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Martingale Strategy in Roulette – What the System Is & How It Works

The Martingale betting system is one of the most widely used strategies in roulette. It’s a progressive betting strategy with one rule — double your bet every time you lose. The reasoning behind this risky move is simple. If you do happen to win, the winnings should be enough to cover the previous losses so that you are back to square one. It sounds easy to understand, but is it?
Image of Martingale Strategy Roulette

In this article, we are going to discuss how to use the Martingale system effectively, what its advantages and disadvantages are, and more, so stay tuned. 

How to Use the Martingale Betting System 

Using the Martingale betting system at a roulette table is very simple. You double the bet every time you lose.

Here’s how it works in an actual example.

Say you are betting at a roulette table where the table minimum is $1. It’s always good to start with that sum and build from there because, in case you win, you’ll be able to recover your losses and even make a small profit quickly.

So, you’ve placed a $1 bet on red, and the ball landed on a black socket. Next round, you are supposed to bet double, $2. It doesn’t matter if you keep losing: each new round, double the previous wager.

The Martingale system in roulette works best with even money bets:

  • Red/black
  • Odd/even
  • 1–18 number groups
  • 19–36 number groups

The reason why lies in the odds related to these bets, as they are the only ones that give you nearly 50% odds of winning (48.6%, to be exact, because of the green zero sockets on the roulette wheel). 

Even money bets pay 1:1, hence the name, so in case you win, you’ll receive the same amount you invested. 

In order to maximize the potential of this betting system, one of the conditions is to have a sizable bankroll. If you end up with a bad losing streak, you need to have enough to keep playing until you win, hoping it will be enough to cover the previous losses. 

Advantages of the Martingale Betting System

Image of Advantages of The Martingale StrategyThe Martingale betting system is perfect for those roulette players who are looking to accumulate small wins over a short period of time. If you are in a rush and want to give the roulette wheel a couple of spins, this system may be just what you need.

Also, it’s a betting strategy that doesn’t require any deep knowledge of math and statistics. Just a simple doubling of the amount of the bet after a losing round will suffice.

Finally, you can use this strategy in blackjack as well because the principle stays the same, and the odds remain unchanged.

Disadvantages of the Martingale Betting System

Image of Disadvantages of The Martingale StrategyThis betting system is considered very risky. You can quickly wipe out your entire bankroll after a losing streak.

Also, all roulette tables have a minimum and a maximum limit when it comes to the size of the bet. Once you reach the maximum, you won’t be able to double again and recover your losses.

Finally, the Martingale betting system can be seen as a strategy that requires you to bet big for a rather small profit if it ever comes to it.

Martingale Betting System vs. House Edge

Image of House Edge and the Martingale System

One thing is certain when all casino games are considered — the house always wins. In the game of roulette, the odds are in favor of the house, thanks to the green zero. Remember the even money bets and their odds; they’re not 50%, but 48.6% because of said zero. 

No matter which betting strategy you use or how effective it is for you, you can’t change the house edge or your odds

Martingale vs. Paroli Betting Strategies

Image of Martingale vs. Paroli Betting Systems

There are two widely used progressive betting strategies in roulette games — the Martingale and the Paroli betting strategies. 

The Paroli system is the exact opposite of Martingale. While with the Martingale technique, you double the stake every time you lose, with the Paroli system, you need to double the stake every time you win. After three winning spins or after a loss, you reset the bet level to the one you started at. The logic is that after three consecutive wins, you can rake in a profit worth 7x the base bet. 

However, with the return of the bet size to the initial one after that, you kind of get a failsafe button that protects your bankroll from a significant loss if the fourth spin is a losing one.   

The Paroli method is only as good as the winning streaks you are graced with, and it’s not as risky as the Martingale. However, the Martingale system can help you recover the losses you accrued earlier, and the Paroli can’t. 

Ultimately, it depends on your personal preference, the size of your bankroll, and how much you are willing to risk.

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Conclusion: Is the Martingale System Worth the Risk?

In the end, the Martingale betting system is a good option for those players looking to win something in a short period of time. It’s also suitable for those who have enough bankroll to cover the losses and who won’t panic when the losses pile up.

Still, it’s an exciting way to play roulette because it doesn’t require you to use any complex strategies, like in blackjack or any other casino games that demand you memorize a whole bunch of moves and actions. 

Ultimately, you can’t beat the house edge. The best you can do is hope for a lucky break that will allow you to walk away from that roulette table with a positive balance. 

FAQ

How does the Martingale system work? The Martingale system stipulates that every time you lose a bet, you double the next one until you win. Once you do, the bet size returns to the initial sum.
Why use the Martingale betting system? One of the reasons for using this betting system is that it allows you to recover previous losses with a single winning round.
Can I use the Martingale system on all roulette bets? The Martingale betting system can be used with all roulette bets, but it works well with even money wagers, such as odd/even, red/black, and others, because they offer the best odds.
Can you win more using the Martingale betting system? The simple answer to this question would be — no. No betting strategy can help you win more because the house edge and odds can’t be changed. However, with betting strategies such as the Martingale system, you can make a small profit in a relatively short period of time if fortune smiles on you.

About the Author

Author Hi all! My name is Jayson Peter, and I am the Chief Editor here at Casino USA. I have always been a huge fan of casinos, but I noticed that there are not a lot of websites out there that discuss the gambling industry in enough detail, so that’s how the idea for CasinoUSA.com was born. With my extensive knowledge of the industry and the help of my team, I am ready to give you an insight into the exciting world of casino gambling in the United States.