Martingale Strategy Blackjack: A Simple Guide to Doubling Your Bets

Martingale Strategy Blackjack is a negative progression system where you double your bet every time you lose. This system can be effective in the short term, but it comes with huge risks. Thus, it might not be the best choice compared to other betting systems.

You can see that the Martingale strategy can quickly recover losses, but it also carries the risk of large losses during a prolonged losing streak. So, it just can be best suited for players with a large bankroll who can afford the risk.

And one important thing to remember is that you should have a plan in case you lose too much money. In this Martingale blackjack strategy guide, I will explore the system and provide you with everything you need to know.

Martingale System Explained

The Martingale system is a betting strategy used both in blackjack and in real life. It originated in France around the 1700s and became increasingly popular due to its simplicity and effectiveness in betting.

This system works in a simple way, which is why many people find it easy to understand. Just each time you lose a bet, you need to double the amount you bet next time. So, the main idea is that when you eventually win, you’ll recover all the money you lost before and make a small profit equal to your first bet.

Martingale system in blackjack is considered one of the simplest strategies

You can see that the Martingale system is most effective in simple games like blackjack, where you have almost a 50 - 50 winning chance. But it also requires you to have a lot of money set aside for betting because there’s always a case of a long losing streak. If you don’t have enough budget and lack the patience to keep doubling your bets, the strategy won’t work and you could lose everything.

An Example of The Martingale Blackjack Strategy in Action:

Here’s an example of how the Martingale system works in blackjack, starting with a $10 bet:

• Round 1: You place a $10 bet and lose, resulting in a total loss of $10.
• Round 2: You double your bet to $20. After losing again, your cumulative loss increases to $30.
• Round 3: You double your bet to $40 and win, earning $40. After covering your previous $30 loss, you end up with a $10 profit.
• Round 4: You return to the initial $10 bet and win, gaining an additional $10. This brings your total profit to $20.

Note: If there’s a tie, it doesn’t help you win or lose. Instead, it just takes more time without changing your total money and sometimes leads to frustration or stress because you’re not making progress.

What will happen if you face a long losing streak?

In case you want to understand and answer the question correctly, let's analyze another example of this situation.

Suppose there is a player named John who played at a casino in Atlantic City and thought that he might have been cheated. He used Martingale but kept losing after only a few hours. His total bet was 11 times and he lost all of them with an unexpected amount of money.

The betting results corresponding to the number of bets John made are shown specifically in the following table:

Result:

In each round, the odds of losing are about 52%, which seems like a small advantage for John. However, all casino games have rules that make sure the house has the upper hand.

Moreover, the chance of losing 11 rounds in a row with the Martingale system is very small, only about 0.075%. But it can still happen and his loss will be huge. So, if John had bet $5 each round instead of doubling his bet every time, the total loss would have been only $55, not up to $10,235 like this.

In the end, the Martingale strategy is just a way to try and make up for losses. The system doesn’t always work. Though it can be better in the short term, long losing streaks still can cost a lot. And if John loses 11 games in a row, it's simply his bad luck.

Martingale in blackjack is just a way for you to quickly recover what you have lost

Martingale Betting System Types

As mentioned, the Martingale betting system was first created by a French mathematician named Paul Pierre Levy. Since then, people all around the world have known and used this strategy. Over time, the system has changed and evolved, which leads to the creation of different versions to offer you more choices and strategies.

Below are the 4 most popular types of the Martingale betting system and how to use them:

Should You Use Martingale Betting System? Pros and Cons

Every strategy has two sides - good and bad, so the Martingale system is no exception. That’s why it’s important to understand it before applying. Let’s dive into its advantages and disadvantages to see if this strategy is the right choice for you.

Pros:

• It’s easy to follow with just double your bet after every loss and return to your starting amount after a win.
• If luck is on your side, this method can help you earn more in a short time.
• You can have more fun, though it doesn't alter the casino's advantage.
• You can learn to stick to limits, like how much to bet or when to stop in a suitable way.
• You don’t have to be an expert or have deep game knowledge to use it effectively.

Cons:

• Like other betting systems, it doesn’t alter the house edge.
• If you keep losing, your next bet will get very large and can lead to big losses.
• It requires setting strict limits so if you can't follow them to the end, you will lose all.
• Casinos usually have rules about the largest bet you can make, so you might not be able to keep doubling your bet.
• This strategy involves taking big chances, but the winnings might not be worth the risk.
• In the long term, you might lose more money than you win with this method.

Understanding all aspects of martingale blackjack will give you a way to use it more effectively

Martingale Blackjack is Good, But You Need a Game Strategy

You can see that Martingale Blackjack can work, but your strategy needs to take several factors into account. Here are the things that will affect your Martingale system:

• Table limits: These set a limit on how much you can bet and directly impact your strategy. You might even fail to recover your losses, which is the core idea behind the Martingale.
• Blackjack payout: Some version provides a 6 to 5 payout, which gives you a lower advantage than a 3 to 2 payout and can make it harder to recoup your money.
• Dealer’s Soft 17 rule: If the dealer hits on a Soft 17, they can increase the winning odds, which could cause you to lose more frequently and reduce the effectiveness of this Martingale system.
• Double down and split rules: Depending on how often you double down or split, it could either improve your chances or increase your risk, which directly impacts your RTP and overall strategy success.
• Dealer’s blackjack: The possibility of the dealer getting a blackjack adds an extra layer of risk to your betting system, which could cause you to quickly run out of money.
• Number of decks in play: The more decks in use, which leads to the higher the house edge and the lower your odds of winning.

You also need to consider factors that can directly impact your Martingale strategy

With all the factors mentioned above, there are definitely many things you need to pay attention to when using this strategy. You can think of the blackjack Martingale system as a helpful way to add to your betting plan.

Once you learn the basics of how the game works, you can use the blackjack Martingale system to decide how much to bet in a smarter way.

Blackjack Martingale System FAQs

Is the Martingale system permitted/legal in casinos?

Yes! The Martingale system blackjack is completely legal and does not give you an edge over the casino. At its heart, it's just a way to manage how you use your money while playing.

Is the Martingale system effective for Blackjack?

Blackjack can be a great game for using the Martingale system. It has a higher RTP compared to some other games, which makes it a better option for a strategy like Martingale.

How can the Martingale system fail in blackjack?

The Martingale system is based on the idea that you are bound to win eventually. However, this isn't always true, and you can experience long losing streaks that quickly drain your money.

Is the Martingale strategy in blackjack really worth using?

Like all strategies, the Martingale has both pros and cons. Whether it's worth using depends on how you want to play and how much money you have. However, it's important to remember that it can't guarantee you a win.

Wrapping Up

The Martingale strategy in online Blackjack is simple and allows quick recovery after a loss by doubling bets. However, it carries the risk of heavy losses during long losing streaks, especially for players with limited budgets. This strategy suits players with a solid budget and a preference for straightforward betting. Success depends on understanding the game, adapting the strategy, and seizing opportunities.