For years, avid casino fans have been trying to develop roulette betting strategies and beat the odds. But it is not a secret that roulette is a casino game based on luck. Skills cannot change the outcome of the game. The only thing roulette enthusiasts can do is properly manage their bankrolls and carefully determine the size of their bets. If you play roulette for long enough, you are bound to lose.
Many betting strategies exist, but none of them proved to be flawless. One of the most widespread betting strategies is the Martingale. Interestingly, it can be applied not only to roulette but also to other casino games such as blackjack, baccarat, and craps.
Experts believe that this betting strategy was introduced somewhere in the 18th century. According to rumors, the Martingale betting system was designed by John Henry Martindale – a greedy casino owner. As you might have already guessed, the man never tried the betting strategy. Instead, he was encouraging the visitors of his casino to use it. The betting strategy became extremely popular in 1891 when Charles Wells broke the house using the Martingale system.
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- Roulette – From a Perpetual Motion Machine to a Casino Landmark
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- The Master of the Wheel Gonzalo Garcia Pelayo
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Popular Variations of the Martingale Betting System
Being one of the least complex betting systems, the Martingale strategy has been used by many roulette enthusiasts. But as we already explained above, it does not guarantee success. Hence, savvy players altered its rules in an attempt to improve the strategy. That is how several variations of the Martingale systems were created.
The Reverse Martingale 
Grand Martingale 
The Mini Martingale The Reverse Martingale
Unlike the Martingale betting strategy, the Reverse Martingale is a positive progression betting system. Players have to double the size of their wagers after a win. Logically, they have to start the progression all over again following a loss. In a nutshell, the Reverse Martingale is the opposite of the original Martingale strategy. It applies to even-money bets.
For many players, the Anti-Martingale betting strategy is safer as players increase their stakes with money that they have already won. Look at the table below to see how exactly the system works.
| Bet Number | Bet Size | Outcome | Net Profits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | Loss | -10 |
| 2 | 10 | Loss | -20 |
| 3 | 10 | Win | -10 |
| 4 | 20 | Win | 10 |
| 5 | 40 | Win | 50 |
The Reverse Martingale has its flaws. First of all, it takes just a single loss to wipe out your profits. What is more, the Anti-Martingale betting strategy relies on winning streaks that may not occur at all. On the other hand, if you are on a hot streak, you can reach the maximum table limits.
Grand Martingale
The Grand Martingale is the more aggressive cousin of the Martingale betting system. This betting strategy postulates that roulette fans have to double their bets and add the amount of their initial wagers after a loss. In that way, the Grand Martingale provides players with the opportunity to win more cash than they would if they had used the classic Martingale betting system. Some players even add 2 units instead of 1 after doubling up their bets to maximize their potential winnings.
Following a win, casino fans have to reduce the size of their stakes to the original value and do not change it until a loss occurs. In the table below, you can see an example of the Grand Martingale betting system.
| Bet Number | Bet Size | Outcome | Net Profits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | Loss | -10 |
| 2 | 30 | Loss | -40 |
| 3 | 70 | Loss | -110 |
| 4 | 150 | Win | 40 |
| 5 | 10 | Win | 50 |
To use the Grand Martingale strategy, you need a healthy bankroll because if you spend your money before a win occurs, you do not stand a chance to win back your losses. Furthermore, the chance of reaching the maximum table limits is very high which will interrupt the sequence.
The Mini Martingale
The Mini Martingale betting system prevents players from losing a lot of money on the roulette table. This betting strategy requires roulette fans to determine the number of times they will double their stakes. Even if a long losing streak occurs, you will lose less money. By using this betting strategy, you can prolong your stay on the roulette table. Of course, the Mini Martingale betting strategy does not promise players to leave the casino with full pockets but at least, they will not be in the red.