Martingale strategy roulette
Live roulette is one of the most popular offerings within a live casino setting, and whether you’re playing a game which follows the rules of European roulette or American roulette, there is the chance to implement many betting systems which some players believe can enhance the winning potential at a roulette table.
One of the most familiar roulette strategies is the Martingale Strategy, pre-dating the Las Vegas casino strip and even the modern roulette table as we know it. The purpose of this when playing roulette is to double your bets until you land a winning bet. Sounds simple enough, but if you want to find out whether the Martingale system works or if it will surpass your betting limits, take a look below.
How the Martingale system works
Before you begin implementing the Martingale betting roulette strategy, you will need to know how to play roulette and how this betting strategy works.
A roulette player can lose money if they choose to implement any strategy, including the Martingale system, when playing at a live roulette or virtual roulette table. None of the spins of a roulette wheel will guarantee a win. Taking that into account, you should have an expected loss which is within your budget.
The Martingale roulette strategy is a betting strategy that is based on recovering your losses as you place bets on the casino game. The system works with a small starting bet, and if you start a losing streak after that first bet, the next bet you place will be double the initial amount.
If you play in a real casino, whether it's online or land-based, roulette players say the theory behind using the Martingale roulette system is that eventually, the losing streaks will end. Potentially, once that happens, you will recoup some of the previous losses. However, the martingale strategy does not guarantee wins and losing streaks should never be chased, which makes the martingale strategy one to potentially avoid.
However, if you hit a losing streak, you can quickly reach the top of your betting limit and the table limits. This can get to betting a large amount in a single run, which could be your entire bankroll in the next bet.
Using the Martingale Strategy within a game
To use the roulette Martingale strategy, players should focus on placing even money bets on outside wagers. There are a number of bets within this category, all of which offer a 1:1 payout. These are bets on red, black, odd, even, 1-18, and 19-36.
Players may start with a large bankroll, but this system is not about betting big, and players should focus on a single bet at a time. Many gamblers choose to bet on the same number for each spin. However, this strategy removes that option completely. If you choose to play ten rounds following this strategy, the amount of money will double, so you should be prepared if you're unable to account for previous losses.
If you’d like to take a look at the Martingale progression, we’ve listed a series of bets which you can follow when using the Martingale system:
| Spin Number | Table Bet | Stake | Result | Profit | Current Game Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Black | £1 | Lose | -£1 | -£1 |
| 2 | Black | £2 | Lose | -£2 | -£3 |
| 3 | Black | £4 | Lose | -£4 | -£7 |
| 4 | Black | £8 | Win | +£8 | +£1 |
| 5 | Black | £1 | Lose | -£1 | 0 |
As you can see in the table, you may eventually win on a bet. However, as you double your bet on the next spin, it can be a steep progression as you could start betting big before you actually land a win. However, there is the chance that this strategy could land small winnings, but if you choose to implement any roulette strategy, it can be considered extremely risky.
Martingale strategy variants
When playing a Martingale strategy roulette game, you can reach high totals of betting before you recoup any of your expected losses. If the table limit is set to a specific amount, it could be hit early in the betting process. As the Martingale strategy follows a 1,2,4,8,16, 32, 64, 128 etc. betting pattern, there have been other variants brought into the casino world which follow a similar pattern. Check them out below.
Reverse Martingale (Anti-Martingale)
While the Martingale roulette system is a roulette strategy that is all about doubling your bet when you lose, the reverse Martingale strategy is the opposite. It encourages players to double their bets after their first win and attempt to continue a winning streak. However, what this strategy also does differently is reverting to the same amount used in the first bet after a loss.
Grand Martingale
When it comes to the Grand Martingale betting system, it’s quite similar to the main Martingale roulette strategy. However, what players will need to do is increase their bet by one following a loss. Put simply, if you bet £16, the next round, your bet will need to be £33. However, if you do win, this amount should exceed the initial wager.
Roulette Martingale strategy pros and cons
Like all roulette betting strategies, Martingale has pros and cons when used at tables. However, the strategy can be risky, and it should never mean you will be guaranteed a win. The pros of the roulette Martingale odds are that they are easy to understand and apply if you can do the maths, and there is a chance of small even money winnings. But in comparison, a losing streak can mean you lose big amounts quickly, and you will only end up winning a small amount. The opposite of Martingale is the Paroli roulette strategy.
Other betting systems include the Fibonacci roulette strategy, D'alembert roulette strategy, or the James Bond roulette strategy.
Martingale strategy FAQs
Is the Martingale strategy reliable?
No, like all roulette strategies, the Martingale strategy is not reliable and can wipe out your betting budget.
What bets should I place using the Martingale system?
When playing at roulette tables, the Martingale roulette strategy recommends placing even money bets such as colour outcomes. You do not have to start at the table minimum, but you may need to double your bet multiple times in a row before you make a small profit.
How many times can I use the Martingale system in roulette?
As many as your bankroll or the table limit allows. However, the bets recommended to place are the ones with 1:1 payout, and there is no connection between the betting total and the odds. However, you may need a large bankroll to continue using the system.
How much can I bet in the Martingale system?
If you follow the system, the bet will double each time. However, it is a risky strategy that can increase the bet amount quickly, so it’s important to stick to your bankroll.
Can the Martingale betting system be used in other casino games?
Yes, players can implement this strategy if playing other live casino games, such as baccarat and blackjack.
Is the Martingale system profitable?
This strategy is a high risk to reward, as the more you bet, the more you will win. But this will follow a series of losses to get to those higher totals. The martingale strategy does not guarantee any wins.
How often does the Martingale system fail?
In roulette, the betting options used as the outside bets in the martingale strategy have a 50% chance of winning or losing.
Is the Martingale strategy allowed in casinos?
Yes, this strategy can be used. However, the harsh reality is that you may not win, and using systems cannot always be favoured if you are playing online.
