The Martingale method appeared long before modern betting. Its roots go back to the XVIII century, when casino players were looking for a system that could bring a guaranteed profit. The principle is simple: after each loss, the bet is doubled, and the first win compensates for previous failures and brings a profit equal to the original bet.
Over time, the strategy has moved beyond roulette and has become popular in sports betting. The only question is whether the method really works. After all, betting platforms, including 1Win App, offer different limits, dynamic odds and restrictions on maximum bets. In the following sections you will find out whether you should use the Martingale system in betting, what the risks are and whether the strategy has viable alternatives.
In casino Martingale method is applied to bets with odds of 50/50 – for example, on red or black in roulette. But sports betting is different: the odds are constantly changing, which affects the effectiveness of the strategy.
In the classic variant, the player bets on the outcome with odds of 2.00 and doubles the bet after each loss. The first win covers all costs and brings profit equal to the initial bet size. Let’s see how it works on cricket betting.
Suppose a user decides to use the Martingale system with odds of 2.00. He makes a first bet of ₹500 on Mumbai Indians winning against Chennai Super Kings.
1st bet: ₹500 on Mumbai Indians (odds 2.00) → lose. After the loss, the amount of the next bet is doubled. He bets ₹1,000 on Royal Challengers Bangalore (odds 2.00) and loses again. The player now has to spend ₹2,000 to cover the previous expenses.
The third bet is on India vs Pakistan in the T20 World Cup (odds of 2.00), which brings the first winnings of ₹4,000. The total cost of the chain will be ₹3,500 (₹500 + ₹1,000 + ₹2,000) and the net profit will be ₹500.
What affects the performance of the strategy:
Martingale strategy works only in short series and at odds from 2.00. But a long series of defeats threatens bankruptcy, and the limitations of betting platforms prevent endless doubling of the sum.
Unlike football and tennis, cricket matches last longer and teams have more predictable results. World ranking leaders rarely fail over long distances, making long losing streaks less likely.
Why cricket is a good fit for this strategy:
What kind of bets can I place? The most obvious option is to bet on a win. For example, if India plays against Bangladesh, betting platforms will give odds of about 1.50-1.60. This reduces the effectiveness of the strategy, because a doubled bet will not cover the losses.
An alternative option is to bet on run totals. For example, if a team is consistently scoring 170+ runs in T20s, you can bet on a higher total. The main thing is to keep the odds in the range of 1.90-2.10.
Betting on the individual performance of players is equally favourable. For example, Virat Kohli consistently scores 50+ runs in important matches. If a betting site gives odds of 2.00 on a total over 45.5, this can be used in the strategy.
The Martingale method seems simple, but the distance is fraught with huge costs. In a long series of losses, you can quickly lose your bankroll, and the limits of betting sites will not allow you to endlessly double your bet. Therefore, many players use adapted strategies.
Instead of doubling the amount after a loss, it is increased by 50%-75%. This reduces the strain on the bankroll and gives you a better chance of surviving a long series of failures. For example, if the first bet is ₹500, after a loss the next bet will be ₹750, then ₹1,125 and so on.
One of the most conservative approaches. The bet remains fixed, regardless of the result of the previous game. For example, a player bets ₹1,000 in every match and does not increase the amount even after a series of losses. This reduces the probability of a large minus, but requires a competent analysis of the matches.
Here the bet size is linked to the total balance. For example, a player allocates 5% of the current bankroll to each bet. If the bankroll is ₹20,000, the first bet is ₹1,000. After a win, the amount increases and after a loss, the amount decreases. This approach prevents bankruptcy and helps you adapt to a series of failures.
Alternative strategies reduce risks and allow you to stay in the game longer. Classic Martingale requires too much investment, while light variants give you more control over your bankroll.
