The Martingale betting system was designed to recoup losses and progressively build a bankroll. However, it’s an incredibly risky strategy, requiring you to place larger bets every time you lose a wager gradually.
If you lose several bets in a row, you could wipe out a bankroll that would otherwise be safer if you bet a fixed amount each time.
Gaming Today’s Martingale Calculator will help you determine how much to bet with each subsequent wager following a loss.
What is the Martingale Betting System?
Martingale betting is most commonly used for double-or-nothing casino bets, such as standard blackjack, outside bets on roulette, or betting the pass line on Craps. This simplifies the method to its most basic form, but the Martingale Strategy is also popular with sports bettors.
With the Martingale System, you double your stake every time you lose a bet. For example, if you’re playing roulette, bet $10 on red, and lose, you’d bet $20 on the next spin to recoup the initial lost bet. If you lose again, you’d double the stake and bet $40.
You’ve lost $30, but winning a $40 double-or-nothing bet would bring you up to $70 wagered and $80 returned. So, you won that original $10 bet and accrued $10 in profit.
Now that you have won a wager, you return to $10 betting and repeat the Martingale method if you lose again.
The serious problem is that even at +100 (double or nothing) odds, there may be times you go on 10- and 15-game runs where you lose every bet.
Let’s say you start with $10, and you continuously lose. With the Martingale System, this is how your bets (and losses) would break down, starting with the first bet:
- $10 ($0)
- $20 ($10)
- $40 ($30)
- $80 ($70)
- $160 ($150)
- $320 ($310)
- $640 ($630)
- $1280 ($1,270)
- $2,560 ($2,550)
- $5,120 ($5,110)
After 10 consecutive lost bets using the Martingale Strategy, you’ll be out $5,110 despite only starting with a $10 stake. And, if you win that 11th bet, you’re simply compensating for the Martingale Strategy to win back that initial bet.
Put another way, if you had $5,120 in your bankroll, started betting at $10, lost 20 in a row, and then won the 11th bet, you’d have $5,130 in your bankroll.
In the sports betting world, even a 60% bettor could go from a comfortable loss to missing rent in days.
How Does a Martingale Calculator Work?
With sports betting, recouping your losses may seem more feasible by placing smaller bets. The problem is that with longer odds, there’s a lower likelihood of winning. It may be possible to place a $100 bet on +5120 odds to make $5,120 in one go, but the chances of hitting this bet are extremely low — thus, the potential payout is higher.
However, sports betting very rarely offers double-or-nothing odds. The closest is usually the standard point spread odds of -110. If you place a $110 bet at -110 odds, you can win $100.
The standard -110 sports bets are similar to betting on black or red on roulette because there are one or two green pockets on the roulette wheel. All outside bets (including black or red) lose if the ball lands in a green pocket. That’s the casino’s house edge, and the extra -10 is the sportsbook’s version of that (It’s referred to as the vigorish or “vig” rather than the house edge.)
For long-term use of the Martingale System, your best bet (other than using an entirely different strategy) is to focus on those -110 payouts. This will ensure you get the same payout potential each time you place a bet.
How to Use the Martingale Calculator
If you decide to use the Martingale System, this calculator will help you determine the size of your next wager based on the odds of the bet and the amount of losses you’re trying to recoup.
The calculator is most helpful when you’re dealing with inconsistent odds. For example, if you bet $100 on a -110 bet, you could technically make up those losses with a $10 bet on odds of +1000 or longer.
But even still, the imperfect -110 means the math can get complicated unless you’re starting with $11 (or $110, but that could mean losing over $50,000 in just a 10-game losing streak).
To use the Martingale Calculator, enter the amount of your most recent bet, the total losses you are facing, and the American odds on your upcoming bet. It will return the optimal stake for your next bet.
Why the Martingale Betting System is Risky
With the Martingale betting strategy, you return to a standard bet size each time you win. But if you lose, you double your next bet to cover the lost bet. And if you lose again, you double your bet again, and on and on until you win again. The only problem is that you can easily go through an entire bankroll before another win occurs.
That’s why this system is incredibly dangerous and should be avoided.
The Martingale Calculator will help you calculate your stake (bet amount) and hopefully convince you to use a different wagering strategy instead. There are several ways to debunk the system’s viability, but the most important one is that it only works if you have an unlimited bank account.
The Martingale System was designed to build a bankroll progressively … if you win. Each time your wager is correct, you place a standard bet — like the unit size discussed in bankroll management — but each time you lose, you raise your bet amount to cover your previous losses and return to your previous high.
The Martingale Calculator will determine your next bet size following a loss. The problem is that even at +100 odds, there will be times that you go on lengthy losing streaks.
More Sports Betting Tools Available at Gaming Today
Look no further than Gaming Today for a wide variety of other useful sports betting tools:
Odds Calculator | Moneyline Calculator | Parlay Calculator | Fair Odds Calculator | Arbitrage Calculator | Futures Calculator | 3-Way No-Vig Calculator | Kelly Criterion Calculator | NFL Prop Bet Calculator | NFL Spread Bet Calculator | Sports Betting ROI Calculator
Martingale Calculator FAQ
The Martingale system is designed as a blueprint to replenish your bankroll after a loss or series of betting losses.
It’s important to use the Martingale Calculator within the confines of your entertainment budget. You should never place bets using the money you need for housing, utilities, transportation, food, or other necessities.
No, it is not illegal. The Martingale Calculator helps you apply a math formula to responsibly offset losses, all while staying within your betting budget.
The idea behind the Martingale system is to double your stake each time you lose a bet. The Martingale Calculator will help with the math to do so.
Yes. It is a risky system, so only place bets with the expendable part of your household budget.
If gambling is impacting your relationships, job, or well-being, confidential help is available at 1-800-GAMBLER.
About the Author
