Despite its growing popularity, many people still play roulette the wrong way. For example, I have seen many players start with a set bankroll, then keep playing until it's all used up. Of course, this isn't what they planned, but usually it's how their game ends up. If you want to play roulette seriously, the first thing you should do is to be aware of what you are doing and not doing properly.

Sometimes it's hard to believe, but there are people who instantly flood the table with chips the moment they arrive at the roulette table. They place a small amount here, a bigger amount there; just to satisfy that inner voice inside them that's always telling them where to bet and how. What they don't know is that they are just playing with the poorest value of bets that the table has. So even if they win, the amount they get is just a little more ? or even less ? than what they originally wagered.

This may be an exciting way to play, but if you're playing for money, you will ultimately find that you're at the losing end of the stick. Have you taken note of all the winnings and losses you've had while playing this way? If you have, then you would discover that you have just been betting against yourself. You should play the game in a way that maximizes your odds of winning, and winning big. It's not a good idea to bet more than what is needed to win the same amount. If you get carried away and start placing more and more bets on more numbers, you will lose a growing amount every round without you knowing it.

You have to expect that you'll lose the value of your average bet for every round over 37 games. So if you're betting $10 each spin of the wheel, you should expect to lose $10 after 37 spins, if the odds are running accurately. Yes, the odds aren't the same for each and every game, but this should give you an idea of what you are up against. This is the house's advantage over the players. Putting it simply, the more you bet, the more you should expect to lose over a certain period of time.

If you want to walk away a winner, remember to drag yourself away from the table when you've won a reasonable amount. However, this is also the most difficult time to walk away, because you're feeling great and you feel like you could win a lot more if you stay for only a couple more spins. Sadly, it doesn't work like that at all. You could win more, but there's always the chance of losing on the next spin, and you will just end up chasing your winnings. You should always set yourself a cut-off point, win or lose. When you reach it, walk away from the table.

Try to place a bet on red or black, and bet 5% of the total amount you're prepared to lose. Keep placing the same bet, whether you win or lose, until you win at least half the amount you started with, or lose the whole bankroll. Playing red/black or odd/even slightly cuts the house advantage to your favor, since you stand to lose only half your bet when the ball lands on a zero.

Another good strategy for you to try is to place a bet on red, two bets on row 1-36, and another two bets on row 2-35. Take note that the table is divided into three rows ? 1-34, 2-35, and 3-36. Further note that row 3-36 has eight red numbers and only four black numbers. The strategy I just gave you takes advantage of this fact.

Using this strategy, you will win most of the time. If the ball lands on a number within row 3-36, the odds increase in our favor because there are more red numbers there than black. And even if the ball lands within one of the three rows over the next several rounds (as it most likely will), we have already covered two out of three rows, so our chances are also good on this one. And of course, we're also hoping that the ball keeps landing on red more than black, too.

Whatever strategy you use, remember to think ahead and plan for the long term. Take into account that the ball has no memory, and that the chances of getting a number is always the same, even after a torrid streak. But also remember that you are gambling, so you're in a situation where you stand to lose your money in the hopes of winning some, but there are no guarantees.