Biggest Roulette Superstitions: Ignore or Enjoy?

Roulette is one of the most myth-soaked Western casino games. Every self-respecting gambler playing Roulette at online casinos needs to know which ideas are worth upholding and which are holding them back.

Lucky Numbers

Some cultures have strong connections to numerology. China, for example, considers zero, six, eight, and nine to be auspicious because they sound similar to positive words. Others simply connect numbers to important or positive aspects of their lives to bring that positivity to their roulette betting.

Ironically, this irrational idea can actually become the foundation for a system. Betting on any outcome regularly should produce a more consistent return than erratically betting across numbers and markets, giving players a better chance of matching, or, if they're really lucky, perhaps bettering, the house edge.

Verdict: Harmless when followed sensibly and consistently. Enjoy.

Sleeping Numbers

Simply put, sleeping numbers are those that haven't come up in a while and, therefore, some players say, are “due a win.” This assumption stems from the belief that every number must win at least once because it has the same chance of winning as all the others. 

But because each spin is independent of the last, every number has a 1-in-37 (in European Roulette) or 1-in-38 (in American Roulette) chance of landing on each spin, regardless of what happened in previous spins.

Verdict: Shows a flawed understanding of probabilities and signs of the gambler's fallacy. Ignore.

Clocked Tables

If someone says a table is “clocked,” they're claiming it has been rigged so the croupier can stop the wheel on a set number. There are signs that this happened once upon a time, but modern casinos are regulated and quite comfortable without needing to cheat.

Players who think they've spotted numbers cropping up regularly, or bet against the crowd in a bid to beat the croupier, are just deluding themselves. You're better off learning more Roulette odds and payouts information.

Verdict: A paranoid throwback that makes gamblers miserable and fatalistic. Ignore.

Charms/Rituals

Some players carry a rabbit's foot, wear lucky clothing, or perform a ritual before they visit a Roulette table. There's no proof that this affects what happens once they lay their chips down. 

But that's not to say it doesn't help. 

An article from the British Psychological Society discussed how good-luck superstitions can boost the confidence of athletes—and gamblers.

Verdict: When accompanied by self-control and an understanding of the odds, there's no reason why these can't enhance your experience. Enjoy.

Betting With Your Gut

Whether the origin of this idea is “divine inspiration” or a player's belief in their earthly intuition, this Roulette superstition is all about making quick decisions by avoiding calculations. This is a dangerous approach to a casino table game entirely based on chance. 

Of course, acting slowly is just as dangerous if you're playing the numbers: After all, averages only even out after a large volume of bets.

Verdict: If you don't want to think during a game, make sure to do so before and after. If the approach is paying off, enjoy it; if not, ignore it.