Betting Systems in Gambling – A Comprehensive Guide

A betting system is a strategy for placing bets in casinos and other gambling activities. It is also referred to as a betting strategy or money management system.

The simplest system involves always betting the same amount. Alternatively, various optimal solutions or guidelines exist depending on the situation.

Betting systems can be divided into two main categories, based on whether the events are independent (where the previous outcome does not affect the current outcome). Systems for non-independent events allow bettors to adjust the expected value by betting according to stages of advantage or disadvantage. For independent events, only the variance can be manipulated.

Non-Independent Events

Games such as blackjack and baccarat do not reshuffle cards after each round. The subsequent game begins with a deck that does not include previously used cards, a process described by the Markov process. This allows the expected value of one unit to fluctuate from round to round, giving players opportunities to exploit this bias.

For example, in blackjack, bias is leveraged through card counting strategies, which include betting systems. Players place bets based on the count as follows:

1. Bet the minimum when at a disadvantage or when the cards are initially dealt.
2. If the count is close to favourable, bet proportionally.
3. Bet the maximum allowed when the count is favourable.

Casino hosts may reduce the effectiveness of these methods by narrowing the range between minimum and maximum bets, reshuffling cards midway through the game, or using multiple decks.

This is distinct from a betting system, but it can be used to reduce variance (hedging) and lower the risk of bankruptcy by increasing the number of attempts—for example, by dividing bets equally and playing multiple hands.

Similar counting and betting systems exist in baccarat. However, they are not widely used under typical casino rules since biases are rare.

It is possible to further manipulate variance by combining systems for non-independent events.

Independent Events

Roulette, craps, and sic bo are games where the previous outcome does not influence the current outcome. Winning these games over the long term requires an element of luck, as the expected value is always negative unless deductions are non-zero. However, betting strategies can influence variance to achieve goals such as:

1. Seeking either a significant win or a large loss.
2. Avoiding large losses in favour of smaller, consistent wins.

Players can choose between these objectives. A sensible approach is to set target values for both gains and losses and stop playing upon reaching either.

Maximising variance involves betting the maximum units allowed at the highest odds. Minimising variance entails not playing at all.

Common Betting Systems

Below are examples of typical betting systems. In roulette, numerous systems have been proposed, particularly variations of the martingale. These strategies are designed not for guaranteed winning but for enhancing the enjoyment of play.

Most apply to even-odds betting, such as “red or black” in roulette, but they can be adapted to games with varying odds, including horse racing or sports betting, by adjusting the bet amounts accordingly.

Мартингейл

This classic and well-known method is also called the “double wager method.” The bettor begins by wagering one unit, doubling it after a loss, and doubling again after consecutive losses. A single win recovers all previous losses and yields a profit of one unit. While this system theoretically guarantees eventual wins, it is impractical due to the risk of running out of funds or reaching the table’s betting limit after a series of losses.

Grand Martingale

A more aggressive variation of the martingale, this system adds one unit to each doubled bet after a loss. While it aims for higher returns, it also carries a greater risk of bankruptcy.

Parlay

Known as the reverse martingale, this method involves doubling bets after each win and resetting to one unit after a loss. To retain winnings, players must periodically return to the initial bet. This approach favours small, consistent losses over infrequent large wins.

Д'Аламбер

Attributed to Jean Le Rond d’Alembert, this system increases the wager by one unit after a loss and decreases it by one unit after a win. Losses accumulate more slowly than with the martingale, but profits are also slower to materialise. Variations include the reverse D’Alembert and methods incorporating grand martingale principles.

Pyramid

A modification of the D’Alembert system, this approach starts with a larger initial bet (e.g., five units). Bets increase or decrease by one unit depending on outcomes, with chips fluctuating more gradually than in D’Alembert. Upon reaching a limit (e.g., nine or one unit), players may reset to the original wager or continue.

Comparing Betting Systems and Choosing the Right Strategy

Betting systems vary significantly in their approach, risk levels, and suitability for different games. Each system has its strengths and weaknesses, and the choice of which to use depends on the type of game, the player’s goals, and their risk tolerance. Below is a summary comparison and a recommendation guide for selecting the most suitable system.

Summary Comparison of Betting Systems

System	Recommended Games	Best For	Уровень риска	Potential Gains	Key Weaknesses
Мартингейл	Roulette (red/black, odd/even), Crash games (fixed multiplier targets)	Games with even odds	Высокая	Small, consistent	High risk of bankruptcy or table limits
Grand Martingale	Roulette, Crash games	High-risk gambling for larger stakes	Very High	Larger than Martingale	Exacerbates losses in losing streaks
Parlay	Roulette, Craps, Crash games (chasing streaks)	Low-risk gamblers seeking occasional big wins	Умеренная	Potentially large	All winnings can be lost in one round
Д'Аламбер	Roulette, Baccarat, Blackjack, Sic Bo	Slower losses, steady gameplay	Low to Moderate	Gradual, modest	Gains are slow; losses not fully covered
Pyramid	Roulette, Baccarat, Blackjack	Conservative players managing variance	Very Low	Very gradual	Slow to recover losses or build winnings

Specific Notes on Crash Games

Краш-игры (e.g., games where players cash out before a multiplier crashes) can incorporate Мартингейл, Grand Martingale, и Parlay strategies. These systems work well for games where players aim for multipliers close to 2x or less.

Мартингейл и Grand Martingale are suitable for players targeting consistent small wins but come with high risk during losing streaks.

Parlay is better suited for players who aim to capitalise on winning streaks by increasing their bets during favourable outcomes.

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By aligning the betting system with the chosen game and your risk tolerance, you can enhance both your enjoyment and strategic control over your gambling experience.