Dear Mark: Is any bet in roulette a good bet, or should I just throw that money in the fountain on the way into the casino? Dick D.

First off, Dick, let the wishful thinkers throw their hard-earned money in the fountain for luck. You, on the other hand, are going to learn here and now the secret of roulette; it’s about which game, not which bet.

That’s right, Dick, most gamblers mistakenly believe that certain wagers on a roulette table are superior to others. Example: Betting on even money wagers (red/black or odd/even) are said to be always better bets than wagering a straight-up number. Nothing could be further from the truth. All bets on the layout, with the exception of one, hold the same house edge of 5.26%. That one exception is the five-number bet, 0, 00, 1, 2, 3—also called “the beast with five numbers.” Makes sense, as the house advantage on this sole wager is a humping 7.89%.

What you want to search out is a single zero wheel where the house edge is reduced to only 2.7%. If it’s not offered, don’t play; indeed, more money can be made with a snorkel and mask.

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