Martingale Explained

It is said to be one of the oldest betting strategies to this date.

The Martingale system, fortunately, also stands as one of the easiest betting strategiesto learn and master as it does not involve any complicated mathematical formulas or calculations.

The math behind the Martingale betting system is as simple as it gets given that there are only a few straightforward steps to follow and keep through the entire process of betting.

How Does Martingale Work?

Usually described as a negative progression system, Martingale requires you to increase the stakes on losing bets. It’s somewhat controversially based on a premise that a losing streak will not go towards a significantly large number of bets and that you are bound to win at some point.

Originally used at casino games which offer even money bets, Martingale betting system is somewhat different when it comes to betting on football or any other sport for that matter.

Looking at how the Martingale system works, there are only two simple rules that need to be followed. The first rule is to double your stake every time you lose, whereas you need to go back to staking a base unit once you land a winning bet.

Using a football glossary to describe it more theatrically, Martingale in football betting will see you latch on an even money bet – 1/1 (2.00) – with a starting stake of let’s say £20. A winning selection on your first bet would require a restart with the initial be, returning you to your base stake of £20.

However, a loss on your first pick would see you double the stake to £40. Another losing selection would imply adding another £40 to your bet, making the total stake worth £80. Each losing step will see you double the stake until a win is achieved which will see your wagers go in progression: £20, £40, £80, £160, £320, £640 and so on.

Does Martingale Work in Sports Betting?

Looking at it from a short-term perspective, Martingale betting system can work. It might even yield results at an extended period of time provided you avoid getting trapped into long losing patches.

Not only will a losing streak be a major hit to your confidence, but it will also come as huge blow to your financial ability to follow the Martingale system through. Starting with £20 as a base bet does not sound too expensive or unaffordable, but once you are forced to fork out £620 or even £1,240 to keep Martingale active it can come as big problem.

Martingale’s simplicity is its biggest appeal and there is a large number of bettors who have tried Martingale at some point during their betting career. But martingale will at one moment or another present itself unreliable as any other progressive system for that matter.

Given the amount of money it involves and requires on losing streaks, Martingale can be one of the most dangerous betting systems you can use.

Martingale System

Rumoured to have been invented by a casino owner by the name of John Martindale in the 18th century – the name seemingly being slightly altered at some point in the distance past – this is perhaps the most famous example of a “retrieve staking system”.

Also known as “recovery staking”, this system dictates that after each losing bet, the subsequent stake must be set at a level to recover/retrieve all previous losses, and secure an overall profit. The easiest way to demonstrate this is by considering a bettor who only bets on even money chances – such as in roulette for example. The below table illustrates the stakes which would result should such a gambler suffer eight losing selections in a row.

 True, that once the ninth selection wins, a total profit of £10 would be achieved, but our hero would have needed to place a bet of 256 times his initial stake in order to do so. The main reason that this system is doomed to fail in the long run however is that all betting operators have a maximum stake rule in place which, depending upon the event, may see this system cut short after just a few steps. A systemised method of chasing your losses, the best advice with this, and all similar progressively increasing staking systems is – Avoid at all costs!