Relying on a betting system to achieve results in a real money game at an on-site casino or at a Vegas online casino can get you in trouble. If you start to believe that your system will assure you of wins, bonus rewards or other gambling successes, you might find yourself betting more than you should.
There’s another way to look at betting systems. They can be a fun way to try to put some order into your gaming event and give you a chance to test out how close you can get to achieving the highest number of possible payouts.
What are betting systems? Which ones should you try? How can you use them safely?
Casino Betting Systems
The concept of “betting systems” dates back to the earliest days of the first European casinos. As gambling started to become more of a structured activity that took place in casino venues, the idea that gamers could improve their overall win-rate with a strategy that would allow them to better manage their bankrolls took hold. Gamers also appreciated the idea that they could, somehow, control certain aspects of the gambling results.
The first betting system was known as the Martingale System. It was used widely in French Riviera casinos of the 18th and 19th century. The Martingale system is simple – if you want to use the Martingale system, you will be advised to double your bet after every loss.
The idea is that, when you finally win, you recoup all your lost money as well as an extra bit of profit. The idea sounds reasonable – at some point, you’re bound to win! The downside is that the system carries with it the risk that you could lose a lot of money if you experience too many losses in a row. Despite the risks, betting according to the Martingale system appealed to many gamers who enjoyed the way that excitement would build with each successive bet.
Players began to explore other types of betting systems, including the Fibonacci system, the D’Alembert system and the Paroli system. The main goal of betting according to a system was to manage one’s bankroll while creating a structured approach to wagering. Betting systems were seen as a way to minimize losses during unfavorable streaks, provide a disciplined approach to gambling which would reduce impulsive decisions and capitalize on winning streaks.
If a player plans to bet according to one of the betting systems, he:
- Sets his bet sizes based on the rules of the system that he is using.
- Adjusts his bets dynamically depending on previous outcomes (i.e. the Martingale’s strategy of doubling bets after losses).
- Follows specific patterns or sequences to determine wager amounts (where indicated).
Systems
In addition to the Martingale system, there are several other betting systems that are popular amongst casino gamers today. They include
- The Fibonacci System – betting according to the Fibonacci system means that you follow the Fibonacci sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13…..). The sequence was noted by Italian mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci in the 12th century, though mention of the sequence can be found in Sanskrit writings that date back 2000 years.
Basically, every number in the sequence is a sum of the two preceding it. Mathematically, it doesn’t have any special meaning but it’s claimed that the numerical sequence has special properties that influence nature, engineering calculations and more. To bet according to the Fibonacci sequence, you move to the next number after a loss and move back two numbers after a win.
On the positive side, betting according to the Fibonacci system allows you to recover losses gradually. On the negative side, you can lose large amounts of money at one time. - The Laboucher System – To wager according to the Laboucher system, you write down a sequence of numbers that represent betting units and then deposit the sum of the first and last numbers. If you win, cross off those numbers while if you lose, you’re told to add the total of the bet to the end of the sequence. The goal of this betting system is to allow you to achieve a predetermined profit amount. However, you may find yourself placing large bets and struggling with lengthy sequences on the way to your goal.
- The D’Alembert System -- The D’Alembert strategy tells you to increase your bet by one unit after a loss and decrease it by one unit after a win with the goal of having you balance your wins and losses over time. While this is a less-aggressive system than others, you’re still susceptible to losing streaks.
- The Paroli System -- The Paroli System is also called the “Reverse Martingale” system. With this system, you double your bet after each win up to a certain point and then reset. The idea here is that you capitalize on winning streaks. However, if you experience a losing streak, you can see your gains disappear.
Risks of Betting Systems
No one argues that betting systems can introduce a sense of structure and control in the gambling process. However, before you bet according to a system, you need to understand the risks that are involved in such a practice.
- You might run the risk of experiencing large losses. Systems can lead to rapidly escalating bets which can hit your bankroll hard.
- A betting system can give you a false sense of security. When you’re using a “system” you can easily forget that the results of even games where skill is involved are either totally or partially governed by chance.
Go ahead and give a betting system a try! You can employ a strategic approach to wagering as you manage risk and enhance your gambling experience. But don’t forget that no system can alter the fundamental odds of casino games. Gamble responsibly by understanding the limitations of betting systems. Set your budget and stick to it so you’ll be able to enjoy the games as the form of entertainment for which they were designed.
