Exploring the Concept of Professional Roulette
Roulette is a game that has been around for hundreds of years - and is probably the most iconic of them all.
Here, we take a look into the world of professional roulette with some of the most notable players throughout history.
Is There Such a Thing as a Professional Roulette Player?
So, is there such a thing as a professional roulette player? Well, unsurprisingly, given the unpredictable nature of the roulette wheel, the idea of a professional roulette player is often met with a certain amount of scepticism. Unlike games such as blackjack or poker, where you can use strategy to reduce the house edge, roulette is essentially just a game of chance. Once the wheel and the ball are set in motion, there is no way to predict or control where it will land - and it's this complete random nature, combined with a relatively high house edge, that raises the question around professional roulette.
Roulette is popular because it's so random and unpredictable - as well as the variety of betting options. You can decide what type of bet to make; a specific number, colour, or range of numbers, but you have no control over the outcome. The croupier will spin the wheel, release the ball - and you wait and see.
This is purely a game of chance - and you can't influence the ball's final position, which begs the question - how can you be a professional roulette player when you can’t base your decisions on anything?
Professional Roulette Players Throughout Time
Are there professional roulette players? Maybe, maybe not - but there are some players who have become known within the game.
Joseph Jagger
One of the most famous names in roulette history has to be Joseph Jagger. Over 150 years ago, in the 1870s, Jagger, an English engineer, noticed that there were some roulette wheels that hadn't been perfectly balanced when roulette wheels weren’t as sophisticated. As an engineer, he used this knowledge to exploit this, which made a name for himself in roulette history. Roulette wheels are now designed to provide a fair result every time they are played, ensuring there is no bias or way of influencing the outcome.
Charles Wells
Charles Wells is another name that is considered within professional roulette with his wins in the Monte Carlo Casino in 1891. Over the course of several days, he won 1 million francs, a huge amount at the time.
Gonzalo Garcia-Pelayo
In more recent times, the mathematical Spaniard Gonzalo Garcia-Pelayo used his own approach to playing which made gained attention within the world of roulette. It is said that he and his family recorded the outcomes of literally thousands of roulette spins at various casinos to make decisions; however, roulette is based on complete chance meaning the history of previous results will inform future results.
Debunking Characteristics of a Professional Roulette Player
Whether or not you agree with the term "professional roulette player", there are certain factors that can be debunked with mathematics, removing any uncertainty surrounding the game.
Bankroll Management
Bankroll management is a big part of any roulette player’s game. It ensures that you avoid chasing losses or facing significant losses. Strict limits on bets make sure you have enough for certain selections, and help to manage your sessions.
Bet Placement Strategies
Although no betting strategy can overcome the house edge in the long run, there are players who use various systems to manage their bets. These strategies generally include the Martingale system and the Fibonacci system.
Understanding the Game
The best players know everything there is to know about roulette's mechanics and probabilities. They know the odds of different bets, and they use this knowledge to make the best decisions. It doesn't change the random nature of the game, but it helps them to manage the best probabilities.
The Limitations in the World of Professional Roulette
There are a number of reasons why there aren’t professional roulette players in the same way games like Poker and Blackjack have them.
The Random Nature of the Game
Ultimately, roulette is completely random. Every spin is completely independent of the last, and this randomness makes it practically impossible to predict outcomes or get a consistent winning strategy.
The House Edge
The house edge means that the game always has an advantage over players. Over time, this edge will overtake anything you might have achieved. This is particularly true of American roulette - where the house edge is slightly higher at 5.26%.
No Skill Can Be Applied
Unlike games like blackjack and poker - where you can apply strategy to reduce the house edge, there's nothing like this in roulette. This is simply a game of chance. Are there any professional roulette players? Well, that's a matter of opinion. Ultimately, for many, the idea of being a roulette player professional is more myth than reality.