Welcome to the latest article designed to help you beat the bookies. Today, we cover betting systems. What is the best sports betting system, how many different types of sports betting system are there and which sports betting systems work? Sports betting systems are integral to any successful bettors plan, so be sure you work the right systems into your strategy. Read on to find out how.

We answer those questions and more on this page. By the end of the article, you’ll have a strong understanding of the various betting systems that work and the betting strategy to avoid. There are different sports betting systems, and the more you know about them, the easier it will be to find the one for you.

Sports betting systems is a fairly broad term and means a lot of things to different people. It doesn’t work on casino games such as Roulette, Baccarat, craps or Blackjack. If you’re a lover of online casino, these aren’t what you’re looking for. However, it certainly means to everyone that gambling systems represent a way of wagering to be consistent and profitable.

Read on as we highlight common systems like the Labouchere and Parlay and provide examples of their use in major sports. Everything you need can be found on our site, including the weird and wonderful MLB underdog chase system and the in-play betting system, which is one of our favourites.

Read in full before placing your next bet. Whether it be a single bet on horse racing, handicapping for real money in the NFL, or you’re looking for a short-term fix to a losing streak.

What is a betting system?

What is a betting system?

The term “system” in betting refers to a pattern or strategy employed to increase winnings and find the best value in the market.

Betting systems are often referred to with various betting terms, which can be found in our complete sports betting glossary. In its most basic form, things like a soccer betting system are a combination of bankroll management, line shopping, and smart betting.

Our system plays sports betting guide covers positive and negative progressive gambling systems. Let’s look at this in a bit more detail.

Our most common systems:

  • negative progression
  • positive progression
  • D’Alembert
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Negative Progressions System

The two categories of betting systems can easily be defined as negative and positive.

Negative systems centre around wagering higher each time you lose to compensate for any losses and ensure the bettor comes out on top. This is sometimes called “chasing,” and opinions are split on this one. Is it one of the most profitable betting systems? It can be when done correctly.

However, losing streaks can be extremely costly and can force bettors to wager inexorable amounts. Hence the term “chasing”. If you have a big bankroll, these systems often work well. But these free betting systems could cost you dear if you don’t have a big bankroll.

Examples of these systems include Martingale, D’Alembert and Labouchere. These can be used in all sports, including golf betting systems, tennis, boxing, and other major sports. But more on those advanced sports systems in a moment.

Positive Progression System

The alternative is to use positive progression systems, which certainly sound more appealing. This is a more serious and affordable option for those looking at pro gambling systems.

Bettors working with these systems will increase their stake each time they win rather than lose. If the bettor is on a losing streak, this system won’t allow the bettor to recoup their losses quickly. Examples of this system are Paroli and the always popular parlay.

As we already discussed, these systems aren’t for novice bettors with a small bankroll. Both negative and positive systems will require the bettor to make sizable wagers at some point and require a big bankroll. You’ll need to be dedicated when you are winning and when on a losing streak.

This is a proven football betting system enjoyed by millions worldwide – from New York to Las Vegas, and the evidence shows the system works.

D’Alembert Betting Theory

The Alembert system is built around slow progressive betting. This slow betting system allows bettors to ensure they don’t run their funds dry but also slowly make a profit. This theory is based on the assumption that there is no balance in even money bets. And that’s true. This is a good foundation to build on if you are looking at how to create a betting system.

If you are always winning the same number of bets you lose, you can decide on a percentage of your total funds to use for each wager. The amount used varies greatly, mainly depending on the players’ capital, but standard practice is betting anywhere between 1-5%. D’Alembert system is one we know works and, despite what it looks like, it’s not only for mathematicians.

Example

If you have $500 in your account, 1% of your first bet is $5. If you lose that first bet, you will increase your unit to $10. Each time you lose, you increase your base to ensure you keep track until you win.

With each bet you win, you need to decrease your bet by one unit. It doesn’t matter what type of bet it is. Even prop betting; it’s a money-based strategy.

You’ll find this one of the more popular gambling betting systems, but you shouldn’t enter lightly. Please read our article in full and do your research on the matter before deciding if a betting system is for you. It’s then time to choose the best one, such as the most profitable NFL betting system.

Martingale Staking Plan

Another of the most popular sports betting systems is the Martingale System. Similarly to the D’Alembert Theory, this involves progressive betting.

It differs because bettors wouldn’t increase the bet by a small incremental amount, a unit, but rather double the stake when the bet loses. The risk is high, but if the bettor has the funds, the system eventually pays off.

Again, please don’t enter this one without considering it properly. It can be expensive, especially when just starting and finding your feet.

Martingale Staking Plan

 

 

Labouchere Betting System

Quite different from the systems above, the Labouchere system divides the bet into various wager amounts. There is a set wager; then, the bet is divided into smaller amounts.

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As the bettor loses, they continue adding the wager to the end to take away the house edge. They discard the first and last units if it’s a winning bet. This system requires deep pockets, so this may be one to avoid – always bet within your means.

Here’s an example of this type of system in action which should clear things up.

Example

Taking a stake of $100, a bettor may break this down into $10, $20, $50, $20. So once the first bet comes in, the winnings will need to be your first unit plus your last unit (double the $10 = $20, which is first on your list).

If the first bet is successful, the bettor crosses off the $10 and moves on to the $20. However, if the bet fails, the bettor would add the $20 lost to the last $10, meaning the wager would now be $30.

Winning streaks could earn you a lot of cash with this system, but please keep in mind that if things go wrong, they can all unravel quite quickly.

Paroli Formula

Another sports betting algorithm is the Paroli formula, used in even wager betting. As we mentioned, it depends on the individual’s finances, but a stake between 1-3% would be a good starting point.

Principally, bettors double their steak each time they win and, after winning in 3 consecutive bets, drop your bet back to the base stake, starting over. If the bettor loses, they make no progress and remain on the base stake until they are successful. This could take one bet or several bets.

Parlay System

Parlay is a common term in sports betting, and you likely have placed a parlay bet or at least know the type of bet. It’s up there with the most popular way to bet on sports, from single-player to team games.

Let’s say you build a five-leg parlay with various NFL teams on the moneyline. There may be multiple selections, but they must win for your bet to be paid out for a profit. That’s why it is for one stake. A $10 parlay will have various selections and may take many hours or days to complete, but it remains $10 to play.

Parlays are seen as great value-for-money bets, and they can land you a huge profit, regardless of the bet size or stake. For example, if your five-team parlay for a $10 stake is a winner and the odds of each pick is +100, the bet would pay $320.

As a system, it functions by reinvesting winnings from each bet. Bettors must choose the winning team for every option selected for this system to work. For example, if you get four out of five correct, the bet would be a loser. Parlays are so exciting as it’s an all-or-nothing scenario in terms of payout.

Fibonacci System

Fibonacci System

Another system, based on the famous Fibonacci sequence, works by choosing your betting unit. Somewhere between 2-3% is generally considered the best.

The Fibonacci sequence begins with zero, but this system starts with the number two 1s. The sequence is therefore 1,1,2,3,5,8,13 and onwards. So with a unit size of $10, the Fibonacci numbers tell you how to bet.

The first bet is $10. If you lose, you place your second bet at $10. If you lose again, place your third bet on two units, $20. Now you win, move down 1 unit to $10. Yes, it can get complicated and may even be seen as too much work for most average sportsbook bettors. But it gets results if you are dedicated.

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Unit System

The Unit System is a fund management strategy using a designated value by the bettor. Classically, the range is somewhere between 1 and 10.

Bets for the value of 10 if for your longshot, rare wagers that show value. The 1 is for certified bets, ‘sure thing’ bets. The term unit refers to a percentage of the bettors‘ wallets.

Kelly Formula

This option works with the bettor deciding on any sportsbook fixture, and then you rate the possible outcomes as a percentage. In the English Premier League, you may have Man City winning six of ten meetings with Man Utd, leaving them with a 60% win rate.

Now check that the odds match your opinions. If the odds and probability are different, you have found the value. According to your calculations and percentages, it’s time to act if the bookie has a team over-priced.

You may not always win with this system, but you will always have the value working in your favour. But creating your percentages does take a lot of work.

Frank Lorenzo
Frank Lorenzo
MTS Co-Founder
Geoff Johnson
Geoff Johnson
MTS Co-Founder