What Is a Betting System and Which Ones Work?

Betting systems offer a structure for how to wager, and the basic premise behind each strategy is to show you how much to stake after wins and losses. The idea is to help you manage the risk. Although many systems get advertised as a way to improve your winning chances, in reality, none can change the house edge.

However, methods such as arbitrage betting, matched betting, and value betting can provide a mathematical advantage. But only if you use them correctly and under special conditions. Keep on reading and get an idea of which betting systems you should be using and what the main differences between them are.

What Is a Betting System?

A betting system is a strategic method of using your bankroll to make large and small profits. When the moment comes, and you find a betting system that suits you properly, you should go for either increasing or decreasing the amount of money that you place on your bets, depending on whether you lose or win. The actions you take will vary depending on whether you use negative or positive progression betting systems.

In the table below, there’s a list of betting systems:

Do Betting Systems Really Work?

One thing is certain, and that is that there are no guarantees with any betting system, since they are not a foolproof method to win placing bets. Although there are a lot of gambling aficionados that hugely benefited from using these systems, there are far more bettors that lost a considerable amount of money while practicing betting methods.

The truth is that betting systems don’t really work, especially in the long run. They can work 100% only if you’re cheating, which is not legal, and we highly recommend that you don’t do that while betting.

Casinos operate in such a way that is beneficial to them and not the players. This means that every betting offer is made in such a way that the casino or bookmaker can profit from it.

Also, the casino operators spend a considerable amount of money to find those players who use betting systems. In the end, you can only win in short periods of time because the likelihood of losing increases over time, or your account could be banned by the operator for using betting methods.

If someone is telling you that they’re always winning while using betting systems, they’re either cheating or they don’t tell the truth about how much they’re actually losing while gambling.

Are Using Betting Systems Considered Cheating?

No, because a betting system only makes use of the statistical chance that a certain chain of events will occur by using it. Hypothetically, if you had an unlimited amount of money at your disposal for placing bets, you could use those chances to legally win in a casino, be it online or in a traditional one.

Technically, card counting is also legal because it depends on the law of probability. However, if you use a helper while playing games, you’re cheating, and the casino could ban you from playing.

You must know the difference between illegal cheating, meaning fraud, and cheating from the perspective of a casino operator or a bookmaker.

In a case where you’re using your playing skills, like card counting, so you could boost the likelihood of you winning a bet, there are a lot of casinos that could consider that a form of cheating. Although casinos and bookmakers are private businesses and they could decide to ban you from playing whenever they want, card counting isn’t against the rules.

Where Do Betting Systems Come From?

Ever since betting started, players have always wanted to make a system that would help them to win and get a large amount of money. Many geniuses throughout history have been trying to beat casino games and figure them out.

Even the great mathematician Blaise Pascal tried to find out how to make a system that would defeat the game. Also, Albert Einstein tried to beat the game of roulette, but he came up to the conclusion that there’s no efficient system that could possibly conquer roulette.

Back in the 1980s, 17 people created an exciting and successful betting system, and they were called the Computer Group. They’ve made a sports betting system on the computer that was based on statistical analysis, and they predicted the outcome of almost every bet that they’ve made with the help of this system. This group has won millions thanks to the system that they’ve made.

The Computer Group started a new era of these sports betting groups that used the help of computers and technology to place bets. That software has definitely made a precedent in the sports betting industry.

What Are The Types Of Betting Systems?

In this section, we will provide a quick summary of various types of betting systems:

✅ The Labouchere System

The Labouchere betting system is considered one of the most complex, but it’s also played by many players across the globe. This system also goes by different names, such as the American Progression, Split Martingale as well as Cancellation System. A British politician, Henry Labouchere, who was also an avid gambler, invented this betting system. It was mostly used in roulette and is great for even money bets such as:

1. Red or black
2. Odd or even
3. 1-18 or 19-36

The major rule of this betting system is quite easy to understand. Every time we decide to place a bet, the stake must be exactly the same as the sum of your first as well as the very last number in your sequence. We will give you an example. In a case where your sequence is 1-2-3-4-5, the bet we place has to be $6 (1+5).

An advantage of the Labouchere system is its flexibility because we can place the sequence of numbers of your choice. Another advantage is that you can lose more times than you generate wins and still have a profit from playing. When it comes to the disadvantages of this betting system, the problem is that it is quite complicated, and players often go on losing streaks while using it to place bets.

✅ The D’Alembert System

This is a betting system created by a mathematician called Jean Le Rond D’Alembert, and it is a negative progression system. Many gambling lovers choose this type of betting system because it is very safe for use when placing bets. This math genius used both the Martingale and the Great Martingale betting systems in the hopes of making a system that would help the players make a larger profit.

The first thing you should do when using this system is that you set a stake that is a maximum of 5% of your whole bankroll. After you’ve done that, you should place a bet using one unit. Let’s say that one unit is $10.

The basic rule is that when you lose, you increase your bet by exactly one unit. So, if you lose, you bet $20 next time. On the other hand, if you win while using this betting system, you should decrease your stake by one unit.

A major advantage of this betting system is that it will bring you wins in a short period. If you go on a winning streak, you could even make a profit because the winnings will be greater than the funds you’ve lost while placing bets with the D’Alembert system. However, you can also go on a long losing streak, and the money you’ve lost could be greater than the money that was won.

✅ The Reverse Labouchere

The counterpart of the Labouchere system is the Reverse Labouchere betting system. This system deals with one of the major disadvantages of using the Labouchere system, which is that we can go on a very long losing streak and lose a considerable amount of money because with every loss, you place a larger bet and no one knows when the losing streak can come to an end.

The great thing about the Reverse Labouchere betting system is although you can lose a small part of your bankroll frequently, there’s also a chance that you can make a big profit and even go on a small winning streak, which is excellent news for anyone who wants to use this betting system.

Also, the basic premise of this system is that you have to add your winnings to the sequence of numbers that we’ve chosen. This means that if you get a win, you should add your winnings to the sequence, but if you don’t win, then the first and last numbers in your sequence must be deleted.

✅ The Contra D’Alembert System

The Contra or the Reverse D’Alembert system is the opposite of the D’Alembert betting system. It works on the flaws of the D’Alembert method. This is one of many positive progression betting systems. An advantage of the Contra D’Alembert system is that you can place bets with a relatively small bankroll.

Here’s how this system works. Your first move would be to set a stake, usually in the range of a maximum of 5% of your bankroll, that you’re willing to lose every time you place a bet. Let’s say your base stake is $10. So, every time you win while betting, you increase your stake by the base stake, so you use $20 for the next one and $30 for the next one if you win. On the other hand, if you lose, for example, a $30 bet, you will place $20 for the next bet.

With the Contra D’Alembert betting system, you won’t lose so much money, unlike its counterpart, because you only increase your stake when you win.

✅ The Paroli System

The Paroli system is a progressive betting system, and it is commonly used by bettors around the world. This betting system has been around since the 176th century, and it is used in various casino games such as roulette, blackjack, and craps.

Credit: Jackpot City Casino

One of the advantages of using this betting system is that it’s easy to learn, and it gives us a chance to consistently win small amounts of money. The disadvantage would be that we can only profit from it in the short term.

With this betting system, there’s no need for a big bankroll. Your first step for starting this betting system would be to set a base stake. Every time you win, you should double the stake when you’re placing the bet next time. For example, your initial stake is $20, and you win.

The next time, you double the stake and place $40. After you make three wins a row, you should stop doubling your bets and start over with the initial stake. If you lose while playing, you have to bet your initial stake the next time.

✅ The Fibonacci System

The inventor of the Fibonacci system was mathematician- Leonardo Pisano Bigollo. He also went by the name of Fibonacci, hence the name of the betting system. This is a negative progression betting system which means that we should increase your stake every time we generate a loss.

When it comes to the complexity of the system, it’s neither too difficult nor too easy to learn. It’s often used in many table games like roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and so on. The major principle of this betting system is that each time we lose, we have to increase your stake.

The first number in the Fibonacci sequence is zero, followed by one, and the number in this sequence will be the sum of the last two numbers. This sequence can go to infinity. When you place your bet, you should always begin with one unit.

So, starting at number one, because you don’t use the zero, you’re staking one unit, and let’s say that is $1. If you lose the bet, then you should move to the following number in the Fibonacci sequence, and that is one. If you lose the second time, then you go to number two and place a bet with $2 because that would be two units ($1+$1).

This is a betting system that is really enjoyable to play, but it would only work in a short period of time. Being a negative progression betting system means that you can go on a very long losing streak, and the stakes will increase and go too high at one point, which will be detrimental to your bankroll.

✅ The Martingale System

The Martingale system is a negative progression betting system that is often used in both traditional as well as online casino games. Many players are drawn to this betting system because of its sheer simplicity and the fun they have while using it. The Martingale system has been around since the 18th century.

The main concept of this betting system is that you to double up your bet each time you lose while betting. On the other hand, if you generate a win, you should place the base stake. Like the majority of betting systems, the Martingale is great for making a profit in a short period of time. Mostly, this system is used on even money bets. You can implement this betting system while you’re playing casino table games such as roulette, blackjack as well as baccarat.

✅ The 1-3-2-6 System

The 1-3-2-6 system is a positive progression, typically used on even-money bets in games such as roulette and baccarat. The key difference compared to negative progression systems is that the stakes get increased after wins. This is a good way to limit losses while allowing you to maximise your winning streaks.

The system works with a fixed sequence of stake units such as 1, 3, 2, and 6. If you lose at any point, you must immediately come back to the initial points of the sequence and begin with the first unit.

Here is an example with a base unit is $10:

• Bet 1 unit ($10). Win and receive $20.
• Bet 3 units ($30). Win and receive $60, for total winnings of $80.
• Bet 2 units ($20). Win and receive $40, for total winnings of $120.
• Bet 6 units ($60). Win and receive $120, for total winnings of $180.

If you complete all four steps successfully, you can make a profit. But if you lose at any stage, you have to return to the first step and try again. Keep in mind that this system does not change the underlying odds of the game.

✅ Arbitrage System

This is a betting system that makes use of the fact that different online bookmakers make different odds for sporting events. Let’s say that Barcelona is playing versus Real Madrid, and two bookmakers offer different odds for the “no draw bet”. One of the two bookmakers is offering a 7/5 or (1.4 decimal) chance that Barcelona will be victorious, and the other one gives the victory to Real Madrid with the same odds.

If we place a bet of $100 at those two bookmakers, you will win $40 if either of those two teams wins. If a draw is the result of the game between the two teams, you’ll get your $100 back, given the fact that this is a “draw no bet”, so you won’t lose everything that you’ve invested in placing a bet, which is great. The danger of using this betting system is that we can get banned from online bookmakers.

✅ Handicapping System

This is a betting system where we place a bet on how a particular sports match will end with a certain margin of error. Handicap will give one sports team a goal disadvantage and a goal advantage to the other team. We will explain this with an example:

1.5 handicap- Liverpool (-1.0) vs Manchester United (1.0)

1. Manchester United has an advantage of one goal when the match starts
2. In order to win the game and for us to win the bet, Liverpool has to score two goals
3. If Liverpool wins and scores one goal, that’s a draw, and we’ll get a refund of your stake
4. However, if we bet on Manchester United, we will win the bet if they win or get a draw. In the case of a loss by only one goal, we will get your stake back.

✅ Hedging System

Hedging is a betting system where we put a second bet on your original bet. This is not the usual betting system, meaning if you get it wrong, you could lose a substantial part of your bankroll.

For example, let’s say you place a $50 pre-match bet on Juventus to beat Inter Milan at odds of 4.00. So the initial bet of $50 on Juventus at a 4.00 betting line can generate a potential return of $200 or $150 in profit. If Juventus scores early, it can move the live odds on Inter Milan to 4.00. At this point, you can place a second $50 bet on Inter Milan.

In this example, you have effectively guaranteed a $100 profit regardless of which team wins. However, hedging opportunities such as the one theorized above are rare because they depend on significant changes in live odds.

Betting Systems That Still Work

There’s no problem in finding a betting system that you will use, but it is quite difficult to find one that will work and provide a profit for a longer period of time. However, there are some betting systems that could help you to get more consistent wins, and these ones work:

• Arbitrage betting – you can make a small profit no matter the outcome
• Matched betting – you use more than one account at an online bookmaker to make a profit on your bets by exploiting free bets and any bonuses or promotions that bookies offer to newcomers on their websites.
• Value betting – is betting on better odds than real odds. Let’s say you get an offer of 3.50 on a coin toss, but the real one is actually 2.00. If you can find value bets every time you place a bet, consistent profits are guaranteed.

Betting Systems That Don’t Work

There are a few betting systems that rarely work, and now let’sexplain why these particular systems are not recommended for players.

✅ The Martingale System

As previously explained, the principle of the Martingale system is that you double your stake when you lose while betting. Because when you place an even-money bet, the first time you get a win should nullify everything that you’ve previously lost while using this system. But, you can easily go on a very long losing streak, and that can severely damage your bankroll. Therefore, the Martingale is a betting system that is not beneficial for the players, and it doesn’t work in the end.

✅ The Fibonacci System

If you use this betting system, there is no guarantee that it will boost your chances to make some wins in the casino. Theoretically, you can make a profit in the long run, but the losing streak will eventually happen. Despite the fact that you will go two numbers backward on a win and one number forward on a loss, there is still a large risk that the required stakes will become larger than the amount you are comfortable wagering.. The Fibonacci betting system isn’t recommended to use, but if we like to take risks, this system is ideal for us.

Responsible Gambling With Betting Systems

Betting systems can help you wager in a more organized and smarter way, but no strategy should be viewed as a guaranteed way to make money. You cannot predict future results with certainty! In certain scenarios, progression systems can be even more dangerous, since they quickly put pressure on a bankroll. That’s why you need to use safe gambling practices and not exceed your original budget.

• Have a dedicated gambling bankroll before you start betting. Never allow yourself to be tempted to exceed the amount you have defined.
• Decide on a maximum loss limit for each session. When you reach that amount, the time has come to log out.
• Chasing losses by betting more after losses is the worst move you can make.
• Frequent breaks, for example, every 20 minutes, are recommended to maintain control over your decisions.
• Never borrow money to gamble.
• Make sure you are taking full advantage of responsible gambling tools, such as deposit limits and loss limits.
• A gambling addiction is something you can develop fast, so when you spot the symptoms, contact organizations such as GamCare or Gamblers Anonymous to get the necessary help.

Final Thoughts

Betting systems offer a blueprint for making bets, but you should not get your hopes too high when it comes to winning. However, they’re of great help for getting a better understanding of gambling and learning how to have a structured approach to betting.

Credit: 888sport

FAQs

Can You Apply These Systems to All Casino Games?

Yes, you can use these betting systems while playing the majority of table games you will find in either a traditional or an online casino. Almost all systems can be used for roulette betting strategies.

Can You Make Money With System Bets?

Yes, you can win money while using these betting systems if you follow the rules and understand the system. However, you will only make money in a short period of time and not in the long run.

Which Sports Are the Best for System Bets?

There are a great number of sports that are a good option when you’re placing bets with the help of the betting systems. Probably the best and most common sport for betting with these systems is football, followed by basketball, tennis, rugby, hockey, and so on.

How Many Bets Is a Good Base to Decide If a System Is Good or Not?

There’s no exact number of bets that will help you to decide. Instead, you should see if the system hurts your bankroll or not.

Are Betting Systems for Sale a Good Idea?

No, betting systems that are for sale can only work for a short period and not in the long run. So, it would be better to try a free betting system.

What Is the Best Betting System?

Out of all the betting systems, matched betting is probably the best because it is almost risk-free, and you can make a profit from it on a consistent basis. You should use this system on promotions where the gambling site will match the bet with another bet that is free of charge.

Why Use Betting Systems?

Betting enthusiasts use betting systems so they can have a good strategy that will help them to make a profit and to control their bankroll as well. If you use a system, there’s a higher chance that you will reach your goal when it comes to betting.