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Why the Martingale System May Not Work

Any player who intends to be a serious gambler will inevitably encounter the Martingale Betting System. It is one of the easiest, most established and common forms of betting employed by gamblers everywhere. However, it is without a disadvantage and may not always work for the player.

The Martingale betting strategy simply requires a player to double up the bet placed in the previous round, and to continue doing this until one finally wins. The logic behind this betting system consistently shows that players will always be up by the original bet that was placed despite a losing streak. This means that despite successive defeats, with just one victorious round a player wins back all that was lost in the previous plus a profit equivalent to the first bet placed before doubling up.

The Martingale System is a fail-safe betting strategy for players, which spells bad news for the House for it can go bankrupt if it keeps on losing. After all, the Martingale System is applicable to many games of chance such as blackjack, craps, baccarat and roulette. Imagine how disastrous it would be for the House if majority of the players go home with increased capitals because of the Martingale System.

Casinos have gotten smarter against players who win at the expense of the House using the Martingale System. The main weapon of the House, and the biggest weakness of the Martingale System, is the maximum betting limits placed on the gambling tables.

Each gambling table has a minimum and a maximum betting limit. On the surface, it appears that these betting limits are placed because players have differing capitals. Those with modest capitals tend to bet smaller amounts, while gamblers with sizable capitals are more aggressive in betting. Thus, it is only reasonable that players are subtly classified at the gambling tables through the use of minimum and maximum betting limits.

However, maximum betting limits also serve another purpose, which is to counter the advantages of the Martingale System. This is particularly disadvantageous for those with long losing streaks. Aside from risking a very big amount of capital after several rounds of successive losses, these players will not have the chance to recover once they have reached the maximum betting limit. They wouldn't be able to double their previous bet anymore. This puts more pressure into the player to win immediately.

Maximum betting limits imposed by casinos is an effective way of crippling the Martingale System of Betting. From being a surefire route to winnings at the gambling table, the Martingale System - while still effective as a betting strategy - now has to be used with caution.