Is Roulette a Game of Chance or Skill?
Here, we will endeavour to answer that age-old question: is roulette luck or skill… or does it require a little bit of both? Ultimately, the outcome is based on the random spin of a wheel, so there’s no denying that whether or not the ball lands on the number you’ve bet on is a matter of chance. As such, before playing, it’s important to remember that no skill or strategy can guarantee consistent wins, as roulette is a game of probability.
That being said, there are some areas where certain approaches can be applied - such as learning and implementing different strategies. While strategies can't change the actual nature of the game, they can help you manage your bets.
However, you should approach roulette with the understanding that there is no foolproof method to beat the game - but if you learn about different strategies and apply them wisely, you can have a much more pleasant overall roulette experience and potentially give yourself a fighting chance.
Why Roulette is a Game of Chance
Is roulette a game of chance? Well, due to the presence of the house edge and the randomness of the spinning wheel, the answer is yes. The house edge, which is around 2.7% in European Roulette, means that the house will always have the advantage over players in the long run.
Despite common myths suggesting otherwise, every number on the roulette wheel has an equal chance of landing on each spin. There is no pattern or predictability to the outcomes - and no way to give yourself a better chance of picking the right number. Myths such as common numbers and popular picks do not exist because of the fact that there is no guaranteed outcome.
The spinning wheel operates independently on each spin, making any previous outcome completely irrelevant to future results.
Why is Skill Not Considered in Roulette?
Skill is not a factor in roulette because the game's outcome is determined purely by chance. The roulette wheel operates randomly, and each spin is independent of the previous one. Therefore, no amount of skill or strategy can influence where the ball will land.
The very fact that the house edge exists is another indication that the game is all about chance.
Of course, you will still need to learn the fundamentals of how to play and be aware of all the different betting options available to you.
Is there any Skill in Roulette?
But is there any skill in roulette at all? Well, there are various roulette strategies that you can learn and apply to your gaming - the 64% strategy, 3/2 roulette system, Martingale and more. However, they don’t determine the outcome of the game. These are only systems that help structure your way of playing and help you manage your bankroll more effectively.
That being said, there are various choices you need to make throughout the game.
Choosing What to Bet On
In European roulette, every bet carries a fixed house edge of 2.70%. Whether you place your bets on red, black, or a single number, the odds are slightly worse than the actual chance of winning. As such, there’s no skill involved in selecting which numbers to play.
In French roulette, the skill lies in recognising when La Partage or En Prison rules are in effect. With these rules, even-money bets carry only a 1.35% house edge, which halves the disadvantage compared to other bet types at the same table.
Unlike in French roulette, American roulette offers no bets with improved odds and payouts. However, one bet stands out with a higher house edge than the rest: the Basket or Top Line bet, covering 0-00-1-2-3. This bet carries a huge 7.89% edge, which is worse than the 5.26% house edge for other bets.
Having an understanding of these bets and the house edge they carry can inform your decisions at the betting table.
Choosing the Right Roulette Variant
When you play Roulette online, there are all types of games to choose from. Among them, French roulette generally offers the lowest house edge, while American roulette carries the highest.
Despite featuring virtually identical numbers, choosing one variant over another can have an impact on your chances of winning.
Bankroll Management
Moments of losing streaks are more than possible in roulette, and bankroll management is key to restricting these losses and ensuring you are playing within your limits.
Keep an Eye on the Clock
Knowing when to start and stop playing roulette is something else you have control over. As mentioned, having a bankroll management process in place can help you stay within limits and know when to stop playing.
Using Strategies
As we mentioned earlier, there are some strategies you can learn - and whilst these won’t mean that you win more, they may help you to manage bets and add structure to your approach.
Ultimately, in roulette, the outcome is based on chance. However, there are soft skills that do come into play – such as choosing your game wisely, managing your time and money and learning strategies.
Play Roulette Online
At 21.co.uk, you can browse our wide selection of online roulette games, featuring both classic games and those with bonus features that offer unique gameplay.
