Best Roulette Strategy & Bets – How to Win at Roulette
Roulette is one of the most iconic and thrilling games at online and land-based casinos. Despite being a game of chance, choosing the right roulette strategy can enhance your gaming experience and could even result in a small profit. From classic strategies like the Martingale and Fibonacci to more complex methods, like the 1-3-2-6, these are the world’s most popular betting systems.
The Best Roulette Strategies
The following betting systems are commonly used to wager using a structured method. Find the most appropriate roulette betting strategy for you by determining the risk level that you are comfortable with and the corresponding bankroll you afford.
- Martingale Roulette Strategy – Best for High-Risk Players with Larger Bankrolls.
- D’Alembert System – Popular Amongst Players Seeking Moderate Risk.
- Fibonacci Strategy – Suitable for Fans of Structure and Lower Risk.
- Labouchere System – Top Roulette Strategy for Advanced Players with Good Bankroll Management.
- James Bond Roulette Strategy – An Alternative Betting System for Medium-Risk Players.
- 1-3-2-6 – Best for Conservative Players Looking to Lock In Small Wins.
- Paroli Strategy – An Alternative Low-Risk and Positive Progression System.
- Parlay Roulette Strategy – Suitable for Risk Takers Seeking Larger Short-Term Wins.
Terms You Need to Know Before Using Any Roulette Strategy
No matter which online roulette strategy you choose, you will need to be aware of some or all of the following terms.
- European Roulette – This is the most common and popular version of the game found at all the best online roulette casinos. While American Roulette wheels have a 0 and 00, European Roulette only has a 0, resulting in a lower house edge and a higher RTP.
- Even-Money Bets – These are a set of roulette outside bets that pay evenly, or 1:1. They cover 18 numbers in various ways. Black, for example, covers all 18 numbers with a black background.
- Unit Bet – This indicates the minimum bet that you intend to place. Most players match their unit bet with the table’s minimum bet, such as 50p or £1, thus extending their bankroll as far as possible.
A Closer Look at Roulette Winning Strategy
There’s no single most successful roulette strategy as every mathematically-based approach has its pros and cons. Below, you’ll find an explanation of each betting system and a simple example to help you implement it. However, before you try out any of these strategies, it’s important that you already know how to play roulette.
Martingale Roulette Strategy
The Martingale roulette system is one of the most famous betting systems used in this and other casino table games. To implement it, you should bet on the same even-money bet and start with a unit bet. After each loss, you should double your previous bet and after a win, you should revert to the unit bet.
In theory, using the Martingale strategy for roulette should lead to a small profit following a win. However, as we explain in our Martingale Strategy explainer, recovery might be impeded by your bankroll or the table’s maximum bet limits.
Martingale Roulette Strategy example: Place a 50p bet on Red and lose, so your next bet on Red is doubled to £1. Lose again and your next bet on Red is doubled to £2. Keep doubling the previous bet until you win. When you do, place another bet on Red of 50p.
D’Alembert System
The D’Alembert is a flatter progression system than the Martingale as it requires you to increase your bet by one unit after a loss and decrease it by one unit after a win. Since you’re not doubling your bet after a loss, the system is more controlled and cautious on your bankroll.
The D’Alembert Strategy provides a conservative alternative to the Martingale strategy for roulette. However, it can still require a significant bankroll to sustain it during prolonged losing streaks.
D’Alembert System example: Start with a 50p bet on Odd. If you lose, place a £1 on Odd. Lose again and this time wager £1.50 on Odd. If you win this bet, your next bet on Odd should be of £1.
Fibonacci Strategy
The Fibonacci roulette strategy is based on the number sequence created by the famed Italian mathematician and involves multiplying your unit bet by a number on the sequence. After a loss, you should multiply your unit bet by the next number. After a win, you should go back by two numbers in the sequence and multiply that by your unit bet.
Using the Fibonacci roulette wheel strategy can be tricky, especially if you’re relatively new to the game. It’s important to keep track of your position in the sequence to know exactly when and where to move after a win or loss.
Fibonacci Strategy example: Start by placing a 50p bet on High. If you lose, bet another 50p on High since the first two numbers in the sequence are both 1. If you lose again, bet £1 since the third number in the sequence is 2. Should you win this bet, go back two numbers and bet 50p.
Labouchere System
The Labouchere Strategy for roulette is relatively complex and requires you to first create a sequence of five or more single-digit numbers. Add up the first and last numbers to determine your wager value and bet on Even or any other even-money bet. If you lose, add the value of your bet to the end of the sequence and start again. If you win, cross off the numbers you’ve used and add up the next first and last numbers.
Using the Labouchere System is similar to the Fibonacci sequence with the added task of creating your number sequence. It also requires significant focus so it’s better suited for seasoned players rather than beginners.
Labouchere System example: Let’s imagine a sequence of 1-2-3-4, so your first wager on Low will be 4+1, or £5. If you lose, you’ll add 5 to the end of the sequence and add that to 1, resulting in a bet of £6. If you win, you’ll cross off 1 and 4 and your next bet would be 2+3, or £5.
James Bond Roulette Strategy
The James Bond Roulette Strategy stands out as it requires multiple bets placed across the roulette table. To implement it, you should place £10 on the High bet and £2.50 on the Line bet covering 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18. You should also bet 50p on zero.
This unique and fun strategy covers 25 out of 37 numbers in European or French Roulette and has odds of 67.6% of winning. How much you win depends greatly on the winning number. However, while most other roulette strategies require small initial bets, this betting system requires you to wager £13 per round.
James Bond Roulette Strategy example: Place the bets as indicated and keep placing them round after round no matter whether you win or lose. If you want greater risk, you can double or triple the bet values, but keep them consistent throughout.
1-3-2-6
1-3-2-6 is a good roulette strategy to use if you’re looking for small profits over a relatively short term. To start multiply your unit bet by the first number in the sequence and wager on an even-money bet, such as Black. If you win, multiply your unit bet by the next number in the sequence. If you lose, start the sequence from the start.
The 1-3-2-6 roulette strategy works is designed to take full advantage of winning streaks and, unlike most other betting systems, has a defined end. Once you reach the fourth number and win, you should stop playing so as not to risk losing your profit.
1-3-2-6 example: Multiple your 50p unit bet by 1 since this is the first number in the sequence. Place your bet on Low, and if you win, follow it up with a £1.50 bet on Low. If you lose this bet, your next bet should be worth 50p, but if you win, your next bet should be £1.
Paroli Strategy
This positive progression roulette betting strategy aims to double your bets after a win and seeks to capitalise on short winning streaks. It’s considered a suitable strategy for players who prefer lower risk since losing streaks won’t have the same damaging effect on your bankroll as the Martingale and other negative progression systems.
However, for the Paroli Strategy to be effective, you must set a reasonable profit target and stop playing once you’ve reached it.
Paroli Strategy example: Place a 50p bet on Even, and if you win, bet £1 on Even. If you win this bet, bet £2 on Even, but if you lose, place a 50p bet next.
Parlay Roulette Strategy
The Parlay Roulette Strategy is similar to the Paroli Strategy but carries more risk and the potential for greater rewards. This roulette wheel strategy involves re-investing winnings into your next bet with the aim of growing your profit significantly in the short term.
Just like with the Paroli and similar roulette strategies, it’s important to set a profit target and stop playing once you’ve reached it. Continuing to play indefinitely will most likely wipe out any profits.
Parlay Roulette Strategy example: Start with a bet of 50p on Red. If you win, bet £1, and if you win again, bet £2. Keep doubling the value of your last bet until you’ve reached your target profit or lose the bet. If you lose, revert to a 50p bet on Red and start over.
How Different Roulette Strategies Perform Over 10 Random Spins
There is no guaranteed roulette strategy to win since every spin is independent. However, the following table can help you understand better how many of the popular strategies would perform using 10 random spins.
In each case below, we’re starting with a unit bet of 50p and always betting on Red. We are also assuming that our bankroll is worth £100.
| Spin Result | Martingale Bet/Running Balance | D’Alembert Bet/Running Balance | Fibonacci Bet/Running Balance | James Bond Bet/Running Balance | 1-3-2-6 Bet/Running Balance |
| 18 Red | 50p/£100.50 | 50p/£100.50 | 50p/£100.50 | £13/£102 | 50p/£100.50 |
| 32 Red | 50p/£101 | 50p/£101 | 50p/£101 | £13/109 | £1.50/£102 |
| 7 Red | 50p/£101.50 | 50p/£101.50 | 50p/£101.50 | £13/96 | £1/£103 |
| 24 Black | 50p/£101 | 50p/£101 | 50p/£101 | £13/103 | £3/£100 |
| 0 Green | £1/£100 | £1/£100 | 50p/£100.50 | £13/108 | 50p/£99.50 |
| 36 Red | £2/£104 | £1.50/£101.50 | £1/£101.50 | £13/115 | 50p/£100 |
| 19 Red | 50p/£104.50 | £1/£102.50 | 50p/£102 | £13/122 | £1.50/101.50 |
| 2 Black | 50p/£104 | 50p/£102 | 50p/£101.50 | £13/109 | £1/£100.50 |
| 15 Black | £1/£103 | £1/£101 | 50p/£101 | £13/111 | 50p/£100 |
| 28 Black | £2/£101 | £1.50/£99.50 | £1/£100 | £13/118 | 50p/£99.50 |
The results shown in this table are random and impossible to predict. You shouldn’t use them to determine which is the best strategy for roulette but only to guide you.
Handy Tip: Imagine you were playing with a £10 bankroll rather than a £100 one. You wouldn’t be able to use the James Bond Roulette Strategy at all since you need a minimum of £13. You would have also stopped playing earlier if you were using the D’Alembert or 1-3-2-6 strategies since you would have run out of funds.
Progressive vs Non-Progressive Roulette Betting Systems
Most roulette strategies can be described as being either progressive or non-progressive. Progressive strategies involve increasing bets after a win or loss to recover losses or build on a winning streak.
In contrast, non-progressive systems keep bet sizes consistent, focusing on limiting losses and managing risk without rapidly escalating bets.
| Strategy Type | Examples | Betting Pattern | Risk Level |
| Progressive | Martingale, Fibonacci, Paroli | Increase bets after wins or losses | Higher |
| Non-Progressive | James Bond | Same bets every round | Lower |
Negative Progression vs Positive Progression Roulette Strategies
Progression strategies can further be split between negative and positive. Both methods aim to maximise profits or recover losses, but they operate in opposite ways.
A negative progression online roulette strategy involves increasing your bet after a loss. The goal is to recover previous losses with a single win. While this approach may be effective during short losing streaks, it can result in large bets and the rapid depletion of your bankroll during longer losing streaks.
A positive progression roulette strategy, meanwhile, involves increasing your bet after a win. This allows you to capitalise on winning streaks while minimising potential losses during losing streaks. These types of strategies are considered to be less risky since you’re only increasing your wager when you’re ahead.
| Feature | Negative Progression | Positive Progression |
| Bet Adjustment | Increase bet after a loss | Increase bet after a win |
| Goal | Recover previous losses with a single win | Maximise profits during a winning streak |
| Risk | High risk, especially during losing streaks | Lower risk as you only increase bets after a win |
| Bankroll Management | Requires a sizeable bankroll to sustain long losing streaks | Less pressure on the bankroll as bets only increase after a win |
| Suitability | Best for roulette players with a playing style suited for higher risks for faster recovery | Suitable for players seeking to minimise risk and build winning gradually |
| Popular Examples | Martingale, D’Alembert, Fibonacci | Paroli, Reverse Martingale, 1-3-2-6 |
The Best Roulette Strategy for Popular Variants
Many online casinos, especially top live roulette casinos, offer several roulette variants similar to classic table games but offer special bonus payouts. Due to these unique features, a winning roulette strategy needs to be adapted.
For example, a popular Lightning Roulette strategy involves adapting the Paroli Strategy whilst betting on the same straight-up bet. This variant by Evolution Gaming only pays bonus multipliers to winning single-number bets, so betting on even-money bets makes you ineligible for bonus payouts.
Another popular roulette strategy involves placing a mix of both straight-up bets and even-money outside bets to hedge your risk.
How to Pick A Roulette Strategy That Works for You
From using a complex roulette strategy chart to consistently wager the same value on the same bet, there are numerous ways to play roulette with real money. Different strategies and betting systems serve to enhance the gaming experience but none of them can guarantee a win. If you decide to use any of these strategies for roulette, be sure to keep the following in mind.
Understand the Odds of the Game
Before using any roulette strategy, ensure that you have a sound understanding of how to play the game and the different roulette odds for European, American, and French variants.
Be Honest About Your Risk Tolerance
You should only use a higher risk roulette winning strategy, such as the Martingale. If you are comfortable doing so. If you are not, it’s best to use lower-risk alternatives, such as the D’Alembert Strategy.
Consider Your Bankroll
Even if you are happy using the best mathematical roulette strategy, your bankroll may not be suitable for it. As a minimum, your bankroll should be able to sustain gameplay for 10 successive losses.
Start with the Table’s Lowest Bet
Almost all the top UK casino sites feature roulette tables with minimum bets of 50p. No matter which your chosen strategy is, it’s always best to start by placing the minimum bet and see how it goes.
Tips for Playing Roulette Online
In addition to using a roulette strategy, you should also follow our simple tips whilst playing online.
- Test different strategies in demo mode – Use casino apps or sites that offer free play mode to test different betting systems without risking real money. You can switch to real money mode when you’re confident using a particular strategy.
- Always opt for European or French Roulette – Simply playing European Roulette instead of American Roulette increases your odds of winning by 2.9%. If you play French Roulette with the La Partage rule, your odds of winning can be as high as 98.65%.
- Join safe and reliable casinos – You should only ever play at licensed and safe online casinos. Both established and new casinos can be safe as long as they adhere to safety and security protocols.
- Gamble responsibly and know when to stop playing – Set a budget before you start and stop playing as soon as you use it. Always stay in control of your gambling and seek help if you feel that you might have a problem.
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Resources
- https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/Fibonacci-sequence
- https://www.gamcare.org.uk/get-support/online-support-services/
