Which Roulette Number Hits the Most?

In roulette, over many sessions and many wheel, no single number statistically “hits the most” over the long term because the game has been designed to have equal odds for all numbers.

Each number (0–36 in European roulette or 00, 0–36 in American roulette) has an equal probability of being hit on any single spin.

That is because the size of the pockets is all the same and roulette wheels have no (or very minimal) bias.

So why do people bet on their favourite numbers or insist that they have cracked the roulette code?

European roulette:
Probability per number is
1/37 (2.70%).

American roulette:
Probability per number is
1/38 (2.63%).

Why Some Numbers Appear to Hit More:

Random Clusters
In short runs, random clustering can make certain numbers appear to “hit more often,” but this is purely coincidental.

Biased Wheels
In very rare cases, physical imperfections in roulette wheels can lead to bias toward specific numbers in land-based wheels (or live roulette wheels), but modern casinos regularly check for and correct faulty wheels.

However, there have been many instances in the past where players have gained an edge by betting in zones on imperfect wheel.

Perceived Patterns
Cognitive biases may make people believe certain numbers are “hot” or “lucky.”

Player Superstition
While the likelihood of each number is mathematically equal, many players favour “lucky numbers” (e.g., 7) or follow patterns based on previous spins, even though these have no effect on the actual odds.

Each spin on a roulette wheel is mutually exclusive as you only bet on one result, not on multiple results.

If you suspect a specific roulette wheel has a bias, it would require analysing a large dataset of results to determine if one number or zone genuinely appears more frequently than random chance would allow.

Celebrity Players as Influencers

Some numbers in roulette have gained notoriety due to stories involving celebrities, gamblers, or peculiar events.

While these numbers don’t actually hit more frequently due to the random nature of the game, their fame can lead people to think of them as “lucky” or “hot.” Here are a few examples:

Famous Roulette Numbers

Number 17:

Reason:
Known as the most popular roulette number, partly because of its central position on the roulette table.
James Bond famously bets on 17 in various of his gambling exploits, enhancing its allure.
Cultural Influence:
Sean Connery, playing roulette in the 1960s, reportedly won big by betting on 17 multiple times in a row during a streak in an Italian casino.

Number 7:

Reason:
Universally associated with luck across Western cultures.
Frequently chosen by players in all kinds of games, not just roulette.

Cultural Influence:
Celebrities and gamblers who believe in the power of “lucky 7” often stick to it as their go-to number.

Number 22:

Reason:
Famously featured in the movie Casablanca when Rick (Humphrey Bogart) tells a gambler to bet on 22.
Cultural Influence:
This cinematic moment has made 22 a favorite for fans of the film and gamblers alike.

Number 8:

Reason:
Considered a lucky number in Chinese culture due to its phonetic similarity to the word for “wealth” or “prosperity” in both Mandarin and Cantonese.
Cultural Influence:
Prominent among Asian gamblers, including celebrities who embrace cultural superstitions. But baccarat and sic-bo are the bigger games in these cultures.

Number 23:

Reason:
Michael Jordan and David Beckham wore the number 23 during their careers (Beckham in Madrid, Jordan throughout his career), making it a popular choice among his fans and those who consider it lucky.

Number 3:

Reason:
Known for being a number with symbolic meaning in various cultures, often associated with balance and harmony.
Cultural Influence:
Dale Earnhardt fans in NASCAR, or Roberto Carlos fans for example, might favour the number 3.

Why These Numbers Gain Fame

Celebrity Endorsement
Stories of famous individuals winning big on a particular number can lead to its perception as “lucky.”

Movies and Pop Culture
Iconic scenes in movies and TV shows can cement a number’s fame (eg Ocean’s Eleven)

Superstitions and Patterns
People naturally gravitate toward culturally significant numbers or those they consider lucky.

Does Fame Affect the Odds?
Despite their fame, no roulette number has a higher chance of hitting than others. Each number’s odds remain the same:

However, psychological factors and the stories surrounding certain numbers can make players favour them over.

The casinos are happy to oblige! The house edge ensures profitability regardless of which numbers are bet on.