European Roulette Strategies: The Ultimate Guide

In European roulette, the objective is to predict where the ball will land on the spinning wheel. The outcome is purely based on luck. However, while luck plays a role, there are strategies that players can employ to increase their chances of winning.

Here's a closer look at some of the most popular European roulette strategies, including how and when to use them.

Content Summary:

Good for: High rollers

The Martingale roulette strategy is a popular betting method used in European Roulette. It's based on the idea that you will eventually win, but it can put a strain on your budget as it often involves prolonged time at the roulette table.

The strategy is straightforward, you keep playing and doubling your bet every time you lose, in this way when you eventually win, you will at least break even and potentially earn a profit.

It's important to note that some tables have a maximum bet limit that may limit the effectiveness of this strategy, so it's important to check before starting to play. This system works best with even money bets such as low/high, red/black and odd/even.

The Martingale system is one of the most well-known and easy to follow strategies, but it can lead to heavy losses if the numbers don't fall in your favour.

It's a high-risk strategy that should be used with caution, it's always important to know your limits and to have a clear plan for how to manage your bankroll.

Good for: Maximising returns

The Grand Martingale is a variant of the general Martingale strategy and will appeal to high rollers who want to get the biggest possible returns.

It works in the same way, except that when you double your next bet, you also add an amount equal to your original stake. It's like a plus-size version of the original Martingale. The benefit to this is that when you eventually hit a win, the returns will be more significant, guaranteeing you a better payout.

It only takes a few Grand Martingale wins to pick up a very nice profit, mitigating some of the objections to the regular Martingale system. However, you will need a very generous budget to implement this successfully and the nerve to keep betting higher even when you're on a losing streak. 

Good for: Stretching out your budget

The Reverse Martingale roulette strategy takes the same system and turns it on its head. Instead of doubling your bet every time you lose, you double it when you win. The benefit of this is that you won’t end up with a rapidly increasing bet while you're on a losing streak. It also means that you can follow the strategy if you don't have a huge budget.

By using the Reverse Martingale system while you're on a winning streak, it’s possible to pocket a healthy return.

Good for: Keeping track of your budget

The Labouchere roulette strategy, also known as the "cancellation system," is a betting system used to determine the amount to bet on each spin of the roulette wheel. The player starts by writing down a sequence of numbers, such as 1-2-3-4-5-6, and then bets the sum of the first and last numbers in the sequence. If the player wins, the numbers are crossed off the list. If the player loses, the amount of the bet is added to the end of the sequence.

The player continues this process until all numbers in the sequence have been crossed off, at which point the player will have won the total amount of all the numbers in the original sequence. This system is considered as one of the negative progression betting systems, as the player increases the bet amount after losing and decreases after winning. 

For example, let's say a player starts with the sequence 1-2-3-4-5-6.

• On the first spin, the player bets the sum of 1 + 6 = £7.
• If the player wins, they cross off the numbers 1 and 6, leaving the sequence 2-3-4-5.
• If the player loses, they add the £7 to the end of the sequence, making it 1-2-3-4-5-6-7.

The player would then continue to follow this process, betting the sum of the first and last numbers in the sequence and crossing off or adding numbers as necessary, until all numbers have been crossed off.

If the player is able to cross off all the numbers in the sequence, they will have won the total amount of all the numbers in the original sequence, which in this case is 21.

The Labouchere roulette strategy is excellent for helping you keep track of where you are in your overall strategy and for managing your budget, but it doesn't actually improve your odds of a win. If you hit a long losing streak, the sequence can get ridiculously long, and the stake can climb high. However, if you stick to the formula and play 50/50 bets with a reasonable number of wins, you will collect a decent profit.

Good for: New players

The D'Alembert roulette strategy is a betting system that is suitable for new players or those who are hesitant to play with high stakes. It is similar to the Martingale strategy but less aggressive.

To use this strategy, the player first decides on a base unit, which can be any amount but is typically recommended to not exceed 1% of the player's total budget. The player then starts by betting this base unit. If they win, the bet remains the same, but if they lose, they add another unit to the next bet. Every time the player loses, they add an additional unit, and when they win, they subtract one unit from the stake.

For example, if the player decides that a unit is £1, they would start with a bet of £1. If they lose, the next bet would be £2, and if they lose again, the next bet would be £3. However, if they win on the £3 bet, the next bet would decrease back to £2.

This strategy is easy to track, and it helps to avoid large and uncontrollable bets. It is also useful for tables with a maximum limit or for players with a smaller budget. However, it should be noted that the wins are generally smaller, and if the player experiences a losing streak, it may take some time to recoup losses.

Good for: Cautious players

The Fibonacci roulette strategy is a progressive betting system that is considered to be safer than others such as the Martingale. It is well-suited for players who prefer to avoid taking big risks. Using the principles of Fibonacci numbers, the wins will be more moderate, but over time, it can yield a steady profit.

The Fibonacci method involves using a series of numbers that represent the bet, with each number being the sum of the previous two numbers in the sequence. The sequence looks like this: 1-1-2-3-5-8-13-21-34-55-89-144-233-377-610-987 and it can continue indefinitely. It is usually recommended to start at the bottom of the sequence and move up. When you win, the stake is moved back two places.

For example, let's say the player starts with a bet of 1 unit. If they lose, their next bet would be 1 unit (the next number in the Fibonacci sequence is 1). If they lose again, their next bet would be 2 units. If they win, their next bet would be 1 unit again. If they lose, the next bet would be 3 units, and so on.

It is important to note that the Fibonacci strategy only works for even money bets and requires completing the sequence to see any benefits. This means that if you escalate to higher stakes, you will need a sufficient budget to cover the bets.

Good for: Players who enjoy taking a risk

Unlike many of the other European roulette strategies described here, the Andrucci roulette strategy relies on a hefty dose of good fortune to be profitable. It's a strategy that comes with a high risk but also the potential of high reward. This means that it won't appeal to the more risk-averse players.

If you're familiar with the chaos theory to choose lucky numbers, you'll understand how the Andrucci system works. For those who haven't read about chaos theory before, the simplest analogy is the raindrop comparison.

When it starts to rain, some drops will fall before others, meaning that some parts of the pavement will get wet first. More drops may fall in the same spot, leaving some places soaking wet and others still dry. By the end of the rain shower, all of the pavement will be wet, but the start may be uneven.

This is Andrucci in a nutshell; players are aiming to find the hot numbers which are landing more frequently.

Before placing a bet, you must observe 30-40 rounds of roulette at the table where you plan on playing. Write down the numbers and observe which ones land more frequently. These are your hot numbers; choose one to bet on.

Unlike other strategies in European roulette, which are often based on placing an evens bet, with Andrucci, you'll be betting on a single number, a straight up bet. This means you'll have 35 spins for you to break even; if you land it in fewer, then you'll be in profit.

It's not recommended to stick with the bet for longer than 35 spins. After this time, whether you win or lose, go back and repeat the observation cycle to choose your next bet.

In conclusion, the Andrucci roulette strategy can help you win more money, it's easy to understand, and many players have had success with it. However, the scientific evidence supporting it is not strong, and you need to be able to know when to stop playing.

Good for: Players who prefer to keep bets low

The James Bond roulette strategy is a betting system named after the fictional character James Bond, despite him not playing in casinos in the films. Unlike many other betting strategies, the James Bond system is flat, meaning that the player will be betting the same amount every round, regardless of the outcome of previous spins. The player can choose the amount of the bet based on their comfort level.

However, the strategy does have more to it than just betting the same amount every round and making random bets. The James Bond strategy involves placing a combination of bets, specifically betting on the numbers 19 to 36, as well as even-money bets such as Red or Black and a specific amount on Zero. This combination of bets is what makes the James Bond strategy unique, and it is believed to increase the chances of winning.

For example, on each roulette spin, you'll place three separate bets. Based on a token amount of £20, this would be:

• Numbers 19-36: £14
• Line bet on numbers 13-18: £5
• Zero pocket: £1

You can adjust the amounts to fit your stake providing the proportional split remains unchanged.

These bets cover the majority of the wheel, leaving just 12 numbers where you wouldn't win at all. If the ball lands in one of the above bets, your winnings would be:

• Numbers 19-36: £8
• Line bet on numbers 13-18: £10
• Zero pocket: £16

The profits aren't huge but can gradually accumulate to create a tidy sum. However, it's important to remember that not all of the wheel is covered, and a lot depends on your luck. If any of the uncovered pockets are the current "hot numbers", you may end up losing more than you win. And without a progressive stake to offset the losses, you'll need a substantial number of wins to recoup your winnings.

Good for: New gamblers

The Paroli roulette strategy is a betting system that is based on the idea that wins and losses tend to occur in streaks. By following the pattern of betting outlined in the Paroli system, players have the opportunity to recover losses and earn additional profits.

The Paroli system has been used since the 16th century, originally in the Italian card game Basset. It can be applied to various games, but it is particularly effective in roulette and baccarat. It requires even-money bets such as red/black, low/high or odds/evens.

The objective of Paroli is to achieve three consecutive wins, and when this happens, the bet is doubled each time. During all other times, the betting remains flat.

For example, using a starting bet of £1, a Paroli betting strategy might look like this:

• Starting bet £1: loss
• Next bet £1: loss
• Next bet £1: win
• Next bet £2: win
• Next bet £4: loss
• Next bet £1

In this example, you bet £1 on each spin, but double the bet each time you win. If you lose before three consecutive bets, you revert to betting £1. The goal is to achieve three consecutive wins to complete the Paroli cycle.

Paroli is attractive because, with each bet, you are only using £1 (or one unit) from your own budget; every higher bet uses money you have won from the casino. The resulting third consecutive win covers all losses and delivers a profit.

You don't need to worry about exceeding casino limits as the rise is slow and modest. The flat betting structure also ensures that your budget will last; you don’t need lots of money to follow this strategy. For this reason, Paroli particularly appeals to cautious players or those who are just starting out. It is also important to note that this system, like any other European roulette betting systems mentioned here, does not guarantee a profit and can be risky.

When playing European roulette, even money bets are a favourable option for players. These bets pay out the same amount as the initial wager, so if you place a £5 bet, you will earn a £5 profit upon winning.

Examples of even money bets include:

• Red/Black
• Odd/Even
• High/Low

It's worth noting that even money bets have low volatility, meaning that players have a higher likelihood of winning, which can make the game more enjoyable and increase chances of earning money. However, it's important to keep in mind that the presence of the zero on the roulette wheel does decrease the chances of winning to less than 50%.

The Martingale system, a common betting strategy for roulette, utilizes even money bets, as they allow for covering a significant portion of the table without the need for extensive hedging. It's important to note that this strategy does have its drawbacks which I can provide more information about if you are interested.

With European roulette, it's important to understand that the casinos always have an inherent advantage over players, regardless of strategy or skill level. This is due to the presence of the house edge, which is the built-in advantage that casinos have in all games in order to ensure a profit over the long term.

The house edge is the main reason why casinos are able to remain in business, and it's important to come to terms with the fact that you are at a disadvantage in the long term. There is no way to completely overcome the house edge, so it's important to understand the risks involved in playing roulette and to accept that losing is an inevitable part of the game.

While it can be disappointing to accept that you cannot beat the odds, understanding the mechanics of the house edge can help make the experience more palatable and enjoyable. It allows you to approach the game with realistic expectations, and to enjoy the thrill of the game without becoming overly invested in the outcome.

When discussing strategies and tips for European roulette, it's important to mention the Martingale system. It's a popular gambling strategy among veteran roulette players, which involves increasing bets after a loss in order to recover losses and register a profit.

However, when using the Martingale system, it's important to keep sessions short and to have a clear profit target in mind. Additionally, it's important to be aware of the limits that casinos set for online European roulette, in order to avoid a bad losing streak.

It's also important to be mindful of the gambler's fallacy. This is the belief that, just because a certain outcome has occurred multiple times in a row, it's more likely to happen again. In reality, the probability of an event in roulette does not change based on previous outcomes, as the wheel has no memory.

To be successful using the Martingale system, discipline and strictness are essential. Once you hit your target profit, it's important to end your session. By playing in short sessions and being disciplined, you increase the chances of making money while also having a good time gambling.

When choosing the right strategy for you, consider the minimum and maximum table amounts as this may preclude specific systems. Your available budget and attitude to risk will also be essential factors.

Before wagering with real money, it's a good idea to practice your strategy by playing the demo version of European roulette. This will give you the opportunity to establish a winning strategy and to become familiar with it before risking real money.

Like any other popular casino game, it's important to gain experience and knowledge of different betting situations, as it can help improve your overall strategy. By playing the demo version, you will be able to familiarize yourself with the game and its rules, which will give you an edge when you start playing for real money.

Additionally, practicing with the demo version can help you to identify any weaknesses in your strategy, allowing you to make adjustments and improve your chances of success when you start playing with real money.

Whatever system or version you use, make sure you are playing online roulette at a licensed online casino like us here at PartyCasino and set your limits before you start to play.