I can't argue with your numbers but what is the difference between "guaranteed the true odds and therefor lose 5.2% on a roulette table" and "Any other bets, besides all numbers and you are gambling against the true house advantage of 5.2%"? The percentage is the same so what is your point? I know that the house will win more than 5.2% since the only time someone leaves a table is AFTER losing his last bet. This must give the house an additinal advantage. (However, I do remember one day , while preserving history, that it took almost 30 minutes for me to lose a bet). I think the reason that the tables do much better than 5.2% is that people win once and then try to win some more and continue until they lose it all. Smart gamblers still quit while they are ahead.