Each of the systems has the same flaw: they try to tell you that past spins have some sort of cosmic relationship to what is going to happen in the future. Some of these techniques are almost as old as the game itself. There are systems being sold online and even in the casino gift shops “teaching” people to beat roulette by using bogus math tricks. Basic math tells us that the house maintains a 5.26 percent advantage on every bet, every time.

In short, there are 18 positive and 18 negatives or a 52.63 percent chance that you are not going to win even this simple bet. Since it does, every one of these bets has 18 possible positive outcomes and 18 opposite negative outcomes plus the negative zero and double zero. These would be your odds if the wheel did not have the green spaces. While you may be tempted to bet on red or black, odd or even, or one of the large ranges thinking that you have a 50/50 chance of winning, don’t. If your number or color hits, you are a winner. The ball typically bounces 3 to 5 times before it comes to rest in one of the slots. As the wheel slows, gravity pulls the ball down where it hits the numbered and colored slots. The dealer, or croupier, spins the wheel in one direction and then spins the ball on the inside of the wheel in the opposite direction. At the top of the columns are the spaces for the green zeros. To the outside of the columns are boxes to bet on the ranges 1-18 and 19-38, 2 to 1 column bets, odd and even bets, and a red and black diamond to bet simple colors. The table has the 36 numbers arranged in 3 columns in the same order they appear on the wheel. In Europe, the wheel is the same, except there are 37 slots and no double zero. The numbers are arranged in a random pattern, but he colors alternate red and black. The numbers are colored red or black except for the zero and double zero which are on green slots.

In America, the wheel has 38 numbers: 1-36, zero, and double zero. Players place their bets on the table and hope that a ball spun on the inside of the wheel lands in the corresponding slot on the wheel.

When you first sit down at the roulette table you will notice a wheel divided into 38 numbered and colored slots and a table with the same numbers and colors.

Cartoon roulette wheel double zero