A Quick Guide To Betting Systems [Oscar’s Grind, D’Alembert, & Labouchere]

There are, at least, two approaches to playing casino games. A purely luck-based approach (you just do what you feel is right and hope for the best) and a strategic approach. The latter means using systems such as Oscar’s Grind. Below is a quick guide to how they work.

A Quick Guide To Casino Betting Systems

Betting systems are about managing your bets. They cannot impact your chances of winning in a single game round. They can just help you (not necessarily, though) save more money in the long run.

You can test these systems in the demo mode or with bonus cash. You find both Unique casino (they give you a 200% deposit bonus and 100 free spins). You can use these to experiment safely with different approaches. Experiments with bonus cash are a bit more valid since you’ll be dealing with real money wins.

#1 Oscar’s Grind

You bet one unit (whatever your standard bet size is). The aim is to achieve a profit of one unit per series. If you lose, you keep your bet the same. If you win, you increase your bet by one unit. Once you’ve achieved a profit of one unit, you start over with a one-unit bet.

Let’s say your unit is $10. Here’s what you do:

• Bet $10 and lose (Total loss: $10).
• Bet $10 again and lose (Total loss: $20).
• Bet $10 and win (Total loss: $10).
• Increase the bet to $20 (adding one unit) and win (Total gain: $10).

You’ve achieved a profit of one unit ($10), so you reset.

Best for roulette (red/black, odd/even), blackjack, baccarat, and craps.

Ideal budget: Moderate (bets don’t escalate quickly).

Considerations:

• The profits per series are small, so it may take time to see significant gains.
• You need to take into account the table’s minimum and maximum bets to ensure the system fits within those limits.

#2 D’Alembert System

This is another method used primarily for even-money bets. It’s based on the idea of balancing wins and losses over time.

You begin by betting one unit. Then, you Increase your next bet by one unit. After a win, you decrease your next bet by one unit. The aim is to have an equal number of wins and losses.

For example, you’ll be using a $10 unit:

• Bet $10 and lose (Total loss: $10).
• Bet $20 (increase by one unit) and lose (Total loss: $30).
• Bet $30 and win (Total loss: $0).
• Bet $20 (decrease by one unit) and win (Total gain: $20).
• Bet $10 and so on.

Best for roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and craps.

Ideal budget: Small to moderate (bets increase slowly).

Considerations:

• A long run of losses can still lead to significant bets and potential losses.
• Since bet sizes decrease after wins, big winning streaks don’t capitalize as much as in other systems.

#3 Labouchere Betting System

That’s the so-called cancellation system. It’s a bit more complex than the other two. First, you choose a sequence of numbers. For example, 1-2-3-4 (totaling 10 units). Your bet is the sum of the first and last numbers. After a win, cross out the numbers you just used. After a loss, add the sum of the bet to the end of the sequence. You continue until all numbers are crossed out.

Let’s take the following sequence: 1-2-3-4 (Goal: Win 10 units):

• First Bet: 1 + 4 = 5 units.
• Result: Lose.
• Sequence Now: 1-2-3-4-5.
• Second Bet: 1 + 5 = 6 units.
• Result: Win.
• Sequence Now: Cross out 1 and 5 ⇒ 2-3-4.
• Third Bet: 2 + 4 = 6 units.
• Result: Win.
• Sequence Now: Cross out 2 and 4 ⇒ 3.
• Fourth Bet: The only number left is 3 units.
• Result: Win.
• Sequence Completed: All numbers crossed out, you’ve achieved your goal.

Best for roulette, blackjack, and baccarat.

Ideal budget: Large (bets can escalate quickly).

Considerations:

• You must keep track of numbers, which is tricky (requires pen and paper or smartphone).
• A series of losses can lead to significantly high bets.
• High bets may bump against table maximums, halting the system.

Wrap-Up: Which System Is Right for You?

Which is best then?

Overall, each of these can add strategy to your casino experience. They might not guarantee a win, but they can make your gameplay more engaging.