Many betting strategies promise the next bet on a slip will be a winning option. One of the no-lose systems is the Martingale strategy, known for its simplicity, and that is one of the attractions for recreational and professional bettors. In addition, it is effective in casino games and sports betting.
This is not a new concept, the Martingale betting system traces its origin back to the 18th century, when according to a popular legend a casino proprietor from London formulated the gambling tactic.
The fundamental idea behind the strategy is the recommendation to double the stake of a wager after you lose. The logic is that eventually you will get a successful bet at some time, which will produce profits.
Statistically bettors will be able at a minimum to recoup previous losses. This element makes the betting system attractive. Yet it’s not that simple, various elements can influence the outcome, and affect the bankroll balance.
The factors most frequently are betting limits, regulations, and limited bankrolls. They all have negative effects on the strategy, and players must know that nothing is perfect, especially in the gambling industry.
The key premise of the Martingale system is that bettors must double their wagers until the time they win.
This can be a scary thought, to double a bet, after you have just lost a smaller amount, but according to the system, when you lose a $20 bet, the next wager should be a $40, and if luck is still not on your side than go for $80 in the next round.
Players must stay the course and implement this pattern until they eventually win. That raises another question, what do you do after you win. The next move is to reset and start from the beginning. Basically initiating a new phase in the cycle.
It all sounds great in theory. Although some may be thinking they may not have the funds to continue doubling their bets until they finally win. And this is one reason why the strategy depends on a solid bankroll.
This is an easy strategy to understand but bettors need to be careful, knowing that it guarantees winnings, doesn’t mean you should immediately log in to s or a legal sportsbook.
We already mentioned some of the pitfalls, such as casino regulations. However, there is another dangerous moment, referred to as the gambler’s fallacy.
If a player has failed to win in three straight attempts, that doesn’t mean the win is around the corner, there is such a thing as a losing streak.
This brings us back to our previous point about having deep pockets that can enable the bettor to overcome the losing streak when using the Martingale system. It’s not a risk-free method of gambling.
The system can work for you if the betting choices are wise.
Also Read: Spread Betting: Is it Better than Traditional Trading?
Contents
- The Martingale Betting Strategy Explained
- Variations of the Martingale Strategy
- Benefits of the Betting Strategy
- Important Considerations for Sports Betting
- Martingale System in Football
- Martingale Betting Strategy in NBA, NHL, MLB
- Potential Risks
- Advantages and Disadvantages
- Is the Martingale Strategy Legal?
- Use the Martingale Strategy in Forex
- Conclusion
- FAQs
The Martingale Betting Strategy Explained
The best option to get a better grasp of a strategy is to look at a few examples. Especially focusing on the risk and reward ratio, and how it functions in practice. Let’s use MLB betting for this example, for a punter that applies the Martingale strategy.
If the basic wager is $10 on MLB games. This pattern will be implemented with the strategy. For sake of simplicity, let’s say the first bet is $10 at even odds.
The first wager is $10, but you lose that bet, so the next is $20 the result is the same. You up the stake to $40, you lose again and move up to $80, then $160, followed by $320, when you finally win. But the total profit is $10.
The strategy was productive, and the punter won $10, but at the same time was forced to risk $320. This method works best if you wager on several games.
Variations of the Martingale Strategy
Considering it’s a popular strategy, it’s no surprise punters have created numerous versions for sports betting. We have selected a few of them, and you can make up your mind, which one is best for your style.
- Grand Martingale is founded on the identical rules as the original Martingale system. The twist in this version is that after every loss, players have to add an extra unit to the bet amount. That way, the profits are increased when the winning bet roles in. The disadvantage of this variation is that you can run out of money faster.
- Mini Martingale makes it possible to escape significant losses. With this option, you are not doubling the wagers, punters get to spread out their funds. Meaning even if a bettor enters a losing streak, there will be still money on the bankroll to stay in the game. Yet the profits are reduced with this approach.
- The reverse Martingale strategy works by doubling down after a win and not a loss. This is a solid method to reduce big losses, but it’s important to know when to call it quits. With a single losing bet, the entire profits can get wiped out. That’s why it’s crucial to have trust in the selection and focus on three or four games before initiating the cycle again.
Benefits of the Betting Strategy
The Martingale strategy is very easy to learn and use, there is no complex mathematics to go over. It can be used by players at any level of experience, novice and seasoned punters have found success with the pattern of doubling down after a loss.
It applies to any form of betting, be it casino games or sports wagering. You start with the initial bet and double down until win.
It’s one of those betting systems that under ideal circumstances always generates results. When wagering in a sportsbook or casino without wagering requirements and the bankroll is topped off you can expect profits.
Important Considerations for Sports Betting
Using the strategy in a casino can be easier because you only need to double down on the bet when the roulette wheel spins. But during sports betting, where the odds change, you must make adjustments.
For sports events, the odds offered by a sportsbook will vary, depending on the market and the teams playing. This means that if you plan to recover the losses from a previous wager, then some estimations on the follow-up wager are necessary.
It’s not complicated to calculate the amount, divide the forfeits with the decimal odds, and what is left is the next stake.
Martingale System in Football
The legalization of sports betting in the USA has opened a huge new market, and many punters are taking advantage of online sportsbooks to test the Martingale strategy during NFL games, but also NCAA matches.
Let’s take a game that can illustrate the method. If the initial wager is $150 and you plan to cover the spread on the Buffalo Bills with the odds at -150. The potential winning is $100, but what if you lost the bet.
The following week the Bills are playing again, and you need to raise the stake to recover the previous loss. If the odds are the same then just double the stake.
The bet is a winner and you get $200. You have recouped the previous loss and made a profit. Then you start all over again with the initial bet size.
Martingale Betting Strategy in NBA, NHL, MLB
The regular season of leagues such as the NBA, NHL, or MLB, offers a huge inventory of games. Remember you may be betting on the same team, but the odds on every game will be different depending on the opponent.
Let’s say that the Orlando Magic have another bad season with a score after 70 games are 20 wins and 50 defeats. It’s logical to conclude that before the playoff they will lose again. You start with $10. They play Brooklyn Nets and the odds are The Magic to win -110 vs The Nets to win -120.
You wager on the Nets, and if the Magic make a surprising victory then you move to the next game versus the Jazz where the odds are -240. Either you find a game with double the odds of the previous or you will have to increase the stake to make the system work.
This pattern can work in games from every league, especially on teams that are not performing well in the season.
If individual sports are your preference, select a player that is an underdog with small odds to win. When the player loses in the initial stage of the competition the profit will be large, alternatively, if the player advances several stages, a bigger bankroll will be necessary.
Because in individual sports the favorite is the one that wins the trophy, you stand a good chance to make a profit or recoup any losses from a potential surprise.
Potential Risks
The theory has a good reputation, but that does not mean players should not doubt its effectiveness. In gambling it’s not possible to have ideal conditions, there are situations when the entire bankroll cannot support a losing streak.
Every punter has experienced a very long and bad run, that can only get overcome with a large bankroll. Because of specific limitations of casinos and sportsbooks, the strategy will break down at some point.
The limits on bets or withdrawals can make it impossible to recover losses and force punters to make more risky bets.
The risks of the betting system are:
- Running out of money
- Running out of time
- Wagering limits in casinos and sportsbooks
- Prolonged losing streaks
- The house has an advantage with some games
Advantages and Disadvantages
The biggest advantage is the simplicity of the strategy, which makes it possible to be used by anybody. You don’t need to have the advanced mathematical knowledge to handle the concept, it’s not counting cards at the blackjack table.
In an ideal situation, the method will constantly produce profits, and this is the condition of having an unlimited bankroll and no wagering limits at the gambling platform. It’s possible to lose every hand or sports game, there is no guarantee that the losing streak will end.
Having said that it’s logical to know that nobody loses constantly, it’s mathematically impossible.
The Martingale betting system is a winner as long as you have money.
The disadvantage is the fact ideal perfect conditions rarely are available. Majority of punters and players cannot secure a bankroll that can finance the strategy, especially if losses begin to multiply.
It’s a strategy that provides modest profits and that makes much doubt if they shape risk and implement this pattern of betting.
It may seem impossible to lose six games in a row, but experienced punters will tell you that it occurs very frequently.
Losing streaks are part of the game, and the best option to counter that problem is with a large cash fund that rides out losing wagers.
When making a sports bet there is a vig that most sportsbooks require to make a bet. If this is necessary that you will have to double the vig not just for the starting bet but any other until you get a winning streak. Without this modification it will not be a winning strategy and punters cannot recover losses.
The wager limits in casinos can also be an obstacle for using the Martingale strategy making punters chase losses by using riskier strategies.
The Pros
- If after every loss you double the wager, you will recoup the amount you lose and increase short-term net winnings.
- The Martingale strategy enables novice bettors to recover losses and learn how to play a Casino game.
- The Martingale betting system is most effective in short timeframes and if planning to play long sessions that it’s not a valid method for guaranteed results.
The Cons
- A large bankroll is a prerequisite to cope with a run of losing bets, as this system depletes your bank far quicker than most other strategies.
- Not great for long-term players, because the house edge in casinos will consume the bankroll and reduce the chances of making profits.
- The limitation on a max bet is a big problem for the strategy. You cannot keep doubling your bets if the table has a max bet limit. When facing a prolonged losing streak, then you cannot counter with a larger wager to retrieve losses.
Also Read: The Complete Guide To Unusual Options Activity
Is the Martingale Strategy Legal?
The Martingale strategy is legal because players are not manipulating the system. There is no rigging of a slot machine.
Actually, most gambling platforms such as sportsbooks and casinos are in favor of the strategy, it encourages players to continue betting. Nobody will object if a punter keeps doubling a bet on an MLB game.
Yet the limits at casinos make the strategy unpractical after a specific point. The betting system is a product only when there is a large bankroll and no betting limits.
Gambling companies are happy to take players’ money and have nothing but praise for a strategy that promotes doubling bets.
Use the Martingale Strategy in Forex
The Martingale trading strategy is not popular in the financial market. Only seasoned professionals trade with it. The reason as already mentioned is the large supply of money because of large chances for losses.
When implementing the method conduct analysis and locate opportunistic entry and exit positions. It’s advised to use small lot sizes with the Martingale strategy.
Set take profit and stop loss, and wait for the result of the trade. If money is lost than double the trade and wait for success until you make money.
Conclusion
The Martingale strategy, like any other betting strategy offer advantages and cons, and it’s up to a player to decide if it’s the best option for his circumstances. The Martingale betting system is easy to learn, and that is one reason for its popularity with gamblers.
From a statistical aspect, it is not possible to lose when implementing the system. However, this is dependent on two factors, the first has a large poll of cash available to keep on betting, no matter the losses, and the casino doesn’t have any max bet limits.
There are constraints when wagering with the pattern, and you can counter this if you make good selections of games. Make a serious analysis of every game and make smart choices that way, you can make extra cash.
The system was invented by a casino owner, which found a way for players to make more profits using the martingale betting system that improves potential winnings.
FAQs
Does the Martingale strategy work?
Yes, the Martingale strategy is effective if all the circumstances are available for players. Statistically, it’s not possible to lose with this method if you have a huge bankroll and the casino has no max bet limits.
Is the Martingale strategy profitable?
The strategy generally offers smaller profits, the advantage is in the fact it enables punters or bettors to recoup their previous losses and earn a small profit. This is a great tactic for short-term wagering.
What is better than Martingale’s strategy?
The Paroli system offers an advantage because it’s a more conservative betting strategy since bettors don’t know how long the winning and losing streaks will last.
Do casinos kick you out for Martingale?
No, the strategy is legal, and most casinos encourage bettors to use the method because it means they will spend more money on the card tables or the roulette. There is no anti martingale strategy attitude in gambling venues.
