People have developed various ways of managing their games when it comes to betting in casinos and on sports. While all casino games, slots, and sports betting markets revolve around random chance, one of the most popular systems used is the Paroli betting system, which you can apply to various games and betting opportunities.
The Paroli method was believed to be developed by French mathematician Blaise Pascal in the 18th century. It’s essentially the idea that you keep betting at a set rate until you eventually win, and then you increase your bet.
So, let’s say you place a bet of £1 until you win on a given game. If you win, you would double that in the next round, and then again if you win further.
However, the Paroli betting system generally dictates that you stop doubling your wagers and return to your base amount after the third win. Many see it as an alternative to the equally popular Martingale system, which takes almost the reverse approach.
Ultimately, the Paroli system is about trying to win three times and then extending that streak wherever possible. However, remember that winning at any casino game is completely random, and you should never chase streaks.
Essentially, while you increase the size of your bet, you don’t increase the size of your original stake. Users of the Paroli system believe this helps them build up returns on streaks.
In the sections below, we will explain everything you need to know about the Paroli betting system if you wish to apply it to your games.
The Paroli system in casinos
It’s not uncommon to see people using the Paroli system in casinos. Many people follow this strategy simply to keep their winning streaks running. This is understandable – but a strategy such as the Paroli isn’t going to give you success.
That said, some people choose to play via Paroli because they’re following wins rather than chasing losses. Unlike Martingale, in which you increase your bet amounts the more you lose, you actually increase how much you pay and play when you have more funds available in your bankroll.
This still carries a danger – so we recommend that you allocate a ‘safe’ amount of money in your bankroll that you’re comfortable with before getting started.
Ideally, remember to look for markets and odds that get you as close to 50/50 or even as possible. So, in roulette, this might be betting on ‘red’ or ‘black’.
Below, we explain how you might use the Paroli betting system in different casino games and betting circumstances.
However, before you start, remember to set a ‘base value’ to use via the system. This is how much you would like your average bet to be. This is the amount you will need to double after each win.
So, if you choose to bet on roulette, you might set a base amount of £2 and then double it every time your table bets succeed.
Planning this ahead of time ensures that you keep control of your bankroll, and the conservative setup of this system means that you should be able to comfortably measure where your money is heading.
Let’s look at a few examples of how you might use the Paroli system in different casino games and betting scenarios.
Roulette
Many bets and markets are available in roulette, regardless of the version you play, so let’s keep things as straightforward as possible while looking at the roulette Paroli system.
To start, let’s say you’re betting on ‘odds’. This means that you believe the roulette ball will land on an odd number on the wheel. It’s pretty much a 50/50 chance, a low risk compared to other bets on the table. However, there is still risk present.
Now, set your base amount. You might choose, say, £1. In this case, you place a £1 chip, online or in person, on the ‘odds’ section of the roulette table and let the croupier spin the wheel.
Let’s say the wheel spins the ball, and it lands on 17. That’s a win. You take back the chips you’re due, and now, you follow step two of the roulette Paroli system.
You now bet £2 and let the croupier spin the wheel once more.
This time, the wheel spins the ball into number 31. It’s another win. So, for your third bet, you would place £4. That’s double the second bet, and this is the highest amount you’ll place on this game at any one time.
The wheel spins again, and it’s 11. That’s three odd numbers in a row, and you claim your chips. Now, according to the roulette Paroli system, you return to the first base bet amount, which was £1.
In roulette, if you were to lose at any point, your bet would always return to base, and you would start again. The idea with the roulette Paroli system is that you hypothetically build up returns while you win back chips.
When using the roulette Paroli system, you can change the bets you make in terms of what’s on the table. So, if you prefer to switch from ‘odds’ to ‘red’ or ‘black’, you can, but you would stick to the same betting pattern.
Blackjack
Blackjack is more straightforward in terms of the betting setup compared to roulette. The Paroli system blackjack method works in a very similar way here.
In most games of blackjack, you would bet on your hand being closer to the numeric value of 21 than the dealer. You place your bets before you see your cards to keep things fair, but again, you need to set a base bet that you’re willing and able to double if you win.
So, place your chips of, say, £1 for the first round of blackjack. The cards are turned over, and you play the game as expected.
If you go bust, and the dealer claims your chips. You don’t double your base bet for the next game; so you would keep it at £1.
However, you might get closer to 21 in the next game than the dealer. If you play again, your bet after this would be worth £2. Then, if you win again, it’s worth £4. If you lose at any point, it returns to £1.
Using the Paroli system blackjack method can be tricky as several side bets and different touches change up play. For example, you might choose to buy insurance, or you might wish to split your hand if you draw a pair in your hand. Either option increases your bet.
Our advice, therefore, is to keep things simple where possible. Stick to the Paroli system blackjack method only for straight, standard bets, and avoid side bets while using the system, at least at first.
If you want to use the Paroli system blackjack method while following insurance bets, you can, but it’s not always recommended. That’s because doing so carries a much higher risk than standard betting.
Baccarat
Baccarat is a quick game that, while carrying a low house edge, has betting rules that are a little more complex than other card classics such as blackjack. Therefore, when using the Paroli system in baccarat, let’s keep things simple.
As with the other games we’ve discussed, start by setting yourself a base bet or amount you can feasibly afford within your bankroll. Let’s say you bet with £5 as your base this time.
Generally, you can bet whether you or the dealer will hit the number nine first. Choose one side of the game before you put your chips down. So, let’s say you’re betting on yourself to hit nine.
If you win, like in blackjack, you’ll get your chips back and double the bet when you play the next game. With round two, you bet £10 instead. If you win again, that’s £20 on the third bet, and then you return to £5 once more whether you win or lose.
Some players choose the Paroli system for baccarat because it helps them maintain momentum during play. This game is relatively fast compared to other casino classics, so you might hit a losing streak reasonably quickly.
Therefore, again, we recommend that you exercise caution. While the Paroli system is low risk compared to many other betting strategies, this doesn’t mean you should turn a blind eye to your bankroll.
How to use the Paroli method in sports betting
It’s possible to apply the Paroli method to sports betting, but again, you do so at your own risk – and with the understanding that you’re never guaranteed a win, let alone a streak!
As mentioned earlier in the guide, you should ideally look for opportunities where the odds are as close to evens as possible; otherwise, there’s a chance that the system won’t work at all.
Example in sports betting
Let’s say you find a market for a football match between Arsenal and Manchester City. The odds for Man City to win might be shorter, but this might seem like a safer position when using the Paroli method.
As with the casino games above, decide on your base stake – say £3. Place that bet on Man City, and then if it wins, you replay that stake, doubled, on a different match or market. So, that would be £6, but you might want to bet on a particular horse winning at Aintree or on Lewis Hamilton winning the next F1 race.
In this example, the highest your bet goes is £12, and then you return to £3. You can mix up the markets and the sports you wish to bet on, meaning that the rules you set for yourself are entirely yours alone.
Paroli betting system variants
There are a couple of different ways to experiment with the Paroli system if, at any point, you feel comfortable enough following a new set of rules.
The first is ‘Inverted’ Paroli. This system is pretty similar to Martingale. With this variant, you double your bet if you lose rather than if you win. The idea is that you recoup your losses as you go. However, this is a much riskier setup for most players.
‘Extended’ Paroli, meanwhile, changes the rule to mean that you keep the value of your bet when you lose. So, if you bet £1 and win, you bet £2 on the next go. Then, you bet £2 again if you lose! Ideally, you would stop betting after three wagers, regardless of what happens.
Pros and cons
Let’s look at the reasons for and against using Paroli in any form of betting.
| Pros | Cons |
| It’s straightforward to learn, and you can get started with relatively small bets or limited bankrolls. | Regardless of how you play, there’s never any guarantee that the system will work or return a profit. |
| Compared to other systems, you don’t have to keep betting when you lose, meaning that it’s fairly low risk. | It’s only really recommended to players who follow winning streaks, and this is not necessarily healthy behaviour. |
| You can use the system on a variety of games and sports betting markets. | There is still a house edge, regardless of the system you use. |
| It’s one of the healthiest systems for managing bankrolls and judging risk. | You’re not chasing losses – meaning that there’s a chance that your bankroll will be down money for a long period. |
| Many people feel that the system can help to extend their play, though again, this is always down to chance. |
Is this the right strategy for you?
The Paroli betting system is one of the lowest-risk casino and sports betting strategies around. However, this doesn’t mean that there’s no risk at all.
If you are just getting started with betting systems, it might be the right strategy for you but always play with caution. It’s certainly not the right strategy if you have a limited bankroll or believe in winning streaks.
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