On beating the house edge in roulette

21 April 2015

By Frank Scoblete

FROM JAGGY: I always read your articles just for fun. As you say the casinos always have the edge. The percentages are the bottom line to be successful in business which I learned at Wharton Business School.

Common sense tells me to never play the slots which I don't. My wife likes to play them as it is easy for her to just press the max button. What can I say?

You have no choice to change the casino edge on slots. I know you have written book(s) on slot play. Not being sarcastic, I wouldn't read any slot book written by you or anyone else. [From Frank: Thanks a lot, Jaggy!]

Now your books on blackjack, the 5-Count in craps which I read make sense because you have found a way to have a close game against the house. That is the point where a player has a choice where the slots don't give the player any discretion. I guess you can thank the late Captain, who gave the player a chance to overcome the casino's edge with controlled shooting. He found the impossible at the time everyone said it can't be done. I found ways to beat the casino at roulette, and I'm no Captain Marvel.

I only play roulette because I develop several strategies to give me the choose to get the edge over the 5.26 percent by a large percentage in my favor. I don't have to bet every spin which is very important to avoid losing. I choose my selected opportunities to win. I know you are not a fan of roulette. I have to say that your book “Spin Roulette Gold” which I read (many moons ago) to see what you had to say because the other writers serve a grave injustice for the readers.

All of these roulette books preach the same routines of the game but not how to win or any strategy. I come to believe that all the writers just don't know there are ways to beat the casino. They are all set on the house large edge of 5.26% and there is no way to overcome those percentages. Even Don Catlin, the mathematician, doesn’t get it. But I respect him along with you.


FRANK RESPONDS: Jaggy, normally I don’t publish letters stating the writer has a method of betting that can overcome the house edge on a game where no betting method can overcome such an edge. I agree with Catlin. The math of roulette is unbeatable and, perhaps, what you’ve been experiencing is a string of good fortune. In short, you’ve been lucky.

But what I liked about your letter is the idea that you don’t have to bet every spin of the wheel at roulette. You get just as much of a kick by reducing your exposure. Less exposure, lower losses.

Much of gambling’s joy is anticipation of the next decision. So stretching out your play by reducing the number of decisions heightens that anticipatory set.

I am sending you my book “The Virgin Kiss” for your letter.

Frank's new book is "I Am a Dice Controller: Inside the World of Advantage-Play Craps."