This article gives you a quick overview of the most well-known Roulette systems. Followed by a brief introduction of each system.
Despite being an unbeatable game, Roulette systems exist because people think there are winning strategies out there that work. Roulette is a game of chance structured to ensure the house always has a long-term mathematical edge, also known as an advantage, over its' players by at least 2.70%.
What is a Roulette system?
Also called a strategy, a Roulette system consists of three things; 1) An idea behind the system. 2) How to place your bets. 3) How to manage your bankroll.
While some Roulette systems are based on structured approaches, the mathematical design of the game ensures that no system can guarantee long-term winnings.
European and American Roulette odds pay 35:1 when you hit a straight-up number. Still, the Roulette wheels have 37 (European variant) and 38 (American variant) pockets, giving the house a mathematical edge of 2.70% and 5.30% over you and an expected value of -€0.027 and -€0.053 per €1 you wager.
The Martingale strategy
The Martingale system is a class of several betting strategies. The most famous among gamblers is the simplified Martingale, where you, after each loss, double your stake in hopes of winning the next round and recovering previous losses plus winnings equal to your last stake.
The Oscar's Grind strategy
Oscar's Grind operates on the assumption that losing and winning streaks may occur, although outcomes in Roulette remain entirely random. The goal of Oscar's Grind is to either profit from a short winning streak immediately or hit a winning streak after a losing one, where the win compensates for losses. Like the Labouchère- and the Martingale systems, Oscar's Grind, like many strategies, assumes access to unlimited resources and time, which is impractical and does not change the house edge.
The Kavouras Bet
The Kavouras bet is a system made specifically for Roulette, specifically, the combination of the different roulette bets such as Corner," "Split," and "Six Line". The thought behind the Kavouras strategy's goal is to bet on as many numbers as possible for the least amount of units. The Kavouras strategy is designed to cover multiple numbers, with potential profits ranging from 1 to 10 units if successful. However, like all systems, it does not eliminate the house edge.
The Tier et Tout strategy
The Tier et Tout strategy is structured around a two-bet sequence, though it does not increase your chances of winning or reduce the house edge. The system plays out by starting with a predetermined amount you want to bet and one that can be divided by three. You start with a new amount if you lose two bets in a row. If you win the first or the second bet, you add the winning number to your starting amount and divide it by three. You repeat the sequence continuously by placing one-third of the starting amount on the first bet. If you lose the first bet, you place the remaining two-thirds on the second bet.
The Labouchère strategy
The Labouchère system is a structured approach to betting on even-money games, where players set a target amount to wager. However, it does not alter the house advantage. Whenever you win, you remove the left-most and the right-most numbers. When you lose, you add a number equivalent to the amount lost to the right of the number sequence.
The reverse Labouchère strategy
The reverse Labouchère employs a sequence-based betting system, but like other strategies, it carries the same risks inherent to gambling. The difference is that when you win, you add the winning number to the right-most end of your sequence, and when you lose, you remove the left-most and right-most numbers.
The four pillars strategy
The four pillars strategy is a high coverage system where you bet six units and cover 24 numbers. The name comes from a player who built this system, where the 14, 15, 17, and 18 corner bet is the centerpiece of it. The four pillars strategy aims to cover a significant portion of the board, with potential outcomes ranging from losing 6 units to winning 12 units per round. However, it does not mitigate the inherent randomness of the game.
The Hollandish strategy
The Hollandish strategy is a negative progressive roulette system where you wager on even-money bets. It's similar to the Martingale strategy, where your stake increases if you lose and reset when you win. The critical difference is that you make bets in rounds of three (instead of one), and your base unit bets increase by two units for each losing round.