The Martingale system, and its variations, is one of the most popular betting systems that can be used both at land-based and online casinos. Below you will find an explanation of how the strategy works, where it is believed to have originated from, as well as the benefits and problems that may come along with it. We’ll also take a look at some of the variations of this betting system; let’s get started!
WHAT IS THE MARTINGALE SYSTEM IN ROULETTE?
The Martingale system has been around for a long time but was popularised in the 18th century. The most widespread rumour regarding the origin of this strategy lies with a man named John Martindale, who was a casino owner at the time. It is believed that he came up with the system and, though he did not use it himself, encouraged many gamblers to use it by telling them that it was the best strategy one can use when spinning a roulette wheel.
The Martingale system is a negative progression system used when playing roulette that involves doubling your wager every time you lose until you reach your first win – at which point the sequence will reset. To put it simply, this strategy aims to capitalise on the eventual likelihood of breaking a losing streak by yielding a small profit to offset previous losses.
There are a few different versions of the Martingale betting strategy, including the Reverse Martingale and Grand Martingale strategies.
HOW TO USE THE MARTINGALE SYSTEM?
The Martingale system has gained so much popularity because of how simple it is to use. Unlike other strategies that require complex equations and mental gymnastics before making a bet, the Martingale system is relatively easy to use and keep up with.
The Martingale is designed to work best on even-money bets. In roulette, this covers Outside bets on Even/Odd, Red/Black and Low/High (1-18/19-36). Why? Because these bets have a roughly 50% chance of winning; thus, they are well-suited for betting strategies that rely on even odds of winning. Take the following example to see how the Martingale system works exactly:
- A player would start with their original bet and then double their first bet every time they lose. For instance, if someone made their initial bet of €1 and then lost, they would bet €2 on the next round.
- If they lost again, they would bet €4.
- This cycle continues until the player hits a winning bet, which is when the progression resets back to €1.
- The logic behind the Martingale system is that by increasing the bet amount during a losing streak, the player will recuperate the losses on the next win. This strategy is not targeted at securing large wins; instead, it aims to diminish losses by making a small profit.
At first glance, the Martingale looks like a solid strategy. The truth is that if you dig a little deeper, then you will find the same holes we see in any other progression betting system. The guiding principle behind this strategy is that the player is bound to eventually win, given the even probability.
However, this strategy does nothing to prevent extended losing streaks and will never be successful in the long run. With a progression system that doubles your wager on a loss, you may end up depleting your entire bankroll in a single session.
WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF THE MARTINGALE ROULETTE SYSTEM?
Like any online gambling strategy, using the Martingale system comes with both its benefits and its pitfalls. Let’s take a look at what those might be:
ADVANTAGES
Firstly, here are all the advantages that come with using the Martingale strategy:
- The most significant advantage of the Martingale betting strategy is that it is easy to employ and track. Advanced betting strategies often rely on the quick wits and mental prowess of the player, who can make fast calculations or keep track of every move. This can be particularly challenging at a Live Casino or on a land-based table, where the rounds move quickly, and all gameplay decisions must be made within a few seconds. The Martingale, on the other hand, only requires the player to double on a loss.
- It is an appropriate method for managing losses.
- Another advantage of using this strategy is that it can be quite successful in the short term, given the right circumstances.
- This technique also allows you to set a bankroll limit which gives you the ability to set a limit on how much of your bankroll gets gobbled up.
- The Martingale applies to all roulette games.
DISADVANTAGES
Critiques of the Martingale system include:
- First of all, the longer that you play, the more likely you are to lose because the harsh reality is that, over time, your losses can start to add up to outweigh your wins.
- If the table you are betting on has a maximum bet limit, you might end up in a situation where your losses outweigh your wins and reach the table limit before the cycle ends. In this case, you stand the risk of losing a significant amount of money with no chance of making it back.
- Another problem with the Martingale is that players with a smaller bankroll can struggle to keep up with this strategy’s demands. While a raise from, for example, €1 to €2 won’t break your bank, there is a much bigger jump to make when you’re betting big.
- You will increase your bet quickly, depleting your bankroll and reaching your betting limits at a faster rate.
- This system is meant to recover from losses and make small winnings. Large winnings will rarely be seen when using this method.
- It is not viable in the long term — the house always wins.
- It is recommended that players use this strategy if they have a large bankroll, as the expected loss may be too great for smaller bankrolls.
CAN THE MARTINGALE BEAT THE HOUSE EDGE?
When it comes to spinning a roulette wheel, experienced players would know that, while the Martingale system might help boost their odds, beating the house edge is practically impossible.
The house edge describes the percentage advantage the house has over the player. It also describes the likeness of the player losing. The house edge is present at all roulette tables, so even if a player hits a winning streak, at some point, they will lose.
Do not fret, however; losing is all part of the experience! The fact of the matter is that, while using the Martingale system won’t guarantee you’ll win money, it can boost your odds of earning a good outcome on your next spin.
THE ODDS OF HITTING A LOSING STREAK
Considering this strategy banks on you losing your bet, take a look at this table that depicts the odds against winning for each roulette wager:
| Type of Bet | Odds against Winning |
| Straight up | 36 to 1 |
| Split | 18 to 1 |
| Basket | 11.33 to 1 |
| Street | 11.33 to 1 |
| Corner | 8.25 to 1 |
| Six Line | 5.167 to 1 |
| 1st Column | 2.083 to 1 |
| 2nd Column | 2.083 to 1 |
| 3rd Column | 2.083 to 1 |
| 1st Dozen | 2.083 to 1 |
| 2nd Dozen | 2.083 to 1 |
| 3rd Dozen | 2.083 to 1 |
| Odd | 1.056 to 1 |
| Even | 1.056 to 1 |
| Red | 1.056 to 1 |
| Black | 1.056 to 1 |
| 1 to 18 | 1.056 to 1 |
| 19 to 36 | 1.056 to 1 |
MARTINGALE BETTING SYSTEM TIPS AND TRICKS
Are you about to place your first wager using the Martingale system? Here are a few tips and tricks to take with you as you enjoy a good game of roulette.
RESEARCH THE SYSTEM
First thing’s first, before you actually start playing a roulette game, you need to make sure you know all the ins and outs of this strategy. Doing a bit of research will go a long way, so make sure you know how to bet, when to revert to your original stake, and what the value of your starting bet should be. These tiny details will come up as you play!
PRACTISE AT A FIRST-PERSON ROULETTE TABLE
Once you’ve thoroughly researched this strategy, the next step is putting all you learned into practice. And what better way to take this betting technique for a test drive than by trying it out in the demo mode of a First-Person roulette game?
Live games do not come with a free demo for you to try since they are streamed live, 24/7. But, First-Person tables come tricked out with a free-play version for you to dive into the gameplay without spending a dime — perfect for giving the Martingale a couple of spins.
Bear in mind that you won’t be able to collect any of the payouts you win as they are all completely virtual.
USE A BANKROLL MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
When playing any casino game, it is important to have a strategy that manages your betting (as with the Martingale) AND your bankroll. A money management strategy will help safeguard your funds and make sure you’re not spending too much money — this is especially important when using a wagering strategy that involves doubling your bet every time you lose.
Roulette is a fun game, and it can be easy to place bets a few times in a row without thinking of the consequences. So, a money management strategy will help keep your habits in check and ensure your next bet will be a smart one.
CONCLUSION — IS IT WORTH USING THE MARTINGALE ROULETTE STRATEGY?
At the end of the day, whether a strategy is worth using or not all depends on your style of wagering. We’ve laid out all the pros and cons; now, it is up to you to decide whether this strategy is worth using. Just remember to give it a spin in the demo mode first to avoid using up all your money!
FAQ
DOES THE MARTINGALE STRATEGY WORK ON A ROULETTE TABLE?
Yes! One of the many benefits of the Martingale wagering strategy is that it is super versatile and can work on many different casino games, including roulette.
IS THE MARTINGALE SYSTEM ILLEGAL?
No, it is not. This system does not guarantee that you’ll make a profit every time you use it. Win or lose; this is all part of the online casino experience. Though, there may be table limits imposed that may prevent you from placing super large bets.
HOW DO YOU USE THE MARTINGALE SYSTEM ON ROULETTE?
Using the Martingale betting system is pretty easy. All it involves is doubling your bet every time you lose to potentially make a profit on smaller wins. It is designed to work best on even-money bets like, for example, colour outcomes. Just remember to keep table limits in mind. If you lose 10 spins in a row, for instance, you will have to double your bet each time, so you may reach the maximum bet pretty quickly.
CAN THE MARTINGALE SYSTEM HELP ME WIN?
Yes and no. Using this strategy over simply placing single bets is a smarter way of utilising your funds, but it cannot guarantee a win. Whether you win or lose in roulette is practically a coin flip — but that’s all part of the experience!