Martingale Roulette

The Martingale Roulette System: A Certified Strategy

18 min

Because the roulette game is a complex casino game, in this article, we will show and demonstrate how you can use the Martingale Roulette Strategy to spice things up. The Martingale Strategy is a mathematical approach that will change the odds in your favour.

On top of that, it’s a simple yet complex strategy: after each loss, you double your bet because you aim to get back your losses. Sounds counterintuitive, isn’t it? If you continue to read this article, you will understand why it’s essential to raise the initial bet after you lose.

We will tell you this: if you’re using this method, you will manipulate (legally speaking) the house edge percentage in your favour. However, don’t consider the Martingale the recipe for a winning streak. The Martingale Strategy is about discipline. On top of that, Martingale’s strategy helps you improve your bankroll management in the long term.

So, Martingale, it’s not a winning formula but a way to be strategic in order not to leave the casino without a plus. Additionally, you should know that almost 87% of professional roulette players are using this method, so why don’t you start using it, too?

How to Use the Martingale Roulette Strategy on NZ Online Casinos

How to Use the Martingale Roulette Strategy on NZ Online Casinos

  1. You place an initial wager on any of the outside bets. Make it a small one, possibly the minimum bet allowed at the table.
  2. In case you have a successful round, you return to the initial bet value.
  3. If you have a losing round, you place a double bet.
  4. You repeat these steps.

Important:

The outside types of bets have odds ranging from 47.36% to 48.64%, depending on the online roulette variant. They have a payout of 1 to 1. Explicitly, you will bet either on high or low, black or red, or even or odd for the roulette Martingale system.

Congratulations. Now you know the basics of Martingale’s roulette strategy. Now, you may use it on the top online casinos in NZ. Plus, we will show you why this simple approach to the casino game works.

Be aware:

Some of the top roulette casinos provide generous table limits, which may seem to be a fit for applying the Martingale strategy. However, you should first read the Terms and Conditions to make sure a specific casino allows betting systems. Before you play, ask Support if you’re permitted to use them.

What is the Roulette Martingale Strategy?

The general Martingale betting system for roulette is an applied version of a class of wagering strategies devised and popularised in 18th-century France.

The simplest version applies to a basic coin-flipping game. The player would win if the coin fell on, say heads, and lose for tails.

A similar approach applies to the game of both land-based and online game options. In this case, understanding how wagering on such titles and why the system works are the subjects of a more in-depth discussion around online casino Roulette games.

Does the Martingale System Work?

It theoretically does. The central concept behind it is that you will eventually win on a high 50% bet. Doubling, thus, will return you your lost bet and then some additional money.

The secret is that you should have some funds to maintain your play and double when it is counterintuitive to do so.

Can Martingale Beat the House Edge?

No. While it gives you an edge and has the potential to profit, the roulette odds are still stacked against you. One reason is that the roulette Martingale system will apply to odds that fall slightly under 50% return odds.

Thus, the slight percentage discrepancy will lead to a marginal deviation and subsequent losses even in a perfect environment.

Naturally, the best you can do is look for game tables with odds that are as close to the standard ones as possible.

How Does the Martingale System Work?

How Does the Martingale System Work

The general Martingale roulette strategy plays on the expected value of the underlying probabilistic system governing the game.

In simple terms, the expected value describes the return you will get on average for a random variable across time.

We take the random variable to be the result of each round. It has two ending states, a win, i.e., you have bet on the hit spot or a loss, or you missed the spot. The probabilities for the outcomes will vary depending on your bet.

The Outside Bets for Roulette

  • You bet on evens or odds.
  • You bet on the higher-value half or the lower-value half.
  • You bet on the reds or the blacks.

Each version of these bets effectively cut the table in half. Thus, they come as close to having 50% odds of success as possible. The one outlier is the zero spot, which is not included on either side.

That is the short explanation for their marginally lower odds. Nonetheless, the application of the Martingale method for roulette can still be done.

Your Returns When Not Using any Martingale Strategy for Roulette

We will pick betting on events. The finite set of outcomes is {evens, odds, zero} with probabilities {Prevens= 48.64%, Prodds=48.64%, Przero=2.72%}. The formula for the expected value for betting on events is:

You will get this return when you do not change your bet amount. If you place a NZ$1 wager on the evens at each turn, you will get back around NZ$0.46 in the long run. You are essentially losing real money.

How the Martingale Roulette Strategy Changes Your Returns

The roulette Martingale system changes the situation entirely. We will start with a NZ$1 bet and see how your potential win and net loss amounts evolve across ten games.

How Does the Martingale System Work in Roulette

The game iteration Your potential win The Cumulative Loss Total Loss Probability Total Loss Probability for 50/50 Odds
1 NZ$1 NZ$0 51.36% 50%
2 NZ$2 NZ$1 ~26.38% 25%
3 NZ$4 NZ$3 ~13.55% 12.5%
4 NZ$8 NZ$7 ~6.96% 6.25%
5 NZ$16 NZ$15 ~3.57% 3.125%
6 NZ$32 NZ$31 ~1.83% ~1.56%
7 NZ$64 NZ$63 ~0.94% ~0.78%
8 NZ$128 NZ$127 ~0.48% ~0.39%
9 NZ$256 NZ$255 ~0.25% ~0.19%
10 NZ$512 NZ$511 ~0.12% ~0.09%

The Conclusions for the Roulette Martingale Method

  1. A win at each iteration will cover your cumulative losses and add the initial NZ$1.
  2. While this can seem to be the case in early rounds, the odds of a total loss diminish at a nearly exponential rate as the iterations grow.
  3. While the roulette-specific odds create a considerable 1.36% discrepancy for an evenly weighted game, the difference diminishes too, to a negligible degree.
  4. The Martingale roulette system is a sustainable one, but…
  5. It will require you to have some expandable gambling budget to employ it.

Is a winning streak important for the roulette Martingale system?

No. Simply put, the rounds are independent, so there is no such thing as losing or winning a streak.

Since each round outcome will result independently of the previous hits, no singular or cumulative result will invalidate the general Martingale roulette strategy. As you may see from the table, each step’s potential win will cover your previous cumulative losses in their entirety.

This means that no matter how long you are on a losing streak, an eventual win will return all funds. However, there are some conditions for its functioning.

The Limits for Using the Martingale Betting System for Roulette

The Limits for Using Martingale Betting System for Roulette

  • The minimum and maximum betting limits will put a cap on how far you can take the steps of your Martingale betting system roulette play.
  • Your available funds will also dictate how many loss iterations you can take before the system becomes unsustainable.

Luckily, the simple structure of the roulette Martingale system allows you to calculate how far you can go quickly and easily.

How far can you take Martingale Betting System Roulette Games: An Example

  1. You join the game with NZ$500 available for play.
  2. You set your initial bet at NZ$1.
  3. Assuming the worst, you calculate how many consecutive losses you can take before not covering with another bet, respecting the roulette Martingale system.
  4. You could afford cumulative losses until the ninth iteration but could not cover the follow-up double bet.
  5. You can lose up to NZ$127 and then attempt to recuperate your losses with a NZ$256 bet. You have NZ$117 in your pocket.
  6. If you win, you have successfully covered your losses and are on the plus.
  7. If you lose, you cannot keep this Martingale roulette strategy going.

Recommendation:

No matter how confident you feel when applying the Martingale system, it would help if you operated with clear loss limits as part of your effort to stay in control of your gambling.

Does Martingale Work for Roulette?

Yes, with the caveat that the roulette Martingale strategy is affected by the same flaw as all casino strategies for the game are. The presence of the zero spots, or the additional double zero, for American roulette, tilts the balance in the casino’s favor.

Nonetheless, the game of chance has bet odds that come close enough to the 50/50 split to allow for the approach.

Can you use the Martingale roulette system in an NZ Online Casino?

The answer will depend on each casino’s stated Terms and Conditions. In most cases, all strategies, including the roulette Martingale system, are permitted. This is because no approach to the game will ever give you a winning approach.

The Martingale roulette strategy particularly falters because of the betting limits at each table. Therefore, your double bet approach can only exceed an established amount.

In short, the live roulette casino will always be on the winning side in the long run, allowing its players to use the roulette Martingale system.

The Roulette Martingale Strategy and Bonus Use on NZ online casinos

When opting for bonuses, you must abide by the irregular play rules or risk losing your promotional items. And while most specifications address the use of bonus funds or rounds, some will be related directly to play methods, as well as roulette-specific strategies. There are two types of conditions you should pay attention to:

  • Those addressing the allowed bets for table games or roulette specifically. While the terms will generally prohibit you from putting equal, low, zero-margin, hedge or even-money bets, it could also bar outside betting altogether.
  • The terms that relate to playing strategies. In most cases, the specifications will remain vague and just prohibit the use of sure-win strategies. At the same time, in some situations, the casino terms will directly mention the Martingale roulette strategy.

How to Find Out About Prohibited Practices

Luckily, you can learn about irregular and prohibited play practices before joining any one platform on the NZ market. Each of our online casino reviews will contain a comprehensive guide to using the bonuses and roulette games available.

Additionally, there are some considerations you must take into account when picking a casino to use the Martingale roulette strategy in:

Criteria Why Is Important Helpful Tip
Low Min and High Max Betting Limits The Martingale system requires nearly exponential bet increases, so a wide betting range allows you to withstand longer losing streaks. Choose casinos with flexible betting limits to accommodate both low-risk and high-risk players.
Multiple Roulette Tables Using the Martingale system in live casino games requires tables open for long periods. Ensure the platform offers a variety of tables, especially European Roulette for better odds and house edge.
Martingale-Friendly Casinos Some casinos have strict rules against the Martingale system or define it as irregular play. Select a casino that doesn’t prohibit Martingale or has lenient policies regarding betting strategies.
Transaction Policies The Martingale strategy can result in large balances due to frequent bet doubling, requiring seamless withdrawals. Verify that the casino has a reliable and efficient withdrawal policy, especially for large sums.

A Roulette Martingale Simulation

We will complete a simple rundown for the system. We will consider that we have a NZ$1000 budget, and the table limits are NZ$5 and NZ$20000.

The First Roulette Martingale Simulation

Step The Bet at this Step Result Wallet
1 NZ$5 Loss NZ$995
2 NZ$10 Loss NZ$985
3 NZ$20 Win NZ$1005
4 NZ$5 Win NZ$1010
5 NZ$5 Win NZ$1015
6 NZ$5 Loss NZ$1010
7 NZ$10 Win NZ$1020
8 NZ$5 Loss NZ$1015
9 NZ$10 Loss NZ$1005
10 NZ$20 Loss NZ$985
11 NZ$40 Win NZ$1025
12 NZ$5 Loss NZ$1020
13 NZ$10 Win NZ$1030

The following roulette Martingale simulation results are entirely randomised.

Although anecdotal, this Martingale roulette simulation proves the concept behind the strategy.

As the NZ gambler may guess, accumulating extra funds may take a while. It took us 13 games to accrue NZ$30 over the funds we joined the game with.

To better understand the slow process, we have the following Martingale roulette simulation table containing three different and random games.

Three Roulette Martingale Roulette Simulation Examples

Three Roulette Martingale Roulette Simulation-Examples

When the Martingale Roulette Strategy Fails

Two aspects will contribute to this, the table limitations and your budget. Let us portray how it could happen. When we refer to the Martingale roulette strategy failing in cases where you cannot cover a string of lost bets.

Failure of the Martingale Roulette Simulation: Example 1

Pick a European table with NZ$5 and NZ$1000 as the minimum and maximum betting bounds for outside bets. We will consider that you have unlimited funds. This is what a losing streak would look like:

Iteration Bet to Be Placed Cumulative Loss at the Step
1 NZ$10 NZ$5
2 NZ$20 NZ$15
3 NZ$40 NZ$35
4 NZ$80 NZ$75
5 NZ$160 NZ$155
6 NZ$320 NZ$315
7 NZ$640 NZ$635
8 NZ$1280 NZ$1275

The roulette Martingale system can only go up to the seventh iteration since a subsequent loss at that point would entail that you place a double bet that exceeds the table limit.

Failure of the Martingale Roulette Simulation: Example 2

Failure of the Martingale Roulette Simulation Example 2

We will go the opposite way this time. Instead of the betting limits, we will consider starting from NZ$1 and going as high as you like. Instead, you have a set budget of NZ$5000 that you can consume but cannot exceed.

During a losing streak, the last sustainable double bet will be the eleventh, after which the roulette Martingale strategy would imply that you exceed your budget.

The Odds that The Martingale System for Roulette Fails

In both cases, we assume that you will go on a string of losses. This is the prerequisite for the roulette Martingale strategy to fail. Our readers from New Zealand may naturally wonder what the odds are that this will happen.

Calculate the Odds of The Roulette Martingale Method Failing

  1. Assess the betting bounds and set a budget.
  2. Based on these, calculate the number of losing iterations you can afford.
  3. Check the game version you are playing.
  4. Use the following formula to calculate the odds for the failure of the roulette Martingale system:

You must find the odds of losing on an outside bet per each round. It will depend on the total number of spots, especially the zeros.

The European version has 37 spots. Any outside bet will include 18 spots leaving the remaining 19 to be losing spots. Thus, the probability that you win any one round will be 19/37. The American version differs by adding one more zero spot, having the loss probability equal to 20/38.

The Odds of 11-Round Losing Streak

Let’s say that at step 2 you found that you can afford up to 11 losing iterations. What will be the odds of that happening? We need to multiply the probabilities of eleven losing rounds to find out:

Version European American
Failure Odds for 11 Iterations ~ 0.000655 ~ 0.000858

Odds of a Longer Losing Streak Decrease Fast

Odds of a Longer Losing Streak Decrease Fast

The odds of multiple consecutive wins decrease rapidly. While starting above the 1/2 probability, they converge to zero almost at an exponential rate.

What to Do If You’re on a Losing Streak

While losing or winning streaks are only illusions and cannot be formalised theoretically, losses are quite concrete.

If you have lost a considerable amount, you should stop. We understand that Martingale’s whole idea is chasing a loss with a more daring bet, but in some instances, it will be better to walk away with something instead of nothing.

Self-limits are the most effective way of controlling your gambling. You should place explicit bounds regarding how much you can lose and win, as well as the period and rounds you allow yourself to spend and play.

If the Martingale system doesn’t match your playstyle, don’t worry. There are several other effective betting strategies which almost every CasinoAlpha expert uses. Each plan offers a different way to manage your bankroll, depending on whether you want to maximise your winning or minimise your losses.

Let’s explore the four popular alternatives: Romanosky, James Bond, Labouchere & D’Alembert System:

Romanosky Strategy

In simple terms, the Romanosky strategy will help you cover a large portion of the table using combinations of six-line and corner bets. Be aware that any professional players consider Romanosky as an “aggressive” approach because of the high coverage. Still, sometimes our experts continue to under Romanosky, and the effect is always beyond our expectations.

How to Use It? 

  • Step 1: Place two six-line bets, each covering six numbers.
  • Step 2: Add two corner bets, covering four numbers each.
  • Step 3: With 32 out of 37 numbers covered, you’ll leave only five unprotected.

This strategy works well for those who want to minimize risk while still making significant bets. Learn more about how to use the Romanosky Roulette System in your gameplay.

James Bond Strategy

Another top-tier strategy is the James Bond one. It’s a straightforward approach that covers more than half of the table, making it a balanced system for short casino sessions. Keep in mind that it doesn’t involve progression, which means that you will maintain a flat bet.

How to Use It? 

How to Use the James Bond Strategy:

  • Step 1: Start with a total bet of $200.
  1. Bet $140 on 19-36 (high numbers).
  2. Bet $50 on 13-18.
  3. Bet $10 on zero as an insurance bet.
  • Step 2: Winning on 19-36 returns $80; winning on 13-18 returns $100; hitting zero wins $160.

However, there are more secrets behind this people’s favourite, James Bond Strategy, so explore its full potential by reading the James Bond Roulette Strategy Explained.

Labouchere

This strategy is also known as the “cancellation system”. So, the Labouchere System allows for flexible betting based on a chosen sequence of numbers. Remember that, unlike Martingale, this method doesn’t require doubling bets, making it less “aggressive”.

How to Use It? 

  • Step 1: Create a sequence (e.g., 1-2-3-4-5).
  • Step 2: Bet the sum of the first and last numbers in your sequence (1+5 = $6).
  • Step 3: If you win, cross off the first and last numbers. If you lose, add the bet amount to the end of the sequence.

At CasinoAlpha, we consider the Labouchere the perfect tool for you if you’re a calculated, lower-risk type of player.

D’Alembert

However, the D’Alembert strategy is a more conservative alternative to Martingale. So, instead of doubling your bet after a loss, you increase it by one unit, making it much safer for you if you’re playing on a limited bankroll.

How to Use It? 

  • Step 1: Start with your base bet (e.g., $5).
  • Step 2: After a loss, increase your next bet by one unit ($5 becomes $10).
  • Step 3: After a win, reduce your bet by one unit.

Reverse Martingale

If you want to increase your bets during a winning streak, the reverse Martingale Strategy might be the best way for you. Instead of doubling your bet after a loss like with the Martingale, the reverse method is to increase your bet after a win.

Keep in mind that this method is the perfect tool if you consider yourself a genuine “winning streak” player because, with the Reverse Martingale, you can take advantage of this type of situation.

How to Use It? 

  1. Start with a base bet and increase your stake after each win.
  2. The goal is to build momentum by capitalizing on streaks.
  3. If you lose, return to the base bet, limiting your exposure to considerable losses.

To learn more about how to apply this strategy, visit our detailed guide on the Reverse Martingale Roulette Strategy.

Martingale Alternatives Shortcut

Strategy How It Works Best For  Effects
Martingale Double your bet after every loss Players with large bankrolls Quick recovery from losses, but risky. 
Romanosky Bet on a mix of six-line and corner bets to cover most of the wheel Players wanting more numbers covered Covers a large section of the table, reducing risk
James Bond Flat betting strategy covering high numbers, middle section, and zero Players seeking a straightforward method Covers multiple sections for a balanced chance of winning
Labouchere Create a sequence and bet based on the first and last numbers Players who prefer flexibility in betting size Customizable to player risk tolerance, no doubling required
D’Alembert Increase bet by one unit after a loss, decrease by one after a win Players looking for a slow, steady approach Less aggressive than Martingale, safer progression
Reverse Martingale Increase your bet after a win, not after a loss Players wanting to ride winning streaks Maximizes profits during winning streaks with limited risk

Is the Roulette Martingale Strategy Worth Trying on NZ Casinos?

Pros

  • The roulette Martingale system is simple to utilise and employ.
  • It proves to be ideal for high-stakes players.
  • The Martingale roulette strategy has probabilistic and statistical backing.
  • The Martingale betting system for roulette is relatively safe.
  • It applies to European and American versions, with only slight result deviations.

Cons

  • The Martingale system for roulette is a certified winning strategy only when you have unlimited funds.
  • You must find a roulette table with very permissive minimum and maximum betting limits.
  • Slow but sure monetary gains.
  • Some online casinos may stop you from using it while having active bonuses.
Authors
Francisc Csiki
AuthorFrancisc CsikiAuthor & Editor at CasinoAlpha

Francisc’s mathematical way of thinking is seen in how he explains gambling rules in an easy-to-understand way. He does more than do arithmetic or solve algebra problems. He can see right away whether or not an online casino is fair, and he teaches users to do the same.

Adina Minculescu
ReviewerAdina MinculescuSenior Author & Editor at CasinoAlpha

Adina’s analytical way of thinking is what casino players need to understand the casino market. With her expertise in this niche combined with her intensive studies in linguistic typology and hermeneutics, she will provide you with the essential help to make informed decisions. Trust her to be your trustworthy guide!