7 Mistakes That Cost Roulette Players Money

Of all the casino games in existence, roulette is among the easiest and most entertaining. The game appeals to inexperienced gamblers mainly due to its simplicity.

However, even the most experienced of gamblers find certain aspects of the game enjoyable. All in all, roulette is one of the most popular games at the casino.

While roulette’s odds are among the better games in any casino, it’s still possible to lose. Additionally, just because the game is known to be easy doesn’t mean gamblers aren’t prone to mistakes.

If roulette piques your interest, here are some of the most common mistakes that cost roulette players money.

1 ‒ How Do You Play Roulette?

Before we begin, it’s essential to make sure you know the basics of roulette. When you approach a roulette table, you’ll be greeted by a large wheel with slots numbered 0 through 36. Some versions of roulette feature both a 0 and a 00, for a total of 37 or 38 slots. Additionally, each number alternates between red and black.

The dealer will spin the wheel in one direction and slide a small white ball in the other. Wherever the ball lands on the wheel is the winning number.

Gamblers put their money on the table and receive chips from the dealer. To bet, players take these chips and place them around the table to designate their wager. Gamblers can either bet on a certain number, the number’s color, and whether the number is even or odd.

Bets on solo numbers payout 35 to 1 while bets on color and even vs. odd pay out 1 to 1. As I said, the game is very straightforward and can be learned in a matter of minutes. If you are at the casino and still feel uncomfortable, watch a few spins, and you’ll get a better feel for the flow of the game.

2 ‒ Trying to Use a System

There isn’t a system in the entire gambling world that can consistently beat the house. The house always wins, and casinos are designed to take your money.

For those of you who are unaware, betting systems are typically used by gamblers in various casino games. They are carefully designed in an attempt to swing the odds into their favor.

Using one of these systems on roulette is foolish and will be ineffective. Roulette is a game that is based entirely on luck. There is nothing you can do to change the results or outcome of the spin.

Trying to create a system to predict spins and consequently win money accurately is a pointless task.

There are some systems, like a progressive betting system, that are quite popular when playing real money roulette.

Some people use a positive progression, while others use negative progression. With positive progressions all you do is increase your bet after wins. The opposite is true with negative progression.

Inexperienced gamblers should avoid both of these systems when they’re learning to play. Both are unproven and can cost you money.

3 ‒ Thinking You’re Due for a Win

Seeing as the results of roulette are entirely random, it stands to reason that gamblers should avoid predicting future outcomes.

While you’d be correct in your assumption, it certainly doesn’t stop them from trying. Every time I visit casinos, I make a point to swing by the roulette table. When I was a younger gambler, roulette was my favorite game and I still enjoy playing from time to time.

At the roulette tables, I typically here the same types of illogical statements:

• “I haven’t won in five spins: I’m due for a win.”
• “The ball hasn’t landed on red for a while so I’m going to bet red.”
• “The last five spins have all been even, it has to hit odd at some point.”
• “Man, I haven’t seen a zero in so long, I bet that will hit in the next few spins.”

Assumptions based on previous spins are pointless in roulette. You have less than a 3% chance to guess which number the ball will land on accurately.

Human beings are prone to succumb to biases, but it’s best to leave them at the front door when you’re gambling.

4 ‒ Playing While Drunk

Roulette, together with craps, is one of the most fast-paced and exhilarating types of gambling. When the table is packed, there seems to be continuous motion and constant action.

There is zero issue with this at face value; gambling should be exciting. Many people enjoy gambling, and one of the most popular ways to increase that excitement is by adding alcohol to the experience.

But it is straightforward to get caught up in the gambling experience and lose track of how much you’ve had to drink.

Casinos know how to loosen people up and cause gamblers to commit careless mistakes. One of the most well-known tactics is to supply gamblers with booze.

When it comes to communal games like roulette, there is a definite feeling of camaraderie amongst players. Everyone has the same goal: to make money. This creates a sense of community, which makes the experience that much better.

A common occurrence is that these games turn into almost a microcosm of a party. Everyone’s drinking, enjoying themselves, and making money (hopefully).

But it’s challenging to manage your bankroll when you’re drinking. Before you know it you can wind up impaired and completely broke. If you struggle to handle your alcohol, roulette might not be the best game for you.

5 ‒ Getting Too Emotionally Invested

Because roulette is one of the most entertaining games in the casino, it can also become the most emotional. Every win and loss rests on the final destination of a tiny white ball. Players hang on every single bounce, hoping and praying that the ball brings them to glory.

That might be somewhat dramatic, but in the moment, you can’t help but get caught up in the game.

Very few wins are as gratifying as winning in roulette. The emotional flux and utter drama create a recipe for utter jubilation or devastation, depending on which way the ball bounces.

Once again, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However, it’s hard not to become too emotionally attached to the results.

When you allow yourself to get emotionally involved, you can fall into a bad habit of betting with your heart. When that happens, you can easily start to bleed chips and blow through your bankroll.

6 ‒ Only Betting on Red or Black

As I said in an earlier point, roulette has some of the best odds and potential return on investment. If you stick to betting on red and black, you have nearly a 48% chance of winning.

That might not sound so bad, but eventually, you’re going to lose money, according to basic statistics.

If you go to the casino to have some fun and play conservatively, then betting on red or black isn’t such a bad bet. It’s still somewhat exciting, and there’s a pretty good chance you’ll win on most spins. But to actually win money, you’re going to have to bet more aggressively and have some good luck.

A common play I see is putting most of a bet on red or black but sprinkling a few chips around the board. Your odds aren’t great, but it adds some excitement and potential for profit to your gambling style.

7 ‒ Playing Roulette in the First Place

Roulette is a fine starting place for new gamblers. It’s easy to learn and pretty exciting. But there are better options around the casino.

No one should back themselves into a corner and play just one game, especially if you’re new to casinos. Several other games like craps, blackjack, and poker aren’t challenging to learn and can be even more enjoyable to play.

When you’re deciding on games to play, roulette is a perfectly logical choice. However, it would be best if you considered branching out and learning new games.

At some point, you’ll grow tired of betting on red and black and start chasing more elusive and unattainable gambling highs. When this happens, gamblers start betting on numbers exclusively, which can get costly very quickly.

Instead, try your hand at a game that requires some skill as well as luck. You’ll be amazed to see how satisfying it is to muscle out wins at blackjack or poker tables.

Conclusion

Roulette is one of the easiest casino games to learn to play, making it a good starting point for new gamblers.

When played effectively, roulette has solid odds compared to other games around the casino. Yet, some gamblers struggle when it comes to securing wins at the roulette table.

Betting systems are ineffective when applied to games of luck. Avoid falling into a habit of using progressive betting systems, whether they’re positive or negative.

The results of roulette are completely random, so don’t assume you’re due for a win. It’s perfectly understandable to succumb to recency bias, but remember that past results have no impact on future ones.

To wrap up, always play casino games to the best of your cognitive abilities. If you get too drunk or emotionally involved in the game, it might be time to call it a night.