Roulette is one of the first games that most people, myself included, naturally gravitate to when visiting a legally permitted land-based venue or online website offering the world’s most famous table pastime.
There’s just something about this game that makes it so unique.
Perhaps its appeal lies in watching the ball dancing around the mesmerising roulette wheel as it spins, coupled with the true randomness playing out in front of our eyes as the ball eventually comes to rest in one of the numbered sections on the roulette wheel.
Many people also regard roulette as one of the most complex and difficult to learn how to play, and I think this is because of the numerous betting options you can choose from, the associated odds and implied probability rates you must learn, and the layout of the roulette betting table.
Once you have got to grips with the basics required to play roulette, your betting strategies will improve.
On this page, I will explain how having a certain amount of statistical knowledge can help you become a better player, so let’s dive straight in.
Is having basic statistical knowledge helpful in roulette?
The important thing to remember about roulette is that winning is down to good old lady luck and that the results are random. Sometimes, you will win, and other times you will lose.
In computer-generated roulette, the outcomes/results are pre-determined by highly sophisticated mathematical algorithm programs known as RNGs (Random Number Generators). In live dealer roulette, RNGs aren’t used to determine the outcomes.
Whichever type you decide to play, winning is completely random. In other words, it’s a game of chance, and no proven skills, strategies, or methods can be used to affect the outcomes.
However, roulette has many different bet types and possible outcomes, and each bet type/outcome comes with its own odds and implied probability rate. In most
In most American, European, and French versions, the odds range from 1:1 up to 35:1 or 36:1. I cannot stress enough the importance of understanding this crucial and basic information.
Before playing from your smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer, always study which outcomes are more or less likely to occur if you want to become a roulette master like me in as little time as possible.
Also, while learning the different bet types and their odds, learn the other basic roulette rules before playing any roulette variant for the first time. Once you get to grips with these key elements, I’ve found that you can confidently play any roulette variant.
Understanding this statistical knowledge will help you place fewer silly bets that are less likely to occur, meaning you will be able to hold on to your bankroll for longer periods, and you will increase your average session times to play your favourite titles.
My favourite hit tiles from Evolution, Playtech, Relax, and Pragmatic Play, and especially roulette, are widely available to play on most of the top-rated sites currently featured on https://www.newcasinos.com/, provided you are 18+.
What is the most important statistical knowledge to learn in roulette?
When playing European or French roulette, there is just one green zero and the numbers 1 to 36, but in American roulette, there are two green zeros and numbers 1 to 36 to bet on.
Therefore, with one less green zero betting option, the odds of winning are slightly better for you in European/French roulette, which is why I hardly ever play American roulette and stick to European or French versions.
Let’s use a typical European roulette variant as an example. When playing European roulette, here are the standard bet types you will most likely encounter.
I’ve included the odds as they appear on the roulette table, how they appear in various other formats that you may be more familiar with and the implied probability rate for each outcome. Memorise this statistical information before attempting to play:
- Bet type: Straight Up. Standard roulette odds: 35:1. Fractional odds: 35/1. Decimal odds: 36.00. American/moneyline odds: +3,500. IPR (implied probability rate: 2.80% – in other words, although these odds are tempting because of the 35x payout you would receive (plus your initial stake returned), try to avoid placing this bet because this outcome is least likely to occur
- Bet type: Odd/Even, Red/Black, 1-18, 19-36. Standard roulette odds: 1:1. Fractional odds: 1/1 (evens). Decimal odds: 2.00. American/moneyline odds: +100. IPR: 50.00% – this is a more favourable bet because with these odds, you have a 50/50 chance of winning each time, and you would double your money (+ stake returned)
Other roulette bet types and their IPRs/odds are as follows:
- Bet type: Split. Odds 17:1, which is 17/1, 18.00 or +1,700 with a 4.60% IPR
- Bet type: Street. Odds 11:1, which is 11/1, 12.00 or +1,100 with an 8.30% IPR
- Bet type: Corner/Four. Odds 8:1, which is 8/1, 9.00 or +800 with a 11.10% IPR
- Bet type: Line. Odds 5:1, which is 5/1, 6.00 or +500 with a 16.70% IPR
- Bet type: Column/Dozen. Odds 2:1, which is 2/1, 3.00 or +200 with a 33.33% IPR
If you can try nailing these simple implied probability rates, it can help you place far more strategic bets with a much greater chance of returning a profit, but always remember to gamble responsibly when playing in the real money mode.
As mentioned, winning at roulette all boils down to randomness and luck, but it does also help to learn which outcomes are more likely to occur so you can place sensible bets.
Every now and then, I will place straight-up bets on my favourite numbers, but I tend to stick to the outcomes with higher IPRs and play the long haul instead of looking for a quick, huge return, which is riskier.