The game of roulette is a casino game in which players bet on either red or black, odd or even numbers, high (19-36) or low (1-18). A croupier (dealer) spins the wheel and a ball is dropped into a slot where it will land. A winning number is determined by the number where the ball comes to rest. Whether or not you win is dependent on your skill and luck, but there are certain strategies that can improve your odds of winning.

While you can’t beat the house edge in the long run, there are ways to maximize your winning opportunities in any given session. In this article, we explore three effective roulette strategies that can help you to tip the odds in your favor.

Choosing the best strategy for your bankroll

Before you choose a roulette strategy, it’s important to establish a budget that you can afford to spend on each session. Make sure that this budget is made up of funds that you can afford to lose, and that are not required for any other expenses. This will ensure that you do not risk your entire bankroll on one bet and that you can play for longer periods of time.

Size up your bets

A good roulette strategy should account for the betting limits of a particular game and the types of bets that are available. For example, a negative progression system like the Martingale can require large minimum bets that may not be available in all games. On the other hand, a D’Alembert strategy can be more suited to smaller betting limits as it involves increasing your bet size after losses and decreasing it after wins.

Choosing the right type of bet for your personal style of play is also important. If you’re happy to take more risk in exchange for higher payouts, then inside bets are the way to go. Outside bets are more stable, but offer lower top-end payouts. In either case, you can’t guarantee a win, so the best strategy is to keep playing until you have fun and leave when your luck runs out. This way, you’ll have the chance to try out other casino games, such as online blackjack or slots, and hopefully find a more lucrative strategy.