One of the most popular betting games on the casino floor, roulette offers players an exciting opportunity to win big with just the spin of a wheel. There’s nothing like the thrill of watching the ball flirting with the eye-catching red and black pockets, a tension-building cat and mouse game that will leave you either counting your winnings or regrouping for the next spin.
Roulette is the ultimate game of chance, and although it might seem simple at first, your pathway to success can be maximised through the use of some well-placed betting strategies. No one wants to strike out at the roulette table, so make sure you read on and find out the important tips you need to come out on top the next time you place your bets.
What is roulette
Players of all backgrounds and experience levels enjoy roulette for its simple yet exciting gameplay and the potential for big payouts. Roulette is played on a spinning wheel with numbered pockets ranging from 0 to 36 (in the European version of the game, which is the most popular), and a small ball is spun in the opposite direction of the wheel. Players place bets on where they think the ball will land, and if it lands on a pocket that matches their bet, they win.
The amount of money won is determined by the odds of the bet and the amount of money wagered. There are several types of bets that can be placed in roulette, ranging from simple bets on a single number to more complex bets on groups of numbers, colours, or even odd or even numbers. It’s a game where the house edge can often be low, which explains why players keep coming back
Where the ball ends up landing is totally down to chance, so the outcome of a roulette spin is completely random. The odds of winning depend on the type of bet placed, with the highest payout being for a single number bet, but also the lowest odds of winning. Despite its randomness, roulette remains a popular game in casinos around the world, attracting players of all ages and backgrounds. Its simplicity and the potential for big payouts make it an exciting game for both casual players and seasoned gamblers alike.
History of roulette
Nowadays, roulette tables are fixtures in modern casinos around the world, but the game itself actually originates in 18th century France. The game is believed to have been invented by the French mathematician and philosopher Blaise Pascal, who was trying to create a perpetual motion machine. While Pascal’s invention failed, his spinning wheel design inspired a new type of gambling game that would soon become popular throughout Europe.
The game of roulette quickly spread to other countries, including Germany, where it became known as “Roulette” (which means “little wheel” in French). Over time, different variations of the game emerged, with some featuring an additional pocket for the double zero (as in the American version of the game), and others featuring different coloured pockets or unique betting options.
Since then, roulette has earned a reputation as a classic and elegant game of chance, and cemented its place as a firm fixture in casinos around the world. The game has even made its way into popular culture, with absorbing roulette scenes played out in glitzy casinos appearing in classic films like Diamonds Are Forever, Casablanca, Indecent Proposal and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
How to play roulette
To play roulette, players place their bets on the numbered pockets of the roulette wheel, with the croupier (the person in charge of a gambling table) then spinning the wheel and dropping a small ball into it. Once the ball loses momentum and lands in one of the numbered pockets, the croupier announces the winning number and pays out any winning bets.
Players can place a variety of bets, including bets on a single number, a group of numbers, or the colour of the pocket the ball lands in. Before the spin, players can also bet on whether the winning number will be odd or even, or fall within a certain range of numbers.
One important thing to note is that while there are many different betting options in roulette, each type of bet comes with its own odds and payout rates. It’s crucial to understand these odds before placing a bet, as it can help you make informed decisions and maximise your chances of winning big at the roulette table.
Roulette strategy
Now that you know the basics of how to play roulette, it’s time to explore some effective betting strategies that can help increase your chances of winning big. Here are three popular strategies to keep in mind next time you hit the roulette table:
The Martingale System
This strategy involves doubling your bet after every loss, with the aim of recouping your losses and making a profit when you eventually win. While it can be effective in the short term, the Martingale System can quickly become costly in the long run.
For example, let’s say you bet €10 on red, but the ball lands on black. Under the Martingale System, you would then bet €20 on red for the next spin. If you win, you’ll have won back your original €10 bet, as well as making a €10 profit. However, if you lose again, you’ll double your bet again to €40, and so on. This system can be effective in the short-term, but it can also be risky, as you may end up betting large sums of money to recoup your losses.
The Reverse Martingale System
As the name suggests, this strategy is the opposite of the Martingale System. Instead of doubling your bet after a loss, you double it after a win. The aim is to take advantage of winning streaks while minimizing losses during losing streaks.
To put that in context, let’s suppose you bet €10 on black and the ball lands on black. Under the Reverse Martingale System, you would then bet €20 on black for the next spin. If you win again, you’ll have won back your original €10 bet, as well as making a €10 profit. However, if you lose, you’ll only lose your original €10 bet, and can start over with a new €10 bet.
The D’Alembert System
This strategy involves increasing your bet by one unit after a loss and decreasing it by one unit after a win. The idea is to slowly build up your winnings while minimizing your losses.
For example, imagine you bet €10 on red and the ball lands on black. Under the D’Alembert System, you would then bet €11 on red for the next spin. If you win, you’ll have won back your original €10 bet, as well as making a €1 profit. If you lose again, you’ll increase your bet to €12 for the next spin, and so on. While this system can be less risky than the Martingale System, it can also take longer to build up significant winnings.
Remember, no betting system can guarantee a win in roulette. Ultimately, the outcome of each spin is down to chance. However, these strategies can help you make more informed decisions and potentially increase your chances of walking away from the table with a profit.
Where to play roulette (Dublin, Cork, Kerry)
If reading this article has inspired you to go for a spin on the roulette wheel and see where your fortune takes you, look no further than Premier Casinos for Ireland’s best roulette gaming experience. Premier Casinos are family-run Irish casinos offering modern, intimate and exciting gambling and entertainment facilities.
With seven casinos in six locations around Dublin, Cork and Kerry, Premier Casinos are a leading provider of roulette gaming in Ireland, along with a wide range of other entertainment outlets like slot machines and arcade-style video games. Each casino has been painstakingly designed to create a comfortable and inviting space for clientele, with furniture, lighting and ambience set up for the best entertainment experience possible.
If you find yourself down in the largest and southernmost county of Ireland, Cork, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to Premier Casino options for an unforgettable roulette experience. North Main Street and Winthorpe Street both play host to a Premier Casino, while further out from the city centre the Ballincollig or Kinsale properties are safe bets for a guaranteed good time.
Nearby neighbours in Kerry can avail of classic roulette and other gaming machines in Premier Casino Tralee, located on Russell Street in the centre of town. On the East coast of Ireland, in the country’s capital, you’ll find a thrilling roulette gaming experience in Clondalkin, just a short drive from Dublin city. All casinos are open 7 days a week, from 10AM to 2AM.