Many roulette players mess up without even realizing it. I’ve seen it all. People throwing money at bad bets. Picking the wrong roulette version. Blindly following some nonsense system they found online.
Now, what if you dodge these mistakes? I bet you’ll keep more of your bankroll and have a better time! Let’s break it down.
Looking for a reliable platform to apply these roulette strategies? Admiral Bet offers both RNG and live dealer roulette with European and French variants that give you better odds. Their user-friendly interface, secure payment methods including PayPal and Skrill, and welcome bonus of up to €3000 create an ideal environment for implementing these smarter betting approaches while enjoying a fair gaming experience.
Stop Making These 6 Mistakes!
1. Playing the Wrong Version of Roulette
Playing the American version? You’re already at a disadvantage. Why? Because of the double zero (00). That one extra pocket almost doubles the house edge—from 2.7% in European roulette to 5.26% in American. That’s a huge difference over time.
So what’s the move? Always pick European roulette. Or, even better, French roulette, if you can find it. It has something called the La Partage rule, which gives you half your bet back when the ball lands on zero. That means even-money bets (red/black, odd/even) have only a 1.35% house edge. That’s one of the best deals in the casino!
To understand the difference between roulette variants, many casinos offer free demo free slot and table games. While exploring gaming options, look specifically for free European or French roulette demos that let you compare the single-zero advantage firsthand. This practice helps you recognize the substantial difference in house edge before playing with real money and makes you a more confident player when applying these strategies.
2. Betting on Everything at Once
Some players think covering half the board is smart. It’s not. I’ve seen people place 15 different bets on a single spin. Sure, they win something most of the time, but they barely make a profit. The payouts don’t cover the losses.
What do I do instead? Stick to smart outside bets like dozens (1-12, 13-24, 25-36) or columns. These pay 2:1, giving you a better balance of risk and reward. Feeling lucky? Try split bets (betting on two numbers) instead of random single-number bets. It stretches your bankroll while keeping decent payouts.
3. Trusting Betting Systems to Beat the House
The idea of a “foolproof” roulette system sounds great. Martingale, Fibonacci, Labouchere—you’ve probably heard of them. They all promise to “beat the game.” But they don’t.

Take Martingale. It tells you to double your bet after every loss. Seems like a good idea. Until you hit a losing streak. You start with $5, then $10, $20, $40, $80, $160… Suddenly, you’re betting hundreds just to chase a $5 win. And if you hit the table limit? Game over.
Instead of betting systems, focus on bet selection. And stick to the right roulette version (see mistake #1). That actually moves the odds in your favor.
4. Ignoring the House Edge on Different Bets
Every bet in roulette has a different house edge. Some are way worse than others. Single-number bets (straight-up) have a 35:1 payout. But the odds of hitting them? 1 in 37 on a European wheel. That’s why casinos love it when players go all-in on lucky numbers.
A better bet? Even-money bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low). They don’t pay as much, but they hit almost 50% of the time. Want a mix of risk and reward? Corner bets (four numbers) or six-line bets (six numbers) are decent choices.
5. Playing Without a Plan
Many punters throw chips on the table without thinking. No plan, no strategy—just vibes. And guess what? The casino loves these players.
I always go in with a plan. I know which bets I’m making, how many spins I’ll play, and what my target win is. Say, I bring $100. Then, I might stick to $5 bets on dozens or columns and call it a night when I’m up $50.
You don’t need some complicated spreadsheet. Simply decide ahead of time what bets make sense for your play style and bankroll.
6. Believing Roulette Has Hot and Cold Streaks
I see many players tracking the results like they mean something. “Red hit five times in a row—black is due!” Nope. Each spin is completely independent. The ball doesn’t care what happened before.
Watching the history board and thinking you see a pattern? Stop. It’s all random. The best strategy? Ignore past results and focus on bets with the best odds.
Play Smart, Play Sharp
It’s possible to keep more of your money and make better bets in roulette. Remember:
- Pick the right version (European or French).
- Don’t spread your bets too thin.
- Forget betting systems—they don’t work.
- Know which bets have the worst house edge.
- Have a plan before you start playing.
- Stop looking for patterns—they don’t exist.

That’s it. No magic tricks, no crazy strategies—just smart play. Stick to these tips, and you’ll have a better shot at coming out on top.