What is Oscar’s Grind Betting System? - Sport & Casino Strategy Explained
Betting systems are supposed to help gamblers execute their strategy. Oscar’s Grind is no different. What separates the Oscar’s Grind method from other systems is that Oscar’s Grind is less aggressive. However, don’t confuse that for being restrictive.
Bettors looking to gain an edge may wish to take a closer look at such betting systems. This in-depth guide will uncover the history of Oscar’s Grind, share tips and more, so don’t swerve it!
What is the Oscar’s Grind Betting System & History?
The Oscar’s Grind system is an archetypal betting system that can be used on even-money wagers. You should always start by placing a minimum 1-unit wager. If it wins, the cycle is over and you will have to restart. Ideally, you want to keep the size of your stake the same when you lose and increase it by 1 unit when you win.
Some progression systems are categorised as positive vs negative, which you can read more about on our blog. Oscar’s Grind is arguably more negative as it should only be applied to even chance bets. It is the opposite of the 1-3-2-6 system, for example, where bets rise rapidly.
Oscar’s Grind dates back to the 1960s and Allan Wilson invented the system. Its first mention was in Wilson’s book The Casino Gambler’s Guide. Wilson interviewed a man called Oscar about his methodology and approach to gambling. Oscar’s Grind is often referred to as Pluscoup progression. The rules state that when you win the first bet, you win 1 unit and the session will be over once you hit 1 unit profit.
How Does Oscar’s Grind Work?
While Oscar’s Grind may sound complicated at first, it isn’t! Think of it as flipping a coin where you are betting on a 50/50 outcome.
As we will reveal in the next segment, Oscar’s Grind can be applied for betting on sports and casino games. You can also consult our how to guides for more advice.
How is Oscar’s Grind Betting System Used in Casino & Sports Betting?
As a quick recap, Oscar’s Grind is best used on even-money bets and players should start by making a minimum 1-unit bet.
Oscar’s Grind can be used for online casino and sports betting, and we have split this into further subcategories to make things easier to understand:
Roulette
If you’re wagering on American Roulette, for example, you will be betting on the outcome of the ball falling on red or black. Roulette wheels generally will also have other even money bets such as high/low, odd or even.
In roulette, this will depend on the house edge which is built into every game and helps a casino cover its operating costs. In roulette, the idea is to increase your bet by 1 unit and place the same bet when you lose.
The more units you place during a session, the ratio of expected wins is likely to fall. Roulette is one of the best games around for casino beginners, and if you need some help getting started, read our beginners guide to roulette.
Craps
In Craps, the even money bets include: big 6, big 8, and don’t come. You would therefore be unlikely to use this on long odds bets like hardways and Boxcar.
Stick to bets that have a roughly even chance of success. Choose your base unit amount and make a wager. So, if you lose your opening bet of $60, stake $60 with your second wager. Only when you win should you keep increasing your stake. Read more about the best ways to play Craps with our guide.
Blackjack
Oscar’s Grind is popular in blackjack as it works well with even money (1:1 bets). Make a 1-unit bet which will be a minimum bet. So, if you stake $20, and you win, increase your bet by 1 unit. Once you have made a profit, bank your winnings and start the cycle again. If you want to learn more about playing blackjack, check out our dedicated guide.
But let’s say you bet on the Both Teams to Score (BTTS) line instead.
You may choose to stake $100 on Newcastle vs Ipswich. The BTTS line might carry odds of 2.30. So, if you are successful, you will get $230 in return.
For your next wager, you may choose the corner betting market. Tottenham could be playing Aston Villa and the Over 10.5 corners of the Over/Under section may have odds of 3.30. You should stake $100 having won $100 previously. A successful pick would pay out $330. Remember, the key is to stick to the same stake amount until you make a profit. Refer to our soccer betting guide for more football betting tips.
NHL
The NHL is also good for Oscar’s Grind. Rather than using it for a sports spread or parlay, the moneyline is more suitable. Pick odds between two teams that are relatively evenly matched such as the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs. So, if the Canadiens were slightly shorter at 1.5 and you bet $100, you would get $150 if they win. With NHL and Oscar’s Grind, you should be more cautious.
Learn all there is to know about betting on NHL with our detailed guide.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Oscar’s Grind Betting System Strategy
Let’s now assess the attractive and less appealing part of Oscar’s Grind.
Pros
Lower levels of risk - Compared to other systems, the risk is minimised with Oscar’s Grind. While it is conservative, you won’t lose as much as you will only bet your desired unit amount. You also don’t need to double up on losses either.
Increase stake at a lower rate - Bettors won’t feel pressured to press too much on a bet and the same can be said for other progression systems.
Losing streaks are less painful - With its more rigid nature, a losing streak with Oscar’s Grind over a period of time can be more manageable. Oscar’s Grind is arguably more versatile than other methods.
Cons
Slow process - As Oscar’s Grind implies, it can be arduous. Players need to be patient to clock up wins.
Not a long-term system - Although you can make profits using this system, it can take longer to build them up. If you find this off-putting, you should explore other methods.
How Does Oscar’s Grind Betting System Compare to Other Betting Strategies?
Oscar’s Grind is a popular betting system, but how does it differ from other betting methods? We have explored some other common ones below:
Progressive betting strategy positive vs negative - Oscar’s Grind is more incremental whereas other positive systems allow players to capitalise on hot streaks. You therefore need to align bets with value odds. Understanding how the vig works will be crucial in relation to Oscar’s Grind.
Fibonacci betting system - The Fibonacci betting system can be used on even money bets just like Oscar’s Grind, but there is a twist. It is more random as it starts with 1, and if you win, you move back 2 places in the sequence.
1-3-2-6 betting system - Here, bet sizes increase after wins rather than increasing stakes after losses. It also has a similar style of sequence to the Fibonacci method.
Kelly Criterion betting system - This scientific system uses a formula to work out how much to stake. It is written as f=(bp-q)/b and this will help with working out the optimal bet size. F refers to the bet amount, b is your selection minus 1, p denotes the selection’s winning probability, and q is the pick’s losing probability.
Paroli betting system - The Paroli betting system also aims to keep losses to a minimum and will suit those who are risk averse. Unlike Oscar’s Grind, you can double each stake after a win.
Labouchere system - The Labouchere system is a negative progression model, so bet sizes are increased after a loss. However, unlike other negative progressive betting systems, the aim isn’t to recover all losses made from a single large bet. It is best to frame the Labouchere as a split Martingale.
Oscar’s Grind Betting Tips & Strategies
We have shared some tips and strategies to master Oscar’s Grind:
Set a profit target - Whether taking part in poker tournaments or trying double chance betting for soccer, don’t be greedy. Aim for a profit target and once reached, take a step back. It’s all about being disciplined.
Find value for money - Shop around and search for the best odds. This is key for betting on casino games or all sports, whether you prefer live betting or pre-match betting.
Stick to the system - Don’t get frustrated and don’t place larger bets as things could spiral out of control.
Bankroll your account sensibly - Put in sensible measures for placing bets. So, if you are betting with Reais, don’t wager more than you can afford or are prepared to use
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