Avoiding 19 Major Roulette Mistakes

Stefan Brulea

Casino expert

Updated:
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Offering an exhilarating experience, roulette is among the most accessible ways to gamble at casinos. However, numerous seasoned players continue to make mistakes that hinder their chances of earning a profit.

After scrutinizing countless hours of roulette sessions and investing a significant amount of money ourselves, we found that irrespective of a player's experience, there are some typical blunders in roulette that frequently occur.

In this guide, we focus on 19 serious errors you might encounter in roulette and provide practical advice on how to avoid these pitfalls during your gambling endeavors.

Let’s get right to it!

A Dozen Mistakes by Novices in Online Roulette

12 Online Roulette Mistakes

While online roulette is similar to its real-world counterpart, there are distinct errors unique to digital play. For instance, not taking advantage of promotions or failing to employ strategies can damage your finances.

Grasping how to circumvent these errors is crucial for a sustainable success strategy and ensures you're not needlessly losing money.

Here’s a breakdown of twelve online roulette mistakes that novices typically make:

  1. Spitting your chips on the first dozen

  2. Spitting your chips

    Placing bets on every number within the first set of twelve reveals your inexperience. Instead of causing unnecessary chaos by betting on individual numbers, it’s smarter to wager directly on the section representing the dozen.

    Although this mistake might seem quite apparent, it's astonishing how many novice players bet individually on each dozen number instead of efficiently managing their wagers. This disorganization makes it challenging to monitor expenses.

  3. Over betting

  4. Roulette over betting

    A common rookie error is wagering more than necessary. Once you’ve already placed bets on certain numbers, it's redundant to place additional bets between them.

    It’s pretty straightforward – if money is already on certain numbers, further betting on the intersections is unnecessary and wasteful, particularly if the ball doesn’t land on any of those choices.

  5. Betting nearby numbers

  6. Instead of choosing each number separately, consider making an outside bet like dozens or streets. This betting style not only makes logical sense but also demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the roulette table.

    When asked, casual players often say ‘It looks attractive.’ We agree that covering every number in a dozen can be aesthetically pleasing, but roulette is about strategy, not art. Hence, we recommend learning to use outside bets effectively to keep the table tidy.

  7. Neglecting to Develop and Implement a Genuine Strategy

  8. Not applying a real strategy

    How often do beginners claim, ‘I won due to my strategy’? We've heard this way too often. Merely because you caught a lucky break once, doesn’t validate your strategy.

    A real strategy involves understanding the mathematical principles behind roulette and effective bankroll management. Otherwise, you’re just randomly betting, hoping for Lady Luck’s favor.

    Before proclaiming a foolproof strategy, it should be tested and logical. Instead of justifying sporadic wins, invest time in devising a strategy that genuinely boosts your roulette performance.

  9. Playing without knowing the math

  10. Entering Roulette Play Without Understanding the Math

    Mentioning that math is vital to roulette success often overwhelms beginners. They worry they need to revisit complex math problems from school.

    This isn't the case. Our findings emphasize that mathematical acumen is essential for roulette proficiency. The better you are with numbers, the more likely you are to control your finances and reduce risks.

    Before participating, it's crucial to grasp basic roulette calculations like the profit/loss ratio, bet value, and possible payouts. Lacking this knowledge hampers tracking spending and developing skills for consistent victories.

  11. Ignoring the Importance of Quitting While Ahead

  12. Failing to Exit a Winning Session

    Imagine commencing with C$3000 and betting C$500 per spin. Following a loss in the first three rounds, placing a C$500 Split bet results in a win. This gives a 17:1 return, boosting your balance to C$10,000.

    What would you do in this situation?


    If you're inclined to cash out immediately and walk away with C$7000, you're on the path to successful roulette play.

    However, if you’re tempted to gamble more hoping for further wins, you might end up with losses.

    Recognizing when to stop is what distinguishes experienced gamblers from novices. Without a clear win limit, players might keep betting until nothing is left.

    Establishing realistic financial goals is crucial for solid bankroll management before you start playing.

  13. Missing Out on Casino Promotions

  14. Overlooking Opportunities in Casino Offers

    Both physical and online casinos provide a range of bonuses to attract players. Though some promotions might include wagering requirements, they are beneficial for players new to gambling.

    One challenge is that, with online casinos expanding, navigating potential offers has become more complex due to the variety available.

    Our team rigorously evaluates and filters casino promotions to deliver a curated list of the best options. Transparency in sharing both positives and negatives is essential to a fair gambling experience.

    To enhance your gaming experience, consider reviewing our recommendations to find a promotion that aligns with your preferences, thus extending playtime and enhancing roulette knowledge. bonus library A common misconception is that Americans should play American Roulette and Europeans the European version.

  15. Playing American roulette

  16. American Roulette

    That's incorrect. The primary difference isn’t cultural but numerical; American Roulette has 38 numbers including two zeroes, whereas European Roulette has 37 with just one zero.

    To novices, this may seem trivial. However, American Roulette's house edge is 5.26%, compared to the European version's 2.7%.

    This means American Roulette has almost double the house advantage, strongly suggesting players should pick roulette games with lower house edges for better long-term returns.

    Approaching Roulette Without Any Strategy

  17. Playing without a strategy

  18. Entering roulette with no strategy is like attempting an exam without studying. While luck might occasionally favor you, success isn’t guaranteed without preparation.

    A search for ‘roulette strategy’ often yields numerous sites claiming to have bulletproof methods for overnight wealth. We've tested many and found they largely offer short-term successes.

    Yet for sustainable success, more than a basic plan is needed. Our analysis reveals that maintaining bankroll discipline and following one's intuition greatly contribute to gambling decisions.

    Documenting your wins and losses can lead to smarter decisions when playing roulette. roulette strategy .

    Newcomers often mistakenly believe that a long losing streak means a win is imminent—a bias known as the gambler’s fallacy, where frequent previous events are assumed to influence future ones.

  19. Thinking you’re due to a win

  20. Thinking you’re due to a win

    Statistical studies confirm such outcomes are independent and unrelated to past events. Instead of expecting a win after losses, develop solid skills in managing funds and risks to maximize profitability.

    Outside bets such as Red/Black or Even/Odd offer nearly 50% odds and even payouts. While this can seem like a lucrative strategy, statistics indicate long-term monetary losses are likely.

    Betting on base strategies might prove beneficial during casual games due to favorable odds, but riskier bets mixed with luck are vital for significant profits.

  21. Only go for the red or black bets

  22. 19 Typical Roulette Pitfalls Players Should Be Aware Of

    Though roulette seems easy to play, making the wrong move can significantly impact your finances. This piece delves into 19 frequent roulette errors and provides guidance on how to steer clear of them.

    Roulette is among the most exhilarating and straightforward games in any casino. Yet, even seasoned players occasionally slip up, hindering their ability to turn a profit.

  23. Chasing your losses

Chasing your losses

After observing many hours of roulette gameplay and spending quite a bit ourselves, our analysis reveals that, regardless of expertise, common errors appear in everybody's gameplay at some point.

We'll identify 19 particularly perilous mistakes in roulette play and present practical advice to avoid these pitfalls as you navigate your gambling adventure.

Seven High-Risk Errors in Physical Casinos

12 Common Blunders for Novices in Online Roulette

7 Risky Missteps in Physical Casinos

Despite the similarities shared between online and physical roulette, certain oversights are unique to the online gaming environment. Ignoring promotional offers, betting without a plan, or fixating solely on a specific bet type can be detrimental to your financial health.

  1. Playing on empty tables

  2. Understanding how to evade these mistakes is crucial for achieving long-term gambling success and ensures you aren't carelessly losing money.

    Let's examine twelve minor oversights often made by novices when playing online roulette:

    Covering each number in a single dozen with your chips signifies inexperience. This practice not only complicates tracking your wagers but also scatters your focus. For a simpler approach, if betting on a dozen, place your bet in the designated area.

    Many beginners resort to individually betting on every number within a dozen, rather than simply wagering on the dozen itself, which indicates a lack of coherence in their understanding of the game.

  3. Showing your money

  4. One of the biggest rookie errors is wagering more than necessary, especially if you've already covered the numbers you intended.

    The reasoning is straightforward—if you've already staked money on certain numbers, supplementing bets between them is redundant, particularly if none of those numbers come up.

    Rather than making bets on individual numbers, opting for outside bets like those on complete streets or dozens proves more sensible. Mistakes like these suggest a lack of a comprehensive grasp of the game.

    Some casual players argue they enjoy the aesthetic of placing chips on multiple numbers per dozen. While visually appealing, it's a misconception that contributes to disorder at the table—prioritize outside bets for clarity and effectiveness.

  5. Making up roulette quotes

  6. Failing to Learn and Implement a Viable Plan

    How often do you hear novices claim success was due to their 'strategy'? We've observed this countless times. However, occasional wins masked as strategic victories are not indicative of actual strategy.

    True strategy implies an understanding of the arithmetic that underpins roulette, alongside adept bankroll oversight. Otherwise, you're just betting randomly, hoping luck is on your side.

  7. Using the wrong chip denomination

  8. Before declaring the discovery of a surefire strategy, assess its logic and test it thoroughly. Instead of rationalizing sporadic wins, invest time to develop a genuine approach that enhances your results and profits.

    Playing Roulette While Ignoring Mathematical Fundamentals

    Mentioning the importance of math in roulette often unsettles beginners, who erroneously believe they're required to revisit school-level math complexity.

    That's not true. Our research highlights that mathematical proficiency significantly boosts roulette performance—the more analytical, the better your financial management and risk mitigation.

  9. Before commencing play, grasp basic math concepts like the profit/loss ratio, bet value, and potential payouts to maintain control over your expenses and improve skill consistency.

  10. Not Halting Play While Profitable

    Failure to stop a roulette session when ahead

    Picture beginning a roulette session with C$3000, betting C$500 per spin. After losing three consecutive rounds, you place a C$500 Split bet and win with a 17:1 payout, amassing C$10,000.

  11. Following gambling myths

  12. If your inclination is to cash out immediately, leaving with C$7000 in profits, you're on the path to smart play.

    Conversely, the instinct to continue betting for further luck often leads to walking away with losses.

    Knowing when to cease playing distinguishes seasoned gamblers from amateurs. Absent a win goal can lead to playing until depleted of chips.

    Effective bankroll management demands establishing a desired win amount before initiating play.

  13. Having “lucky numbers”

Underutilizing Casino Benefits

Overlooking Available Casino Offers

Final thoughts

Both physical and virtual casinos provide promotions to attract new patrons. Though some offers carry conditions like wagering requirements, they are worthwhile for beginners in gambling.

The challenge lies in selecting beneficial promotions, increasingly complex with the rise of online casinos and an abundance of available offers.

Our team rigorously reviews and evaluates promotions, curating a list of the most advantageous offers, emphasizing transparency for an enjoyable gambling experience by highlighting both pros and cons.