Roulette Odds and Profits: The Mathematics of Complex Bets

by Catalin Barboianu

Continuing his series of books on the mathematics of gambling, the author shows how a simple-rule game such as roulette is suited to a complex mathematical model whose applications generate improved betting systems that take into account a player's personal playing criteria. The book is both practical and theoretical, but is mainly devoted to the application of theory. About two-thirds of the content is lists of categories and sub-categories of improved betting systems, along with all the parameters that might stand as the main objective criteria in a personal strategy - odds, profits and losses. The work contains new and original material not published before. The mathematical chapter describes complex bets, the profit function, the equivalence between bets and all their properties. All theoretical results are accompanied by suggestive concrete examples and can be followed by anyone with a minimal mathematical background because they involve only basic algebraic skills and set theory basics. The reader may also choose to skip the math and go directly to the sections containing applications, where he or she can pick desired numerical results from tables. The book offers no new so-called winning strategies, although it discusses them from a mathematical point of view. It does, however, offer improved betting systems and helps to organize a player's choices in roulette betting, according to mathematical facts and personal strategies. It is a must-have roulette handbook to be studied before placing your bets on the turn of either a European or American roulette wheel.

212 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Dr. Cătălin Bărboianu (PhD, MSc, BSc), born in 1968, is mathematician and philosopher of science and mathematics. He is former teacher of mathematics, science writer, and founder of PhilScience organization.

Publications: author of 14 books in school and applied mathematics, philosophy of science and mathematics; author of 17 research articles in reputed journals and several articles in specialty publications.

Dr. Catalin Barboianu does academic and non-academic reviews for non-fiction books on the topics of science or math education/communication/popularization or other science-related subjects. The non-academic reviews are published in PhilScience Magazine and Goodreads and posted on social media.