All the Mistakes You Should Avoid as a Beginner at Roulette

Roulette is fast-moving. It’s exciting. And it sounds like a fancy French sandwich. It’s also one of the most accessible games to learn at the casino, and can pretty much be picked up in the time it’ll take to read this blog post. Ultimately, it all boils down to guessing where the ball will land after spinning the wheel. 

The game is easy enough, but it can take only a few seconds to make a devasting mistake that will severely affect your chances of walking away a winner. Nobody, and we mean absolutely nobody, likes to lose, so here are all the common roulette mistakes beginners make that you should avoid at the roulette table. 

1. Picking Just Any Table 

Among the biggest mistakes fresh roulette players can make is not checking out what wheel is used at the table. Believe it or not, this can make a difference to your odds of success. Not all roulette wheels are created equally, and some offer far better odds for the player. There are many different types out there and, regardless of the variant, all types of roulette will be based on an American, French or European wheel. 

You might be surprised to learn that American roulette has the worst odds for players, with a house edge of 5.26% because of the inclusion of a 0 and a double 00. A higher house edge means greater odds of the casino winning over the player. There is nothing wrong with American roulette; many people around the world enjoy it. Just be aware a game using this roulette wheel type has worse odds. 

A game using a European roulette wheel has a house edge of around 2.7%, with only one 0 and no extra rules or other added features. It's considered the base version of the game that all modern roulette is based on. Just like American roulette, it’s still roulette, still fun and will provide a good experience. It just has slightly worse odds for the player. 

The third wheel, and the best for players, is a game using a French roulette wheel. It has a tiny house edge of 1.35%, a lone 0 and extra rules such as "en prison," which provides a chance to receive half of your play amount returned if specific stipulations are satisfied. 

A game using a French roulette wheel offers the best odds. To increase your chances of success at roulette, play games with the lowest house edge. It's up to you though, play whichever game looks fun, just know the odds and make informed choices. 

2. No Due Diligence on the Casino 

In the modern era there are more than a few online casinos, and just like roulette wheels, some offer better opportunities than others. It might be bonuses, extra coins to play with, free spins, promotions, free gifts, loyalty programs or another incentive. Online casinos bend over backwards to outdo each other and offer golden opportunities to players. It's well worth looking around to see what's available and which establishment has the best bonuses and promotions. 

Equally important is ensuring that the online casino you choose is reputable. Look for online casinos that hold valid licenses and are under the supervision of gaming authorities. Check reviews and news articles as well. A few bad reviews isn’t necessarily a red flag, but a lot definitely is. If the casino you're considering has a poor reputation among players, it's advisable to look elsewhere. This will ensure you can play roulette in a safe environment and focus on enjoying the game.

3. Buying Into Superstitions

Buying into superstitions, or people who claim to have a winning roulette system, can set you up for failure. Every casino, whether online or traditional land-based, will have players who are adamant that their superstition is the reason they win. 

Wearing a specific color, only playing at a particular time of day, using a specific device, a lucky number, only playing certain sections of the board are superstitions you will likely hear about, among many others. 
It’s always interesting to learn somebody else’s perspective. However, don’t take it as a fact.  Online casino games use a random number generator (RNG), or an RNG algorithm, to ensure fairness and that each hand dealt, spin of the wheel and dice throw is random. It doesn't matter if red came up three times in a row, or 500 times.

The odds remain the same throughout. Every spin is random; no matter what color clothes you are wearing. The RNG isn't going to be affected by any outside forces, regardless of what pre-game ritual you undertake, or what pattern on the table you choose to play. 

The same goes for winning and losing streaks. A winning streak doesn't mean you are due for a loss, and a losing streak doesn't mean you are due for a win. Superstitions, no matter how much you believe in them, will not help you win so don’t get caught up adhering to them. 

4. Playing Without Learning the Rules 

Playing any casino game without understanding the rules is always a bad idea. Roulette is easy to learn and play. It doesn't take long to know the rules, which means there is no excuse for diving in without first learning a bit about the game. Essential information, such as the odds of the roulette ball landing in specific areas, will only improve your chances of success. 

For example, playing on a color has far better odds of winning than playing a particular number. So if you are struggling to win, it might be because you’ve chosen to play a section of the table that has bad odds. There is nothing wrong with that. Roulette offers many different choices because everyone likes to play a different way, just be aware of the odds involved with each section. 

Keeping it simple and sticking to playing in one area of the table is also going to help in the long run. Experienced players will play multiple sections at once but they also understand the game and the consequences. As a beginner, stick to playing only one or two sections until you get a bit more time at the table. 

5. Trusting in Strategies Without Understanding Them

Roulette involves some strategies and different ways to play, such as the Hollandish Fibonacci and Martingale systems. Using them as a beginner is always a bad idea. Better to focus on the basics of roulette first before trying to dive into the strategies. These are for farther down the line when you understand the game better. 

6. Not Looking After Yourself

Roulette is exciting, it can be easy to get caught up and neglect other aspects of life. Treat roulette like any hobby, make sure all your household chores are done before you play. Take a few breaks if you have settled in for a long session, and ensure you eat, rest and shower regularly. 
Keeping yourself in peak condition and without outside distractions is only going to help your gameplay in the long run because you will be able to focus on the game, rather than thinking about the sink full of dishes and the rumbling of your stomach. Online casinos mean you can play from anywhere, anytime, but you still need to look after yourself. 

7. Forgetting to Have Fun 

The whole point of casino games is to have fun. Getting caught up in winning all the time can make it a chore and quickly ruin the whole experience. Take it seriously but also take time to enjoy the experience, savor a big win, mourn a loss and above all have fun with it, otherwise, what’s the point?

8. Poor Bankroll Management

A critically overlooked concept, bankroll management should be among your first considerations before the first spin of the roulette wheel. Understanding how much you can play with takes away all the stress so you can focus on enjoying the game. 

Make sure to budget out your bankroll accordingly; start small, think long term, and take a breath before you jump into the deep end. Once you have your bankroll sorted, stick to it. Don’t play with more than you have allocated. 

9. Sticking Around Because You're on a Streak 

A key part of poker is knowing when to fold your cards and walk away from the table. Roulette doesn’t have any cards most of the time, but you still need to know when to walk away. Knowing when to quit is a separate skill in itself. Stick to your bankroll and make sure to leave the table when you hit your chosen play limit or if you have set yourself a time limit. 

Roulette is fun, which makes it hard to walk away from. But stick to your limits and always remember that roulette is a game of chance. Every spin of the wheel has the same odds of winning or losing. Being on a hot streak doesn’t mean success with future results, as it won’t affect where the ball lands. 

10. Ignoring the Signs of Tilt 

Tilt is often associated with poker. Making poor choices based on emotion can sneak up on roulette players too, especially after a big loss. Feelings have the potential to obscure rational thinking and result in hasty choices. After a big loss, or even a big win, make sure you take a minute to think about your next move. Take a breath, have breaks, and if you notice yourself chasing a loss, trying to get even, or making choices based on emotion, walk away and come back another time with a clearer head.

Beginner Roulette FAQs:

What’s the biggest mistake beginners make when choosing a roulette table?
One of the most common mistakes is not checking the type of roulette wheel being used. American roulette has the worst odds, with a house edge of 5.26%, while European and French roulette offer better odds, with French roulette being the best option due to its 1.35% house edge and added rules like "en prison." Always choose the game with the lowest house edge to maximize your chances of winning.

Is it really a problem if I trust in superstitions or "winning systems" in roulette?
Yes! Superstitions and "guaranteed winning systems" are a huge trap. Roulette is a game of chance, and every spin is independent of the previous one. The odds remain the same, no matter how many times red or black comes up, or what lucky number you're playing. Trusting in these myths can lead to poor decisions and unnecessary losses.

Should I dive into advanced roulette strategies as a beginner?
Not at all! Advanced strategies like Martingale or Fibonacci may seem tempting, but they’re best left for more experienced players. As a beginner, it’s crucial to focus on learning the basics of the game first. Understanding the odds of different bets and how the game works will serve you better than trying to implement complex strategies too soon.

What’s the risk of not managing my bankroll properly while playing roulette?
Poor bankroll management is one of the quickest ways to end up in the red. Always set a budget before you start playing and stick to it. Avoid chasing losses or playing with more than you can afford to lose. This will help you avoid the stress of losing your bankroll too quickly and keep the game fun.

Why should I walk away from the table even if I’m on a winning streak?
Winning streaks are great, but roulette is still a game of chance. Sticking around too long just because you're winning can tempt you into making hasty decisions or betting more than you intended. Set a limit on both your time and amounts, and know when to finish up. The wheel’s outcome is random, and every spin has the same odds, no matter how hot your streak is!