This particular strategy is one of the most used betting strategies within the world of gambling.
The Martingale system is a common system that focuses on progressively adjusting the bets in casino games. The traditional Martingale system states that you should double down on your next wager if you lost the last bet.
Interested in learning more about it? Then keep reading!
How Does the Martingale System Work?
As mentioned above, the philosophy of this particular strategy is all about doubling down on your next bet, if you lost the previous one. The system is mainly used in scenarios where there is a 50/50 proposition, such as red and black on a roulette table or the dealer’s or your hand in Baccarat. In order to make it easier to understand, we’ve created a small example of how the Martingale system works:
If you place a $10 bet on the colour red in a game of roulette and it loses, then you should put a $20 wager on the colour red for the next bet. So, basically, you must double your wager if you lose a bet. And you should continue betting on the same colour, hand, or number.
But it doesn’t end with just doubling down once. This strategy suggests that you should continue doubling down on lost bets until you win. So, if you lose on the $20 bet, you should double the bet to $40, meaning it’s four times your original wager. You continue doubling down on your bets until you win. When you win, you take your winnings and return them to your original bet of $10.
The Pros and Cons of the Martingale System
In the long run, the Martingale system has a near-100% success rate. It’s a strategy that is easy to understand and simple to follow. However, it’s a rather risky strategy.
It’s not ideal for someone with a small bankroll. You can quickly run out of money before you hit that much-awaited win.
If you experience too many consecutive losses, doubling your bet may reach the table limit. That’s certainly a huge bummer since you won’t get a chance to win back your lost money. With the Martingale strategy, you may have to bet way too many times in order to win a decent amount of money.
Furthermore, not all casinos allow the use of the Martingale system.
Variations
Since the Martingale system has faced some critique regarding its riskiness, other variations of the system have appeared. These variations seek to improve the player’s chances and returns while supposedly also addressing the weaknesses described above. A variation of the Martingale system, which has become rather well-known, is the Split Martingale also known as Labouchere.
Labouchere
This system is rather complex and may take some time to master. It’s a progression system where you increase your wager after every lost bet. The key principle of the strategy is that you should be able to win back your losses after a losing streak with a few wins, instead of one big one – as in the Martingale system. Are you interested in getting to know the strategy? There are four rules to the Labouchere system:
Rule #1: Create a sequence
This can be any sequence of your choosing. Let’s use the example of 1, 2, 3, 2, 2.
Rule #2: Bet the amount equal to the sum of the first and last number of the sequence
Following the example above, you’ll have to bet $3, which is the sum of $1 (first) and $2 (last).
Rule #3: Cross off winning numbers after a win
If you win on this bet, then you remove the first and last number of the sequence. Then you bet the next two numbers in the sequence 2 + 2 = $4.
Rule #4: Add a number to the sequence after a loss
If you lose the bet, you must add the number to the sequence. The sequence will therefore be 1, 2 3, 2, 2, 3. Then, you must start all over and bet with the total sum of the first and last number of the sequence again: 1 + 3 = $4.
You continue this strategy until you’re left with only one number. When you’re left with one number, it means that you’ve been on a winning streak and have won back your lost bets. It’s a variation of the Martingale system, yet very different.
Cupid's Conclusion
If you find the above betting strategies to be too risky, there are other options. Lucky for you, there are many other strategies that are less risky. They have all been proven to be just as effective.
Just remember to always set a limit for yourself when gambling so that you don’t lose control while in the heat of the moment. We urge you to play responsibly!
