Column betting trap?

so column betting on roulette feels like one of those setups that looks smarter than it is. i keep seeing folks go hard on this thinking it somehow beats the odds, but it seems like just a different spin on any even-chance outside bet, except with a slightly flashier payout and less coverage of the board. yeah, the payout’s higher, but the risk jumps too. i’ve noticed streaks that wreck column strategies fast, and recovering gets ugly if you try chasing losses.

has anyone here actually had long-term success with this approach, or is it just another way the house edge sneaks up on you? am i missing some angle or just overthinking the math like usual?