When you play roulette you will eventually lose money. The house edge is high, especially on American double-zero wheels, but you can limit the damage by betting wisely and avoiding foolish strategies.
Many gamblers fall for the infamous “gambler’s fallacy.” This is the mistaken belief that a specific outcome, such as red or black, must follow another, such as three heads or tails. It’s the main reason why people use negative-progression betting systems like the Martingale, which require you to double your bet each time you lose and return to one unit of your original stake if you win. These types of betting schemes are not only bad for your bankroll but also make you believe that your gambling skills are better than they really are.
The best way to avoid the pitfalls of this betting strategy is to play a game with fixed odds. Ideally, you should always play European roulette or French with la Partage rule (which reduces the house edge to 5.26%). Alternatively, look for games that offer multiple bet types with different volatility levels, and choose those that allow you to cover every number on the wheel. This will give you the best chance of winning.
As a general rule, you should never bet more than 5% of your total bankroll on any single spin. However, this is a general rule that can be adjusted depending on the size of your bankroll and how much variance you want to tolerate. In general, you can bet more on outside bets than on inside bets, but be aware that even these bets are risky.
You may hear stories about roulette dealers rigging the wheels, but this is not actually a possibility. If a dealer did this, they would have to work in concert with other players and follow strict procedure so that it looked legit. If this were a widespread practice, it would have been found out long ago and dealers who do so would be in big trouble with their bosses.
While you can’t guarantee that you will win at roulette, you can make smart decisions to maximize your chances of winning. Keep in mind that the rules of probability are fundamental to the game, and the house has an advantage over all bets. While this can be frustrating, it is important to remember that roulette is a game of chance and not a surefire way to win money. Remember to gamble responsibly and have fun!