If you’re looking for a simple and easy-to-understand casino game, roulette is undoubtedly one of the best options available.
That said, while roulette doesn’t require extensive gambling experience or proficient strategic knowledge, it’s still a gambling game, meaning that there’s always a chance of losing.
Moreover, the more mistakes you make, the higher your chances of losing become. So, if you want to play roulette and make sure you don’t make any unwarranted errors, here are the top four costly roulette mistakes you should be aware of.
1. Betting on American Roulette
American roulette is a very popular variation of the game that has some differences compared to the European version, primarily in the form of the extra 00 symbol on the wheel.
But, what most live roulette casino players don’t know is that playing the American version over the European one is a very costly choice on its own.
The main reason is that the extra number on the American roulette wheel effectively doubles the house edge.
To be more precise, while the house edge in European roulette is a fantastic 2.70%, in the American version, it is a less desirable 5.26%.
In simple words, it means that you’re giving the casino more money over time, which is the last thing you want to be doing.
Luckily, this is a very easy roulette mistake to avoid. Just play European roulette, and you’ve already dodged one mistake that can cost you a lot of money in the long run.
2. Not Having a Clear Head While Gambling
Roulette doesn’t involve any skill, meaning that you don’t have to think too much when playing it.
You just need to pick a bet and hope that the ball lands in the pocket covered by your selection.
Still, it’s important to be in full control of your actions to make sure you don’t needlessly lose money.
So, whether you’re playing at a live online casino or at a land-based venue, don’t get too emotionally invested.
Moreover, don’t play roulette if you’re under the influence, as you’ll likely bet more than usual and make unwise bet selections.
Of course, roulette is one of the most exciting casino games, and it can be even more entertaining if you have a few drinks and get immersed in it.
Just make sure you’re always betting with your brain and not your heart, and you’ll avoid this costly roulette mistake.
3. Playing Because You’re Due a Win
Winning and losing streaks are a part of any gambling game, and roulette isn’t any different when it comes to this.
But, you shouldn’t try to read into these streaks, as they mean nothing in a random game like roulette.
Such a line of thinking is called a Gambler’s Fallacy, an unfounded belief that can end up losing you a lot of money.
This costly mistake is best illustrated through the example of even-money roulette bets. For instance, let’s say that you’ve lost five spins in a row betting on black.
So, you decide to continue betting on black, thinking that the roulette wheel is due for such an outcome.
While the outcome of the next spin may very well land in a black pocket, it’s still completely random. It could land on black five times in a row from then on or continue another five times on red.
There’s no roulette strategy or logic you can use to predict, and you should never assume that a result is due just because it hasn’t occurred for a while.
4. Using a System When Betting
While systems might work in games that involve a skill element, like poker and blackjack, they are completely useless in roulette.
As roulette is entirely a luck-based game, using a system or strategy for it is not only ineffective, but it takes away from your experience.
Unfortunately, many roulette players make this costly mistake, and the house still ends up winning. That said, while using a system to try to bet the wheel is pointless, you can still have a bankroll management betting system.
This system involves managing your bankroll efficiently to get the most of it and isn’t in any way trying to impact the game.