The Parlay Betting System

The Parlay system is commonly used in sports betting, but many casino players also opt to incorporate it when betting on games such as roulette, baccarat and blackjack. In fact, it is among the most popular betting systems and one of the most commonly used methods among roulette enthusiasts.

Its origins can be traced back to the 16th century, when aristocrats incorporated it into the then-popular card game basset. The latter was played against the banker and, according to its rules, players’ winnings had to remain on the table, doubling with each subsequent bet.

• How Does the Parlay System Work
• Less Aggressive System
• Advantages of the Parlay Betting System
• Disadvantages of the Parlay Betting System
• Can You Score Regular Wins

When a player “parlays”, they wager their winnings in addition to their original stake. The system can be used by roulette novices as well, since it is easy to learn and implement. The Parlay betting system is applicable to both inside and outside bets in roulette, which makes it suitable for risk-averse and more daring players alike.

How Does the Parlay System Work

Unlike the Martingale betting system, which is employed predominantly by roulette novices, the Parlay system is favoured by more experienced players. It stands out as a go-with-the-flow method of betting on roulette because players can easily determine how much they need to stake on the next spin of the wheel.

The main reason why the Parlay betting system enjoys greater popularity among roulette fans is that it is not as aggressive as the Fibonacci betting system, for example. When players put the Fibonacci system through its paces, they soon see their wagers rise steeply, which explains why many prefer to steer clear of this method.

Many players advise against the Fibonacci system because it often results in an emptied bankroll or in reaching the table’s maximum stake. The same cannot be said of the Parlay system, as the stakes do not skyrocket in the blink of an eye.

The Parlay resembles the Paroli system and the reversed Labouchere, as it is based on a positive betting progression, meaning that players increase their stakes after each win and decrease them after a loss. Because players reduce their wager each time they fail to predict the winning number, the Parlay system is a relatively safer alternative to many other betting systems.

The Parlay relies on players enjoying runs of success or, in other words, on a temporary imbalance in their favour that enables a winning streak. Many players favour this method because, with the Parlay system, they do not need to risk their own funds; in practice they bet with the winnings they have accumulated.

If you wish to use the Parlay system at roulette, the first thing to do is decide what your base betting unit will be. It is equally important to set a maximum win limit so that you know when to take your winnings off the table. You can keep placing flat outside bets that pay even money until you register your first win. After that, double your stake after each win and revert to the initial unit once you suffer a loss.

It is best to demonstrate how the Parlay works with an example. Suppose you start with a base unit of £10 and set a maximum win limit of £240 for the session. You place an outside bet on Black, which pays even money at 1 to 1. The bet wins, so you double your stake and place £20 on Black.

Your second bet is also successful, so you now wager £40 on your third bet on Black. Luck is still on your side and you win again. This time you decide to stake the £40 profit on a Dozen bet covering the first 12 numbers. Number 8 comes up and you win £120. Next, you opt to bet £120 on Even. The ball lands on 14 and you collect £240, as Odd/Even bets also pay even money.

At this point it is advisable to take your £240 profit off the table because you have reached the win limit you set for yourself. If your luck deserts you before reaching that limit, simply return to your initial £10 unit and start the progression again.

Setting a maximum win limit is crucial because it tells players when they should collect their profits. Without such a limit, they risk letting their winnings ride for too long and potentially losing everything without banking any profit. Even though subsequent bets are made with winnings rather than with personal funds, that does not mean the entire profit should be thrown away.

Players should also bear in mind that, if the progression ends in defeat, their net loss will normally be limited to the base unit they originally chose. This is why it is advisable to select that unit carefully.

Although achieving two successive wins is often regarded as the main hurdle with other betting methods, it is less of a problem with the Parlay system.

When using the Parlay, players raise their stake after a win in an attempt to secure two consecutive winning bets, rather than increasing it in an effort to recoup previous losses.

While a single losing wager is unlikely to have a serious impact on your bankroll, it can nevertheless signal the start of a losing streak during which earlier winnings may disappear.

The real issue for many players is that they are not content with the modest profits they accrue and eventually return them to the casino.

Although the Parlay system is far from a foolproof way of generating profit, it can occasionally help players land sizeable wins without assuming excessive risk.

Of course, a good level of discipline is still required if you want to finish your session ahead.

Less Aggressive Parlay Betting System

Much like the rest of the betting systems that can be employed in roulette, certain modifications can also be made to the Parlay betting system. Gambling aficionados who wish to use the system but are on a tight budget or are simply risk-averse may feel more comfortable staking a single chip instead of starting their progression by wagering two chips.

Thus, if players put a single chip on an even-money stake and they lose, they will be just one chip behind. If their second stake of one chip also loses, players will be two chips behind. If they do not win their third wager either, they will have lost three chips in total. In the event that their fourth wager wins, they will recoup some of the losses incurred during the first three spins and will be only two chips behind.

The reason why some roulette players prefer to stick to this modified version of the betting system is that it allows them to preserve their bankroll for longer than the original does.

It is important to note that players can choose whatever base unit they prefer but that, instead of doubling the amount staked, they must keep it the same when a win occurs.

Of course, if players opt for this mild version of the progressive system, the profit they walk away with during a favourable run will not be as impressive.

Yet, on the positive side, if players manage to score several wins in a row they will be ahead, and even if they lose their next wager, they will not have to part with all of their winnings. This is exactly what makes this method of betting on roulette so popular.

Advantages of the Parlay Betting System

One of the biggest advantages of adopting the Parlay system in the game of roulette is its simplicity. Players do not need to be rocket scientists to understand and master the system. Using it involves minimal decision-making, which makes it suitable for less experienced players as well.

Then again, using the Parlay involves less risk for players because their bets remain relatively small. Furthermore, they increase their bet size with money they have already won after predicting the winning number correctly. In effect, the funds do not come from their bankroll; they are betting with house money, which can be a double-edged sword, as players sometimes become less careful with their decisions.

Also, using this system instils a degree of discipline in players, as they are encouraged to collect their profits as soon as their predetermined win limit is reached. Players need to decide at which point they should stop playing and leave with their profits intact, so that they do not end up with an emptied bankroll and no winnings at all. It is often tempting to let your winnings ride, but it is easier to leave the roulette table in profit when you have set a maximum win limit for yourself.

Last but not least, the Parlay is among the most flexible betting systems. While most systems are designed to be used predominantly on even-money bets, the Parlay can be applied to both outside and inside bets that have different payouts. Because players are not obliged to stick to the same bet type over and over again, they are less likely to become bored and abandon the system.

Disadvantages of the Parlay Betting System

Compared with some other betting systems, the Parlay has relatively few disadvantages. One of its biggest downsides is that there is no guarantee of consecutive wins. In order to turn a substantial profit with the Parlay, players need to win several times in a row.

The system is deemed unsuitable for long-term play because those who fail to control themselves while on a winning streak risk losing all of their profits. It is important to remember that the casino’s built-in advantage remains the same regardless of which betting system players implement. Besides, using the Parlay system does not affect the outcome of each spin of the wheel.

Can the Parlay Betting System Bring Players Regular Wins

There is no denying that one of the biggest advantages of this roulette betting system is that, while employing it, players use money they have just won from the casino for their subsequent wagers instead of risking their own funds.

Although this is one of the main reasons why many casino enthusiasts are intrigued by the system, they should remember that roulette is a game based purely on chance, which is the reason betting systems, the Parlay included, ultimately prove ineffective.

Perhaps some of you are already aware of the gamblers’ fallacy. If you are not, the term refers to the mistaken belief that if a specific event occurs repeatedly, it becomes less likely to recur in the future, and vice versa.

This misconception is widespread among gambling enthusiasts, roulette players in particular, but they fail to take into account that each spin of the roulette wheel is an independent trial of a random process; viewing different rounds as interrelated events is entirely misguided.

Such erroneous beliefs are often associated with roulette, as players fall prey to the idea that if a particular number has not appeared for some time, it is bound to do so soon.

When betting on roulette, players’ decisions should not be dictated by streaks, for the simple reason that each spin of the wheel is unrelated to the one before or after it.

Betting systems neither reduce the house edge nor give players better chances of winning. No matter how you adjust your wagers – whether you increase or decrease them after a win or a loss – it is inevitable that the casino will prevail in the long run. As often happens when using betting systems, players simply blow their bankrolls together with any winnings they may have accumulated.

Another important detail about the Parlay betting system is that, much like other similar methods for betting on roulette, it proves ineffective for achieving long-term profit.

Still, if you are seeking small yet frequent wins, the Parlay betting system might be the way to go, especially if you apply it to even-money roulette stakes such as Red, Black, Odd, Even, High and Low.