Mathematicians and players alike have failed to create the perfect gambling strategy that works 100% of the time. Each system has its shortcomings, but this is part of what makes the activity as enjoyable as it is. The outcome in never guaranteed!
But whether its online pokies or real money Blackjack that you most enjoy, there are some strategies that do work, at least some of the time.
Bet 2% of Your Bankroll, or Less
Casual gamblers, be they enjoying themselves online, at a land-based casino or betting on sports, will generally walk in with roughly US$200, for example, and start placing bets worth US$10, or even US$25. Harmless in theory, since you should be wagering with expendable income, but you’re going to end up out of pocket very quickly if this is something you’re guilty of!
A good idea that comes from sports bettors is risking 2% or less of the bankroll you have available on any bet you place. Pros, and even gamblers who take their activities semi-seriously, do this in order to minimise their risk over the short-term. It’s a great system for playing casino games, too.
Let’s say your bankroll is US$200. 2% of this would be US$4. You can place bets of US$4 or less, and adjust the amount as you win or lose.
The Advantages of This Strategy
The biggest one is that it keeps you in the game for that much longer. You’re not hazarding huge chunks of money worth as much as 20% of what you’ve got available like most players do. It works particularly well in games like Caribbean Stud Poker and Blackjack, as well as Poker. The reason for this is that these games rely somewhat on skill, and are thus more prone to streaks of wins and losses than games that provide more of an advantage to the house do.
The Famous Martingale Betting System
The Martingale strategy has 2 main things going for it:
- It is easy to learn and to implement
- Theoretically it provides you with a profit on each of your wagers
This system has you doubling bets every time you lose, with the aim being to always win back whatever you’ve forfeited, and eventually earn a small profit as you go. Even Money bets work best with the Martingale, as they simplify things and minimise your risk.
Let’s say you bet US$10, for example, and win. You will keep betting US$10, until you lose, at which point you will bet US$20. If you win this wager, you will drop back down to US$10, and if you lose you will hike your bet up to US$40. And so on, ad infinitum.
The Benefits of Using This Strategy
It’s ease of use is what really recommends it, and how, theoretically at least, it’s foolproof. As long as you’re betting with your bankroll firmly in mind, with the added consideration of the bets being doubled when necessary, you can look forward to eventually getting back anything you may have lost. You can also look to seeing a good return, too. The system works for many games, but particularly in Roulette, Craps, Blackjack, and Baccarat.
