The roulette hot numbers strategy involves betting on hot numbers — numbers or sections of the wheel on which the ball has dropped multiple times during the last spins.
The hot number strategy is based on the belief that a number that has come in recently is more likely to come in during the following spins as well.
For example, if a player notes down the winning numbers of the thirty most recent spins, and notices 8, 10, and 29 came in three times, they may think betting on those numbers gives them a higher chance of winning.
What are hot numbers in roulette?
In most casinos, roulette tables will have a display showing all the most recent winning numbers, e.g. the last twenty.
If any of these numbers came in twice (or three times, or more), then they will be called hot numbers.
Conversely, numbers that have not come in in a while are usually called cold or cool numbers.
Not all roulette displays show them, but if they do, it will look similar to this:
If you’re playing online roulette, chances are you’ll be able to see an even longer list of all the recent winning numbers.
You can always note down the numbers yourself, of course, but it’s nice to be able to check them directly at the table (or on whichever app you’re using).
Alright, so is there such a thing as a hot numbers strategy? And if so, does it actually work?
Here are my thoughts…
Hot numbers strategy: possible explanations
1. Dealer’s signature
The term refers to the way each dealer spins the ball in roulette.
Although the technique is the same (launch the ball by snapping the thumb and middle finger), dealers are human beings and this means each will spin the ball differently.
Not only that — a dealer who doesn’t actively try to change the spin will probably end up spinning the ball the same way, over and over again.
If this translates to a somehow predictable spin, then that would be a dealer’s signature, and the player could potentially track it and get an advantage, and bet on the dealer’s hot numbers.
For the full explanation of this, as well as my own thoughts as a casino dealer, please check out the article about whether roulette dealers can hit numbers or not.
2. Gambler’s fallacy
Want to know the harsh truth?
Most roulette systems, or strategies, are based on misconceptions (or simply mistakes in terms of calculating the odds).
Some players like to think that they’ve discovered a way to lower the house edge, to the point where they can play roulette, or any other casino game, and actually make a profit in the long run.
When it comes to the concept of hot and cold numbers, then it could simply be the gambler’s fallacy.
Specifically, the belief that a certain number, or combination of numbers, is more likely to come in simply because it’s already happened recently.
Unfortunately, provided each spin is 100 percent random (and this depends on different factors, but typically it is pretty close to complete randomness), then this belief is incorrect.
3. Old wheels
Did you know that all roulette wheels are periodically checked by casino staff?
This is to make sure that the wheels are perfectly balanced — horizontal and parallel to the table. This is usually done with a spirit level.
If you ever play at a table where the roulette wheel is old, and perhaps not as perfect as management thinks it is, then you may notice the ball tends to drop on certain sections or angles.
Now, to be fair, as a casino dealer with many years of experience, I’ve never seen this.
Besides, anything unusual (such as a roulette wheel where hot numbers are always the same, day after day) will be noticed by the pit boss, or even the dealers themselves, and addressed immediately.
Summary
If there’s a reason to believe the roulette ball is more likely to drop on the recent winning numbers (for instance, because the dealer’s spin is predictable), then the “hot numbers strategy” involves betting on those numbers.
Keep in mind, unless you or the dealer cheat, then no roulette strategy will guarantee profit, especially in the long run.
And yes, spinning the ball so it’s more likely to land on a certain number or section (if the dealer is even able to do it) is cheating because it lowers the house edge.
Casinos are a business and anything that can make them lose money is strictly forbidden, and could result in the player being banned or even prosecuted.
Any comments or questions? Feel free to leave a reply and I’ll do my best to answer 👇
