The Martingale Betting System

What is the Martingale Betting strategy?

The Martingale system first came into prominence back in the 18th century, with people using it as a strategy to make a profit from casino games like roulette.

The theory behind it is simple, requiring you to double your stake after any losing bet and repeating this up to the point you back a winner.
In order for the mathematics to work, each wager must be a single bet at odds of Evens or greater to ensure that you will eventually make a profit.

For example,

the Championship in England regularly produces drawn matches throughout the course of the season.

Odds for draws are usually 2/1 or higher, meaning you will eventually make a profit if you adhere faithfully to the Martingale system.

Martingale Betting Example

  • Using Leeds United’s 2019/20 fixtures as an example, you could have started by wagering £10 on their opening match against Bristol City to be drawn.
  • Leeds won this match 3-1 making the bet a loser and thus requiring you to increase your stake on the second game to £20.
  • This was a 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest, which at odds of 2/1 would have given you a return of £60 – a profit of £30.
  • The Martingale betting strategy would then require you to revert to your original £10 stake on the next match and repeat the process until backing another winner.
  • Leeds subsequently went five games without a draw, meaning you would have been £310 out of pocket at this stage (£10 +£20 + £40 + £80 + £160 = £310).
  • However, the match in the sequence was a 1-1 draw with Derby County which at odds of 2/1 with a £320 stake would have returned £960 – a profit of £330 from your outlay on the six games

The Martingale system requires plenty of self-discipline, but as highlighted by the example above can guarantee a profit if you stick rigidly to it.

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Is it safe to use the Martingale Strategy On Sports Betting Sites?

Used correctly the Martingale betting system is safe and legal to use on sports betting sites, although there a couple of factors to consider before trying it out.

For Example

  • It is important when implementing the strategy to be sure that your bankroll is sufficient to cover a lengthy losing streak.
  • For instance, using Leeds’ results in 2019/20 as an example, their longest run without a draw was seven matches. Your losses at this point would have been £1,270.
  • Your eighth bet would have needed to be £1,280, giving you a return of £3,840 at odds of 2/1 for an overall outlay of £2,550.

If you are sure your bankroll can handle this type of losing run it is also important to ensure that you implement the system on betting sites that don’t have a restrictive wagering limit in place.

Some sites may have a maximum amount they are prepared to allow you to wager on a single event, so it is crucial to factor this into your calculations before starting to use the system.

How to win money for a long period of time using Martingale betting

The Martingale system is a mathematically sound way to guarantee a profit from sports betting such as Football Betting or Horse Racing Wagers – providing you don’t deviate from the plan.
For instance, if you use it as detailed above you can secure some healthy returns by simply focusing on drawn matches.

However, if you are a punter who loves football betting and place other types of wagers this will not only increase your outlay but also eat into your bankroll.
If you wish to win money for a long period of time using Martingale betting, it is vital to stick to the system and steer clear of any other bets.

How to use Martingale bankroll management

Managing your bankroll correctly is the key to ensuring that you maximise your chances of making a profit from sports betting.

This point is particularly pertinent when it comes to the Martingale system, as you must be certain that your bankroll can cope with a significant run of losing bets.

For example, if your bankroll is £2,000 you would not have been able to fully implement the Martingale strategy to make the eighth bet in the Leeds example given above.
On this basis, it is crucial to ensure that your starting stake is such that it allows you to remain within your bankroll should you suffer a few losing bets.

For anyone thinking of using the Martingale system to bet on one team to draw games, it is worth noting that Aston Villa once went 51 matches without a draw.
This occurrence would probably have blown every punter’s bankroll out of the water, although the fact it dates back to the 1890s shows that it not something that happens regularly.

With around a quarter of the games in the Championship generally finishing as draws, it is the ideal league to apply the Martingale system on.
Once you have your stake size set and bankroll in place, the strategy is undoubtedly a sound one providing you can stick rigidly to it.

We hope that you found this article useful & welcome you to check out our additional guides to Sports Betting in the UK