Winning Roulette Strategies That Actually Work: From Martingale to James Bond

How Roulette Works: Know the Wheel Before You Bet

The roulette wheel is divided into sections, each marked with a number and a corresponding color. Numbers between 1 and 36 are marked with either red or black color, while the 0 and 00 slots are marked with green color. 

Before every roulette spin, you get to place a variety of bets. These range from outright bets, which pay 35:1, to even money bets like black/red and odd/even. You can bet on a single number, or multiple numbers at once, by placing your bets on the edges between the numbers on the roulette betting table. 

Once all the bets are placed, the dealer spins the ball on the roulette wheel and announces “no more bets.” The ball then spins until it lands in one of the slots on the wheel. If you made bets that include the winning number, you get paid out in accordance with the roulette paytable.

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What Are the Two Types of Roulette Betting Strategies

While there are many different roulette betting strategies, they can be broadly categorized into two main types: progressive betting systems and flat betting systems. These two basic betting principles guide roulette players, with each strategy applying nuance to the general idea. 

Progressive Betting System

Roulette strategies with progressive betting involve increasing your bet at various points. Different strategies recommend increasing your bet following a losing spin, a winning spin, or for a number of consecutive spins, regardless of results. Progressive betting systems may require a substantial bankroll to execute correctly, as you may have to double up your bet multiple times. Table betting limits can also get in the way, which is why it’s important to apply progressive betting strategies on tables that allow for a wide range of bets. 

Flat Betting System

Unlike progressive betting systems, flat betting systems advise maintaining a consistent betting pattern. Flat betting allows you to play at a steady pace and not be too affected by longer losing streaks. These types of betting strategies are ideal for players who are not looking to take huge risks, but rather enjoy playing for a longer time and with minimal variance. Flat betting does not take full advantage of winning streaks, but also reduces the risk of massive losses during losing ones. 

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7 Timeless Roulette Strategies Every Player Should Know

Now that you have the general idea of how roulette strategies work, let’s get into the nitty-gritty and explore the most popular roulette strategies out there.

You can test each of these strategies at the CoinPoker roulette tables, which offer affordable minimal stakes and allow you to practice the strategies at your own pace. 

Strategy Name	Core Idea	Risk Level	Best For
The Martingale	Double your bet after a losing spin	High	Short sessions, big bankroll
Grand Martingale	Double your bet + add an initial bet after a losing spin	Very High	Short sessions, huge bankroll
Paroli	Keep betting your wins until you reach a preset goal	Medium	Longer sessions, medium bankroll
Fibonacci	Use the Fibonacci numbers sequence to guide your bets	Medium	Long sessions, limited bankroll
D’Alembert	Gradually up your bets after losses, decrease them after wins	Medium	Long sessions, limited bankroll
Labouchere	Use a cancellations system to reach a preset goal	Medium	Short sessions, limited bankroll
The James Bond Bet	Bet on a large portion of the roulette wheel in search for steady wins	Low	Long sessions, limited bankroll

Next, we’ll explain each of these seven roulette strategies in detail:

The Martingale

The Martingale is one of the most famous roulette betting strategies, built around the idea of doubling your bet after every losing spin. To be successful with the Martingale, simply pick a side in an even-money bet, such as red or black. If you lose, simply double the bet and spin again. Keep doubling the bet until you win, at which point you will show a profit. 

For example, start by betting $5 on red. If the winning number is black, bet $10 on red on the next spin. If the winning number is black again, simply bet $20 on red the next spin. If you win this time, you will have won $40, which covers all of your bets and gives you a $5 profit. 

The Martingale betting strategy is great for short roulette sessions, but it does require a hefty bankroll. It is also worth noting that table limits can make the strategy ineffective, while longer losing streaks can make the risk-to-reward ratio unreasonable. 

Grand Martingale

The Grand Martingale is a slightly more aggressive version of the classic Martingale, which also promises bigger profits when successful. The idea is quite similar, but the execution is slightly different. Instead of simply doubling your bet every time you lose, the Grand Martingale also adds a base unit on top of the total bet. 

For example, imagine starting with a bet of $10 on even. If this bet loses, you would not only double the bet to $20, but also add a base bet of $10 on top, for a total of $30. If this bet loses again, you would double the $30 and add $10 on top, for a total bet of $70. Continue doing this until you win, and then go back to your initial $10 bet. 

The Grand Martingale is a more risky version of the traditional betting system, but one that also offers greater rewards for players with substantial bankrolls and a high level of confidence. 

Paroli

Opposite to the Martingale, the Paroli betting system is a positive progression strategy. When practicing Paroli, you will be increasing your bets after every win, looking to capitalize on hot winning streaks. How far you go with Paroli is up to you, which makes this strategy very open-ended. 

For example, imagine starting with a bet of $10 on the black number. If your bet wins, you bet the total $20 you just won on black again. If you win again, bet $40 on black. If you win again, you now have $80, for a $70 profit from your starting $10 stake. You can choose to cash out at any time, although most players apply the Paroli strategy in steps of 3, before reverting to the base bet. 

The Paroli strategy is ideal for more cautious players who prefer to control their risks and capitalize on their lucky streaks, rather than pushing their luck. 

Fibonacci

Based on the famous Fibonacci number sequence, the Fibonacci roulette strategy is another popular progressive betting system. The sequence is made up of a set of numbers, where each number represents the sum of the two preceding it (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13…). With the Fibonacci strategy, you go up one step after each loss, and down two steps after each win. The base bet is multiplied by the numbers in the sequence to determine the size of the next bet. 

For example, imagine you start by betting $10 on odd numbers on your first spin. If you lose, you move to the next number in the sequence, which means your bet remains $10. If you lose again, you go up the sequence, multiplying your base, and betting $20, $30, $50, $80, etc. If you win with an $80 bet, move down two spots, which means your next bet is $30. Continue the sequence until it feels right, or until you have met your goal for the session. 

The Fibonacci strategy is perfect for players with a more methodical approach to roulette, who enjoy a steady pace of play.

D’Alembert

Invented by French mathematician Jean le Rond d’Alembert, the D’Alembert strategy is another very popular progressive betting system. The D’Alembert is similar to both Martingale and Fibonacci betting strategies, although the betting sequence is a bit different. Instead of doubling your bets or following the Fibonacci sequence, you go up one unit every time you lose, and down one unit every time you win. 

For example, imagine you start with a $20 bet on red. If the ball lands in black, you go up to $40 on the next spin. If you lose again, bet $60 on the next spin. If you win this time, return to $40. Going up and down the ladder this way allows you to capitalize on winning streaks while limiting your losses during losing ones. 

The D’Alambert is a less volatile version of the Martingale, making it perfect for more risk-averse players and those with more limited bankrolls. 

Labouchere System

The Labouchere strategy is often referred to as the Cancellation System, and it is one of the more intricate roulette strategies. This structured strategy allows you to set a profit goal at the start, and keep playing the sequence until you cancel all the numbers, at which point you have reached your goal. The numbers in the sequence should add up to the multiplier you are aiming for. For example, if you want to win $100 from a base unit of $10, your sequence should add up to 10. 

If your goal is to win 10x your money, your starting sequence should be 1-2-3-4. To start, choose your base unit (for example $10), and add the first and last numbers together to determine the amount you should bet. In this case, the amount is $50. If you win, cancel out the two numbers, which just leaves the 2 and 3 in the sequence. If you lose, add the number to the end of the sequence, making it 1-2-3-4-5 for the next spin. Keep adding the first and last number together and betting the appropriate amounts until all numbers are cancelled out, and you have won your designated amount. 

The Labouchere is a complex strategy that enables you to work towards a predetermined goal. Keep in mind that it’s somewhat easy to make a mistake in calculations with this one, so be careful and keep close track of your sequence. 

The James Bond Bet

Made popular by the famous fictional spy, the James Bond bet is one of the most entertaining flat betting systems in roulette. The betting pattern is quite simple. Your bet should cover two thirds of the table, with 70% of the bet going to all numbers higher than 18, 25% of the bet going on numbers 13 to 18, and 5% of the bet going on 0. This strategy works well on European and French roulette wheels, which have the lowest house edge. 

For example, if your starting bet is $100, you should bet exactly $70 on numbers from 19 to 36, $25 on numbers from 13 to 18, and $5 on 0. If the ball lands in one of the big numbers, you profit $40. If it lands in a number from 13 to 18, you profit $50. Finally, if you hit 0, you profit $80 for the spin. The only times you lose with James Bond is when the ball lands in a low number, from 1 to 12. 

The James Bond strategy is ideal for short sessions and a low-risk approach, but can be a bit limiting for long-term play. 

Betting Systems for Different Roulette Game Variants

Online casinos offer a variety of roulette wheels you can try, ranging from classic European and American roulettes to novelty games like Lightning Roulette. Whether you opt for one of the virtual wheels or a live roulette game, we recommend adjusting your strategy to the exact wheel you are playing.

Here are some tips on the best strategic approach for different popular variations of the game. 

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Roulette Betting Tips to Win More at CoinPoker

The basic roulette betting strategy is simple, and the betting patterns we introduced in earlier sections may help you win more often. However, some other useful tips may help improve your roulette results if applied correctly.

Here are a few tips our experts recommend keeping in mind the next time you play roulette:

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Common Roulette Myths and Mistakes

Roulette is a game shrouded in mystery, with numerous myths surrounding it. As you start playing, we recommend avoiding these common roulette mistakes:

• Playing the Wrong Game: If you can help it, avoid playing American Roulette and opt for European or French Roulette wheels instead. 
• Chasing Losses: Sometimes, the odds are not in your favor. Don’t chase your losses beyond your predetermined budget. 
• Playing Too Long: Whether you are winning or losing, playing roulette for too long is likely to end in a disaster. Limit your playing time and come back to play another day. 
• Betting Too High: If you ignore bankroll management and play beyond your means, your likelihood of success is very low. 
• Thinking Strategy Is Certainty: No roulette strategy can guarantee success. Whether you apply the Martingale or the James Bond bet, there are no certain wins in roulette!

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Test Your Roulette Betting Systems at CoinPoker Today

Play Responsibly

As you start playing real money roulette at CoinPoker, we urge you to stay responsible with your betting. Play within your means, and never risk funds you cannot afford. If you need help with this, check out our responsible gambling page and use our RG tools like reality checks and self-exclusion to help you. For further help, look to organizations like the National Council on Problem Gambling or Gamblers Anonymous. 

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