Roulette has been around for centuries, and over that time, countless myths and misconceptions have developed. Some seem logical on the surface. Others are actively promoted by people selling "systems" or strategies. But nearly all of them are mathematically false. Believing these myths can cost you money, waste your time, and create frustration when reality doesn't match expectations. Understanding what's true and what's fiction helps you approach the game with realistic expectations. This guide debunks the most common roulette myths, explains why they're wrong, and clarifies what actually determines outcomes in roulette.
Myth 1: Hot and Cold Numbers
The Myth: Certain numbers are "hot" (appearing frequently) or "cold" (rarely appearing) and you should bet accordingly.
The Reality: Every spin is independent and random. Past results don't influence future spins. A roulette wheel doesn't have memory. If red has hit 10 times in a row, the probability of red on the next spin is still 48.6% (on European roulette). The wheel doesn't "know" what happened before. Many casinos display recent numbers on electronic boards. These boards aren't there to help you find patterns — they're there because players believe in patterns and find them interesting. The casino profits from this belief.
Why people believe it:Humans naturally see patterns even in random data. If you watch 100 spins and see that 17 hit five times while 23 didn't hit at all, it feels meaningful. But with 37 (or 38) possible outcomes, uneven distribution is mathematically expected in small samples.
The truth:Over millions of spins, each number will appear roughly the same amount. Over 100 spins, the distribution will look random and uneven.
Myth 2: The Gambler's Fallacy (Due Numbers)
The Myth: If something hasn't happened in a while, it's "due" to happen soon.
The Reality: Each spin is independent. Previous results don't make future outcomes more or less likely.
Example of the fallacy:"Black hasn't hit in 15 spins, so it's overdue. I should bet on black." This logic seems reasonable, but it's mathematically incorrect. The roulette wheel doesn't balance itself out in the short term. The probability of black is the same on every single spin: 48.6% (European) or 47.4% (American).
Why people believe it:It feels like the universe should "correct" imbalances. But probability doesn't work that way. Each event is separate and doesn't owe anything to previous events.
Famous example:In 1913 at the Monte Carlo Casino, black hit 26 times in a row. Players lost millions betting on red, convinced it was "due." Red wasn't due — each spin still had independent odds.
Myth 3: Betting Systems Beat the House Edge
The Myth: Systems like Martingale (doubling bets after losses) or Fibonacci progressions can overcome the house edge.
The Reality: No betting system changes the house edge. Each bet still has the same mathematical expectation.
Why Martingale feels like it works:The Martingale system says to double your bet after every loss. Eventually, you'll win and recover all losses plus a small profit.
Why it actually fails:- You'll hit table maximums or run out of money during a losing streak - A series of 8-10 consecutive losses isn't uncommon - The small profits from wins don't compensate for the risk of catastrophic losses
Example:Start with $10. After 8 consecutive losses, you'd need to bet $2,560 on the 9th spin to continue the system. Many tables have $500-$1,000 maximums, preventing this.
The math:Betting systems rearrange when you win and lose, but they don't change the expected value. Over time, you still lose at the same rate as the house edge predicts. For more on how house edge works, see our guide on [house edge in roulette](#).
Myth 4: Dealer Signatures and Wheel Bias
The Myth: Skilled dealers develop "signatures" that make spins predictable, or physical wheel imperfections create bias toward certain numbers.
The Reality: Modern wheels and casinos make this essentially impossible.
Dealer signatures:The idea is that dealers develop unconscious consistency in how they spin the wheel and launch the ball, making outcomes predictable.
Why this doesn't work:- Dealers vary their spinning force and timing - Modern wheels have randomizing features (deflectors, curved pockets) - Even if a dealer was perfectly consistent, tiny variations would still create randomness - Casinos rotate dealers and require them to vary their technique
Wheel bias:Historically, some physical wheels had manufacturing defects or wear that caused certain numbers to hit more often.
Why this doesn't work anymore:- Modern wheels are precision-manufactured and regularly maintained - Casinos monitor statistical outcomes and replace wheels showing bias - Online roulette uses RNG (random number generators), which can't have physical bias - The amount of data needed to detect bias requires tens of thousands of spins
The truth:Wheel bias was real in the early 20th century. It's essentially non-existent in modern, regulated casinos.
Myth 5: Tracking Software or Apps Can Predict Outcomes
The Myth: Apps or software that track numbers can predict future spins based on patterns.
The Reality: These tools can't predict random events. They just display historical data in fancy formats.
Why they don't work:If past results could predict future spins, casinos would lose money and change the game. The fact that roulette still exists and is profitable for casinos proves that past results don't predict future outcomes.
What these apps actually do:Display recent numbers and highlight "hot" and "cold" numbers. This makes people feel like they have an edge, but it's based on the gambler's fallacy.
The exception:Some advanced techniques combined with physical observation and extensive data might work on old, poorly maintained wheels. But this requires sophisticated equipment, thousands of spins of data, and conditions that virtually no modern casino provides.
Myth 6: You Can Get an Edge by Betting After the Wheel Starts
The Myth: You can watch where the ball starts and predict where it will land by betting late.
The Reality: Casinos close betting before the ball settles, and outcomes are too random to predict visually.
What used to be true:Decades ago, some skilled players could gain tiny edges by observing wheel physics and betting late. This was called "visual ballistics."
Why it doesn't work now:- Dealers call "no more bets" well before the ball settles - Modern wheels have randomizing features - Casinos watch for this behavior and ban players attempting it - Online roulette closes betting immediately when the spin starts
Myth 7: Some Bet Combinations Have Better Odds
The Myth: Betting on multiple areas simultaneously (like covering 2/3 of the table) gives you an advantage.
The Reality: Every standard bet in roulette has the same house edge. Combining bets doesn't change this.
Example:Betting on red, plus the first dozen, plus a few individual numbers might feel like "coverage," but each bet still has a 2.7% (European) or 5.26% (American) house edge. You can't design a betting combination that overcomes the house edge. The math doesn't work that way. For more on different bet types, see our guide on [roulette bets explained](#).
Myth 8: Online Roulette Is Rigged
The Myth: Online roulette is programmed to make players lose more than physical roulette.
The Reality: Licensed online casinos use certified Random Number Generators (RNG) that are independently tested for fairness.
Why people believe this:- Losing streaks feel suspicious - You can't see a physical wheel and ball - Some unlicensed casinos have operated rigged games (which is why licensing matters)
The truth:Legitimate online casinos are regulated and audited. Their RNG systems are tested by independent labs to ensure fairness. The house edge is built into the game mathematically — casinos don't need to rig outcomes.
How to protect yourself:Only play at licensed, regulated online casinos. Check for certifications from testing agencies like eCOGRA or iTech Labs. For more on casino safety, see our guide on [identifying safe online casinos](#).
Myth 9: Professional Roulette Players Exist
The Myth: You can make a living playing roulette professionally.
The Reality: The house edge makes consistent long-term profit mathematically impossible without exploiting wheel defects (which don't exist in modern casinos).
Why this myth persists:- Some people have had long lucky streaks - Stories of wheel bias exploitation from the early 1900s - People selling systems claim to be "professionals"
The truth:Anyone claiming to be a professional roulette player is either: - Lying - Selling a system or course - Experiencing temporary luck that won't last - Exploiting something illegal that will get them banned Unlike poker (where you compete against other players) or sports betting (where information edges exist), roulette is pure probability against the house. The math doesn't support long-term profit.
Myth 10: Casinos Change Wheel Settings to Make Players Lose
The Myth: Casinos can adjust wheels or RNG to increase losses during busy times or when players are winning.
The Reality: Licensed casinos can't legally change game odds without regulatory approval and disclosure.
Why this is false:- Gaming regulations strictly control game parameters - Changes must be documented and approved by regulators - Modern RNG systems are sealed and certified - The house edge is already sufficient for casinos to profit — no manipulation needed
What is true:Some jurisdictions allow different game variations (like American vs European roulette), which have different house edges. But these differences are disclosed in the game rules, not hidden changes.
What Actually Determines Outcomes
Roulette outcomes are determined by:
In physical roulette:- The initial spin velocity of the wheel - The initial velocity of the ball - Physical interactions (gravity, friction, deflectors) - Countless micro-variables that are impossible to predict
In online roulette:- Certified RNG algorithms that produce statistically random results - Independently tested and audited systems
In both cases:Each spin is independent. Past results don't influence future outcomes. The house edge is constant across all standard bets.