Roulette is an easy game to play. It is a numbers game. The rules are simple. The odds are predetermined, the house has an edge of 5.25%, and there are a variety of bets that you can make on the table.

 In every game, however, whatever game it is, there is always a strategy. The main strategy is a very logical one. Know what the rules are and the odds on the various bets.

With this knowledge you can compare other casinos so at least you are playing with the best odds available. There is a strategy promoted called the Martindale system based on the simple maths of the game. There are some rules which can be called Strategic rules that are worth considering.

1. “The surrender” rule.
   This rule applies to the outside bets, the ones that pay even money on red/black or odds/evens or high/low. The zero and double zero, that American Roulette has on its wheel, increases the odds in their favour to 5.25% on the table.
   
   With the surrender rule, if the ball falls in one of these zero slots, you now, only lose half of your bet.  This has the effect of lowering the house edge on these even money bets, to 2.63%.
   
   This means that the even money bets are now more attractive, than the number bets on the inside because of the lower  house edge, but, at the same time you will not get the big pay out odds that those number bets offer.
   
   This “surrender” is to be found in many Atlantic City Casinos and a few elsewhere in the world of Casinos. The single zero roulette wheel rarely offers this surrender rule. If you find one, stay with it.


2. “The En Prison rule”.
   This is only found in European Casinos. It would be very rare to find one in America. European Casino roulette tables operate differently.
   
   There may be two Croupiers, the chips you play with are normal casino chips with the money denomination marked, and, very important, the wheels have a single zero. This means there are only 37 slots on the wheel.
   
   The pay outs on the table are exactly the same as their American counterparts, but now the house edge is only 2.7% as opposed to 5.25%. The rule works as follows. Once again it only applies to an even money bet.
   
   You bet on red. If the ball falls into the zero slot, the “en prison” is offered. Your bet is not taken off the table, nor is it returned to you. It is left on the table as in “Prison”. On the next spin if red comes up, the bet wins and you get your money back.
   
   Nothing extra. If the bet loses you have lost your bet. If zero comes up again, the bet remains in “prison”.  This rule has reduced the house edge to 1.35%. A very attractive incentive to play on these tables.

This “strategy” seems to imply, only gamble in Europe. Don’t take it too seriously!