Knowing the Probabilities

Although roulette is entirely a game of chance and, as mentioned, no standard skill or technique can be mastered to ensure winning. However, understanding the probabilities that are involved in the different types of bets like a bet on a single number (straight up) or on a cluster of numbers (corner) can be helpful in terms of making a decision on the type of bet to make. It's like putting some sense into the decision of a bet that relies purely on chance. Sounds complicated? It's actually very simple. Let's take into consideration an American wheel that has 36 numbers, zero, and a double zero summing up to 38 pockets. That, in statistics, is called your population. And that means that if you are betting on a single number, your ratio of wins to losses is 1:38, that is to literally say you will win once every 38 spins. Then again, all the 38 spins doesn't have to be consumed before you get another chance at one win, it could be that the three or more winning spins will come one after the other for a total of 114 spins. This sort of occurrence is what most people would call luck. Yet, it never hurts to familiarize the odds present in every type of bet you make.

Take a look at the table below:

Remember, if you're familiar with these probabilities, making your betting decisions will be done with some sense. And although its not safe to say that by memorizing this table you will be at an advantage, the real catch is in having some facts in which to base your guesses.

Read more:

Roulette Strategy

Roulette History

Roulette Rules