Red and Black Online Roulette Strategy

In the game of roulette, both in land-based and online casinos, the most common bet among new players is betting on red or black. There are a few reasons why that's the case, which we'll get to below, all of which make it a sensible choice for both roulette lovers and Canadians looking to try the game for the first time.

Why Bet On Black Or Red?

In films and television shows, it's rare that you'll see characters betting on anything other than red or black. Although this is a stylistic choice more than anything–it makes for some great slo-mo shots of the ball coming to rest in a red or black slot–it means that red/black is the bet that most beginners go with as a result.

As bets go, it's not a bad one. You'll stretch your bankroll further betting on black or red than picking a random number every time, and the odds of winning are as close to 50/50 as you'll find in an online casino. Just remember that the 0 (and 00 in the case of American roulette) mean that the odds for the player aren't 18/36 but 18/37 or 18/38. This is where the house gets its advantage.

Is Black Or Red Better Than Even Or Odd?

There's no real reason to think that as such but, unless you have great eyesight, most people will find it easier to see whether the ball has landed on red or black than odd or even. If you can't find a space right next to the wheel, this makes betting on red/black more preferable.

Both bets will help your bankroll go further and, if you're in a land-based venue, you might even get to play long enough to enjoy some comped refreshments.

Is One Colour Better Than The Other?

Unless you have some way of knowing in advance which is going to win, and please let us know if you do(!), betting on red or black is just as good as betting on the other colour.

All of the top online casinos, and some offline casinos with the help of a digital display, show how many red/black numbers have appeared in a row. Every result is completely random, even if a wheel appears to favour a particular colour. Many betting systems involve waiting for streaks and either betting on when they will break or betting with the streak and letting winnings ride.

"Canuck roulette is a game of strategy with many options, but it's simple to learn, and takes years of practice and dedication to truly master."

Should I Pay Attention To Streaks Of Red Or Black?

Statistically speaking, the odds of the previous spin have no bearing on the result of the next spin. It's just as likely that 100 black numbers will appear in a row as it is 50 red numbers and 50 black numbers. Still, even with all those years of roulette on the books, the longest recorded streak is only 32 numbers of the same colour in a row. Red, if you're interested!

However, none of this does anything to change the fact that it feels like streaks can only last for so long. Betting with/against streaks is pretty common, and we wouldn't blame you if you went along with it. But be warned, strategies like the Martingale system involve doubling your bet after a loss and can wipe out your bankroll very quickly in pursuit of a single small win.

Betting red or black is unlikely to make you your fortune–unfortunately, most life-changing sums of money are won on the slots–but it remains a solid choice in a game that allows you to play for as much or as little time as you like without requiring an iota of skill.