Roulette Streaks - Do they matter?
If you’ve ever been to a casino, or even simply taken a look at what online casinos have to offer, you’ve probably heard of roulette. Its popularity lies in its simplicity: bet on a number, watch the dealer spin the wheel, and see where the ball lands. Of course, in practice, roulette can be a bit more complex than that. One thing that players should understand before playing is the concept of streaks. This refers to players hitting one colour multiple times in a row.
It’s important to understand the likelihood of streaks occurring so that you can better plan your betting approach. In this article, we’ll explore the roulette longest streaks and what you can learn from them as you study strategy and play the game.
Understanding roulette probabilities
Thanks to its enduring popularity, there are several roulette variations used by people all around the world. The most widely used of them, both at in-person and live casino venues online, are the American roulette wheel and the European roulette wheel. Both wheels consist of 36 red and black pockets, but the American version also has two ‘zero’ pockets. This brings the total number of pockets up to 38. The European wheel, on the other hand, features only one zero pocket, bringing the total to 37.
Due to the difference in the number of pockets, your odds of winning vary between the American and European wheels. It increases the house edge for the American wheel, for example, which lowers the RTP (Return to Player) to players. The house edge in American roulette is a hefty 5.26%, while European roulette has a 2.7% edge. As you can see, the presence of that extra zero pocket makes a huge difference to your odds of winning.
Don’t forget that the extra pocket also impacts your odds of winning, with the American wheel offering a one in 38 chance of landing outcomes such as red/black and odd/even, while the European wheel offers a one in 37 chance. This means that the European wheel offers players a better chance of winning along with a lower house edge.
Historical records of roulette streaks
Now that we know the basics of roulette, let’s discuss some of the most impressive streaks in the game’s history. We’ll look at both colour streaks and number streaks in this section.
The roulette most reds in a row streak goes to an American casino in 1943 when the wheel hit red 32 times in a row. That’s a one in +10 billion chance! The roulette most blacks in a row streak is sometimes attributed to the Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco where the colour was hit 26 times in a row.
In addition to colour streaks, players can also hit number streaks. One of the most notable occurrences of consecutive odd/even outcomes is another Monte Carlo entry. Charles Wells won 23 times on the same number in a row in the early 1900s.
Statistical analysis of consecutive outcomes
As we mentioned briefly above, the chances of achieving long streaks are rather astronomical. The roulette most odds in a row streak, for example, as well as the roulette most consecutive numbers in a row streak sit at a 0.073% probability over two spins. As you might imagine, this likelihood decreases dramatically as you add spins.
Something to keep in mind regarding streaks is that the wheel is never ‘due’ for consecutive numbers or colours. Some players think that a wheel that hasn’t hit a streak in a while is increasingly likely to do so with every spin, but this is false. You’ll see no greater odds at 15 spins out from a streak than you will two spins out from a streak. Don’t fall into the trap of spending your time and money chasing a win that might never come!
Impact of streaks on betting strategies
The concept of streaks has a huge impact on many roulette players. The odds are low, but the payout could be incredible if the streak is accurately predicted. This leads players to stubbornly stick with the same colour or number even while on a losing streak in the hope that the wheel will eventually hit consecutive reds/blacks, odds/evens, or the same number in a row. The problem with this is that hinging all of your resources on a single colour or number is a recipe for disaster. Remember that the odds of hitting a streak are incredibly small – you aren’t likely to see a long one even if you play often.
Instead of betting to take advantage of streaks that might not occur, consider using other betting strategies that maximise your bankroll.
Debunking myths surrounding roulette streaks
We touched on this above, but the LeoVegas team wants to make sure that you understand that each spin offers independent odds. What we mean here is that you are not more likely to hit a specific number or combination simply because it has been a while since they won. Probabilities don’t increase with each spin – they are not progressive. That’s one of the reasons why we encourage our players to bet based on odds independent of the notion of a ‘hot wheel’.
Conclusion
Long streaks in roulette are an enticing concept for gamblers, but they’re exceedingly rare. Some gamblers base their entire strategy around the hope of hitting a streak, but doing so can mean disaster for your bankroll. Always remember that this is a table game of chance and your best bet is to focus on a variety of numbers and colours per round. Even then, your luck might vary.