Applying the Martingale System to Different Casino Games: Roulette, Blackjack, and More

Author ImageAuthor: | Last Updated: November 2023
Roulette on the Left and Blackjack on the Right

The Martingale System is one of the most popular betting systems that you will see gamblers use. In theory, this system should make it impossible for you to lose money.

Many players use the Martingale betting method at the top online casinos and sportsbooks. The system is easy to learn, and it can be adapted to work on many different casino games. It is so popular that the Martingale has even been used to create other betting systems.

Continue reading to learn more about the Martingale method and how to apply it in different gambling scenarios. I will tell you how to use this system and how to apply it to different popular casino games.

What Is the Martingale System?

So, what is the Martingale System, and how does it work? The Martingale is a betting system that uses a negative progression method. This means that you increase your stake when you lose your bet and decrease it when you win.

As I mentioned above, using the Martingale will, in theory, make it impossible for you to lose money gambling. That is because this system requires you to double your stake following a loss.

For example, if you wagered $10 on black in roulette and lost, then you would bet $20 the next round. If you win the second wager, then you cover your losses from your first bet and make a small profit. However, this betting method is not as foolproof as some players would have you believe.

Does the Martingale Betting System Work?

One reason the Martingale is so popular is that it is easy to learn. All you need to do is double your stake after a loss and go back to your original stake after a win.

However, this system has two key flaws that players need to be aware of. First and foremost, it can be very expensive. For example, if you lose three wagers in a row, then suddenly you have gone from $10 stakes to $80 stakes.

Not only are you wagering $80 on the next bet, but you have also lost $70 already. So, you have already used $150 of your bankroll.

The second major issue with the Martingale betting method is that casinos typically have betting limits on their games. So, you could hit the table limit and not be able to double your stake amount.

Despite these flaws, many people still use this system today because it does work a lot of the time. Barring a run of bad luck, you are unlikely to lose enough bets in a row to hit the table limit. Also, you can start with small stakes, so the cost of losing does not take a huge toll on your bankroll.

Reverse Martingale System

The Martingale method is so popular that it has created several spin-off systems. For example, the Reverse Martingale uses a similar strategy as the system it was named after. The main difference is it is a positive progressive system.

This means that you double your stake following a win, not a loss. This allows bettors to win large amounts of money if they can string together wins.

However, the downside is that you will lose eventually, and, if you are not careful, you could lose all of your winnings in the process. That is why many people who like this system use a modified version where they only increase their stake by a small amount, instead of doubling it.

How to Use the Martingale System to Gamble

Another reason the Martingale method is so popular is that it can be used in a lot of different casino games. In fact, you can even use this technique at real money sportsbooks.

Roulette

One of the most common games for using the Martingale method is online roulette. This is because this betting system works best when you can place even money wagers. Roulette has a lot of bets to choose from, including bets that are close to even money wagers.

If you want to use the Martingale betting method in roulette, then you need to stick to even money wagers. Even though these bets are not truly even money, they are close enough to work for this betting method. The bets you should be placing include:

  • Red or Black
  • Odd or Even
  • Hi or Lo

Each of these wagers gives you the chance to bet on 18 numbers at once, which is nearly half of the options available.

Once you decide which bets you want to make, then you just need to follow the Martingale method. So, you keep your stake the same after a win but double it after a loss. If you win after doubling your stake, then you can go back to your original stake amount.

Blackjack

Another popular game that you can use the Martingale method on is online blackjack. In most versions of blackjack, beating the dealer rewards the player with a 1:1 payout. This is perfect for using a negative progression method like the Martingale.

However, unlike roulette, you have more control over the outcome of a game like blackjack. So, you need to make sure that you are making the right decision on every hand.

To do that, you need to have a winning blackjack strategy. The better your strategy, the more you can lower the house edge. Using blackjack advantage play techniques can also be helpful.

Another factor to consider is the side bets that many blackjack variations offer. In general, you should stay away from side bets, especially the blackjack insurance bet, if you want to use the Martingale method. These bets typically have a huge house edge, which makes them difficult to win consistently.

Craps

Craps is also a great game for people who want to use the Martingale betting method. Like roulette, players in craps have a lot of betting options to choose from. Many of the wagers available are even money bets, too.

If you want to apply the Martingale System to craps, then make sure you stick to these wagers:

  • Pass line bet
  • Don’t pass line bet
  • Come bet
  • Don’t come bet

Laying odds is also a good option for this betting system because these wagers do not have a house edge. However, you have to make a pass line or come bet first.

Field bets and the Big Six, Big Eight wager can also be appealing, but bettors should be wary of these bets. They can offer even money odds or better, but they also have a higher house edge. For example, the Big Six, Big Eight wager has a house edge of 9%.

Another factor to consider is your craps strategy. Like blackjack, you have more control over your success in craps than in roulette. Deciding how many bets to make each round, and when to make them, can have a big impact on the outcome.

Baccarat

You can also have a lot of success using the Martingale method in online baccarat. There are many variations of baccarat online, so make sure you stick to Punto Banco variations.

The casino banks the game in Punto Banco. So, you do not need to worry about paying the other player if you lose.

Also, you have the choice to bet on either the player hand, banker hand, or a tie every time. Both the banker and player hands have 1:1 payout odds. However, many casinos charge a commission on your winnings if you bet on the banker hand.

Despite this added charge, betting on the banker hand offers the lowest house edge. Even when you factor in the commission charged by the casino, the banker hand has a lower house edge than the player hand. So, make sure you stick to the betting on the banker hand if you want to maximize your chances of success using the Martingale method.

Sports Betting

The Martingale betting method is not just limited to casino games, either. You can also use it when betting on your favorite sports at BetUS and other top sports betting sites. Many online and brick-and-mortar casinos also offer sports betting, so you may not even have to find a new place to bet.

Using the Martingale method to bet on sports can be tricky, though. Like many of the other games above, your success will be determined by the bets you avoid making.

For the most success, you want to look for bets that are close to even money odds. This means avoiding huge favorites or massive underdogs. Instead, look for wagers that typically offer more balanced odds, such as:

Some moneylines and prop bets can also be good options. Just make sure you are careful about picking markets that are easy to win. Most parlays, on the other hand, are usually best avoided with this betting system.

Have You Tried the Martingale System?

The Martingale Systems is one of the most commonly used betting strategies at online casinos. Check out the blog above to learn more about this system and how you can apply it to different types of gambling.

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About the Author

Shaun Stack, a native of the state of Kansas, has been a lifelong fan of all sports. Shaun has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh Bradford. He has been writing for GamblingSites.org for several years, covering a wide range of topics.