Guide to the d’Alembert Strategy for Gambling

What is the d’Alembert Strategy?

The d’Alembert strategy is a low-risk betting system built on balance. It was developed by the 18th century French mathematician Jean-Baptiste le Ron d’Alembert. Initially a math concept rather than a betting strategy, it was later adopted by gamblers. 

In its simplest execution the strategy is based on the idea that wins and losses tend to even out over time. Essentially, you increase your bet by one unit after a loss and decrease it by one unit after a win. Simple and steady!

The goal is to smooth out your losses without a massive risk. Let’s call it the “budget version” of the Martingale system—less aggressive but much steadier. Due to its conservative nature, the d’Alembert strategy is popular in even-money games like roulette, blackjack, and baccarat. 

How the d’Alembert Strategy Works

The system follows a clean and logical approach which isn’t too complicated to follow. Let’s break down the process. We’ll use a $1 betting unit to keep things simple. 

1. Start with a base unit — Pick a starting bet ($1). That’s your foundation. You’ll raise or lower your wager based on whether you win or lose.
2. You’ve lost your bet. Increase the stake — Every time you lose, increase your next bet by one unit. So, if you’ve started with $1 your next bet is $2. Lost again? Now you’re at $3. The idea is to slowly recoup your losses without going full tilt.
3. You’ve won your bet. Decrease the stake — After a win, you decrease your next by one unit. So, if you’ve just won a $3 bet, your next one drops to $2. This part helps you lock in small wins and avoid getting too ahead of yourself during a steak.
4. Rinse and repeat — Stick to this pattern. Up one after a loss, and down one after a win. Over time, the goal is to edge your way into profit by capitalizing on the natural ebb and flow of wins and losses. 

It’s important to understand that the d’Alembert principle is built on even-money bets: red/black, odd/even, or high/low like in roulette. The whole system rests on the belief that wins and losses will more or less even out in the long run.

When that happens, the incremental increases after losses and decreases after wins are supposed to smooth things out and, ideally, leave you a little ahead. 

That said, this isn’t a foolproof get rich tactic (those don’t exist!); it’s more about managing losses and riding out variance. 

Example of the d’Alembert Strategy for Roulette

To put the d’Alembert strategy to the test, I ran a sample session of online roulette using even-money bets on red. The idea was to follow the system step-by-step and see how it holds up in a real game scenario. Here’s how the wheel landed and how the bet progression played out.

You can see how this system helps to claw back small losses while building modest gains during streaks. It’s a steady approach, and works well if you’re disciplined. 

If you’re more experienced or playing with a larger bankroll, you can adjust your base unit higher. But, always make sure the risk still fits your comfort zone. 

Pros and Cons of the d’Alembert Principle for Gaming

As mentioned before this isn’t a get rich quick strategy, nor is it a way of beating the odds. D’Alembert is a slow, controlled betting system with minimal exposure. It works well, but, as no system is perfect, it does also come with some drawbacks. Here is a list of the pros and cons of the d’Alembert system:

Pros:

• Low-risk progression
• Simple to use
• Short term profits are possible
• Perfect for even-money bets
• Suitable for small stakes

Cons:

• Doesn’t beat the house edge long term
• Can result in longer games
• Losing streaks still occur
• Recovery is slow

When to Use the d’Alembert Strategy

The d’Alembert system is best applied to even-money bets where outcomes are close to 50/50. Games such as roulette (red/black, odd/even), baccarat (player/banker), and blackjack (particularly with even-money side bets) are well suited for this approach. The consistent payout structure allows the incremental betting adjustments to function as intended.

Casual players will find this system pretty appealing, as it enables longer play sessions without aggressive risk escalation. The method’s conservative progression is ideal for those who prefer a more measured gambling experience over high-stakes volatility.

Can You Use the d’Alembert for Sports Betting?

Technically, you can use the d’Alembert system for sports betting, but it’s not a perfect fit. That’s because sports odds aren’t usually true even-money bets.

Let’s say you lose a $10 NFL bet at -110. You follow the system and bump your next bet to $20. Even if the second bet wins, the payout doesn’t quite make up for the initial loss because of the book makers’ cut. That pushes the strategy a little off-kilter, so it’s harder for it to do its job long term. 

If you’re a regular sports bettor, you might be better off with a flat betting system or something like the Kelly Criterion, which takes odds and value into account. D’Alembert can work, but it’s not built with uneven payouts in mind. 

The Reverse d’Alembert

As the original d’Alembert strategy is all about slow recovery after losses, the reverse version just flips that on its head. So, instead of increasing your bet after a loss, you increase it after a win. And when you lose? You decrease the bet. Let’s look at how this plays out at a blackjack table using $10:

The goal here is to ride hot streaks and maximize profit when the cards (or wheel, or dice) are going your way. It’s a positive progression system, and while it can rack up profits quickly during winning runs, it also leaves you more exposed when the streak ends.

So, it’s best to walk away after stringing a few wins before the house evens things out. Setting a clear profit goal or win limit helps keep things under control.

Is the d’Alembert Strategy for You?

The d’Alembert system is a good fit for players who want structure and prefer a slower, steadier approach to gambling. It won’t deliver huge wins, but does help manage risk in a more controlled manner.

That said, it’s worth knowing your options. Other betting systems offer different pros and cons depending on your goals and risk tolerance:

• Martingale: Recovers losses quickly by doubling bets (rather than increasing by one unit) it’s based on the premise that only one good bet is needed to turn your luck around. It’s a faster, more aggressive alternative to the d’Alembert system.
• Fibonacci: This system sticks to a popular number system (1,2,3,5,8,13) to increase bets after losses, then resets after a win. It spaces out losses more gradually and avoids sharp bet jumps while offering a clearer path to breaking even.
• Flat betting: This is the simplest and most consistent way of betting. You essentially bet the same amount every time, no matter the outcome. This holds even less risk than d’Alembert, and is extremely easy to manage. It’s a perfect match for new players or for those that just want to extend playtime. 

Betting with d’Alembert Can Be Profitable if Done Right

The d’Alembert betting strategy gives you a steady, structured way to manage your bets and keep your sessions under control. It’s especially useful in even-money games where the odds are fairly balanced, and it works well if you stick to your limits and stay disciplined.

Do you think the d’Alembert system fits your style? Sign up at one of our favorite online casinos and put it to the test.