The roulette wheel can be daunting for some players. However, those looking to challenge themselves, column bets might be the answer. We will run through roulette columns strategy, and discuss house edge at an online casino. Read more below.
DOZENS AND COLUMNS IN ROULETTE
Having a solid roulette strategy in place is part and parcel of this classic casino game, and keen roulette players will always be looking to take more risks to boost their winnings when they visit casinos.
A fundamental part of the betting system for roulette is columns and dozens. A standard roulette table will have 36 numbers which are separated into three columns of 12 numbers as shown below:
- 1st column – 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34
- 2nd column – 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, 25
- 3rd column – 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36
With column betting, there is more of an element of randomness in terms of outcome and where the ball could drop on the wheel.
However, with dozens, as we explain later on, you can use other renowned betting systems such as the Martingale system to improve your chances of chalking up wins for dozens and getting a payout in the long term.
The sequence for dozens supports the point that roulette is a random game, as you could lose 12 times in a row, starting with one unit for betting, and this is something most players will be aware of.
The differences between the columns and dozens bets
Column betting and dozens bets can provide winning wagers when playing European roulette or American roulette, and while you might think there are some differences, there are actually more similarities than you might initially think.
Essentially, a column wager or column bet and a dozens bet cover the same numbers on a roulette table (12). One column, for example, will have 12 numbers, as will say the third column. They both have the same odds of winning, payout, and even house edge, and many UK customers, for example, will be happy to mix things up and move between the two when trying to keep their bankroll ticking over from winning numbers.
You could even try out a different strategy when saying betting on two columns, such as hedging your bets. Here, you will be backing on and laying against more than one outcome, so that you can stop loss levels from mounting. By betting on more than one outcome as opposed to just red or black, you can save some pain with your spins and wagers in the long run.
Oh, and of course, you can embark on a losing streak depending on which betting system you use, however column betting and dozens betting can also be low risk if used properly when making spins of the wheel.
Best column and dozens strategies
Many roulette systems will revolve around even money wagers like red or black, however, those players who are more adventurous when it comes to betting and targeting a bigger payout will take more risk in an effort to claim more wins.
As such, roulette column betting strategy is paramount, and for those players looking to take their games to the next level, we have outlined a few strategies. Within this, we have explored the pros and cons of say some outside bets, and used a couple of charts to highlight our findings for roulette betting layout.
3/2 betting plan
For many players, this might seem like a nightmare scenario, as you stand to lose a lot if you lot, however, if you hit, then you could make a tidy profit. The 3/2 bet incorporates the columns and dozens aspect of the game, as you might bet on red, black, odd, or even, and then a further two chips will be placed in one of the three columns when you spin.
3/2 betting plan (based on £1 unit stake)
| Spin No. | Total Staked | Results | Win/Loss | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | £5 | 1 Red | WIN | £12 |
| 2 | £5 | 17 Black | LOSE | £0 |
| 3 | £5 | 20 Black | LOSE | £0 |
| 4 | £5 | 7 Red | WIN | £12 |
| 5 | £5 | 14 Red | WIN | £6 |
| 6 | £5 | 26 Black | LOSE | £0 |
Pros
- Will suit high rollers who like to place big bets.
- Provides high payouts if successful.
Cons
- Wagers don’t take into account losing streaks.
- Players is always gambling against the house edge when making spins.
Martingale System
A renowned roulette dozens betting strategy is the Martingale System. The best way to use it is for even money outside bets, such as 1-18, 19-36, Red, Black, Even, and Odd. The odds are usually 50%, but it can be EVENS on some occasions. Betting on red or black is also one of the safest bets that can be placed in terms of progression for a column bet, and generally, will provide only a small profit when spins are carried out on the wheel.
Martingale System Roulette Chart
| Spin | Bet | Stake | Result | Profit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Red | £1 | Lose | -£1 |
| 2 | Red | £2 | Lose | -£3 |
| 3 | Red | £4 | Lose | -£7 |
| 4 | Red | £8 | Win | £8 (+) |
Pros
- The progression element of the system means that players can recover losses from an original bet.
- Small wins can be gained from using this system.
- System is generally quite simple to understand and apply when sat at the table.
Cons
- Could wipe out your bankroll entirely if you lose too often.
- Roulette tables will have maximum limits, so maximum wager in game will be capped.
- The small win amounts may be off putting for those who want to grow their bankroll quickly.
Columns and dozens strategy differences for American and European roulette
Roulette strategy will inevitably take its own shape in American roulette and European roulette as the table layouts, for example, are different. Well, the Martingale System for a column bet in American roulette and European roulette won’t necessarily incur a huge losing streak when you make more than three spins.
For example, the chances players lose from not hitting red for 10 spins straight can be calculated as follows:
- European (19/37)^10 = 0.1275%
- American (20/38)^10 = 0.1631%
Judged on our calculations, the odds on a particular type of bet in European roulette, but remember, that over time, the odds for one column or other outside wagers will lengthen, so player wins will decrease over time.
These should be factored into your overriding strategy if making money is your priority on the next spin. As we have seen, the Martingale System can have a huge outcome on any wagers placed, but it can also produce winning runs for those who use it when they play.
Using the columns and dozens strategy in combination with other betting systems.
Some players will rely on a hunch when they place a bet on roulette, and they hope the ball lands in their desired spot. However, more experienced players will think carefully about a spin, and focus on a carefully designated system to bolster their chances of winning and turning around a profit.
Two strategy methods that are largely overlooked, well at least compared to Martingale, is the Palestis Single Dozen and Flat Bet Single Dozen (FBSD) which helps players keep on top of their bankroll when they play.
The Palestis Single Dozen system focuses on the three dozens and three columns on the table. Each column and dozen on a table, as mentioned, it will include 12 numbers, but the zero is discounted. A correct hit can pay off, with a hit on one of the areas will pay out at odds of 2/1. You can trigger a dozen or column, such as the first column when you spin, and place a wager of less than two units. So, if the trigger came up in one of the three columns you placed say bet 1 on, you will focus your bet on that dozen. However, just like the Martingale System, winning and losing streaks will reset when you lose your initial wager.
FBSD, meanwhile, works a little differently from the Palestis Single Dozen. The brainchild of roulette strategy guru Izak Matatya, the FBSD method is canny at being able to detect dozens during the game. It is extremely versatile compared to other approaches, as players can seamlessly switch between dozens as and when patterns begin to emerge during play. As such, players are given more licence to be creative before they make a wager.
If anything, both of these systems are undervalued, and if used correctly, can help to create winning streaks. Arguably, FBSD is perhaps a little more sophisticated, but it shows that there isn’t just one way to approach roulette especially when it comes to trying to record a profit after making a hit on a column or dozens wager.
Summary
As we have seen, roulette provides plenty of excitement. The dozens and column method can pay off, especially for those players who are always looking for new ways to get more value from any bet they have placed. There is no one-fits-all type strategy that will suit everyone, and you will need to be able to tweak how you play if things go awry.
We have packed a lot into this guide, and we have tried to show the merits of dozens and columns, and how you can turn a profit if you can hit while at the table. For those interested in deviating away from more basic strategies, this is worth exploring in more detail. Just be prepared to roll with the punches and take the rough with the smooth.