The casino game of roulette is still a favorite after 300 years, so remember these top five tips for roulette success the next time you head to the casino and you'll have fun and a better chance to leave with a profit.

Tip Number One - Single Zero is the Best

Many casinos, especially those in Europe, feature roulette wheels with a single zero, sometimes called the "house number." Of course you can bet on the zero, so it's not really a house number, but most payoffs on a wheel center around a single number bet being paid 35 units. That means the house keeps 1 unit every 37 spins (1/37) which equals a house edge of 2.7 percent. If wheel also has a double zero, the same 35 units will be paid, but the house keeps 2 units every 38 spins (2/38) which equals a house edge of 5.26 percent.

Obviously the rule here is play the single zero wheel if it is available. Some casinos do have single zero wheels, and some have the game but only offer it in a high limit room (minimum bet of $25 or more likely).

Why play the higher house edge wheel if you can avoid it?

Tip Number Two - The Payoffs Are the Same

Fortunately, the payoffs for every bet on a roulette wheel follow the same rules, so no matter which wager you make, you'll get the same house edge, with the exception of one bet. On what is often call an American wheel (which has the zero and double zero) you can wager the Top Line, which 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. Unfortunately, this bet pays 6 units to cover the 5 numbers. That payoff leaves a house edge of 7.9 percent, so skip this wager!

Tip Number Three - En Prison is Good

Many European casinos have en prison, and some casinos in Las Vegas like the Bellagio, Caesar's Palace, and the Mirage offer games with the rule, as do nearly all of the casinos in Atlantic City.

If you are not familiar with en prison, bets placed on even money bets like odd/even and red/black do not lose on a zero or double zero. Instead they must play in the same spot on the next spin, or the player loses half their wager instead of their entire wager. Now that's a rule that's all good, so ask about it when you play!

Tip Number Four - Understand Variance

Understanding casino gambling variance can be a bit confusing, but for purposes of a tip to remember, the higher the payoff (odds against) of the wagers you are making, the less likely they are going to hit.

That may seem obvious, but the way it applies to the chips in front of you may not.

If you like betting the numbers straight up to get 35-1 payoffs, you are more likely to see wide swings in your bankroll. When the numbers hit for you, you'll have mounds of chips and be happy. When they don't, you'll have long periods of time when you don't hit anything, so be prepared. If you get bored easily, or get frustrated, don't take your issues out on your chips! If you really like the straight up bets, stick with them, don't start making a bunch of crazy bets trying to get even.

Tip Number Five - Your Bankroll is Your Friend

Treat your bankroll like your friend and you'll be happy you did!

The best tip for your bankroll is to only wager what you have saved for gambling, without succumbing to the urge to get a little more cash from your debit or credit card. Problem gambling starts with spending too much cash beyond your entertainment money! You should also find the right casino for your bet size and skill level. There's no sense feeling out of place when you gamble.

As for your bet size, keep in mind that the more units you have, the longer you'll be able to play and the better chance you'll have to enjoy yourself. If you have a total of $100 to spend at roulette, betting $25 per spin is going to have very high variance, and you are likely to go broke quickly. If you want to last a while, choose a bet size that give you a chance to catch a few winners.

Source: casinogambling.about.com