Craps Betting Systems

The 1-3-2-6 System

This system works on the premise that you can win four times in a row. A player has four initial bets of 1 unit, 3 units, 2 units and respectively 6 units for the fourth bet.

Assuming that each unit worth 10$ and the odds are paying even money, then the first bet is $10. When winning, $10 is added to the $20 on the table making the second bet $30. When winning again on the second bet, there would be $60 on the table. Of this you take down $40 and the third bet is now $20.

If the third bet wins, you will have $40 on the table to which you add $20 making a total of $60 for the fourth bet.

In case the fourth bet wins, there would be a total of $120, of which $100 is net profit. Now all the bet with the profit is taken down and you start the system all over again at $10.

If you lose the first bet, your loss is $10. The second level loss is $20. At the third level, a loss will give you a net profit of $20. At the fourth level, a loss leaves you breaking even. Each time you lose, you start all over again at $10.

So, in the end this means that if you risk $20 at a chance of making $100 net profit, you can lose five times but with one win you can get your money back.

The D'Alenbert System

This system is a combination between Martingale and Insurance systems. Bets are raised one unit after each losing bet and lowered one unit after each winning bet. The sequence and amount raised or lowered can be varied to suit particular games and odds.

The Labouchere System

Also known as the 'Cancellation' system and it has many variations. In its simplest form, you write down a series or a set of numbers; say, 1 2 3 4 5 6. The series can be short or long and not necessarily sequential such as 1 1 1 3 3 5 7. The choice of a particular series depends on the type of game you want to apply it to and the odds of the bet.

Each of this numbers represents the amount in units or chips to bet. You bet the first and last of these numbers. In this example 1 and 6, which totals 7 units.

If you win, you cross out those two numbers and than you bet the next two 'ends' , meaning 2 and 5. If you win again you bet on the next two remaining numbers 3 and 4, and if you win that too, you would have made a 'coup' or completed one game. Then you start all over again.

In case of a loss, then you add that one number to the end of the series. Say you lost your first bet of 7 units (1+ 6). Then you add number 7 to the end of the series to look like this: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 and your next bet would be 8 units (1+7). If you won the first bet but lost the second 2 and 5, then the series of numbers would look like this: 2 3 4 5 7.

If you manage to play after this system, you will notice that when the series is completed or when you make a 'coup', there is always a profit. The negative side of this system is that you could end up betting large sums of money even if your initial bet is small.

The Martingale System

The Martingale system is extremely simple and it is based on the probability of losing infinite times in a row and is usually applied to 'even money' bets.

For example, if you start with one bet and you win, you start again with one bet. If you lose, you double your bet. Each time you lose, you double your last lost bet. Eventually you are bound to win. When you win you would recover all your lost bets plus one unit profit against your initial wager.

The Martingale system requires a large bankroll, has a very low return and is a very risky one because of the maximum bet limits imposed by the casinos. If you run out of money or reach the house limit, you can lose a lot with no chance to recover your losses.

The Parlay System

This system is similar to the Paroli system and has the effect of 'pyramiding' your profit. Pyramiding is a parlay wager whereby the original wager plus its winnings are played on successive wagers.

Usually this system is used in horse racing betting. Basically you make a bet and if you win you re-invest the winnings on the next bet. You 'let it ride'.

This method of play is by no means risk free, but it offers the least amount of risk of all wagers since the player is only concerned with either a win, place or show selection or a combination of the three.

It is one of the oldest methods of wagering and was originally derived from the same premise that banking systems use to compound interest.

The Paroli System

This system is the counterpart of the Martingale system. You start with one bet and you increase your bet when you win rather than when you lose.

You will need to plan a betting procedure by means of which you know how far you will let the bet build before you take it down to the initial starting bet and how much to raise after each win. This of course depends on the type of game played and the odds of the bet.

The advantage of this system is that you do not require a large bankroll. It lets the profit run and diminish the losses.