Bankroll Management for Roulette Success

Roulette play is an activity for grown-ups. Is it thrilling? Absolutely! Can it make players feel like kids again? At times, yes!

There’s nothing quite like the feeling that comes with a jackpot win, or a favorite bonus triggered, or watching one’s balance grow.

But for all of that, gambling is decidedly an adults-only activity. And it should be treated as such!

This means betting responsibly.

That’s right: for serious punters, proper bankroll management isn’t an option…

…it’s absolutely essential.

But what does good bankroll management look like, exactly?

Read on to find out! Here are some can’t-miss strategies to take your play to the next level.

1 – Determine your bankroll’s size BEFORE sitting down to play.

First and foremost, since roulette play can be so exhilarating, players should make their bankroll decisions before the wheel starts to spin.

Think of it as a key part of strategy.

Just as no serious player would commit much time or resources to a title without knowing anything about it, neither can he or she afford to place bets without planning ahead for how much they can afford to risk:

Determine how much you have to play with within a given time period, and then stick to it. Remember: if you can’t afford to lose it, you can’t afford to wager it!

2 – Play the right tables (and casinos) for your bankroll

Once players know what their bankroll looks like, it follows that they should play at tables suitable to their means.

Most roulette tables have minimum bet requirement, as well as a maximum bet limit: in choosing the right table, punters should let these be their guides.

We recommend bringing a bankroll of at least 25x the minimum table bet.

Bringing a bankroll of this size or greater allows gamblers to withstand the inevitable runs of bad luck that all seasoned players endure.

(*This assumes players are mostly making 50/50 bets. For those betting longer odds, much, much larger bankrolls will be necessary.*)

There is one other gaming element that is overlooked far too often: choosing the right casino in the first place!

Modern roulette players have an astonishing variety of options in choosing where to play. With so many deposit bonuses available, making a smart choice can have considerable impact on one’s bottom line.

For those interested in learning more, our UK-based sister site RouletteVision offers an excellent guide to the best online options available.

(As a final note, remember that French roulette offers players the best odds against the house!)

3 – Set a win goal AND a loss limit for each session

When a player has determined his or her total bankroll and selected some suitable titles chosen, it’s time for the next step:

Before each gaming session, set both a win goal and a loss limit.

Maybe that win goal is a fixed amount. Maybe it’s a 20% or 30% gain on the session’s bankroll allotment. Whatever limit you select, remember that, any gambler who plays long enough will eventually lose to the house’s superior mathematical advantage. The key is to quit while ahead!

What’s more, a loss limit and a gamer’s total bankroll aren’t the same thing!

Say, for example, a punter likes to play as often as 15-20 times per month. If they lose their entire monthly bankroll during the first two gaming sessions, what are they going to do for the next four weeks?

Such a player would be wise to set a per-session loss limit of 5-7% of their monthly bankroll.

Someone who plays less often can of course afford to invest more of their total bankroll in an individual gaming session. Just like other elements of solid play, win goals and loss limits should be revised as players gain experience and perspective, and as their personal finances change.

4 – Play slowly

Casinos are always looking for ways to boost their bottom line. One of their favorite strategies is to speed up play.

Whether it’s the roulette table, slots, or blackjack, they have figured out that more bets per hour translates into more profit for the house.

Our advice? If faster play helps the house, do the opposite!

Slow your play down. When playing at a brick-and-mortar or multi-player table, there’s no rule that says players must place a wager on every spin. If playing Live Table games, even taking a deep breath before each wager will have many benefits.

Slower play means better game decisions, and generally speaking, more enjoyment as well. Speaking of which…

5 – If it’s no fun, walk away

This last point may seem obvious, but…

… roulette is supposed to be fun!

Unlike the game of poker, sports betting, or the stock market, there is no such thing as a professional roulette player. Of course big wins are the goal, and are tremendously wonderful when they arrive. But playing roulette shouldn’t feel like a job. No matter what.

If a given session isn’t providing pleasure, our advice is to stop. Either take a walk before continuing, or conclude the session and try again another time.

Life is too short not to enjoy something that’s supposed to be pleasurable!

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