Mastering the Spin – The Art and Science of Roulette

Roulette is a beautiful mix of art and science. In theory it’s random but there are multiple systems with which you can play that should help you win – for example, bet sizing systems are systems that can help you better manage your bets and therefore win more.

Beating the house at roulette requires a detailed knowledge of physics and an understanding of the underlying measurements in how the wheel performs. That’s not exactly feasible for most players.

Basic rules

With allegedly 30,000 years of history and countless variations, roulette is one of the ancients of casino games: it is always roulette, and the process is fairly simple. All you have to do is predict where a ball falls after a numbered, red-black wheel – 0 through to 36, with a few greenish American Roulette 00 options – spins a number of times and the croupier declares a the winner.

To start playing Roulette, place the chip on the colour, number or sector where you want to place your bet and click on the spin button. Witness the ball rolling around the table until it stops in one of its pockets and your bet is immediately brought back to the player’s account where you can repeat from or remove it immediately, each roulette table also has a betting limit that should be taken into consideration before playing.

Betting options

Roulette has many betting options, from single number straight-up bets to complex snake bets consisting of zig-zagging chips – you will have inside, outside and call bets; inside bets have a tendency to provide higher pay-outs and outside bets a greater potential for loss with lower odds than the other two.

One of the most widely used betting systems is known as martingale betting: after each loss sticking with a bet, and doubling that bet each time – stop when you have a win and start again. As this process could be continued indefinitely, given a winning bet remains elusive, financial ruin could result.

But, playing the numbers, some players have learned enough science to tilt the odds in their own favour. In the 1970s, a group of postgrad physics students calling themselves the Eudaemons used such theoretical insights, together with a primitive computer concealed in their shoes, to win money from casinos across Nevada – a reminder that random games can push some people to the extreme in their quest for the elusive edge.

Odds of winning

These odds of success are mathematical. Roulette odds may be represented as a ratio (36/Bet-1) or percentage (17:1); players buy chips from a dealer and ‘places’ bets of one or more chip on either a single number, a group of numbers or by colour (black or red) until they get it right; then they are paid, and the pay-outs vary on the number or group of 12 numbers bet upon; the bigger the odds are, the more a player wins.

Odds might be hard to grasp but it is the basis for any successful roulette strategy. A roulette strategy increases you expected value (EV), what is the total sum of all the bets he/she made overtime when she uses her bet system and the probability depends on the bet she placed overtime. The way to make the odds of winning is to use the multiple bets d’Alembert betting system and it’s easier than the Martingale due to small stakes required in bets and it has smaller bets required per series than Martingale does!

Taxes on winnings

Roulette players might employ various wager-management and win-enhancing strategies but, with every game they play, they must know that the house edge is an inherent component. The long-term advantage might indeed recompense the player for engaging in roulette play – here reflected as an entertainment vehicle and not an investment instrument.

A bad mistake that many players can make, is not being able to manage their bankroll efficiently. Players should set a budget for each session played, in order to avoid the chance of wagering their hard earned money, which will reduce any potential losses.

If you’re gambling at a casino, be aware of any taxes due on your winnings. If you are being paid by check, some casinos will take federal and state taxes automatically from your winnings, while others may require you to fill out a tax form. If unsure of the local laws related to taxation, contact a tax advisor or visit your website for your tax authority.