Roulette is one of the most well-known casino games in the world. It is instantly recognized for its unique spinning wheel and the element of chance it brings. Players’ interest in the game is enhanced by its variety of betting options and, of course, winning. The game costs very little effort to learn, and players often devise strategies to win, or at least to be betting in some tactical way that will give players perceived value.
The most common form of betting strategy for bettors in roulette is to spread bets around the table. But does spreading bets in roulette work? In this article we will discuss spreading bets, how it works and if it gives the player an edge.
What Does “Spreading Your Bets” Mean in Roulette?
In roulette, spreading your bets means to distribute your chips over multiple numbers or betting areas rather than betting exclusively on one outcome. The strategy is based on covering more numbers on the table to increase the chance of winning. For example, instead of betting on one number, a player may bet on a selection of numbers, color, or both high and low numbers.
Roulette has an array of betting options to choose from including both inside and outside bets:
- Inside bets: These are placed on specific numbers or small groups of numbers. They typically have higher payouts but lower odds of winning.
- Outside bets: These cover larger groups of numbers (such as red or black, odd or even, high or low) and offer lower payouts but higher chances of winning.
The act of spreading bets in roulette usually comes down to the combination of a few inside and outside bets, in efforts to cover more possible outcomes. The intention behind this is to balance your approach and promote a better chance of winning, but does it actually improve your odds?
The House Edge
Before addressing whether spreading bets can be effective, you must understand what the underlying problem is for every gambler in roulette, which is the house edge. The house edge is the casino’s mathematical advantage over the player, to guarantee that, in the long run, it doesn’t matter whether you’re in a physical casino or play at a live casino online, the casino will end up with a profit.
In European roulette, there are 37 pockets (numbers 1-36, plus a single zero), whereas American roulette has 38 pockets (numbers 1-36, plus a single zero and a double zero). The house edge exists because the odds of winning on a bet is slightly worse than the payout.
- European roulette: The house edge is around 2.7% due to the single zero.
- American roulette: The house edge is higher, about 5.26%, due to the double zero.
No betting strategy, including simply spreading bets, will change the house edge. The outcome of the wheel landing on any number or section of the wheel remains unchanged. The house edge guarantees that over the long haul, the casino shall win more than its share of bets.
Does Spreading Your Bets Increase Your Chances of Winning?
Placing your chips all over the table may seem like an intelligent way to boost your bet of landing on a winning number, but ultimately it does not change the odds in any significant fashion. The important thing to remember is that each spin of the wheel is independent of every other spin, so the outcome of one spin does not affect the outcome of the next spin. Spreading bets may give you more opportunities to win on a single spin, but your probability of winning on any single bet is still governed by the odds of that bet.
As an example, in European roulette, if you placed a straight-up bet on a single number, you would have a one-in-37 chance of winning, or a probability of winning at about 2.7 percent. If you bet on several numbers or bet on both black and red, you cover more possibilities, but the odds of winning the particular bet on this particular spin are still just a function of the above percentages.
In addition, spreading your bets exposes you to greater total levels of risk. While this may feel like you are hedging your bets for a higher chance of winning, you are actually taking on more total risk of loss with multiple losing bets. Even if a person wins one bet, the winnings won’t always equal or exceed the number of losses.
Spreading Bets and Risk Management
Though spreading bets may not alter your chances of winning the game, it can be useful as a risk management technique. Those who spread their bets are looking to reduce their risk by increasing their range. For example, if you were to bet red and black, in theory, you would win 50% of the time, although the house still has an advantage and you will lose more long term.
This strategy helps players better manage their bankroll by assuring that they win a few wagers throughout. But it’s worth knowing, the more that you spread your wagering, the more you are just gambling while not improving your chances of a large win considerably.
Does Spreading Your Bets Offer a Long-Term Advantage?
In the end, spreading your bets in roulette doesn’t create a sustainable opportunity. Regardless of how you bet, the house edge is always there. ‘Spreading your bets’ refers to those players who might experience a chance or win here or there. But over the long run, the house edge will always result in profits for the casino.
Moreover, although spreading your bets may sound like an excellent approach to covering additional numbers, it does not create an infallible way to ensure you will win on a consistent basis when betting on sports. Just as in the case of tennis, the odds are set to reflect the expected payout on your winning wagers. Therefore, wagering more does not provide a guarantee that your total payout will exceed your total risk.
Conclusion
While the act of spreading your bets in roulette may provide some short-term thrills and the false sense of making a safer bet, it will not improve your overall chances over time. Roulette game is a game of chance, and no strategy can overcome the underlying advantage of the house. Spreading your bets may allow you to win more on a single spin but it doesn’t change the overall mathematical odds of the game significantly. Eventually, roulette will always be a game of chance and no betting system can alter the fundamental probability of the outcome of the roulette wheel.
If you want to maximize your chances of winning, remember the best way to do so is to enjoy the enjoyment and excitement of the game in a responsible manner.