Fixed Odds Betting Terminals—commonly called FOBTs—are electronic gaming machines that can be found in many licensed UK betting shops. One popular option available on them is roulette. It’s a fast-paced game that may seem to follow patterns, and it's easy to wonder whether a strategy could give you better results.
This guide looks at some common systems and betting approaches people might try, how the machines actually work, and why outcomes are never predictable.
If you’re new to these games or simply curious about how fair they are, this can give you a clearer understanding before you decide to play.
What Do Players Mean by a FOBT Roulette System?
A "FOBT roulette system" is a way of placing bets that some players may use in an attempt to improve their chances of winning. These systems often involve patterns or specific approaches to betting, such as changing bets based on previous outcomes, or sticking to certain numbers.
For example, a player might bet on red and, if it doesn’t win, switch to black for the next spin, continuing to alternate based on what has recently happened. Others might choose to stick with a small group of favourite numbers, hoping they will eventually come up.
FOBT roulette uses a Random Number Generator (RNG), which makes each spin completely random and independent. Because of this, no system or betting method can influence the result or improve your odds.
Do FOBT Roulette Strategies Actually Work?
Roulette strategies are often built around the idea of increasing or changing bets based on past results. Some players might try to spot trends, or follow patterns such as always betting on red after three blacks.
The odds in FOBT roulette, though, don’t shift based on betting behaviour. European roulette has one 0 and numbers 1–36. Betting on red, for example, gives you 18 winning numbers out of 37 possible outcomes. That’s just under a 49% chance. The green 0 exists to give the operator an edge, known as the house edge—in this case, around 2.7%.
No matter how you vary your bets or how long you play, the house edge stays the same. These games are designed to be random. So, while strategies may add structure, they won’t increase your odds of winning.
What Are FOBT Trigger Numbers and Do They Mean Anything?
Trigger numbers are the idea that certain results hint at what might happen next. For example, if 7 comes up twice, some people might avoid it thinking it’s unlikely to appear again—others might bet on it, believing it’s “hot”.
This belief comes from the gambler’s fallacy—a common misunderstanding that past results affect future ones in games of chance. On an RNG-powered machine, this simply isn’t true. The number that landed last has no impact on the number that comes next.
Every spin is separate and random. The machine doesn’t track what’s happened before, so trigger numbers hold no real meaning when it comes to future outcomes.
FOBT Roulette System Myths That Still Circulate
There are several beliefs still discussed in betting shops and online that don’t reflect how FOBT roulette actually works.
One of the most common is the idea of a “near miss”. For instance, if you bet on number 24 and the ball lands on 23, it might feel as though you were close to a win, which might lead some to think a winning result could be approaching. In reality, the outcome of each spin is completely independent, and how close the result is to your number has no impact on what happens next.
Another frequent belief is that machines can go through “hot” or “cold” phases—where they might seem to pay out regularly for a while, or hardly at all. Although it can appear as though patterns are forming, this is purely coincidence.
Each result is determined by an RNG, meaning spins are entirely random and not influenced by previous outcomes. The machine doesn’t adjust its outcomes based on how much has been won or lost, so it can’t be “due” for a win or loss. While some machines may display your session balance or total staked, this information is for the player’s reference only and has no effect on how future spins are decided.
Many of these myths are based on the natural tendency to try and spot patterns in random events, but they don’t reflect how these games actually function.
Can You Beat the FOBT Roulette Algorithm?
The term “algorithm” often gives the impression there’s a formula to figure out. In FOBT roulette, the algorithm is the RNG—a Random Number Generator that picks an outcome for each spin. This software is audited to meet standards set by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), making it both fair and secure.
Because of the RNG, no spin is predictable, and the machine doesn’t learn or adapt based on past results. While it’s possible to have a good session and walk away with winnings, this doesn’t mean the game has been beaten. Over time, the built-in house edge ensures that more money goes to the operator than to players overall.
For example, betting on a single number can pay out at 35 to 1, but the chance of hitting that number is 1 in 37. This gap between the potential payout and probability is how the game maintains its house edge.
The Truth About Patterns in FOBT Roulette
It’s common to look for “patterns” on the machine’s recent results. You might see several reds in a row and feel black is overdue. Or, you might pick numbers that haven’t appeared in a while.
But the machine doesn’t remember or respond to any possible streaks. Each spin is new and random. The chance of red or black is roughly the same every time: 18 out of 37. The presence of one green 0 gives the operator its statistical advantage.
It’s natural to try and spot patterns and try to find meaning in random outcomes, but in roulette, any pattern that appears is simply a coincidence.
These sequences might seem meaningful, but they don’t influence the odds in any way. If you choose to follow certain bets based on what you’ve seen, that’s a personal choice—but the outcome will still be decided by chance alone.
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*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.