The Most Common Roulette Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
For ages, people have been mesmerised by the roulette wheel, placing their bets and eagerly anticipating the click of the ball and the revelation of the winning number.
However, even this fantastic game has its rules, and mistakes can indeed be made. Just like in any game, roulette mistakes can prove costly. We'll go over the most common roulette blunders, how to steer clear of them, and what's truly the best approach to playing roulette.
Mistake #1: Playing on the American Wheel
Online roulette comes in various forms, with the American and European versions being the most popular. These online casino games share identical rules, bets, and payouts. However, while the European version has 37 pockets on its wheel, the American wheel has 38, due to the additional '00' section. This is where the significant difference lies.
In European roulette, your odds of winning a straight-up bet are 1 in 37. Conversely, the odds are longer in the American version at 1 in 38, even though most online casinos list the payout at 1 in 35 for both wheels. The extra pocket on the American wheel directly increases the house edge. This version boasts a higher house edge of 5.24% compared to the European wheel's 2.70%. That's a substantial difference for games that otherwise use the same rules, bets, and payouts.
Surprisingly, the European version isn't even the best roulette game available. Always opt for the French wheel if you can find it. It offers a tantalizingly low 1.35% house edge, using the same layout and rules as the European game. The key difference is that the French wheel incorporates the player-friendly La Partage and En Prison rules. However, for obvious reasons, most online casino sites don't offer this version of roulette.
Mistake #2: Relying Solely on Even-Money Bets
It's quite common for beginners to place all their hopes on even-money wagers in roulette. This is understandable, considering bets like odd/even, high/low, and red/black offer nearly a 50% chance of winning. To be precise, you have a 48.60% chance of winning on the European wheel and 47.40% on the American version.
However, statistically speaking, players will still lose money in the long run even if they stick exclusively to even-money wagers in roulette. The casino will still win more than 50% of the time, which isn't great for your bankroll. Therefore, playing even-money bets might be sufficient if you're aiming for small, frequent wins. But don't expect to significantly boost your bankroll with these bets alone.
Mistake #3: Not Having a Betting Strategy
You'll come across many articles advising roulette players to use betting systems to improve their winning chances. However, the reality is that some of these often give players false hopes. A betting system is more of a bankroll management technique than a gameplay strategy. Simply put, they don't actually improve your odds of winning.
However, incorporating a betting system into your bankroll management strategy might be the missing piece in your gameplay. Consider this: the Martingale system suggests doubling your stake after a loss in roulette. If you have a ₹50,000 daily budget, set a ₹100 or ₹500 base amount to give the betting system room to withstand a long losing streak.
Here's an example:
- Bet ₹500 and lose, meaning you're down ₹500.
- Bet ₹1,000 and lose, meaning you're down ₹1,500.
- Bet ₹2,000 and lose, meaning you're down ₹3,500.
- Bet ₹4,000 and lose, meaning you're down ₹7,500.
- Bet ₹8,000 and win, meaning you're up ₹500.
- Now, revert to your initial ₹500 bet.
As you can see, this strategy ensures you cover your lost wagers with a single win. Things can even get better with two consecutive wins. However, using a betting system demands a substantial bankroll to weather the storm of multiple losing bets. It's best applied to even-money bets.
Mistake #4: Not Setting Clear Bankroll Limits
Many beginners don't budget for their casino sessions. These players often just check their wallets and decide to play when the mood strikes. But this is a recipe for disaster, as budgeting for your roulette game ensures you track your wins and losses. Remember, responsible gambling means betting only what you can comfortably afford to lose.
While good bankroll management is crucial, don't expect to win big with a small budget, say ₹5,000. As mentioned earlier, you'll need a considerable bankroll to implement your betting strategy perfectly. Expert players often recommend having a bankroll that's at least 1,000 times your standard bet size. So, if you're a ₹100 bettor, aim for at least ₹1,00,000, although a ₹50,000 budget for ₹100 bets can also suffice.
Don't forget to set stop-loss and win limits. A stop-loss limit is a cap on your potential losses within a session. For example, you might set a 20% stop-loss on your ₹1,00,000 budget, meaning you call it quits after losing ₹20,000. It's also wise to walk away after adding to your budget. Simply stop playing while you're ahead.
Mistake #5: Missing Out on Online Casino Bonuses in India
One significant advantage online casino players have over their land-based counterparts is the vast array of bonuses and promotions available. The best online roulette casinos in India often welcome newcomers with match deposit bonuses, no-deposit bonuses, and reload bonuses. Loyal roulette players can also frequently enjoy cashback offers and tournament invitations.
As a new roulette player, squeeze every coin out of these promotions. The thing is that playing roulette online can be expensive, with an average player making at least 300 spins per hour. And the more spins you play each hour, the more you lose, thanks to the house edge. Fortunately, online casino bonuses can help prolong your bankroll by allowing you to place free online roulette bets.
But whichever bonus you claim, always remember to read the terms and conditions. Some casinos can give players unrealistic wagering requirements, like a 70x playthrough requirement for a $500 deposit bonus. Also, the casino can specify the qualifying games, bonus validity period, and maximum bet limits.
Mistake #6: Not Playing Live Casino Games
Beginners are often in a hurry to play roulette games, and RNG titles serve them well. Although there’s no harm in playing RNG games, live roulette titles offer something unique. Social players will undoubtedly enjoy chatting with the dealer and other players for a more life-like experience. Live variants also have in-game stats for hot and cold bets/numbers, results history, and more.
With that in mind, the best live roulette titles are from Evolution Gaming, Pragmatic Play, Playtech, Microgaming, Ezugi, and NetEnt. These games boast sharp HD or 4K graphics and multiplier values to boost payouts. Evolution’s XXXtreme Lightning Roulette is an excellent example, boosting payouts by up to 2,000x. Playtech’s Quantum Roulette is another option with a maximum multiplier of 500x.
But don’t be greedy, because these multipliers mainly apply to the hard-to-hit straight-up bets, which come with longer odds. In addition to that, live casino games often don’t qualify for bonus use. So, play these games for fun like someone inside a land-based casino. Note that the minimum bet limits can be as low as $0.10.
Mistake #7: Chasing Losses
This guidepost discussed playing online roulette with betting systems like Martingale, Paroli, Fibonacci, and more. But don’t let these betting systems dictate your gameplay. Some players keep hoping that the next wager might result in a win and help them reduce their losses with a win or two.
That’s a dangerous roulette mistake because nothing is certain. No one, including the dealer, is sure if the next bet will result in a win. Roulette is a luck-based game, so each number has a 50:50 chance of appearing in a spin. For this reason, know when to stop playing and try your luck the next day. Having a stop-loss limit will undoubtedly help you with this.
Mistake #8: Playing at the Wrong Online Casino
Last but definitely not the least mistake that beginners make is playing at the wrong casino. The iGaming industry is full of scam gambling sites that lure unsuspecting players with big bonuses and extensive game libraries. Players will only realize when it’s too late after the casino has rigged them out or the website has refused to pay their winnings.
Thankfully, you can sniff a scam casino from afar. Confirm if the website is legal in countries like the UK, US, Canada, Sweden, Malta, Gibraltar, and Curacao to avoid falling victim to casino scams. These countries have strict regulatory bodies that ensure all licensed casinos offer their players free, fair, and transparent services.
Once you confirm that an online casino is legal in your country, check out its background. Visit platforms like AskGamblers.com and Trustpilot to see how players comment on the casino’s services, like payouts, support, bonuses, and more. And yes, you can pick one from the well-researched options here at OnlineCasino Rank.
Avoiding Common Roulette Mistakes
Here are some very important roulette tips to avoid these types of mistakes:
- Learning the Rules: Players must spend some time familiarizing themselves with the game's rules and odds before they put any money on the line. Informed decision-making is the key to saving money, which will help players throughout the process.
- Developing a Betting Strategy: Players need roulette strategies to keep their spending under control. Although the Martingale, Fibonacci, and D'Alembert methods enjoy widespread use, it's essential to remember that relying on betting systems won't always ensure success.
- Setting Limits: It's important to decide how much money a player wants to spend without going over it. That way, players won't be tempted to chase their losses and can relax and enjoy roulette online without worrying about going broke.
- Focusing on Probability, Not Superstition: It's important to remember that the new spins have no effect on any previous ones. Players should make choices based on statistics and likelihood, not on logical errors.
- Choosing the Right Roulette Variant: European and French roulette are more appropriate than American roulette due to the lower house edge. In the long term, this will improve the player's odds of winning.
How to Choose the Best Online Roulette Sites
Before wrapping up these tips and tricks, here's the right way to choose the best online roulette site to enjoy a bunch of roulette games:
- Licensing and Regulation: Players must always ensure sure a trustworthy gambling authority, like the UK Gambling Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority, has issued the online roulette casino with the appropriate licenses and regulations before playing for real money.
- Game Variety: European, French, and American roulette games are all available at reputable online casinos. However, there should also be other original and creative variations of roulette.
- Mobile Compatibility: A decent online roulette site should allow players to play on the go by providing a mobile version or app.
- Bonuses and Promotions: Although the motto here is "safety first", casinos should also provide bonuses and promotions to make the experience more exciting. Among the bonuses we expect are cashback, deposit bonuses, and no-deposit bonuses.
- Customer Support: It would be best to go to a site with excellent client service in case of any queries or problems. Plus, customer support nowadays can be available in multiple languages.
Conclusion
In sum, roulette is an exciting gambling game that can keep players entertained for hours. Players can improve their gambling experience and their odds of winning by learning about the most common roulette errors and taking measures to prevent them.
To play roulette online properly, players must choose the right online casino, learn the rules, and also practice enough to enjoy the game to the fullest.
FAQ
What are some common mistakes to avoid in roulette?
Common roulette mistakes include not understanding the rules, betting randomly without a plan, trying to recover losses, relying on hunches, and choosing the wrong type of roulette. In India, it's crucial to understand these pitfalls before playing.
How can I play roulette without making errors?
To improve your roulette game, learn the rules thoroughly, develop a betting strategy, set clear limits for your spending, focus on the odds rather than feelings, and pick the right roulette version. This approach can help players in India enjoy a more responsible and potentially rewarding experience.
Are there strategies to help avoid common roulette errors?
Strategies like the Martingale, Fibonacci, and D'Alembert can help you manage your bankroll and make informed bets. However, remember that no strategy guarantees a win. Always gamble responsibly.
Do new roulette players often make mistakes?
Yes, new players often make mistakes because they don't know the rules, betting strategies, or odds. Learning the game and using strategies can reduce these mistakes. Indian players should take time to understand these aspects before wagering real money.
What are the biggest mistakes to avoid when playing roulette?
Avoid chasing losses, believing in gambling myths, and playing American roulette (which has a higher house edge). Focus on learning the rules, setting limits, and playing European or French roulette to increase your chances of winning. Remember to gamble responsibly and within your means.
