The number 7 is hit most often in roulette, with an incredible run of six times in a row in the year 2000 witnessed by the Vegas reviewer Barney Vinson. The venue was Ceasars Palace in Las Vegas at around 1.30 pm. The number is often bet on because it is recognised as a spiritual number appearing in many religions.
Back in 1959, the number 10 also hit six times in a row at a casino in Puerto Rico. The odds of that happening are over 3 billion to 1. Both of those runs of luck were played using American Roulette wheels with 38 pockets due to the extra double zero (00).
The team at Fruity King NZ offer as much information as possible to their readers on various aspects of gambling and the gambling world at large. This article will examine the most and the least numbers bet on in roulette and why that occurs.
Table of Contents
Does Superstition Play a Part When Choosing What Number to Bet on?
Superstition plays a big part when placing a bet at the roulette table. People are a superstitious bunch, and when you think about it, many of us have ‘knocked on wood for luck or crossed our fingers in the hope of something turning out well.
Of course, superstitions vary from country to country. Those who believe the number 13 is unlucky would not bet on it when playing roulette.
Some hotel owners skip numbering room 13 and will go from 12 to 14 on their floor plan. Many Westerners believe the number is unlucky and would not want to stay in room 13.
What Are Considered Lucky Numbers in Roulette?
In Western Cultures:
- Number 7 (red) is a lucky number in roulette and lottery worldwide.
- Number 17 (black) has a central position on the roulette table, draws the eye and is easy to reach. With celebrities like Sir Sean Connery who favoured number 17 to help the cause, it’s no surprise number 17 remains ‘lucky’.
- In Italy, the number 13 is considered a lucky number.
Most lucky numbers in roulette are those that are played the most and can be down to:
- A memorable date such as a wedding anniversary or birthday.
- Sports lovers often choose a memorable score as their lucky number.
- Certain events that are significant to the individual will be considered their ‘lucky number’.
Some experts state that the roulette table’s layout impacts which numbers are bet on the most. For example, the number 3 is harder to reach than the popular number 17. In roulette etiquette, other players should stand aside to allow you to place your bet wherever you like, but sometimes that is not how it goes.
In Eastern Cultures:
The numbers 2, 3, 6 and 8 are considered lucky in China, whilst in Japan, the two main lucky numbers are 7 and 8.
- Many Eastern cultures favour the number 8 (black), which also gets much attention at the roulette table.
- Number 11 (black) is also a regular pick at the roulette table as it refers to prosperity and money.
What Are Considered Unlucky Numbers in Roulette?
In Western Cultures:
- Many people avoid the number 13 due to the superstitious saying ‘number 13, unlucky for some’.
- Number 6 is considered unlucky, as ‘666’ is the sign of the ‘beast’ in the Christian bible.
- Number 34 is considered ‘jinxed’ by most professional players who avoid betting on it at any cost.
- The zero and the double zero (if you are playing on an American table) are avoided by many players as they seem to be detached from all the other numbers, set aside at the top of the table, and because of their green colour, blend into to the green felt of the rest of the roulette table.
- In Italy, the number 17 is considered an unlucky number.
Interesting fact – If you were to be betting at a roulette table with an Italian and you were a Westerner, then you can expect them to make the reverse of your bets regarding the numbers 13 and 17.
In Eastern Cultures:
- In Japan, Korea, Vietnam and China, words associated with death sound similar to their words for the number 4, which is considered unlucky. A phobia surrounds the fear of the number 4 called Tetraphobia.
- The number 39 is considered the curse of 39 in Afghan culture and is also referred to as triakontenneaphobia. The number is associated with shame and is linked to prostitution.
What Makes Number 17 So Popular in Roulette?
Number 17 is famous for delivering exceptional wins. It is the number at the centre of the roulette board in everyone’s view.
- The ex-boss of Newcastle, Mike Ashley, greatly favoured the number 17 and won $1.3 million by making a ‘complete’ bet on 17. A complete bet is a high table maximum coverage that covers all of the inside bets for an individual number often played by high-rollers.
- Sir Sean Connery is reported to have placed five bets on the number 17 whilst playing in Casino de la Vallee, Saint-Vincent, Italy. He placed his winnings back onto number 17 and won three times over!*
*The odds of hitting three single numbers in a row is approximately 50,000:1.
Interesting fact – All the numbers on a roulette wheel add up to 666
- Some call the roulette wheel the ‘Devil’s Wheel’ as all the numbers add up to 666, which in Christian culture is the sign of ‘the beast’, the devil himself. One theory is that Pascal Blanc, the creator of the roulette wheel, made a deal with the devil to learn its secrets. Others believe it has this name as it is almost impossible to calculate the winning number.
In Conclusion
Whether you bet on your lucky number or numbers or follow the trend, roulette remains as popular today as ever. Knowing which numbers are the most popular choices is useful when deciding which to play. Formulating a ‘lucky’ strategy can only add to your entertainment if you are responsible with your bankroll.
