Regressive Betting

30 March 2021

By Frank Scoblete

Last week I wrote about positive progressive betting; that is, increasing one’s bet when things have been positive for you up till that time. Today I write about regressive betting – which could be a positive experience or a negative experience or a horrendously negative experience.

Let’s start with the possible good for this type of wagering. You place a $25 bet out and win. Now to secure that win, you make your next bet $15. You have regressed by $10. Even if you lose the second bet, you are still ahead.

[Please note: This is an anti-Paroli system. The Paroli system calls for an increase in bets after you win; obviously this is the opposite. Sometimes the word “parley” is used for Paroli.]

Now, if you win that second bet, you go up by $5 in order to make your bet $20. Another win, you go to your original bet of $25. Another win – you can guess this! – you drop back down to $15 and begin the process all over again. Think of this as “regress-progress-regress.”

The purpose of such a betting method is to secure wins as opposed to making a killing. Better you wound the casino than it devours you.

Another regressive system calls for continued increases in bets to overcome previous losses. I guess you could (with humor) say this next one is a positive regressive system. Many of you know it as the Martingale.

The Martingale calls for a doubling of your bet each time you lose. You bet $10 and you lose. Now you bet $20. If you lose that you double to $40 – and on up it goes until you either win a bet and get all your losses back or lose everything because you have hit the table’s maximum bet.

The Martingale is an extremely dangerous system because it only takes seven or eight losses in succession to see your betting house come tumbling down. The Martingale is the earthquake of betting systems. Most casino players have flirted with it and some have attempted to use it all the way to ultimate defeat.

I did that once 30 years ago at the now defunct Sands casino in Atlantic City. I went up and up and up until I could bet no more. I lost a lot of money and it was, truly, a slap in the face for this novice casino gambler.

Many players will increase their bets in other ways when they have been on a losing streak in the hope, often vain, that they can get back their money in short order. Sometimes they will; more often they won’t. The house edge works on all the money you wager and that edge means players are usually the underdogs in the betting department.

I think an interesting alternative to betting more is – hold your breath! – betting less. If you want to continue playing then drop down as much as reasonable to lower levels of wagering. Save your money for your next session or your next visit to the casino.

If you are a regular casino player you should think of yourself as a marathon runner, not as a sprinter. You want your money to last for some semblance of the long run.

Always bet with caution and never be too anxious to get your money into the game. You don’t want to have to keep resupplying your bankroll.

All the best in and out of the casinos!

Frank Scoblete’s web site is www.frankscoblete.com. His books are available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Kindle, e-books and at bookstores.