What is the Martingale Betting System? - Sport & Casino Strategy Explained
Since the first card games and sports wagers were placed, gamblers have tried to come up with ways to gain an advantage. Betting systems such as the Martingale system are a set of rules that dictate bet size based on previous results. The aim is to improve the betting odds and increase the winning potential of each bet. This guide will show you how it works and how to use the Martingale betting system when betting on sports and online casino games at Stake.com.
What is the Martingale Betting System & How Does it Work?
The Martingale betting system was popularised in 18th Century France thanks to its simplicity and potential for covering losses in roulette. It’s still one of the most popular betting strategies for those playing at an online casino and gambling crypto. There are many variations of the system, but the basic strategy is to simply double your stake after each loss.
Each time a player encounters a loss, they double their previous stake. Following a win, the stake returns to the initial bet size. The idea behind this betting pattern is that the next win will always cancel out any of the previous losses. Of course, the bet sizes can grow exponentially, and losing streaks cause serious issues that will eat into even the largest bankrolls.
This is a type of negative progression strategy where the stake is increased after a loss. These betting strategies are riskier than positive betting progressive systems, such as the 1-3-2-6 system, where the stakes increase after wins and decrease after losses.
How is the Martingale System Used in Casino & Sports Betting?
The Martingale system is used for any kind of bet that has a roughly 50/50 chance. It was originally used while spinning the roulette wheel. The roulette table has multiple even money bets, such as black/red, odd/even and high/low. However, you can use it for any form of gambling where there is an even money payout.
Blackjack is another good example of a game that is suitable for Martingale betting, as there’s more or less a 50/50 chance of winning each hand when you play with basic blackjack strategy. Although splitting or doubling down complicates things, you can still follow the betting system and disregard these bets.
Baccarat and dice also have 1:1 payout options, meaning you can use the Martingale betting system. You should avoid using this method when playing slots, which have a lower than 50/50 chance on each spin. It’s possible to use this betting system when betting on sports. However, you need to ensure that the odds are even. Markets such as over/under and point spread are typically 50/50, and some moneyline bets can be too.
Example of a Martingale System Bet
The Martingale strategy is a simple betting strategy to follow. All you have to do is start out with a budget and then choose the right game. Here’s an example of how it would work when playing roulette with a $1000 budget and a starting bet of $5:
Bet
Result
Profit/Loss
$5
Loss
-$5
$10
Loss
-$15
$20
Win
$5
$5
Win
$10
$5
Loss
$5
$10
Win
$15
This example was fairly straightforward, but bad luck and long losing streaks can cause the size of bets to quickly exceed your betting limits and make things challenging to continue. It’s good to have a limit whereby you start a new betting cycle once you reach it.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Martingale Betting Strategy
Pros
Recover losses – If you manage to hit a win before using up your bankroll, you’ll always recover any losses.
Very easy to follow – Simply double your bet after a loss and return to one unit following a win.
Accumulate profits – Because the bet size always goes back to one unit after a win, it works well in accumulating small profits.
Cons
Only works with large bankrolls – If you have a smaller bankroll, you may find it disappearing quickly after a few losses.
Not for the faint-hearted – Placing massive bets during losing streaks can be terrifying as there’s a lot of risk involved.
Table limits – Table limits are often in place to prevent excessive gambling and make the Martingale system more difficult to profit from. Find more information about Stake's table betting limits on our guide.
Limited games – This betting system is only suitable for even-money wagers, so it won’t work on many online casino games.
What are Variations of the Martingale System?
There are other versions of the Martingale system that change things up slightly if you’d like to try a lower-risk or slightly different way to bet. Here are some of the most popular:
Mini Martingale System
The mini Martingale takes some of the risk out of the betting system by reducing the number of times you increase your stake. Rather than doubling on every loss, you double on every other loss. This means you don’t always recover your losses, but you are also less likely to experience huge bet sizes.
Reverse Martingale System
Also known as the anti-martingale strategy, this turns the whole system on its head, transforming it into a positive progression betting system instead. Rather than doubling on a loss, you double your bet on each win, making the most of winning streaks. It can be just as risky, however.
Grand Martingale
This adds additional risk to the Martingale system, in case it wasn’t already aggressive enough. Rather than simply doubling your stake after a loss, you double and add an extra unit with each loss. This increases your potential winnings but means you can quickly exceed the table limit and your bankroll.
Martingale Betting System Tips & Strategies
If you want to use the Martingale betting system, follow these tips and strategies to improve your chances of long-term success:
Play the right game – Choosing a game makes a big difference when using this betting system. You want to play table games like roulette, blackjack or baccarat which have a low house edge and high RTP rate. Check the RTP rate before you play, as some variations, such as American roulette, have a lower rate. Table limits also matter, and you should check our how-to guides before playing.
Start out small – Bet sizes can quickly increase when you hit a losing run, so always start with the smallest possible unit. Ideally, it should be the minimum amount you can bet.
Stay within your limits – Always set a reasonable budget before you begin and ensure that you stop when you reach it. While the Martingale system and other negative progression systems rely on pushing through losing streaks, don’t bet more than you can afford to lose. if you need some help staying in control, use our budgeting guide, and our responsible betting calculator to help set healthy playing habits.
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