

While a more modest progression, it certainly helps keep budgets in check, but also allows users to adjust their wagers based on spin outcomes. As a result, this roulette strategy is ideal for users who enjoy longer gameplay sessions.

The Labouchere roulette betting strategy is admittedly more complex than others, but it's one that also dates back to the 19th century. Because it involves more steps than most other roulette strategies, let's break it down in steps:

Players continue these steps until they go through their sequence of numbers and achieve their total set in Step 1. Users, though, would be wise to never chase losses and even consider stopping their gameplay following their first loss after a winning streak to retain their profits.

The rationale behind the 3:2 roulette strategy is that players bet on enough options on one spin to give them an opportunity to come away profitable.

Essentially, users simultaneously make two wagers, adding up to five chips – three on an even-money outside bet and two on a column. Doing so effectively covers both sections and evens out the overall risk.

That said, the 3/2 strategy doesn't cover all numbers, which could create the chance of a losing streak. In this regard, there is the possibility that players lose both bets.

The other category of what are considered roulette winning strategy options is flat betting, which offer more consistent wagers throughout gameplay sessions, thereby limiting the hit that bankrolls might take during losing spells.

Flat betting is no doubt an optimal roulette strategy for beginners, as it focuses more on consistent bet sizes to help extend overall playing time. It's all about bankroll preservation with the flat betting roulette strategy rather than profit-hunting.

Because of this, players can more easily project how long their budgets will last and minimize high variances of overall gameplay as well as potential swings that come with progressive betting.

Some may come to know the James Bond roulette strategy as the "beginners' favorite" as it covers multiple sections of the roulette wheel with a three-part wager, which opens the door for potential frequent wins while also limiting losing streaks.

All it takes is a flat bet of $20 per spin that is strategically divided across different spaces on the table, with $14 on the high numbers, $5 on the 6 line covering 13-18, and $1 on zero. In placing these wagers, 25 pockets are covered, and there are three different ways to profit on each spin.

Oftentimes, someone may come up with a roulette winning strategy that is guaranteed to pay off in dividends. Understand, though, that because the game is based on luck, there is no "most successful roulette strategy" out there, especially when it comes to these myths.

One of the most common misconceptions surrounds what's known as the "gambler's fallacy" – that past spins affect future outcomes. Basically, players believe that they are "due" for a win or that previous results suggest a certain bet is bound to pay off. This often leads to users chasing losses, which can put them into even bigger holes.

With roulette, there is no "due." It's a game of randomness, with each spin outcome independent of the others. There's no preset result, and the game does not abide by the theory of "regression to the mean." Users should remain grounded and stick to their budgets.

Players should also understand that even the best roulette strategies have certain limitations. Whether they're doubling bets after losses using the Martingale system or they have large bankrolls and look to make big profits, users will discover that licensed online casinos limit how much they can wager during gameplay.

These limits can range from $10 up to $50,000 with some operators. What's more, bankrolls are also not infinite. Players need to head into roulette sessions with a budget and stay within their limits, which means – among other things – avoiding any roulette strategy that encourages users to find online roulette tables without limits.

Because of the vastness of the internet, there are bound to be roulette strategies online that label themselves as "guaranteed win" systems – so-called foolproof strategies that promise frequent profits sold for a price.

Here's the truth, though: There is no guaranteed-win strategy. Roulette is simply a game of chance with no approach or secret method that leads to consistent wins. In reality, these systems are scams that can result in reckless wagering. True success in online roulette stems from smart and responsible gameplay.

Along those lines, it should also be clear that no roulette strategy can "overcome" the house edge. As it's been noted, even the best strategy for roulette is more of a structured guide to manage overall risk while implementing disciplined wagering toward potential – emphasize "potential" – profits.

Commonly, users lament how roulette – or any online casino games, for that matter – is rigged, whether due to elongated losing spells or overall outcomes they weren't pleased with. Rest assured, online roulette is not rigged at licensed mobile casinos.

For starters, regulatory bodies in states with legal online casinos have laws in place that require operators to only offer titles that are deemed fair to users, including those that pertain to roulette odds and payouts. In addition, every game found at licensed online casinos is audited, tested and certified by independent labs to further bolster overall fairness.

Lastly, mobile casinos already have the house edge, a baked-in statistical advantage with every title, including casino games with best odds, that ensures profitability for those operators. Truth be told, "rigging" games would only put online casinos at a significant disadvantage.

Aside from basic roulette strategy, there are a few tips that players can follow to enhance their overall online roulette experience.

With fewer 0 wedges on a roulette wheel comes a lower house edge and more potential returns for players. For example, American roulette has 0 and 00 pockets, an estimated house edge of 5.26%, and a theoretical RTP of 94.74%. French (98.65%) and European (97.3%) roulette wheels, meanwhile, have higher RTP rates and lower house edges at 1.35% and 2.7%, respectively. Finally, as the name suggests, Triple-Zero roulette features three 0 slots and arguably the lowest RTP rate at 92.31% with a lofty 7.69% house edge.

Above all else, players should not head into online roulette gameplay with a bankroll gameplan. Set a budget and stick to it. Even divvy that bankroll up into betting units (per spin, for example) to help pace their play. Fortunately, players have a bevy of responsible gambling tools offered by licensed online casinos to help them set deposit, loss and spending limits that assist in this regard.

Another useful tip is to take advantage of the stop-loss strategy, which involves users setting an amount that they're willing to lose before they walk away, even if they have a remaining balance in their bankroll. For example, someone with a $300 budget may decide that if their bankroll decreases to $150, they'll exit the game and stop playing.

On the other side of the spectrum is perhaps one of the more difficult things to do: Walk away while you're ahead. Known as a "take-profit" strategy, players determine that if they reach a certain level of profit, such as that same $300 budget user deciding to stop playing once they reach $500, they will end their session. By setting these standards, players can avoid losing and chasing losses while also getting out when they're ahead.

Whatever roulette strategy players go with, they should confirm that it falls in line with their predetermined budget and overall risk tolerance. Not every system is suitable for all users. Finding a structured strategy that fits your bankroll and your willingness to be cautious or aggressive is as key as the luck itself with online roulette.

Again, not every player will be well-suited for each roulette strategy. Some systems require more risk and larger bankrolls than others. Some call for more roulette experience and aggression, while others are more ideal for beginners. Because online roulette is all about the luck of the spin, users cannot bank on "skill." Rather, players should find a roulette strategy that fits their desire and means to take more risk or bank on more consistency.

With 32 games in its library, BetMGM Casino boasts one of the deepest collections of online roulette titles among legal mobile casinos. That not only includes traditional American and European games but also roulette variations with their own unique twists. 

Consider sports-themed games like Philadelphia Phillies American Roulette or New York Jets Roulette, each boasting the colors and logos of those respective teams. On top of that, and in addition to popular games like Blazing 7s Roulette, users will also find exclusives, such as BetMGM Roulette Pro.

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A rising power in the regulated iGaming space, Hard Rock Bet Casino not only has dozens of entertaining roulette options, but also a wide variety of games with varying bet limits, which is ideal for progressive roulette strategy players.

Both American Auto Roulette and the exclusive Hard Rock First Person Roulette, for example, have minimum wagers of $0.10 per spin and range all the way up to $10,000, creating ample leeway for progressive system users.

The Hard Rock Bet Casino bonus rewards new customers with up to $1,000 in lossback casino credits as well as up to 500 bonus spins for the Cash Eruption slot.

While the brand began as a daily fantasy sports platform and arguably made its name in the legal sports betting space, DraftKings Casino – one of the more popular $5 deposit casinos – has long established itself as one of the industry leaders among legal casino apps.

Not only does the platform feature enticing roulette titles like NBA Slam Dunk Roulette and Spooky Roulette, but it also offers a shared wallet that allows customers to seamlessly navigate between their online casino, sports betting, DFS and other DraftKings products.

Now, new users who sign up and bet at least $5 can receive a DraftKings Casino bonus of up to 1,500 Flex Spins that are eligible to use on over 100 slots.

There's something special about playing online roulette, but still getting the excitement and atmosphere of in-person gambling, which is exactly what live dealer games bring to the table. FanDuel Casino provides as great as any other online casino in the regulated landscape.

With eight live dealer roulette games, FanDuel Casino users can enjoy the likes of Red Door Roulette Live and Mega Fire Blaze Roulette Live, as well as Lightning Roulette and the exclusive FanDuel Spin & Win Roulette. Each of these titles, as well as all the others, features a real dealer streaming from a dedicated studio who interacts with players via chat to spice up the online gambling experience.

With no FanDuel Casino promo code required, first-time customers can deposit $10 and claim up to 500 bonus spins in addition to $40 in casino credits.

The Martingale system is a popular choice among beginners as it involves wagering on outside bets with the best odds of hitting. Another good roulette strategy for novices is the D'Alembert system, which incorporates increasing bet sizes by one unit after a loss and decreasing by a unit after a win, thereby allowing players to potentially profit while keeping bet sizes within control.

Roulette is more a game of luck than skill; there is no guarantee that any approach is a roulette strategy to win. That said, the Martingale system involves outside bets, which carry the best odds of winning at the table.

American roulette has the highest house edge between the two at 5.26%, while European roulette carries a more-reasonable 2.7% house edge.

Outside bets, including black or red, even or odd, and high or low, have the best odds of winning and are even-money wagers. The next-best odds are the dozen wagers that pay out 2:1.

Inside bets are any wagers placed on individual numbers or groups of numbers located in the central area of the roulette table. These bets carry larger payout potential but also lower odds of hitting. Outside bets are located outside of the numbered section and cover larger areas of the wheel, including red or black, odd or even, high or low, and groups of 12 numbers. These wagers have better odds of winning but have lower payouts.

La Partage is a rule as part of French roulette that protects players' even-money bets when the ball lands on 0. For example, if someone wagers on red, black, odd, even, high or low and the pill rests in the 0 pocket, that user will receive half of their bet back rather than losing it all.

Different variations of online roulette carry different RTP rates. French roulette is considered the most player-friendly, with a 98.65%, followed by European at 97.3% and then American at 94.74%.

It depends on the roulette betting strategy. The D'Alembert system, or flat betting, is ideal for smaller bankrolls, as they allow players to stretch out their gameplay sessions without taking big risks. For more aggressive players with larger budgets, strategies like Martingale, Grand Martingale, and James Bond systems may suit them better. Regardless, users should be sure to set a strict budget and stick to it while avoiding the urge to chase losses.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) notes that gambling winnings are fully taxable and must be reported on tax returns. Players may receive Form W2G from online casinos, depending on how much they claim as winnings, though residents who don't receive a form still need to report winnings. Customers should contact the customer support of their top online casinos for more information or visit the website of the regulatory body that oversees legal iGaming in their state.

Yes. Licensed online casinos in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan and West Virginia offer real money online roulette games.

Grant Lucas