Gamblers have been trying to gain leverage over the house ever since the dawn of time. In their attempts to do it, they have come up with different techniques, methods and strategies. Betting systems are one of the regularly taken approaches that can allegedly help you beat the casino. In this article, we will discuss casino betting systems and whether they can really help you or not.
How Betting Systems Work
First of all, you should not mix up betting systems with game strategies. While the former refers to the way you place your bets, the latter has to do with the moves you make. Practically, using a certain betting system won’t lower the house edge, while a proper game strategy can make a huge difference. Progressive betting systems are among the most popular ones. When betting according to them, you should increase your wagers when winning or losing.
What makes these systems so popular is that they are easy to learn and they look good on paper. However, reality can be harsh when playing the games of chance where each round is an independent event. Neglecting the element of randomness, some tend to believe that they can beat the house if they apply a betting system. Let’s learn more about the most popular betting systems you can use at casino tables.
Betting Systems and Casino Games
The most popular betting systems can be split into two groups – negative and positive progressive systems. When it comes to negative progressive systems, they are based on increasing your stakes when losing. The opposite applies to positive progressive systems. In one of our previous articles, we have written about these systems applied to the game of Baccarat. Reviewing the most popular Baccarat betting systems, we have provided you with a breakdown of them and how they work.
Baccarat is one of the casino games where you can use these betting systems as they are suitable for even-money bets. Other games you can use progressive betting systems on include Roulette, Craps and Blackjack.
Roulette
Martingale is probably the most popular betting system used in the game of Roulette. Players typically apply it to even-money bets like Red/Black and Odd/Even. According to this betting system, you are supposed to double your bet after a loss and place the initial bet when you win. Theoretically, this betting strategy should cover your losses but practically, one never knows the outcome of the next round. Roulette is a game of chance where you cannot tell how long a losing streak will last. For a player with a limited bankroll, the Martingale system can be detrimental.
Craps
Craps is another table game where you can play even-money bets. Luckily, in this game, Martingale seems not to be so popular. Craps players prefer to increase their stakes when winning and they choose Paroli over Martingale. The main goal of this system is to have three wins in a row while doubling your bet whenever you win. While this system can turn out to be lucrative provided you are on a winning streak, you should bear in mind that the probability of winning three times in a row is low. Besides, in Craps, you cannot play even-money bets without placing bets with a higher house edge, which makes it harder for you to win.
Blackjack
Although Blackjack is a casino game with an element of skill where you can lower the house edge and beat the dealer, you can never be absolutely sure that you will win. The idea behind the Martingale system that you can cover your losses by increasing your bet when losing may seem attractive. Yet, in practice, it is highly risky one as it can wipe out your bankroll. A system that is less risky is 1-3-2-6. It is not as complicated as it seems when you read its name. It all starts with placing a one unite bet and you are supposed to follow the given pattern. With this one, you should increase your bets only when winning. If you lose, you return to the original one unit bet. Despite the fact that this system is not as risky as Martingale, it still makes you wager more money than your original bet.
Closing Thoughts
To conclude this article, we should answer whether casino betting systems are good or bad for you. If you are still with us, you can easily tell it from the examples we have provided. Not all betting systems are bad, but they can drain your bankroll if you rely on them. Actually, the most important thing about betting systems is that you should not use them instead of the proper strategy for the game you play.
What’s bad about negative progressive systems is that they require you to risk more when on a losing streak. On the other hand, positive progressive systems are designed to make you risk more when winning. This may not be in line with the budget and limits you have set. Finally, it is up to you whether you will or won’t apply a betting system to your liking. Just keep in mind that money management should be above anything else when playing casino games.