Does the Martingale System Work in Blackjack?

Many people throughout Canada and the world have asked me "Does the Martingale system work in blackjack?" The answer to this is a resounding yes, but there are some limitations and such that should be understood prior to attempting to employ this strategy at any land-based or online table. In a nutshell, the Martingale system isn't a strategy so much as it is a betting system, and this simply means that employing it will not help you win more often; it will only help you during your gaming sessions when it comes to bankroll management. Thus, you are encouraged to use both of these tactics to your advantage during each and every session.

In order for me to answer the question "Does the Martingale system work in blackjack?" it is first important to understand what it is and how it works. It is quite simple in nature and follows what is known as a positive progression. Essentially, you will start with a wagering 'unit'. For the sake of example, we'll say $1 here. If you lose, you will double your bet each time. If you win, you will go back to your base unit and start over. Thus, should you choose a $1 unit, lose five hands, and then win the sixth, you'll have lost $1+$2+$4+$8+$16 for a total of $30, but you'll win $32 with the sixth hand. This covers your losses.

Now, there are some limitations that this system presents, too. For instance, in the event that you are on an unusually long losing streak (which shouldn't happen if you are using a good strategy), you can quickly exceed the table limits by doubling your wager over and over again. Similarly, if you lose more frequently than you win, the only thing you'll be doing is recouping losses - you won't really be making much of a profit at all. In fact, even if you manage to win every single hand, you won't win amounts larger than your base unit. This can become frustrating for many people. Some people, including myself, have decided to use this tactic in reverse instead. This means that I double my wager with every win and revert back to the base unit again after a loss. I find this more acceptable in a game where the odds are almost always in my favor.

So, does the Martingale system work in blackjack? The answer depends primarily on the player. With a good strategy, the odds of winning increase significantly. Without one, though, individuals will likely lose money even with the implementation of tactics designed to preserve the bankroll. As such, you can find various charts on the internet that will provide you with the best decision to make in absolutely any scenario based upon the house rules, the variant you have selected, and even the number of decks that are in the shoe. All of these things have a direct impact on your odds, and the best thing that you can do is have a mathematically sound idea as to what you should do depending on what is in your hand and the value of the dealer's up-card. Then, and only then, will this or any other wagering plan work in your benefit and make blackjack fun.