Guide to the Martingale Betting System

What is the Martingale Betting System?

The Martingale betting system is a simple negative progression wagering system designed for games that offer roughly 1:1 odds. It is based on the single premise of doubling your bet size each time you lose and reverting to the original bet amount after you win. It offers a good chance of a small profit and a small chance at a large loss. 

How the Martingale System Works

With Martingale, you double your bet amount each time you lose, collecting winners along the way. When you win, your stake amount returns to the original bet amount. You use it in games such as baccarat, blackjack, and even-odds roulette bets.

By this time, you have either exceeded the table limit or burned much of your bankroll.

Pros and Cons of the Martingale System

When to Use the Martingale System

The Martingale betting system is designed for plays that offer even odds. Of course, in casinos, no games offer true 1:1 odds. Betting black-red or even-odd in roulette leaves you open to losing on the occasional green or zero. Insurance, splitting, and doubling down skews blackjack odds slightly. Baccarat charges a commission on Banker wins.

Nevertheless, making the Player bet in baccarat is considered the most conducive to Martingale betting despite the tiny 1.24% house edge. Betting the Don’t Pass line in craps is another good option, but you have to be patient to let a series a rolls resolve. And some hi-lo card games can work.

Whatever you play, bring a large enough bankroll to cover a streak of losses. You must also figure Martingale betting around the betting limits the house sets for the game. From the previous example, you can see that starting with $1 bets, you can be up to $64 after six straight losses, so a table limit of less would throw off the system. By the way, the chance of losing six straight is 1.56%. 

The longer you play the Martingale betting strategy, the more chance you have of running into that big losing streak.

Here’s a streak table that goes to 10 straight: 

Can You Use the Martingale for Sports Betting?

The way lines are set in sportsbooks makes it difficult to find even-odds options like -110 vs. +110. Odds such as -240 vs. +140 won’t do with Martingale betting. The edge is tilted too much in favor of the house. 

If you can find -110 vs. +100, that would work. But the chances are slim that you will find those tight odds again to play out the system. Plus, the variables of different sports and teams make it harder to find close to even odds on something you actually like. 

Martingale sports betting is simply chasing losses, a no-no for responsible gamblers and the amounts usually wagered in sports. 

Should You Use the Martingale System?

No betting system is flawless, which is another reason gambling operations stay in business. Whether or not you use the Martingale betting strategy depends on what games you play and how you approach betting. You want games that offer roughly even-odds plays. Your profit depends on your willingness to increase bet amounts.

If you do use Martingale, check the table limits of the game and bring a bankroll that can absorb at least five straight losses of doubling each bet. You might also apply a stop-loss limit. And, there is a mini-Martingale system that limits the times you double and lowers the loss potential. You could also use a time limit, play out the run when you reach it, and take your profit.

Know When to Use Martingale (and When Not To)

Using the Martingale betting system is worth a try for even-odds games if you are a wide-open bettor prepared for wild swings. Remember that those hot streaks cushion your bankroll as you go along, so you could make more than a one-unit profit.

The main things to remember are the table limits and your bankroll limits. Plus, you want to play at an online casino that guarantees a fair deal. So, give Martingale a try at one of the top online casinos we recommend, and may your streaks be positive.