Casino players have a preference for frequent wins, and they also enjoy winning substantial amounts of money. However, these two goals often conflict with each other. Winning more frequently doesn’t always align with maintaining a healthy bankroll, a fact that holds true for both online and live casino players.

Roulette is a prime example of this dilemma. Just like in blackjack, video poker, and other casino games, there is a built-in tension between achieving frequent wins and winning larger sums.

In blackjack, opting for “even money” insurance guarantees a win when you have a blackjack and the dealer shows an Ace. However, bypassing this insurance often results in higher winnings over time, especially in games where blackjacks pay 3:2. While a push occurs if the dealer also has a blackjack, the 3:2 payouts are frequent enough to make declining insurance more profitable in the long run.

In Jacks or Better video poker, holding a high card along with a low pair yields more frequent wins, as it increases the chances of forming a high pair that pays five coins on a five-coin bet. Conversely, retaining the low pair and discarding the rest results in fewer wins but larger payouts when they occur. Thus, winning more money while winning less often.

Roulette involves simpler decision-making compared to blackjack or video poker. The primary method to increase win frequency in roulette is by betting on more numbers.

The challenge lies in the fact that, except in rare cases, betting on more numbers does not reduce the house edge. The percentage of average losses remains the same regardless of whether you bet on one number, all numbers, or any amount in between.

On American double-zero wheels, there’s one type of bet that actually increases the house edge compared to other wagers. Before diving into those exceptions, let’s review the basics.

COVERING ALL NUMBERS

Consider a scenario where you cover all numbers to ensure a win on every spin.

There are several ways to achieve this. One approach is to place single-number bets on each number, including 0, and the numbers 1-36 on a single-zero wheel common in Europe, or 0 and 00 on the double-zero wheels found in the United States. Online roulette players can access both European and American roulette games.

To cover all numbers with $1 bets, you would need $37 on a single-zero wheel or $38 on a double-zero wheel.

Each spin guarantees a win on one number, with single-number winners paying at 35-1 odds. This would result in $35 in winnings plus the return of the $1 bet, totaling $36.

The issue is that this doesn’t cover all your bets. You end up with a net loss of $1 per spin on a single-zero wheel, reflecting a 2.7% house edge, or a $2 loss per spin on a double-zero wheel, translating to a 5.62% house edge.

These house edges are the same as those on most other bets. Whether you place a single-number bet, a four-number corner bet, or a 12-number column bet, the house edges remain 2.7% on European wheels and 5.62% on American wheels.

By betting on all numbers with single-number bets, you ensure an overall loss per spin. On a single-zero wheel, a total wager of $37 with one zero results in $36 from a single winning number, less than the total wager. Thus, you win every spin but never profit.

The guaranteed $1 loss per $37 wagered means the house keeps 2.7% of your bets. This reflects the 2.7% house edge. On a double-zero wheel, the $2 loss per $38 wagered equates to a 5.26% house edge, the same as nearly all other bets on that type of wheel.

OTHER COMBINATIONS

Winning every spin but never profiting is self-defeating, so players seek combinations that win frequently and can yield a profit.

One simple strategy is to bet on two of the 12-number columns. This covers 24 numbers, leaving 13 losing numbers on a single-zero wheel and 14 on a double-zero wheel.

If you bet $5 on each of two columns, risking $10 per spin, a win on any of your 24 numbers results in a 2-1 payout on one column. This gives you a $10 payout plus the $5 bet, totaling $15, and a $5 profit for that spin.

The downside is that if the ball lands on any of the other numbers, you lose both bets, totaling a $10 loss. On a single-zero wheel, there are 13 $10 losses for every 24 $5 profits, equating to $130 in losses against $120 in profits. This net loss is 2.7% of your total wagers, matching the house edge.

On a double-zero wheel, with 14 losing spins, your $120 in profits from winning spins is offset by $140 in losses over 38 spins. The average result per 38 spins is a $20 loss, or 5.26% of total wagers. Again, the average loss equals the house edge.

A slight increase in win frequency can yield a profit. On a single-zero wheel, if your chosen columns hit 25 times in 37 spins instead of 24, you gain a $5 profit for that sequence.

THE BASKET TRAP

A specific bet available on double-zero wheels but not single-zero games can be particularly costly for those trying to cover more numbers to win more frequently.

This is the five-number basket bet on 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. A $5 basket bet over 38 spins risks $190. Winning numbers pay 6-1, yielding $30 plus the $5 bet. This happens an average of five times per 38 spins, leaving you with $175.

Since you risked $190, this results in an average net loss of $15. Instead of losing 5.26% of your total wagers like other double-zero bets, you lose 7.89%.

You may win more often with a basket bet than with single-number, two-number split, three-number street, or four-number corner bets, but you lose more money. Any combination including the basket faces a higher house edge than those without it.

THE EXCEPTIONS

There are ways to win more frequently and lower the house edge in some French and Atlantic City roulette games.

Special rules in these games reduce the house edge on even-money bets: odd or even, 1-18 or 19-36, and red or black.

In the United States, you’ll mainly find single-zero French roulette online. One prominent rule is “en prison,” where if the ball lands on zero, your even-money bet is held for the next spin. If the next spin wins, you get your bet back; if not, you lose it.

Imagine you bet on red. If the ball lands on zero, your bet is held “en prison.” If the next spin is red, you get your bet back, but you lose it if it lands on black or zero.

This reduces the house edge to 1.35%, half the usual 2.7% on single-zero roulette.

In Atlantic City, a “half-back” rule applies mainly to double-zero wheels. If the ball lands on a zero, the house only takes half your money. For example, if you bet $10 on black, you lose $10 if it lands on a red number, but only $5 if it lands on 0 or 00.

This cuts the house edge from 5.26% to 2.63% on double-zero wheels.

With these rules in play, your best bets are even-money options like odd or even, 1-18 or 19-36, or red or black. This allows you to cover 18 numbers at once and slash the house edge, offering the best of both worlds for a roulette player.