The Paroli Betting System

3 August 2023

By Royal Flushes

CINDY: I’d like to talk about the Paroli betting system in this article. I am guessing it is the most-used betting system in the casinos, even if players who use it have no idea that they are actually using a formal betting system that is, more or less, hundreds of years old.

ABBY: Maybe over a thousand years old.

CINDY: Why don’t we explain the system and then explain why it doesn’t give the player a real edge. Then we can explain whether we use it, a little, a lot, when we play.

ABBY: There is much debate as to where the Paroli system originated and whether one or more developers were involved.

CINDY: Or whether it just happened since it is a logical way to bet.

ABBY: It is classified as a “positive” betting system. Simply put, you only use it if things are going well for you. It is geared to make you more money but not to really take you out of a losing session. A negative progression system would be the Martingale, which is used to get you out of losses.

CINDY: Maybe Joey Paroli invented it?

ABBY: Maybe we move on. It is a one, two, three system. Let us say you are betting $10 on one of the even-money bets at roulette. You win the bet. You now take your $10 win and place it on the original bet. You have $20 riding on the second bet. You win that one and you take the winning $20 and place it on the bet. You now have $40 riding on your third bet.

This is the final step in the traditional Paroli system. If you win that third bet, you take all your winnings $70 and reduce your bet back to $10.

CINDY: Now, I am guessing that most of you are thinking to yourselves that this is just a parley bet. Yep! That’s the modern term for increasing your bet after a win. Paroli became parley over the decades.

ABBY: The Paroli system is exactly what we outlined. However, individual players might make the first step a half bet higher and so forth. How players utilize the Paroli is how they feel comfortable about raising their bets.

CINDY: I think it wouldn’t be a good idea to extend the Paroli more than three bets in order. Such streaks occur but they are not a given.

ABBY: I know I have to day this but it is important. The Paroli cannot give you an edge over the casino. By increasing what you bet, you are giving the casino more of your money over time. That must be understood.

CINDY: Have you done it, Abby?

ABBY: Yes, I have. How about you Cindy?

CINDY: Yes, sir.

ABBY: So why did we do it in the past and probably will in the future?

CINDY: My answer is really simple. If I am having a good trip and I am ahead enough that I know I can go home with money, then I will – as they say – shoot the curl. I will see if I can increase my win by increasing my bets by using the Paroli. I do the three-bet incline, just that. If I find that a few Parolis are not turning out right, I will go back to my regular way of playing.

ABBY: Essentially, I am betting on some good luck coming my way on a good playing period in the casino. Just as Cindy says, I am having a good trip and I am now going to cautiously try to get some extra luck. But my Paroli is short term to see if I can bring in more money. If it isn’t doing the trick, I’ll drop it like a hot potato.

CINDY: Now there are players who parley like crazy. Don’t do that because it is self destructive.

ABBY: Okay, see you next week!