For as long as casinos have welcomed players to gamble, those players have been looking for a competitive or mathematical edge over the house.
Every spin of a roulette wheel will always be in favour of the casino, but even casinos can’t beat every mathematical and statistical outcome.
Each roulette strategy or system has been created and improved over the years to help players gain that elusive edge, and it’s also worth noting that each strategy has been born based on some degree of success from its creator.
These roulette strategies are not there to help a player win every time, but to help a player win more than they lose, and that is the ultimate goal.
If a player can win more than they lose at roulette then no matter which selection you make, whether the player chooses an individual number at 35/1, or they choose to play it safe on red or black at Even odds, you will always come out ahead.
It must be noted that each strategy can result in a player walking out with nothing. No roulette strategy is every guaranteed, and no strategy could work 100% of the time.
Casinos will always have the edge and there are a lot of myths out there on social media.
If though you plan to play roulette anyway, these strategies may give you a better edge and advantage than just choosing random numbers on each spin!
There are hundreds of roulette strategies, but we have selected the best roulette strategies in this ultimate guide and we have tested each and every single one of them to help you get the best advantage possible.
We will go through all the results from each tried and tested strategy and show which roulette strategy worked the best.
To keep the tests fair, we used the exact same number of spins, 10, for each test. Each test had an overall stake pot of £20. By using the same data, we can make sure the strategies can be accurately measured against each other for comparison.
We’ll explain what each strategy is, where it comes from, how it works, and our results using it.
The Martingale Strategy
The Martingale Strategy is by far the most popular gambling strategy known and also followed.
This strategy was created, surprisingly, over 300 years ago but then tweaked and fine-tuned by a French mathematician called Paul Pierre Levy over 70 years ago.
Although the strategy was created by Levy, it wasn’t named by him. The name Martingale came later on.
The strategy is based on the concept that just one good result will produce the player a recovery of all losses no matter how long they play.
Although the win is inevitable, bankruptcy could be reached first.
The longer form answer to what the Martingale strategy is can be defined as being a complex set of mathematical equations based on a probability factor.
How does the Martingale Strategy Work?
The Martingale strategy is defined as a player doubling the last amount wagered after a loss on a game of even chances, such as red or black on roulette. This strategy results in an eventual win for the player, recouping the previous loss and the original stake.
For example, if a player wagers £1 on black playing roulette and loses, then the player should stake £2 on the next spin.

If the £2 spin wins, the player will end up with £4, recovering all losses and original stake. If the player losses again, they should stake £4 and continue the sequence until a win occurs.
Although this strategy works, it is possible of course to run out of money before a win, as each stake after a loss must be double that of the previous wager.
One point to note is that unlike a coin toss, which offers exactly a 50:50 chance, red and black isn’t 50:50 as there is a 48.6% chance of landing red, a 48.6% chance of landing black, and a 2.7% chance of landing green.
This skews the odds and probability slightly, but not enough to stop many players trying the Martingale strategy when playing roulette.
Does the Martingale Strategy Work? – Our Results
We tried the Martingale Strategy starting with a £1 bet and using a combination of red or black on each spin, up to a total wager of £20.
This is our results:
Spin | Wager | Bet | Result | Balance |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | £1 | Black | Win | £21 |
2 | £1 | Black | Win | £23 |
3 | £1 | Red | Lose | £22 |
4 | £2 | Black | Lose | £20 |
5 | £4 | Red | Win | £24 |
6 | £1 | Black | Lose | £23 |
7 | £2 | Black | Lose | £21 |
8 | £4 | Black | Win | £25 |
9 | £1 | Red | Win | £26 |
10 | £1 | Red | Win | £27 |
Over 10 spins we have a profit of £7 against an overall £18 wager, so we made a positive return of 39% using the Martingale strategy.
The 3 2 Strategy
The second most popular roulette strategy is the 3 2 Strategy.
This strategy seems to have no origin or history, but more than likely it’s a version of one of the other plethora of gambling strategies to come out of the 1800’s. This is the time mathematicians began to draw better conclusions between odds, statistics, the random factor, and mathematics.
How does the 3 2 Strategy Work?
The 3 2 roulette strategy involves placing a 3 to 2 ratio wager. 3 units across a combination of either red, black, even, or odd, as well as 2 units as a column wager on the same spin. This spread bet strategy allows for a high number of eventual outcomes to either break even or return a profit per spin.

For example, let’s say our spin wager is £5.
We could wager £3 on black, and a further £2 on column three (3 to 36 range).
The reason column 3 is chosen is because it has the highest number of red numbers in a single column, increasing the players chances or landing on either black or the highest number of red numbers possible.
The result can therefore be any black number or one of eight red numbers (covering 44% of all red numbers) to produce a profit.
Per spin this means the player is covering 70% of all numbers on the board – or a 70% chance of a win.
The overall return would be between £6 and £12 per £5 wager, depending on whether there is a win on both wagers or just one.
If though the player stakes £3 on red instead of black, they should also bet £2 on column two (2 to 35 range), as this column has the highest number of black numbers in a single column.
Does the 3 2 Strategy Work? – Our Results
We tested the 3 2 Strategy starting with a £5 bet and using a combination of red or black on each spin, as well as column 2 or 3 depending on the colour choice, up to a total wager of £20.
This is our results:
Spin | Wager | Bet | Result | Balance |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | £3 | Black |Col 3 | Win | Lose | £21 |
2 | £3 | Black | Col 3 | Win | Win | £28 |
3 | £3 | Red | Col 2 | Win | Lose | £29 |
4 | £3 | Black | Col 3 | Lose | Win | £30 |
5 | £3 | Red | Col 2 | Win | Win | £37 |
6 | £3 | Black | Col 2 | Lose | Lose | £32 |
7 | £3 | Black | Col 3 | Win | Lose | £33 |
8 | £3 | Black | Col 3 | Lose | Lose | £27 |
9 | £3 | Red | Col 2 | Win | Win | £34 |
10 | £3 | Red | Col 2 | Win | Lose | £35 |
Over 10 spins we have a profit of £15 against an overall wager of £20, so we have made a positive return of 75% using the 3 2 Strategy.
The Labouchere Strategy
Developed in the 19th Century by British politician and wealthy aristocrat Henry Labouchere, it follows a somewhat more complex calculation method to arrive at an interesting roulette strategy.
You will also need a pen and paper to use this in-depth roulette strategy!
How does The Labouchere Strategy Work?
I’m afraid this is going to need some creative thinking but if I start by telling you that in order to reach a profit you only need to win 33% of your bets on either red or black, then I may just have your undivided attention.
The Labouchere Strategy requires a list of numbers to be noted. The volume and range depend on the overall stake. The first and last numbers on the list are added together and the total becomes the bet. The total is added at the end of the list if loses, or the numbers are removed from the list if the bet wins.

I told you this was complex!
Let’s look at an example. Here is a list of numbers:
3,6,2,4,8,4,3,2
If we add up all the numbers, we get 32, so our overall stake for the game will be £32.
If we take the first number which is 3 and add this to the last number of 2, we get 5. Therefore, our first bet will be £5. We can choose to either bet on black, red, odds or evens.
If we win, we will remove the first 3 and the last 2 from the list, so the list becomes:
6,2,4,8,4,3
The next wager will be £9, which is adding together the first number of 6 and the last number 3.
If though on our first spin we lost, we will need to add the total of 5 to the end of the list, so the list becomes:
3,6,2,4,8,4,3,2,5
The next wager will be £8, which is calculated by adding together the first number of 3 and the last number of 5.
The playing continues until all numbers are removed from the list and the player will have doubled their original stake.
This strategy, like all other strategies, works but the caveat is that the bets can increase considerably to cover all loses and the player may run out of money before they remove all numbers from the list.
Does the Labouchere Strategy Work? – Our Results
We tried the Labouchere Strategy starting with a £5 bet due to the combination sequence of 3,6,2,4,8,4,3,2.
We also used a combination of red or black on each spin, up to a total wager of £20.
This is our results:
Spin | Wager | Bet | Result | Balance |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | £5 | Black | Won | £25 |
2 | £9 | Black | Won | £34 |
3 | £6 | Red | Won | £40 |
4 | £12 | Black | Lose | £28 |
5 | £16 | Red | Won | £44 |
6 | £8 | Black | Lose | £36 |
7 | £16 | Black | Won | £52 |
The game stopped at this point using the Labouchere Strategy as all numbers had been crossed off the list.
Over 7 spins we have a profit of £32 against an overall wager of £20, so we have made a positive return of 160% using the Labouchere Strategy.
The James Bond Strategy
With a name like the James Bond Strategy, what could possibly go wrong!
This lesser known betting strategy has many supporters, provides an overall 67% coverage of the board per spin, and can return larger than average wins.
We also don’t need many guesses to work out who it is named after.
How does The James Bond Strategy Work?
The James Bond Strategy requires three bets per roulette spin. One bet of 70% of the wager to cover the high numbers (19-36), the second bet of 25% of the wager to cover two rows (for example, 1-6), and the third bet of 5% of the wager on green 0. This strategy gives the player a 67% chance of a win.
This strategy focuses less on playing the low odd bets and concentrates on a spread bet that can see higher returns, but requires higher stakes.

Using this strategy with a £20 wager a player would see a return of £35 if the numbers land.
Giving a 67.5% chance of a win on a UK Roulette wheel and means the strategy gives the player the better odds, as the player is covering 25 out of 36 numbers on the board.
This though does mean there is a 32.5% chance of a loss.
Does the James Bond Strategy Work? – Our Results
We tested the James Bond Strategy starting with a £5 bet and using the same combination of high numbers (19-36), two rows (7-12) as well as 0 up to a total wager of £20.
Here are the results:
Spin | Wager | Bet | Result | Balance |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | £5 | High, 2xRow, 0 | Win | £22.50 |
2 | £5 | High, 2xRow, 0 | Lose | £17.50 |
3 | £5 | High, 2xRow, 0 | Lose | £12.50 |
4 | £5 | High, 2xRow, 0 | Win | £14.50 |
5 | £5 | High, 2xRow, 0 | Lose | £9.50 |
6 | £5 | High, 2xRow, 0 | Win | £12.00 |
7 | £5 | High, 2xRow, 0 | Lose | £7.00 |
8 | £5 | High, 2xRow, 0 | Win | £9.00 |
9 | £5 | High, 2xRow, 0 | Win | £11.00 |
10 | £5 | High, 2xRow, 0 | Lose | £6.00 |
We found the James Bond Strategy difficult to come back from after just two consecutive losses. Each loss tends to be much higher than any potential win, unless green lands – which wasn’t the case for us.
Over 10 spins we have a loss of £14 against an overall wager of £20, so we have made an overall loss of 70% using the James Bond Strategy.
The Andrucci Strategy
The origins of the Andrucci system is shrouded in mystery although when you understand the logic it makes sense why a strategy has been created around it.
In fact, I used the Andrucci Strategy without knowing it was the Andrucci Strategy, to play the lottery – and picked 5 numbers out of 6 in a draw.
Yes, I did buy a ticket for the draw, and I won £900. A nice return, but not quite the £2.4million jackpot I would have won if my last lottery ball had of drawn!
How does The Andrucci Strategy Work?
The Andrucci Strategy works by studying the past results from a roulette wheel and then continuously betting on the highest landing number until it lands again. If it lands in the first 35 spins the player will be in profit. On spin 36 the player will break even. After spin 37 there will be a loss.
The law of odds and statistics would show each number has an equal chance of winning than another number. Although this is true, it doesn’t take long to see certain numbers appear much more frequent than they should.

Going back to the lottery analogy and example I mentioned earlier, I studied the lottery for a period of 52 weeks and saw some numbers were drawn more than twice the number of times than others.
In fact, the study showed the highest drawn number appeared more than four times than the lowest drawn number.
The same patterns can be seen in all statistically random settings, and for roulette the strategy works well.
For example, if by studying the strategy we saw number 9 land more often than any other number, we could then bet £5 on number 9.
If number 9 wins, then we would win, and be in profit by £175.
If number 9 loses, then we would bet another £5 on number 9. If number 9 lands, then we would be in profit by £170.
And so on. The pattern repeats until number 9 lands.
If 9 lands in the first 35 spins we would be in profit, because on spin 35 we would have wagered a total of £175 and have a return of £180.
On spin number 36, if number 9 lands, we would have wagered £180 and have a return of £180. We will have broken even.
On spin number 37 or more we would be at a loss.
On paper this looks a great strategy. The law of chance should see a roulette number appear once within 35 spins with a 94.5% probability.
This together with the fact the number has been chosen because it has landed more times than any other over a period of time should in theory give a player an advantage, right?
Let’s see what happened when we tried the Andrucci Strategy on a roulette table ourselves!
Does the Andrucci Strategy Work? – Our Results
We tried the Andrucci Strategy starting with a £0.55 bet, to allow us to play up to 35 times for the £20 wager to be the same amount across all strategies.
The numbers 11 and 28 both landed more times than any other in the 35 spins we monitored, a total of 4 times each.
As number 11 landed first, we chose this as the number we played across all our bets.
This is our results:
Spin | Wager | Bet | Result | Balance |
---|---|---|---|---|
1-33 | £18.15 | Number 11 | Lose | £1.75 |
34 | £0.55 | Number 11 | Win | £21.55 |
Fortunately, or unfortunately, our number 11 landed just once and on spin 34!
It is also worth noting that within our 35 spins the other previously highest drawn number of 28 did not appear at all Had we chosen 28 instead of 11 we would have lost our entire £20 stake.
Over 35 spins we have a profit of £1.55 against an overall wager of £20, so we have made a positive return of 8% using the Andrucci Strategy.
The D’Alembert Strategy
The story of Jean Le Rond d’Alembert is as interesting as the roulette strategy itself.
Born 1717 in Paris, France, D’Alembert was a famous philosopher and mathematician. He was even asked to write and include entries in the Encyclopedia at the time, known in France as the ‘Encyclopedie’.
His mathematical powers and curiosity saw the creation of the D’Alembert system, which is still used today almost 300 years later.
How does The D’Alembert Strategy Work?
The D’Alembert Strategy works by the player betting one more unit on a roulette spin after a losing spin, but betting one less unit on a spin after a winning spin. All bets must be placed on even odds wagers, which includes red, black, odds and evens.
The strategy is similar to the Martingale Strategy but as after a winning spin the amount bet on the next spin decreases, and therefore requires less overall stake.

For example, if we bet £1 on black, but red lands, then the next bet would be £2. If on spin 2 we also lost, we would bet £3 on the next spin. If this spin wins, we will have recovered the loses from the previous two spins and would be at break even.
At this point the next bet would drop down to £2, and the cycle repeats.
The main difference between D’Alembert and Martingale is overall stake requirements and the risks of a losing streak.
Martingale requires the player to double the stake on the next bet i.e., a £4 bet becomes £8 on the next bet after a loss, whereas D’Alembert we would wager £5 after a £4 losing bet.
Does the D’Alembert Strategy Work? – Our Results
We tested the D’Alembert Strategy starting with a £1 bet and using a combination of red or black on up to a total wager of £20.
This is our results:
Spin | Wager | Bet | Result | Balance |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | £1 | Black | Won | £21 |
2 | £1 | Black | Won | £22 |
3 | £1 | Red | Lose | £21 |
4 | £2 | Black | Lose | £20 |
5 | £3 | Red | Win | £23 |
6 | £2 | Black | Lose | £21 |
7 | £3 | Black | Win | £24 |
8 | £2 | Red | Win | £22 |
9 | £3 | Red | Win | £25 |
10 | £2 | Red | Win | £27 |
Over 10 spins we have a profit of £7 against over overall £20 wager, so we have made a positive return of 35% using the D’Alembert Strategy.
The Fibonacci Strategy
Leonardo Pisano Fibonacci was an Italian number theorist. His unique mindset for the power of number patterns, theories, equations, and mathematics created strategies that are being used today – nearly 1,000 years later!
Born in 1170 in Pisa, Italy, he was considered one of the greatest mathematicians of his time, and we will now cover his strategy that looks to be standing the tests of time.
How does The Fibonacci Strategy Work?
The Fibonacci Strategy works by using a sequence of numbers to show the required wager. 1-1-2-3-5-8-13-21-34-55-89 and so on. The player would start with a £1 bet on an even odds choice such as red or black. A loss requires the player to wager the amount of the next number in sequence.
A win reduces the value of the next bet by two numbers back in the sequence.

For example, if the player had bet and lost £7, and the next bet was £5 and the player won, the following wager would be £2 – which is two numbers back from 5 in the Fibonacci sequence.
As confusing as it sounds, it is simple to follow as the numbers are static and never change. The player simply needs to follow the numbers and place their bets accordingly.
Although another strategy with a striking resemblance to the Martingale Strategy – although perhaps we should say the Martingale Strategy has a striking resemblance to the Fibonacci Strategy considering the Fibonacci Strategy had been created 800 years prior – there are some subtle differences.
Martingale requires the doubling of wagers after every loss, and the player can run out of money before landing a win.
As you can see from the Fibonacci sequence of numbers, the increments are not as steep.
Does the Fibonacci Strategy Work? – Our Results
We tried the Fibonacci Strategy starting with a £1 bet as per Fibonacci’s number sequence of 1-1-2-3-5-8-13-21-34-55-89.
This is our results:
Spin | Wager | Bet | Result | Balance |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | £1 | Black | Win | £21 |
2 | £1 | Black | Win | £22 |
3 | £1 | Red | Win | £23 |
4 | £1 | Black | Lose | £22 |
5 | £1 | Red | Win | £23 |
6 | £1 | Black | Lose | £22 |
7 | £1 | Black | Win | £23 |
8 | £1 | Black | Lose | £22 |
9 | £1 | Red | Win | £23 |
10 | £1 | Red | Win | £24 |
We probably needed to take the case study of the Fibonacci Strategy over more spins. As there were not more than two losses in a row, it meant we never needed to stake more than £1 a spin, as the win took us back in the sequence.
Over 10 spins we have a profit of £4 against over overall £20 wager, so we have made a positive return of 20% using the Fibonacci Strategy.
The Paroli Strategy
Interestingly, the lesser known Paroli Strategy was created by a man named Blaise Pascal, a 17th Century French mathematician.
It is because of Blaise Pascal that you are reading this article. He was the man behind the creation of the roulette wheel!
How does The Paroli Strategy Work?
The Paroli Strategy works by the player doubling their stake after a win, and betting at the same stake after a loss. The strategy repeats until three wins in a row is achieved, after which the stakes return to the original value.
This follows a winning streak methodology and helps minimise losses on a losing streak.

Paroli noticed the patterns and random probability chances of winning and losing streaks.
It follows the premise of raising stakes on a winning streak and keeping them low whilst on a losing streak.
As streaks cannot continue indefinitely the Paroli Strategy focuses on the player reaching three wins in a row before reducing the risk, and the stake, back down to the starting level.
For example, if we bet £1 and win on spin 1, bet £2 and win on spin 2, and bet £3 and win on spin 3 – we would reduce the bet to £1 on spin 4.
On the other hand, if we bet £1 and win on spin 1, bet £2 and lose on spin 2 – we would reduce the bet back down to £1 on spin 3.
Does the Paroli Strategy Work? Our Results
We tested the Paroli Strategy starting with a £1 bet and using a combination of red or black on up to a total wager of £20.
This is our results:
Spin | Wager | Bet | Result | Balance |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | £1 | Black | Win | £21 |
2 | £2 | Black | Win | £23 |
3 | £3 | Red | Win | £26 |
4 | £1 | Black | Lose | £25 |
5 | £1 | Red | Win | £26 |
6 | £2 | Black | Lose | £24 |
7 | £1 | Black | Win | £25 |
8 | £2 | Black | Lose | £23 |
9 | £1 | Red | Win | £24 |
10 | £2 | Red | Win | £26 |
Over 10 spins we have a profit of £6 against over overall £20 wager, so we have made a positive return of 30% using the Paroli Strategy.
The 1 3 2 6 Strategy
The 1 3 2 6 Strategy is the less well-known sibling of the 3 2 Strategy we covered earlier. Another strategy where origins are not clear, but the likelihood is it came from the 1800’s where roulette strategies were published in large numbers.
Fortunately, the strategy is simple to follow, and helps minimise risks of stake and winnings as you go. It requires a four play winning streak to maximise the potential before the cycle repeats.
How does the 1 3 2 6 Strategy Work?
The 1 3 2 6 Strategy works with a first bet of say £3, on an even odds game. If this wager wins, the next bet is three times the original stake, so the second wager is £9. A win on spin 2 requires the next wager to be two times the original stake, so £6. The final stake is six times the original stake, so £18.

So, what is happening here?
After a win on spin 2 the player will reclaim their original stake and then continue to bet with just the winnings from the first two spins.
Even if the player loses on spin 3 or spin 4, they will still break even.
The biggest risk is on spin 2, which is where the original £3 stake along with a further £3 cash stake, and the £3 win from spin 1 are bet.
If the player hits four wins in a row their return is £42, and overall profit is £36.
At this stage the cycle of the strategy repeats with a £3 bet.
Does the 1 3 2 6 Strategy Work? – Our Results
We tried the 1 3 2 6 Strategy starting with a £1 bet up to a maximum stake of £20.
This is our results:
Spin | Wager | Bet | Result | Balance |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | £1 | Black | Win | £21 |
2 | £3 | Black | Win | £24 |
3 | £2 | Red | Win | £26 |
4 | £6 | Black | Lose | £20 |
5 | £1 | Red | Win | £21 |
6 | £3 | Black | Lose | £18 |
7 | £1 | Black | Win | £19 |
8 | £3 | Black | Lose | £16 |
9 | £1 | Red | Win | £17 |
10 | £3 | Red | Win | £20 |
Without four wins in a row, which we did not – unsurprisingly – achieve over 10 spins, it’s not possible to make the big wins the 1 3 2 6 strategy.
That said we broke even after 10 spins, so we could have continued until we did strike good fortune with 4 win spins in a row.
Over 10 spins we have a profit of £0 against over overall £20 wager, so we have broke even using the 1 3 2 6 Strategy.
Roulette Strategy Winner
Based on all of our tests and overall case study, it is clear that the Labouchere Strategy with a huge 160% return was the best roulette strategy based on the results of the roulette spins we played.
Strategy | Wager | End Balance | Return |
---|---|---|---|
Labouchere | £20 | £52 | 160% |
3 2 | £20 | £35 | 75% |
Martingale | £18 | £27 | 39% |
D’Alembert | £20 | £27 | 35% |
Paroli | £20 | £26 | 30% |
Fibonacci | £20 | £24 | 20% |
Andrucci | £20 | £20.55 | 8% |
1 3 2 6 | £20 | £20 | 0% |
James Bond | £20 | £6 | -70% |
What is perhaps surprising is that only one of the strategies we have featured resulted in a loss, which is the James Bond Strategy. This strategy is too focused on landing green to make any good returns.
Every other strategy on our list either broke even or gave us a win.
Best Roulette Strategies – In Conclusion
Using our analysis, it does suggest there is a case to be argued for using some of the roulette strategies – some of which have been around for almost 1,000 years.
Players will continue to look for advantages to beat the casino at the roulette table, but it is also worth pointing out that the results from our best roulette strategy tests were all based on the same set of roulette numbers.
This was intentional to allow a direct comparison across them all, but a different sequence of wins and losses could bring about a completely different result.
It may be a good idea to bookmark or save this article so the next time you are playing roulette and just aimlessly betting on random numbers without a mathematical sequence behind them, you can start using one of the tried and tested strategies and see if this improves your chances and fortune!