An easy yet fascinating game of chance, roulette has captured the attention of many casino players around the world. Although no particular knowledge or skill is required, the potential profits can far exceed those from games such as blackjack. Roulette players often focus on the numbers, believing some are lucky while others should be avoided.
So, what are the best numbers on the roulette table? Are some bets better than others? Is there a way to make sure you win every single time? The answers to these questions may surprise many players. In this article, we will explain some of the most important aspects of roulette play and dispel widespread myths about numbers.
Lucky Roulette Numbers and Other Myths
It is no secret that roulette players tend to favor certain numbers over others. Many superstitions surround these numbers, and most date back to the earliest days of roulette. One intriguing fact is that the sum of all numbers on the roulette wheel (from 0 to 36) is exactly 666, commonly called “the number of the beast,” that is, the Devil’s number and one often linked with the end times in Christian belief.
However, not every theory about roulette numbers is rooted in superstition. Many players think they can exploit biased wheels or manufacturing flaws by identifying the numbers that are more likely to hit on a particular table.
Lucky Numbers
Hot and Cold Numbers
Biased Wheels
RNG Roulette
Lucky Numbers
Everyone has a lucky number, but for gamblers the belief that numbers wield cosmic power over events reaches a different level. The number 17 is arguably the most famous number on the roulette table; it is in the center of the betting layout and has become legendary over the years. Countless stories describe players winning staggering sums after betting everything on 17.
One such story features Sean Connery, the iconic James Bond actor, who reportedly won $27,000 with three successful bets on 17. In 1963, Connery was playing at the Casino de la Vallee in Saint-Vincent, Italy. He bet on 17 and lost, repeated the wager and lost again, then placed a third bet on 17 and won. Remarkably, he repeated the bet twice more, winning both times and leaving the casino with about $27,000.
Another extraordinary example of lucky 17 comes from the United Kingdom. Mike Ashley, owner of Newcastle United FC, won nearly £1.3 million in one spin with a complete bet on 17. A complete bet covers every combination that involves the chosen number, and Ashley’s total wager was £480,000. In all, he placed 17 separate bets (another coincidence?) and walked away with £1,284,000.
Other popular roulette numbers include 7 and 3, while 8 is regarded as lucky in Chinese culture. By contrast, 13 is viewed as unlucky in many parts of the world, which is why some hotels omit room 13, jumping from 12 to 14.
Hot and Cold Numbers
Another widely held belief in casinos is that you can bet on “hot” or “cold” numbers. Hot numbers are those that have appeared more frequently, whereas cold numbers have not been hit recently. Some players flock to hot numbers, while others pursue cold ones, thinking they are “due” because each number is expected to win once every 37 spins on average.
Yet roulette, like every game of chance, is governed by probability, and probability does not work that way. Although there are 37 possible outcomes in each spin, this does not guarantee that every outcome will occur within 37 spins. Some numbers may not show up at all, while others might appear three, four, or more times. Players should remember that each number carries the same chance of being hit and that every spin is an independent event unaffected by previous results.
Biased Wheels
Many legendary roulette players are thought to have used a straightforward tactic to gain an edge over the casino: exploiting biased wheels. Decades ago, roulette tables were built differently, and they often contained defects or imbalances. Modern manufacturing has improved dramatically, and today’s wheels, tables, and mechanics show few imperfections.
Nonetheless, natural wear and tear can still create bias, making the ball more likely to land on certain sections. Casinos counter this by routinely replacing wheels and any other equipment subject to damage. As a result, even experienced casino gamblers find it almost impossible to capitalize on such flaws. The concept is entirely irrelevant to online roulette.
RNG Roulette
Unlike physical roulette in land-based casinos, virtual roulette uses a Random Number Generator (RNG), a software algorithm that produces unpredictable outcomes. The RNG concept is widely employed in computer programming, cryptography, simulations, and many other technologies. Roulette titles that rely on RNG are fully random and replicate real-world entropy as closely as possible.
Such games are fair and impossible to forecast unless someone gains access to the game’s source code or the casino’s systems. That scenario is highly unlikely, which is why RNG roulette is deemed random and unpredictable. As noted above, each number has an identical chance of appearing. In single-zero roulette, that probability is exactly 0.0270 (1/37), meaning every number is expected to win 2.70% of the time.
Are There Good and Bad Numbers on the Roulette Table?
When we consider the probabilities, it becomes clear that there are no inherently good or bad numbers on the roulette table. As already noted, every number has the same chance to win or lose. But what about the various bets available in the game? Besides wagering on a single number, players can stake two, three, or more numbers at once. Is this a better long-term strategy? Yes and no.
Roulette Odds
House Edge
Winning Potential and Profitability
Roulette Odds
To determine whether good and bad bets exist in roulette, players must first understand the odds. As noted earlier, the probability of hitting a single number is 1/37 (1/38 in American roulette). While probability and odds both measure the chance of winning, odds compare the likelihood of winning with the likelihood of losing.
For example, the odds of landing a single number are 1 to 36, meaning one winning outcome versus 36 losing ones. Expressed as “odds against,” the same straight bet has odds against winning of 36 to 1. For an even-money bet such as red or black, the odds against winning are 19 to 18, or 19:18 (1.0556:1). The probability for this wager is 18/37, which equals 0.4864.
House Edge
When comparing casino games, we evaluate their expected value by calculating the house edge. This figure represents the average amount players lose relative to their bets. The house edge, also called the house advantage, exists in every casino game and ensures the casino’s long-term profit. In roulette, the house edge is identical for all bet types, as illustrated by the expected-value formula:
(Expected loss × ways to lose) + (Expected payout × ways to win)
For a straight bet in single-zero roulette, we calculate (−1 × 36⁄37) + (35 × 1⁄37), which equals −0.0270. Converting this to a percentage yields a house edge of 2.70%. For an even-money bet, the equation is (−1 × 19⁄37) + (1 × 18⁄37), again −0.0270, or a 2.70% house edge. In practical terms, a $100 wager carries an expected loss of $2.70.
Winning Potential and Profitability
It is essential to distinguish between a roulette bet’s winning potential and its profitability. As noted above, even-money bets carry a probability of 0.4864. For instance, red is expected to win 48.64% of the time, giving the wager almost even odds. These bets offer the highest chance of success in roulette (along with the other even-money outside bets). By contrast, a single number is expected to win only 2.70% of the time.
Does that make even-money bets the most profitable? Not necessarily. Because red/black, low/high, and even/odd pay 1:1, players receive only the amount they stake. Straight bets provide the biggest payouts at 35 to 1, but when we compare that return with the odds against winning (36 to 1), the risk slightly outweighs the reward. The constant house edge of 2.70% confirms that, whatever bet we place, we lose 2.70% of our total stake on average.
Players must decide which approach suits them better: chasing small yet steady wins or accepting greater risk for the possibility of a large payoff. Most experts recommend low-risk play and bets with higher winning probability, though adding an occasional high-risk wager can make the game far more exciting.
Mistakes to Avoid
A successful roulette strategy blends a sound money-management plan with the right types of bets. Players should also recognize the mistakes they have made and try to avoid them whenever possible. We have already discussed several myths and misconceptions about roulette, but there are a few more points to consider.
Sticking to the Numbers That Are Due to Win
Relying on Progressive Systems
Believing and Losing/Winning Streaks
Sticking to the Numbers That Are Due to Win
This is a common mistake made by novice and superstitious gamblers who believe in hot and cold numbers. Seeing that the ball has not landed on a particular number for a long time, they assume it is “due.” For example, if 15 has not been hit recently, they expect it to win in the next few spins.
That assumption is incorrect. Number 15 might not appear for another 50 spins. Betting on it offers no guarantee of success. In fact, consistently wagering on 15 will likely drain your bankroll, especially if you place straight-up bets. As discussed earlier, these wagers have a low probability and are expected to win only 2.70% of the time.
Relying on Progressive Systems
Another major error inexperienced roulette players make is relying on progressive betting systems. These systems may seem exciting, but mathematics shows they usually produce losses or, at best, small profits earned over a long period. Aggressive progressions like the Martingale, mentioned earlier, can lead to substantial losses. Players who wish to use a progression should choose low-risk systems that raise bet size gradually instead of doubling the stake after every spin.
Believing and Losing/Winning Streaks
This is perhaps the most common way players explain coincidences in gambling. Many think they should stop playing during a losing streak and raise their stakes during a winning streak. This approach is risky because it is based on a fundamentally flawed idea: that future roulette outcomes are connected to past results.
Losing and winning streaks do occur, but they are random and noticeable only in retrospect. Players should not rely on them when deciding future bets.
