If you aren’t entirely new to our website or, more specifically, our blogs, you must’ve heard us mention “the Martingale system” at least a few times before. Today, however, we are dedicating an entire article to dissecting the Martingale system alone. We'll try to answer the question of whether Martingale betting strategy works, what its pros and cons are, which other Martingale system variants exist, and plenty more. Ready to dive into the topic with us? Buckle up, we’re off!
What Is the Martingale System?
The Martingale system has to be one of the most famous betting strategies in existence. It first appeared in France in the 18th century. The person who introduced the system to the world was a mathematician named Paul Pierre Levy and the gambling history was never the same.
So, what is the reason the Martingale betting system is so popular? To put it simply, it’s because Martingale is extremely easy to explain, understand, and use.
Namely, what you essentially do when employing the Martingale betting strategy is you raise your bet after each suffered loss. The increase isn’t arbitrary, though. Every time you raise your wager, you double your previous bet amount. That way you’re supposed to earn back your losses once you win. Once you succeed, you start from the beginning and bet your original sum once more.
You can use this betting strategy on various casino games, including baccarat, blackjack, and craps, but first and foremost roulette red and black.
How the Martingale System Works
Here’s how the Martingale system works in practice.
Say you initially bet €10 and lose. Then on your second bet you wager €20, which is double your first amount. If you lose that round again, your next bet is €40 which is double your previous bet. This goes on and on, i.e. you keep doubling down until you finally win. Theoretically speaking that win should return your losses as you’d end up with your initial €10 bet.
Then, you start the process again, always keeping your €10 wins and doubling down only after losing.
Benefits and Drawbacks of the Martingale System
While many would argue that the Martingale betting strategy is one of the best betting strategies in existence, the truth is, much like everything else, it comes with its own set of pros and cons. Let’s go over a few of each, shall we?
Martingale System Pros:
- The Martingale strategy is easy to explain, understand, and apply
- Using this system, there is an opportunity to win your losses back
- Suitable for small wins over a short time period
Martingale System Cons:
- Hitting a losing streak can quickly diminish and even rid you off your betting budget, resulting in a large loss
- According to the rules of roulette, roulette tables have betting limits so the maximum wagering amount you would potentially use could be capped
- There is a chance you could bet big and only win small
Different Variations of the Martingale System
Apart from the standard Martingale betting system as we’ve explained it to you, there are also certain Martingale variants, most notably the Reverse Martingale and Grand Martingale.
The Reverse Martingale
The Reverse Martingale strategy is also known as the Paroli system. In the Reverse Martingale, instead of doubling down after a losing round, you would keep your wager the same. On the other hand, if you won a round, then you would double your bet. Unlike the standard Martingale betting strategy, the reverse Martingale is known as a “positive progression system”.
Some say the Reverse Martingale is the safest betting strategy. After all, when you lose, you restart the cycle and start wagering the smallest possible bet again.
The Grand Martingale
Another famous Martingale system variant is the Grand Martingale betting system. This strategy is based on playing the same wager every time until you lose. Once you’ve lost, you double your bet and add one unit to the wager. Should that round be a losing one as well, you double again and add another unit. This strategy continues until you win.
Is the Martingale System Right for You?
We hope we’ve managed to accurately present to you the Martingale system and its variants and explain what the Martingale strategy is, how to use it, on which games, and what makes it worth your time.
However, it is important to note that there is no betting strategy in the world that is foolproof as there is always that little thing called luck. Understanding the intricacies of the Martingale system might bring you extensive knowledge in the casino or online casino; still, always remember that all casino games, including the roulette, baccarat, blackjack, and craps are, after all, games of chance.
