how i look at it is this way
the table is broken into sections
i identify the pattern and bet that number
for example....
the next result should be 1st dozen, black, even , 3rd column
on a single zero roulette wheel the only number it can be is 6
what you have to be able to do it track the individual patterns combine them to the target number.
havent you ever wondered how when someone plays the entire board with chips except one number it hits that one number ? for me its naive to think that in a game where you bet 1 number and receive 35-1 for that result that you cant beat the game.
the bigger question is do you believe patterns exist in nature, markets and numbers. im not arguing its not a game that if you play normally without narrowing it down you can beat - the house edge will beat you. but if you identify the pattern you can hit 5-10 numbers in a row. then they will change dealers.
it may take hours to identify the right pattern and it be strong enough to bet.
I think online casinos may be quite pattern oriented & i've read
a few comments here that felt they are.
In the few times i've been to a land casino i actually saw what
you describe re the one number that wasn't covered.
What factors make the patterns strong enough for you to bet?