Ever since gambling has existed, people have looked to use betting strategies and systems to improve their chances of winning. This is, after all, human nature.
As a result, several gambling systems and betting strategies have been developed over the years.
As the word ‘Betting Strategy’ suggest, they are methods of strategically or systematically using your bankroll in order to make a profit. They offer a way for gamblers to make informed, calculated bets in almost every scenario, for a whole range of real money casino games. Most betting systems are designed to run in a cycle or progression, and once that cycle is complete, you can restart it, walk away with your profits, or try a new betting strategy.
Let’s take a look at some of most popular and effective betting strategies. Some of them only work on specific games, such as baccarat or roulette, while others can apply to any casino game.
Facts about Betting Systems and Betting Strategies:
- Most betting systems are very simple to follow
- There are two types of betting systems; negative progressive betting systems and positive progressive betting systems
- Long-term betting strategies do not work, but they can help you win money in the short term
- There is no system that will guarantee winnings in the casino
When you use any of the betting strategies, you will be required to either increase or decrease your bets each time you win or lose. This will entirely depend on whether you’re using a negative or positive betting system.
Positive & Negative Progressive Betting Systems
Most of well-known progressive betting systems are easy to learn and use. They usually involve following a simple set of principles, so gamblers may put them into practice with no difficulty at all.
Progressive betting systems can help you win money in the short term, but they don’t actually do anything to influence your chances in the long run. The principle of adjusting the size of your bet is at the heart of both negative and positive progressive betting systems. This is determined by whether you won or lost your previous bet.
As far as the variations of the progressive betting systems are concerned, each of them has its advantages and disadvantages and you have to carefully select the variation that is the best for you.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Progressive Systems of betting:
- More Earnings (If You Keep Winning) – One of the advantages of using a positive progressive betting system is that you can take advantage of a winning streak. However, you also have to factor in your potential losses.
- Losing More – Following from the previous entry on the list, there is a significantly greater possibility of losing what you have already won than of winning even more. When you keep raising the stakes while winning, one loss will cost you more than you’re willing to part with.
- Not effective in a longer gaming session – positive progression is ineffective when you engage in a longer gaming session and say if you bet the same amount every time you would receive the same result.
- Easy to learn and simple to follow – There are no rules and recommendations to follow when choosing how much to raise or lower your stakes. It’s absolutely personal, and the choice is entirely yours. You can double or even triple the stakes if you want to. The same goes once you want to decrease them. However, there should be a trend during one session. It is important to have certain strategies in place based on your balance and how much you are willing to spend that time around.
- Risk of gambling Addiction – For many people, gambling is harmless fun, but might sometimes become a problem. If you’re not careful, using progressive systems too much can quickly turn into a gambling addiction. As you increase your bets and trying to win more, you may become addicted to the sensation of winning and want to do it again and again. When you start losing, you’ll lower your stakes, but you’ll still want to get back on a winning run and ride it as much as possible. When you win, you run the risk of placing needlessly large bets, which is an indication of a gambling addiction. As a result, be very cautious!
There are two main groups of progressive betting strategies: positive progression betting systems, and negative progression betting systems.
You can choose between a positive or negative progression system depending on how you like to “progress” your betting.
Positive Progressive Betting Systems
A positive progressive betting can be described this way: you have to increase the amount you bet the more you win, and you have to decrease the amount if you are losing. If you’re going to use a betting strategy while playing your favorite game, we strongly advise you use a positive one rather than a negative one. Although using a positive progressive betting system is usually relatively safe, but keep in mind that using this strategy when playing a casino game does not guarantee that you will automatically win.
Here are some examples of positive betting systems:
The Paroli Betting System
The Paroli system is one of the most popular systems, and also one of the simplest. The name ‘Paroli’ is derived from a Latin term ‘Par’, which means one that is equal. The basic idea behind this system is that you first set a base stake, and that’s how much you stake on your initial wager. Every time you win a wager, you increase your stake by the amount of your base stake. Every time you lose, you go back to staking your base stack.
There are two main purposes for using this system:
- To generate small wins consistently
- To avoid the risk of substantial losses
Usage Of The Paroli System
The Paroli System has been designed to be used for even money bets. It is most commonly used with table bets in roulette, blackjack, and even craps, betting on live sports and some variation can be used for Baccarat also. The system is completely simple, as it only requires changing the stakes according to a few simple rules:
- Rule 1: Fixed Base Stake – A fixed base stake is required to use this system properly. This is the amount you bet at the beginning of each cycle. It can be any amount you choose, but it shouldn’t be excessively large in comparison to the amount of money you’ve set aside to gamble with. About 2% of what you’re willing to risk losing in a session is probably good, and you shouldn’t go any higher than 5%. So, if you had $200 to play with, a base stake of $10 should be the ideal maximum.
- Rule 2: Double Up After Winning – Every time you win a bet, you should double your stake for the next bet. Therefore, if you start with a base stake of $10, and then you win your first bet, the next bet should be $20. If you win again, then you should again double up to $40.
- Rule 3: Stop After 3 Wins – You should stop increasing your stakes after three consecutive wins, and start with your base stake for the 4th bet. The idea here is that three consecutive wins is not particularly uncommon, but any more than that seems less likely.
- Rule 4: Base Stake After Losing – Whenever you lose a bet, your next bet should always be just like your base stake. It doesn’t matter how many times in a row you lose, you should never increase your stake following a loss.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of The Paroli System
There are four main advantages to the Paroli system.
- It is simple to understand and easy to learn how to implement it effectively
- The Paroli System provides relatively small but consistent wins
- If you are lucky to win 3 times in a row, you have maximum profits of about 7X the base stake
- Unless you go on an unusually long losing streak, you are quite unlikely to face large losses while using this system
Main disadvantages to the Paroli system
Let`s have a look at the following example where the base bet is $5.
As can be seen above, the player ends up losing $15 here. If you were staking a fixed $5 on each spin, you’d have broken even with this sequence. This is the primary disadvantage of the Paroli System; there is no guarantee that you will make money using it.
- The probability of winning 3 times in a row is not guaranteed
- If you are on a losing streak, you might lose a lot of money if you do not stop in time
Is The Paroli System Worth Using?
The Paroli System can be regarded as a good way to help you manage your bankroll. If you stick to it rigidly then you won’t have to chase your losses even if you go on a long losing run. On the other hand, you will also avoid getting carried away on a winning streak, as you would be forced to stop after 3 consecutive wins, avoiding the risk of giving back all your winnings in the event of a stroke of bad luck.
Remember that Paroli System won’t actually improve your overall chances of winning, but it may well help you to bank some profit when luck is on your side.
Paroli Betting System Variants
Paroli betting system variants come in two parts, extended and inverted:
- Extended Paroli – It emphasizes more on the gains of the system as it outweighs the losses incurred. However, it is entirely dependent on the total amount of money you intend to wager. With each win, the bet is doubled, while each loss keeps the stake value. After three wins in a row, you should stop betting because the chances of winning decrease.
- Inverted Paroli – It focuses on losses rather than winnings; if you lose a bet, double your stake to cover up the loss from the first bet. When you win, you make money, therefore there’s no need to increase your bet size.
The Reverse Labouchere System
The Reverse Labouchere is essentially the exact opposite of the original Labouchere system (explained in details bellow). Hence, while the Labouchere system is a negative progressive system, the reverse Labouchere is a positive progression system. The main idea behind that system is that you can make money even if you lose more bets than you win since the ones you do win will be with larger amounts. The biggest disadvantage of the Labouchere betting system is that you can lose a lot of money if you have a series of bad luck. The philosophy behind the Reverse Labuchere system allows you to completely reverse this scenario fully upside down.
Reverse Labuchere requires from you to set a sequence of number (randomly chosen) at the beginning and to make them bases for your bets. There are no rules for the number of units in the cycle. One cycle should be composed of only 3 numbers or of 10, for instance. The bigger the sequence is the larger the whole cycle becomes.
Choosing A Sequence for Reverse Labouchere Betting System
There are no strictly established rules for the selection of the numbers for the sequence, but technically each number should be equal to or higher than the previous number in the sequence. This isn’t a strict rule.
You can essentially choose to use whatever sequence you want, although there are two key points to have in mind.
- The larger the numbers, the more you stand to lose.
- More numbers in the sequence will make each cycle longer
There are no rules for the number of units in the cycle. A sequence of six to ten numbers is preferable, and the total of all numbers should be equal to no more than 10% of your total budget.
Reverse Labouchere Betting System Rules
There are few simple rules to follow in the Reverse Labouchere System :
- Every bet a player makes should always be equal to the sum of the first and last numbers in the chosen sequence
- When a player wins a bet, he should add the amount to the end of the sequence he has chosen
- Whenever he loses a bet, he should remove the first and last numbers of the sequence he has chosen
- If the player only has one number remaining in his sequence, that number is the stake for the following wager
- When the player completes all of the numbers in the series, the cycle is complete, and he must begin again with a new sequence
Let`s make an example with a player who is willing to risk €50 and who set a line of 10 sequence numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
The first wager would be the sum of the first and last number on the list: 1 + 10 = 11.
If the player lose his bet, he need to remove the first and the last numbers of the list, reducing it to only eight numbers: 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9.
If the bet is successful, player have to add the amount of the bet in the list. In our case he need to add 11 and thus the sequence will look like that 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,11 (the bankroll is also now €66).
The next wager is the sum of the first and last numbers: 1 + 11 = 12.
Again, if the player lose, he need to cross out the first and the last numbers of the list and adjust his next wager back to 11.
If he win, he now has a 12 number list of 1 through 12, and the next wager is 13.
Setting Limits
Setting win and loss limits is a key aspect of properly using this system. The system is designed to help limit the player’s losses to some extent, as he can only lose a fixed amount per round. However, you should still set a limit for how much you are prepared to lose in one gaming session.
It’s also a good idea to set a win limit as the system can continue infinitely if you go on a long winning streak, as a new number is added after every win. Because the numbers can quickly get very high, it’s a good idea for you to set a profit target and then quit playing once they’ve reached it.
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Reverse Labouchere Betting System – Usage
The Reverse Labouchere is a complicated system to comprehend, unlike some other progressive betting systems. It’s designed to be used with even money wagers, so roulette, craps and baccarat are the most suitable casino games. You can use it in sports betting too, again with even money wagers.
Does The System Work?
The Reverse Labouchere works to some extent, in that it can return a big profit under favorable circumstances as well as limit the amount of money you can potentially lose per round. However, there are no guarantees, and the probability of a loss is considerably higher than that of win, as it only takes a few losing wagers to break a cycle and result in a total loss.
The greatest advantage of this system is that the amount you can lose per round is limited to the sum of all the numbers in your original sequence. On the other hand the amount you can potentially win if you go on a long winning streak is effectively unlimited, or as much as the maximum the casino will let you stake. It’s important to note that under this system a long winning streak is imperative to big profits, and while that is unlikely, it is very much possible.
The most important thing to remember when employing this system is that you must be disciplined and never chase your losses. When adopting the Labouchere system, understanding the risks and playing with patience can be quite rewarding.
1-3-2-6 Betting System
The 1-3-2-6 Betting System is a similar positive progression betting system to the Paroli system previously explained. Both of these methods involve increasing the betting stakes after each round won, as well as a betting cycle that ends at a fixed point. The sequence of the stakes is really the only difference between the two systems.
1-3-2-6 Betting System Usage
The 1-3-2-6 system, like every other progressive betting system is designed for even money bets, such as red/black or odd/even bets in Roulette. It can also be applied for even money bets in games like Baccarat, Craps, and Blackjack, as well as in any other game with even money bets.
This is a pretty simple system, and all you have to do is adjust your stakes according to a few simple rules. You only wager one unit and continue wagering only one unit if you lose. For example, if you bet one unit and win, then 3 units and win, then 2 units and lose, you keep betting your original one unit until you win again after which you can continue betting on 3,2, and 6 units. All you have to do is determine what the betting unit will be and stick to betting that unit, and walk away from the table if you are on a losing streak. The base stake should be anywhere between 2 and 5% of your overall bankroll. When you win the 1,3,2,6 unit bets, you continue back to the beginning of the betting cycle and bet your one unit again. Leave the game when you are happy with your winnings before risking losing all of it, and stop playing if you have a long losing streak.
Examples of the 1-3-2-6 Betting System in Action
Let’s say you decide that your base betting unit will be $20, so the first round of the game you bet $20 (1 betting unit) and you win the round. The next wager will be 3 units so you raise your wager to $60, if you also win this round you wager $40 (2 betting units) on your third bet. If you also win this round then you will bet $120 (6 betting units) for the fourth round. If you win the fourth round once this sequence is complete then you go back to the beginning of the betting sequence and bet your one unit of $20 again to start again. Additionally, with every loss, you must reset your stake back to 1 betting unit as well.
Possible Outcomes When you Use the 1-3-2-6 Betting System
Because each cycle only has four numbers in the sequence, it is simple to predict all of the system’s possible outcomes:
- Lose the first bet (Total Loss: 1 Betting Unit)
- Win the first bet, lose the second one (Total Loss: 2 Betting Units)
- Win the first 2 bets, lose the third one (Total Win: 2 Betting Units)
- Win the first 3 bets, lose the 4th one (Break-Even)
- Win all 4 bets (Total Win: 12 Betting Units)
The minimum goal is to get to step 3, as you’ll walk away with some profit. Going to step four is essentially a double or nothing.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the 1-3-2-6 Betting System
Advantages Of The 1-3-2-6 Betting system
- Easy to follow. It is ideal for new players who are keen to try out a betting system without a lot of complications
- Minimizes losses – A player doesn’t have to increase his stakes when he loses
- Play with a smaller bankroll
- It helps to keep the players disciplined, as they are forced to follow a fixed set of staking rules
Disadvantages Of The 1-3-2-6 Betting system
- You don’t alter the house edge
- A wrong sequence of results, could lead to multiple losses
In conclusion – the 1-3-2-6 betting system works through repeatedly betting on 1,3,2 and 6 units in each consecutive round, but only when you have winnings.
The Contra D’Alembert System or Reverse D’Alembert System
The Contra D’Alembert betting system is worth considering if you’re looking for a betting system that reduces potential losses while also maximizing potential profits. It’s a positive progression betting system, which means the system requires from you to increase your stakes after every round you win, and to decrease your stakes after every round loss.
The logic behind this betting system relies on the balance of successes and failures. The Reverse D’Alembert strategy, like other positive progression betting systems, is focused on reducing the amount of money risked and allowing for big profits. This system is one which can be used with a relatively small bankroll if a large one is not available.
This betting system is most commonly used when playing Online Roulette, Baccarat, online Blackjack and Craps.
The Contra D’Alembert is simple and very easy to use. There are four rules to follow:
- Set a Base Stake – Before you begin with this system, you need to decide what your base stake unit is going to be. It is recommended to use between 2 to 5% of the amount of money in your bankroll that you’re prepared to lose on each gambling session
- Start betting using One Unit – Each time you begin a betting cycle, it’s always important that you wager one base unit first. For example if you decided to use $5 as your base stake, you should bet this initially
- Bets Increase after a Win – Every time you win a wager, your base stake should then be doubled to $10. If you manage to generate another win, it’s $15 for the next one and so on. This rule applies after every single wager
- Bets Decrease after a Loss – Every time you experience a loss, you should decrease your stake by one base unit. Continuing with the example above, if you lost the wager of $15 then you would stake $10 on the next one. Then if you lose again, your bet should go down to $5. If you lose a wager of one single base unit, the stake stays the same for the next wager
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using the Reverse D’Alembert Betting Systems
There are several key advantages of this system:
- Simple and easy to implement – there is no complex and advance mathematics involved, neither is there a complicated sequence to remember
- Has a memorable betting sequence
- Large wins, small losses – the system help you lose quite slowly when luck is against you, it also helps you to win big if you go on a long winning streak
Just like every other system, the Reverse D’Alembert Betting System also has its disadvantages:
- Has no effect on the odds of the game
- Does not always generate a win – you can lose money even if you win more bets than you lose, with certain sequences. Lets put this disadvantage to an example:
Wager $10, win. Increase stake to $20
Wager $20, win. Increase stake to $30
Wager $30, lose. Decrease stake to $20
Wager $20, win. Increase stake to $30
Wager $30, lose. Decrease stake to $20
Wager $20, win. Increase stake to $30
Wager $30, lose
As you can see, you have won 4 of your bets and only lost 3. However, the total amount won from your winning bets is $70 while the total lost for your losing bets is $90 – all this giving you an overall loss of $20 despite winning more number of bets than you lost.
Continue with Negative Progression Betting Systems
Remember that none of the betting systems in fact increases your chances of winning but if you follow the four rules, you will be able to manage your bankroll, as you will not be chasing your losses despite going on a long losing streak. Discipline is key to the success of this system.
In conclusion, the positive progression betting systems can significantly boost your profits especially if you have a longer winning streak. However, if you have a losing streak, your loses will be kept to the minimum.
