7 Tips to Stretch Your Bankroll When Playing Online Roulette

Roulette ranks as the second most popular casino game in the world (Blackjack is the first). It’s fast, glamorous and offers multiple betting options and the chance for some really big payouts.

These factors combine to make it the number 2 choice among casino visitors both on and offline. But they can also help separate you from your bankroll quicker than you can say Jack Robinson, especially if you’re a novice gambler.

Here we’ve put together a list of tips and tricks to help you stretch your bankroll and stay at the table longer.

Get to know the odds before you bet

The roulette table is a pretty complicated affair, with lots of different betting options and varying payouts. There are also three different versions of the game, French, European and American, all with different odds.

It is worth taking time to get to know the various odds and betting options each game offers. We won’t explain them here but there are two things you should keep in mind when placing your wagers;

1. Higher payouts on a bet mean higher odds against you.

2. The payout is always less than the odds. For example, in European roulette, a win on a single number pays 35:1, but the chances of correctly guessing where the ball will land are 36:1.

Most online casinos offer a free play-for-fun option. Take advantage of this to get to know the game before risking any cash.

Don’t believe the Gambler’s Fallacy

The Gambler’s Fallacy is the erroneous belief that the outcome of a random event (in this case, the spin of a roulette wheel) can be influenced by what has happened previously.

In other words, just because you have been losing steadily for most of your session, it does not mean that you’re due for a win.

The result of each spin is determined by a Random Number Generator. In land-based casinos, this is the wheel itself, online it is an algorithm.

In either case, the odds for each bet remain exactly the same for every spin. So if you are on a losing streak, you should consider taking a break to clear your head rather than riding it out.

Try out different systems

There are lots of different systems out there, and none of them will make you rich. Even ones that seem to have a sound mathematical basis, like the Martingale or Reverse Martingale, will ultimately fail for two reasons:

• The house edge These systems are based on the odds of winning or losing being 50/50. And no casino game offers those odds. Even straight black/red bets in roulette gives you a 48.65% chance of winning thanks to that little green pocket. And this is less in American roulette, which has two green pockets.

• Table limits There is always a maximum bet limit in casinos, and if you reach it while playing a progressive betting system before you recoup your losses, your money is gone forever.

There is always a maximum bet limit in casinos, and if you reach it while playing a progressive betting system before you recoup your losses, your money is gone forever.

So why are we recommending that you try out a strategy then? Because all strategies involving keeping track of your wins and losses.

They make you focus on your game and reduce the likelihood of you making rash bets in the heat of the moment. And that is the key to successful gambling.

You can find numerous descriptions of betting systems online. Just remember that even if you do have some short-term gains with one, in the long run, the house edge rules.

Have some fun with them but don’t take them too seriously. And never, ever, pay for access to an “infallible system”. Just ask yourself; if it’s so infallible, why is the creator trying to sell it instead of betting their way to billions?

There are no biased wheels online

In land-based casinos, roulette wheels are mechanical objects that get pretty intensive use. Inevitably, there is some wear and tear which could lead to some numbers coming up more often than others. This is actually a very rare occurrence as casinos do their best to maintain the equipment, but it does happen.

When it does, these are known as biased wheels, and some gamblers have made a fortune by identifying and playing them. Of course, since then casinos have redoubled their efforts to keep the tables bias-free, but the dream lives on.

In online roulette, you’re playing on an electronic representation of a wheel. There is no wear and tear that could cause the ball to behave in a predictable way. Any bias that you think you see is entirely coincidental and placing large bets based on it is not going to bring you much joy.

Alcohol and gambling don’t mix

This, and the next few tips, apply to all online gambling, not just roulette. It’s an established fact that alcohol clouds your judgement and leads to bad decision-making.

This is the reason land-based casinos ply their guests with free drinks. Drunk gamblers make bad bets.

Don’t do their job for them, lay off the booze when you’re playing, and you’ll have much more successful sessions.

Always play at a reputable site

The online gambling industry is heavily regulated, with lots of safeguards in place to protect both the players and providers.

But there are still unscrupulous operators out there running dodgy sites. Always check the licensing details of a site before you give it your money.

Keep your gambling bankroll separate

Decide how much you can afford to spend on your hobby (lose at gambling) each month and keep that amount separate from the rest of your finances. This way, you won’t overspend in the heat of the moment. A good way to do this is to choose some of the popular ewallets.

And if you withdraw your winnings into the same ewallet, your gambling habit will partially subsidise itself.

Conclusion

Following the advice above will help you make your bankroll last and give you more time at the tables. But it’s also important to remember that roulette, and all gambling, is a form of entertainment, which leads us to our most important tip of all; if you’re not having fun anymore, it’s time to quit for the day.

Until then, good luck spinning the wheel, and don’t forget to play responsibly!