Martingale Betting System Explained

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Martingale Betting System Explained

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The Martingale betting system is one of the oldest betting systems and was quite popular in 18th century France. The system probably owes much to famous London casino owner John Henry Martindale, who encouraged gamblers in his casinos to double their bets and win more. However, although many eventually won a hand or two, most gamblers were bankrupt by the end of the night.


How Does It Work?

The Martingale betting system is a negative progressive betting system and one of the simplest as well. It tries to make the most out of winning streaks and instructs the players to bet double when losing and betting their base when winning. Although it may work in the short run, this strategy is essentially a high-risk-low-reward type of system that can make you lose a lot of money.

The system can boost your chances of winning money in the short run. However, doubling the bets when you lose and your stake when you win can easily empty your pockets. The chances are 50-50%, and since wealthy gamblers are sure to flip heads every once in a while, the betting strategy seems like it's going to make your rich. In the 18th century, the Martingale betting system bankrupted many gamblers and lost its popularity as a result.


Using the Martingale Betting System

The rules of the system are actually pretty simple. Pick a game of your choice (it applies to baccarat and roulette among other casino games but you can try it on nearly all casino games on feedbackcasino.com) and decide your base stake. From there, you need to double up every time you lose and stick to your base when winning. For example, if you've bet $10 and lose the game, you should bet $20. If you're winning, you're required to stake your base, in this case, $10.

For example, if you apply the system on a roulette and bet $5 on red and lose, you need to bet $10 next. If you lose again, bet $20 dollars on red again. Eventually, you'll win double and cut back your previous losses. Once you win, you start over with your initial stake (bet).


The Negative Sides of the Martingale Betting System

There are many problems with this betting system. The most obvious one is the fact that the longer you try to stay in the game, the greater the risk of going bankrupt. According to statistical math, there's only a slight 0.0001% chance of winning a hand after losing a 50/50 bet 9 straight times and this happens a lot with the Martingale system.

The other glaring problems of the system are the limited budget of the gambler and the betting limits of the casino. Most roulette tables have a limit of $1000 and 9 bets (as mentioned in this PlayFrank review) – once you reach them, you're prohibited from further betting.

Baccarat, on the other hand, has incredibly high betting limits. If you stick to the Martingale betting system while playing baccarat, you may lose up to 15-20 hands in a row, which will definitely bring you closer to bankruptcy. Eventually, you'll wipe out any winnings, emptying your pockets before the day is done.
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