18 Sept 2025
Roulette is one of the most popular games at both physical and online casinos, and the thrill of waiting to see where the ball will land is what makes it one of the most exciting table games.
Although it's important to remember that all outcomes in roulette are down to chance, over the years, some roulette strategies have been developed to theoretically enhance player odds. Each strategy has its own risks and rewards, and choosing a suitable strategy will depend on your personal preference and tolerance for risk.
Popular Progressive Betting Strategies
There are a few well-known progressive betting strategies for roulette, which involve adjusting the bet size based on previous outcomes. Let's take a look at the different strategies below:
1. Martingale Strategy: Doubling Down
Overview: The Martingale strategy involves doubling bets after every loss, with the hope of recovering all previous losses with a subsequent win. This strategy is quite simple and is popular with beginners.
How It Works: To apply the Martingale strategy, you will need to double your bet after every loss. On the other hand, if you have a winning bet, you should halve your next bet. Theoretically, you can't lose forever, so eventually, you will win and have a chance to recoup your money.
Pros: This strategy offers a high probability of short-term wins and is easy to understand and execute.
Cons: It requires a large bankroll to sustain long losing streaks, and there is no guarantee of long-term profits.
2. D'Alembert Strategy: Balancing the Odds
Overview: The D'Alembert strategy is similar to the Martingale strategy, although it is less aggressive. Bets are still increased after a loss but only by a fixed value.
How It Works: Increase the bet by one unit after each loss and decrease it by one unit after a win. Before you start playing, you must decide on a 'unit' value (or fixed number) to increase or decrease bets by. For example, your 'unit' could be £1. If you lose, increase your next bet by £1. If you win, decrease your next bet by £1.
Pros: This strategy is less risky than the Martingale approach, making it ideal for more conservative players.
Cons: It has limited potential for large wins and can still result in losses over time.
3. Oscar's Grind Strategy: Playing the Long Game
Overview: The Oscar's Grind strategy aims to slowly build profit over time. Bets are increased by one unit after a win or kept the same after a loss.
How It Works: Increase the bet by one unit after a win, and keep it the same after a loss. As soon as you start to profit from your original bet, the sequence begins again.
Pros: Unlike most other strategies, you don't need to double down when you're losing, which is attractive to some players.
Cons: This approach involves playing the long game, and a big loss can cause you to suddenly lose your profit.
4. Labouchere Strategy: The Cancellation System
Overview: The Labouchere system is more complex and requires patience and forward planning. It involves using a list of numbers to determine your bet.
How It Works: First, you'll need to decide how much money you'd like to win in the roulette session. Break this number into smaller numbers that add up to it (for example, a £10 total could be made up of £1, £2, £3, £4). Add up the first and last numbers in the list - this is your bet. If the bet wins, cross off those numbers. If it loses, add the total of the bet you just made to your list.
Pros: This strategy can be customised according to your target amount, and some players enjoy the list element.
Cons: It is quite a complex strategy that requires you to do maths and follow a sequence, and it can also lead to big losses.
Advanced and Alternative Strategies
The strategies listed below are more advanced or unusual. However, as with all betting strategies, it's important to remember that ultimately all outcomes are random and cannot be predicted.
5. Andrucci System: Betting on Patterns
Overview: The Andrucci strategy is based on the belief that certain numbers may appear more often due to 'hot streaks.'
How It Works: To use the Andrucci strategy, players must make between 30 and 37 initial bets and note down which number the ball lands on after each bet. This will theoretically reveal 'hot' numbers that the ball is more likely to land on in the session.
Pros: If you are lucky enough to win, you will receive a high 35:1 payout.
Cons: This strategy is not evidence-based, and in reality, there are no 'hot' numbers in roulette, making this system very risky.
6. Fibonacci Sequence Strategy: Betting with Math
Overview: This strategy uses the Fibonacci series of numbers, which is a famous mathematical series in which each number is the sum of the two previous numbers.
How It Works: Increase bets based on the Fibonacci sequence after a loss, returning two steps back after a win. To use this strategy, you should multiply your bet by the numbers in the Fibonacci sequence. If you lose, move one number up the sequence. If you win, move two numbers down the sequence.
Pros: This strategy is considered safer than the Martingale strategy due to a slower progression in betting amounts, so that losses are also less drastic.
Cons: It can be quite complex to track and requires disciplined play to try to prevent losses.
7. Paroli Strategy: Positive Progression
Overview: In a nutshell, the Paroli strategy is the opposite of the Martingale, as it involves doubling your bet after a win and keeping it the same after a loss.
How It Works: This strategy involves doubling the bet after each win or resetting to the original bet after a loss (or after three consecutive wins).
Pros: This is a fairly low-risk strategy compared to some others, and bets are only increased when you're winning.
Cons: This system relies heavily on winning streaks, and they can get expensive if they do occur.
8. James Bond Strategy: The Balanced Bet
Overview: The James Bond strategy is a mixed betting system that may be suitable for players with a bigger budget. It involves placing a certain bet amount on fixed numbers.
How It Works: Place a set amount of bets covering a large portion of the wheel (high numbers, low numbers, and 0). This strategy involves betting a total amount of £20 on a spin. Bet £14 on high numbers (19-36), £5 on double street numbers (13-18) and £1 on zero.
Pros: This bet covers a broad spectrum of numbers, meaning that you are more likely to win than if you bet on fewer numbers.
Cons: This strategy requires a substantial bankroll and does not guarantee a profit.
Important Disclaimer
While these strategies can introduce fun new ways to play live roulette, they should not be seen as a way to win or to increase your chances of winning. All outcomes in roulette (and all other casino games) are down to chance and cannot be predicted. Never spend more than you can afford to lose, and always gamble responsibly.
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