Betting Systems: Good or Bad?

Betting systems for casino games abound. Each system seller claims they have the keys to casino-produced riches.

Do they?

Let us take a quick look.

Betting Systems

A vast majority of the “retire on the casino-won money” systems involve betting schemes. These system sellers make their specific system’s method of winning seem very logical. The espoused method of winning makes sense. The reader/buyer cannot help but think, “How come I did not think of that?”

Here are some examples.

1. A video poker betting system “guaranteed to win you money”

Rather than bet the full five credits immediately, start with just one credit. Play one credit until you win something or you have bet five times without winning. When you win, start the five count all over again at one credit per bet.

If you do not win in five draws, raise the bet to two credits. Bet up to five times until you win. When you win, revert to one credit and start the five count again. If you do not win in five tries, raise the bet to three credits.

Continue betting up to five times. If you win, start the sequence all over again at one credit. If you do not win in five bets, raise the bet one credit until you have lost five bets at five credits each.

When that happens, simply start the sequence from the beginning.

2. A blackjack betting system, also guaranteed to win you money.

Start with a bet at table minimum. Continue betting at table minimum until you win. If you win, raise your bet one unit. Each consecutive win, raise the bet one unit. When you lose, start the sequence from the beginning with a table minimum bet.

3. Another blackjack betting system – you guessed it – "guaranteed" to win you money.

Start with a bet at table minimum. Continue betting at table minimum until you lose. When you lose, raise your bet one unit. Continue raising the bet one unit at a time until you win. When you win, start the sequence from the beginning.

4. A general betting system for even-money bets at any table game.

Start with a bet at table minimum. If you lose, raise your bet by the sum of the last two bets – e.g.:

Bet 1,
Lose then bet 1 (last two bets = 0+1),
Lose then bet 2 (1+1),
Lose then bet 3 (2+1),
Lose then bet 5 (3+2),
Lose then bet 8 (5+3).

Continue the sequence until you win. When you win, start from the beginning of the sequence.

Some systems use the same sequence, but raise the bets on a win.

Do betting systems work?

Do any of these betting systems actually win the player money in the long run? Just observing the casino’s reaction to them should tell you.

Casinos love these systems.

Any of these systems can win for you in the short run. They will never win in the long run. All the games have a certain rule that guarantees the house a win.

What is this rule? A limit to the highest bet allowed. Once a betting system reaches the bet limit, the loss is huge. It is so big that winning one unit per sequence will never overcome it. And, it will happen. Maybe sooner or maybe later, but it will indeed happen.

The game of craps is different.

Some clever folks try to limit the devastation of betting limit by starting the betting sequence well into the game. This will only work in a game such as craps where you do not have to bet on each throw of the dice.

One system called for waiting a certain number of rolls without a certain number (such as the 12) appearing before betting on that number. It could be 12 rolls, or 16, or 20, or even more. Then it is time to start betting on that number. Start with a one unit bet and raise the bet with each loss.

This system can work well for a while, but eventually you will either hit the table limit for a huge loss, or the 7 will roll and you lose everything bet up until the 7 hits.

Another betting system for craps call for betting the field which wins when a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or 12. It wins double if a two or 12 hits. Some also place the 5, 6 and 8. Some systems also say to bet the 7.

These systems advertise winning a large percentage of hands. While that is true, the amount won does not overcome the odds of the number appearing. So, the player loses money even though he wins the hand.

No betting system will overcome the house edge.

It is impossible to win in the long run by using a betting system.

At blackjack, the only way to have a chance at winning in the long run is to develop the skill of card counting to overcome the house edge. But sometimes the house edge is so high, that it cannot be overcome.

If you don’t believe me, consider this.

Why is casino management so concerned about card counting but not about betting systems?

Don’t waste your time or money with betting systems. The tried and true way to come out in the best position with casino games is bet low and slow. You will lose in the long run, but betting low and slow will reduce the amount of money subject to the house edge and therefore limit your losses.

However, you are free to bet any way you desire. Your money, your choice, my friend.

As always, may all your wins be swift and large, and your losses be slow and small.

Jerry “Stickman”

Jerry “Stickman” is an expert in craps, blackjack and video poker and advantage slot machine play. He is a regular contributor to top gaming magazines. He authored the video poker section of "Everything Casino Poker: Get the Edge at Video Poker, Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, and Pai Gow Poker!" You can contact Jerry “Stickman” at stickmanjerryg@gmail.com

This article is provided by the Frank Scoblete Network. Melissa A. Kaplan is the network's managing editor. If you would like to use this article on your website, please contact Casino City Press, the exclusive web syndication outlet for the Frank Scoblete Network. To contact Frank, please e-mail him at fscobe@optonline.net.