The 1-3-2-6 Betting System: A Structured Approach to Gambling Success

Emily Turner
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The 1-3-2-6 betting strategy is one of the most engaging positive progression strategies available to online casino players today. Unlike negative progression systems that increase bets after losses, this method focuses on capitalising on winning streaks while protecting your profits.

In this guide, I'll walk you through how the 1-3-2-6 system works, where it's most effective, and whether it might be the right strategy for your playing style.

What is the 1-3-2-6 Betting Strategy?

The 1-3-2-6 betting system is a positive progression strategy where you increase your bet after wins according to a specific sequence of numbers (1, 3, 2, and 6). This approach aims to maximise profits during winning streaks while minimising losses during cold runs.

Ratings Table for the 1-3-2-6 System

Metric Our Rating Pro Community Says
Risk Level 🟡 Medium Bets are adjusted gradually, offering moderate risk compared to other systems.
Skill vs Luck 🎯 40% / 🎲 60% Players control the progression of bets but are still subject to random outcomes.
Bankroll Needed 💰💰 Ideal for players with moderate bankrolls. A bankroll of $100–$500 AUD is sufficient.
Complexity ⭐ Easy Simple to follow, making it a great choice for beginners. No complex calculations required.
Best Used In ⏱️ Short to Medium Sessions Most effective in even-money bet games like roulette and blackjack, particularly for short to medium sessions.

The Basic Concept

The 1-3-2-6 system follows this simple pattern:

If you lose at any point, you return to betting 1 unit and begin the sequence again. The goal is to capture profits from winning streaks while limiting exposure during losing runs.

History of the 1-3-2-6 Betting Strategy

The 1-3-2-6 system evolved from the Paroli betting system, another positive progression strategy that dates back several centuries. While its exact origins are unclear, it gained popularity in the late 20th century as players sought alternatives to riskier negative progression systems like Martingale.

The strategy's appeal lies in its balanced approach—offering the excitement of increased bets during winning streaks without the catastrophic risk that comes with continually doubling after losses.

Which Games Can You Use 1-3-2-6 In?

The 1-3-2-6 betting system works best with games that offer close to even-money bets. Here's where you'll find the most success with this strategy and where you might want to avoid using it:

Best For:

Blackjack with basic strategy(especially at tables with 3:2 payouts)
Baccarat on either Player or Banker bets (slightly better on Banker despite commission)
Roulette on even-money outside bets (Red/Black, Odd/Even, 1-18/19-36)
Craps on Pass Line or Don't Pass bets with odds

Not Great For:

Roulette inside bets – too volatile with low hit frequency
Baccarat Tie bets – poor odds (14.4% house edge) make this unsuitable
Pokies/Slots – unpredictable payouts make structured betting ineffective
Sports betting – variable odds and complex outcomes disrupt the sequence

How the 1-3-2-6 Betting Strategy Works

  1. Choose Your Base Unit: Select a base betting unit that's comfortable for your bankroll. For a $200 AUD bankroll, a $5 base unit would be reasonable.
  2. Follow the Sequence:
    • Bet 1 unit
    • If you win, bet 3 units
    • If you win again, bet 2 units
    • If you win a third time, bet 6 units
    • If you win a fourth time, return to 1 unit and start over
  3. Reset After Any Loss: If you lose at any point in the sequence, return to betting 1 unit and start over.

Example of the 1-3-2-6 System:

Bankroll: $200 AUD
Base Unit: $5 AUD

Round Bet Amount Result Bankroll
1 $5 Loss $195
2 $15 Win $210
3 $10 Win $220
4 $30 Win $250
End of Cycle $5 (reset) Reset to $5 after cycle $195

In this example, completing the full cycle (rounds 1-4) resulted in a profit of $60 from an investment of $60 (5+15+10+30), effectively doubling your total stake. Even with subsequent mixed results, the player maintained a solid profit.

How to Use 1-3-2-6 in Roulette

The 1-3-2-6 system works particularly well in roulette when applied to even-money bets. Here's how to implement it effectively:

Step-by-Step for Roulette:

  1. Stick to Even-Money Bets Only Focus exclusively on Red/Black, Odd/Even, or High/Low bets which offer close to 50% chance of winning (actually 48.65% on a European wheel).
  2. Set Your Base Unit For a typical $200 bankroll at an online casino, I recommend a $5 base unit.
  3. Follow the Progression Strictly
    • First bet: $5 on Red
    • If you win: $15 on Red
    • If you win again: $10 on Red
    • If you win a third time: $30 on Red
    • Complete cycle: Return to $5

Practical Roulette Example:

Round Bet Amount Result Bankroll
1 $5 Loss $95
2 $15 Win $110
3 $10 Win $120
4 $30 Win $150
End of Cycle $5 (reset) Reset to $5 after cycle $95

Warning for Roulette Players:

How to Use 1-3-2-6 in Blackjack

Blackjack requires some adjustments to the 1-3-2-6 system due to the possibility of doubles, splits, and varying payouts.

Blackjack Implementation Tips:

  1. Base Units and Bankroll With blackjack, I recommend a slightly larger bankroll ($300+) as you might need to accommodate doubles and splits which can temporarily disrupt your sequence.
  2. Handling Special Situations:
    • For Doubling Down: Count the original bet in your sequence. If your base bet is $5 and you double down on your initial bet, consider it as having wagered 1 unit regardless of the outcome.
    • For Splits: Similar to doubling, count only the initial bet in your sequence, not the additional bet for the split.
    • For Blackjack Payouts (3:2): Still move to the next step in the sequence, but enjoy the extra profit from the better payout.
  3. Stick to Basic Strategy The 1-3-2-6 system only manages your bet sizes, not your gameplay decisions. Always play according to basic blackjack strategy to minimise the house edge.

Risk Considerations for Blackjack:

How to Use 1-3-2-6 in Baccarat

Baccarat is perhaps the ideal game for the 1-3-2-6 system due to its simplicity and near 50-50 odds.

Baccarat Implementation Tips:

  1. Choose Your Betting Side
    • Banker Bet: Has a slightly lower house edge (1.06%) but typically charges a 5% commission on wins.
    • Player Bet: Slightly higher house edge (1.24%) but no commission to complicate your calculations.

    Both options work well with the 1-3-2-6 system, but I prefer the Banker bet for its lower house edge despite the commission.

  2. Sample Progression with Banker Bet For a $5 base unit:
    • First bet: $5 on Banker
    • If you win: $15 on Banker (win $14.25 after 5% commission)
    • If you win again: $10 on Banker (win $9.50 after commission)
    • If you win a third time: $30 on Banker (win $28.50 after commission)
  3. Commission Considerations When betting on Banker, account for the 5% commission in your profit calculations. This doesn't change your bet sequence, but it does affect your overall returns.

Avoid Tie Bets:

Pros and Cons of 1-3-2-6 Betting Strategy

Pros

  • Built-in Profit Protection: The sequence is designed so that after winning the first two bets, you're playing with house money.
  • Controlled Risk: Unlike negative progression systems, your largest bet (6 units) only occurs after you've already won three consecutive bets.
  • Exciting Play Experience: The strategy adds a layer of anticipation and structure to your gambling session.
  • Realistic Win Goals: The system aims for achievable wins rather than unrealistic massive payouts.

Cons

  • Requires Winning Streaks: The system only generates significant profits when you win multiple bets in succession.
  • Limited Recovery Power: Unlike negative progression systems, it doesn't help you recover losses quickly.
  • Potential for Missed Opportunities: Some players find it frustrating to reduce their bet from 3 units to 2 units after two consecutive wins.

Expert Tips for the 1-3-2-6 System

Bankroll Management

Proper bankroll management is crucial with any betting system. For the 1-3-2-6 strategy:

Modified Versions

Some players prefer these variations:

How the 1-3-2-6 Strategy Compares to Other Betting Systems

Strategy Risk Level Complexity Key Feature
1-3-2-6 🟡 Medium ⭐ Easy Gradual increase and decrease of bet size
Martingale 🔴 High ⭐ Easy Double the bet after each loss
Fibonacci 🟡 Medium ⭐⭐ Moderate Follow Fibonacci sequence to recover losses
Paroli (Reverse Martingale) 🟢 Low ⭐ Easy Increase bet after wins

Comparison Insights:

Is the 1-3-2-6 Strategy Right for You?

The 1-3-2-6 system is ideal for players who:

However, it may not suit players looking for aggressive recovery strategies after losses or those seeking very conservative approaches with minimal risk.

Conclusion

The 1-3-2-6 betting system offers a balanced approach to gambling that can add structure and excitement to your casino experience. While no betting system can overcome the house edge in the long run, this strategy helps manage your bankroll effectively while maximising profits during those lucky streaks we all hope for.

By sticking to the sequence, setting appropriate limits, and applying it to the right games, you can enjoy a more controlled and potentially more profitable gambling experience. Give it a try on your next visit to an online casino - you might find it's the perfect balance of risk and reward for your playing style.

1-3-2-6 Betting Strategy FAQ

Your base bet should be a small portion of your total bankroll. A general guideline is to bet 1% to 2% of your bankroll on the first unit. For example, with a $200 AUD bankroll, a $5 AUD base unit is reasonable. This keeps your bets manageable and helps avoid significant losses during losing streaks.

If you lose at any point during the sequence, you reset to the starting bet (1 unit). For instance, if your base bet is $5 and you lose after placing a $10 or $15 bet, you return to betting $5 again. This helps minimise losses while ensuring that you don’t compound your losses with larger bets, unlike negative progression systems like Martingale.

The 1-3-2-6 system is best suited for table games with even-money bets, such as roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and craps. It is not effective for slots or sports betting due to the unpredictable nature and low hit frequency of slots, as well as the variable odds in sports betting. The structured progression works best where the odds are more predictable and consistent.

If you hit the maximum bet limit at the casino while using the 1-3-2-6 system, you have a few options:

  1. Stop the cycle: If you can’t place your next bet due to the limit, you must end the sequence and either start a new one or reset your bet to the first unit.

  2. Adjust your bet progression: If you face frequent issues with bet limits, consider adjusting your base unit to a lower value. This keeps your bets within the table’s limits and avoids running into restrictions mid-cycle.

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Emily Turner
Emily Turner Content Writer
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Emily is our seasoned content writer. She writes easy to read and helpful game guides, so you can quickly understand the rules of each game and get some useful tips that can help boost your chances of winning.

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Last updated: 21 April 2025
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