The Downside of the Martingale Betting System
February 16th, 2010 | Published in Gambling Games
Many gambling players over the years have tried to use a system for betting. Most people believe these systems are a sure-fire way to beat the house edge and walk away from the casino with cash in hand. Truth be told, sometimes they work, but any wins you gain from using a betting system were simply luck and not the system. In fact, betting systems do more harm then good and can quickly zap a player’s bankroll.
What is the Martingale Betting System?
The Martingale betting system is a system of playing on your losses in the hopes of turning them around. Simply put, you place an even bet on the table, you lose the round. On the next round, you double your bet. Then you keep doubling your bet every time until you win. For example, you place a two-dollar bet on black at the blackjack table. You lose the bet. The next round you place a four-dollar bet on black at the blackjack table. You lose that bet as well. The third round you place an eight-dollar bet on black at the blackjack table and so on until you win.
The Downsides to the Martingale Betting System
Unfortunately, there are many downsides to the martingale betting system. For one, most casinos have a betting maximum limit set on their betting tables. It will not take too many rounds before you have exceeded this limit and cannot continue using the Martingale betting system. For two, the system only works with even line bets. This limits your betting options at the table. Finally, the Martingale system will only benefit you if you quickly turn your losses into a win. If you lose several hands in a row, you can be down hundreds of dollars before you turn it around, and that is only if you win a hand before you reach the house’s maximum betting rules.
The best betting system is to bet smart. Every time you gamble, start with a set bankroll. Divide that bankroll in to equal bets that will allow you to stay at the table for as long as you plan on playing. Once you get to the table, start with small bets. This will allow you to build a bankroll and keep playing, something the Martingale system does not allow. Playing smart will better your odds of walking away with cash in hand.