Understanding the D’Alembert System for Online Roulette Casinos

The D’Alembert System, a classic betting strategy rooted in the balance of wins and losses. Ideal for games like roulette and baccarat, this guide will unpack its principles, ensuring you navigate the casino floor or online platforms with an informed edge. Let's get started!
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Mark Taylor

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Sep 17, 2023

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The D’Alembert System Overview:

Named after the 18th-century French mathematician Jean le Rond d’Alembert, the D’Alembert system is a betting strategy primarily used to play roulette.

It is categorized as a negative progression system, meaning after a loss, the player increases their bet, and after a win, they decrease it.

The core principle rests on the assumption that over time, wins and losses will balance out. Starting with a base bet, a player using the D’Alembert will add one betting unit after a loss and subtract one betting unit after a win.

The idea is that if the player has an equal number of wins and losses, they’ll end up with a profit that’s equivalent to the number of wins.

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The Basic Concept

Principle Behind D’Alembert:

The D’Alembert system is based on the Law of Equilibrium, stating that over time, wins and losses in a game of chance will even out.

This system falls under the category of “negative progression” betting strategies, and here’s how it operates:

  • Starting Bet: A player begins with a base bet, usually a single unit (the exact value of which can be determined by the player but should be a small percentage of their bankroll).
  • After a Loss: If the player loses a bet, they increase their next bet by one unit. The rationale behind this is that after a loss, a win is more likely, hence increasing the bet can help recover the lost amount.
  • After a Win: If the player wins a bet, they decrease their next bet by one unit. The thinking here is to safeguard the winnings by betting less after a win, assuming that a loss might be forthcoming.
  • Equilibrium: With an equal number of wins and losses over time, you will make a profit equal to the number of wins, assuming the player starts and stops at the base bet. For every loss followed by a win, you earn one unit.
  • Limitations: The system doesn’t consider the house edge or the potential for long losing streaks, which can lead to increasing bets. It doesn’t change the odds of the game but just dictates a betting pattern.

Example:

When playing roulette, if you choose to bet on red, assume there is no green zero on the wheel. In real roulette, the green zero gives the house its edge.

Decide that your base bet will be $10. Here’s how the D’Alembert system might play out over a series of spins:

  1. Spin 1: You bet $10 on red. The ball lands on black. You’re down $10.
    • Next Bet: Since you lost, you increase your next bet by $10, making it $20.
  2. Spin 2: You bet $20 on red and the ball lands on red. You win $20. You’ve recouped your previous loss, and you’re up $10.
    • Next Bet: After the win, you decrease your bet by $10, taking it back to the base bet of $10.
  3. Spin 3: You bet $10 on red. The ball lands on black again. You’re down $10 from this spin, but overall, you’re even.
    • Next Bet: After the loss, you increase your next bet by $10, making it $20.
  4. Spin 4: You bet $20 on red. The ball, unfortunately, lands on black again. Now, you’re down a total of $30.
    • Next Bet: Following the loss, you increase your next bet by $10, making it $30.
  5. Spin 5: You bet $30 on red and won $30, leaving your balance even. Next, you’d decrease your bet by $10, making your next bet $20.

After each loss, you increase your bet by one unit (in this case, $10), and after each win, decrease your bet by the same unit.

Over a series of bets, you’ll achieve an equilibrium between wins and losses. Hopefully, you’ll make a profit equivalent to the number of times you’ve won.

In live roulette, the green zero (or double zero in American roulette) introduces a house edge that isn’t in this example. The D’Alembert system doesn’t guarantee profits.

Pros

  • Less risky than some other betting systems like the Martingale.
  • Easy to understand and implement for beginners.
  • Effective for short-term gaming sessions.

Cons

  • Doesn't change the house edge or odds of the game.
  • Long losing streaks can still cause significant losses.
  • No strategy can guarantee wins in games of pure chance.
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Modifications and Variations

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Reverse D’Alembert (or Contra D’Alembert):

This system is the Reverse D’Alembert. Unlike the traditional D’Alembert system, you increase your bet after a win and decrease it after a loss.

The goal is to maximize winning streaks and minimize losses. It’s less risky because you’re not increasing your bets as aggressively after losses.

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D’Alembert Up and Pull:

This strategy involves increasing the bet by one unit after a loss and reducing the bet by two units after a win. It aims to secure profits during favorable conditions and recoup losses faster when the tide turns.

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Limited D’Alembert

This variation limits how much a player can increase their bet to prevent massive losses during long-losing streaks. Once the player reaches the limit he either stops or resets it to the base bet.

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D’Alembert with Insurance

Some players implement an “insurance” system into the D’Alembert strategy. They do not increase the bet after a loss immediately, but only after a few consecutive losses.

This delay is similar to taking out “insurance” against immediate back-to-back losses.

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Application in Online Casinos

Choosing the Right Game

The D’Alembert system offers near-to-even-money bets. In online casinos, you can use it to play different roulette variants:

  • Roulette: The most popular choice for many D’Alembert system users. Here, you can place even-money bets like Red/Black, Odd/Even, or High/Low numbers. They offer players almost a 50% chance of winning, especially European Roulette since it has one zero.
  • Baccarat: Is well-suited for the D’Alembert due to its simple betting options. Players can bet on the Player or the Banker’s hands, both offer even-money wagers.
  • Blackjack: Betting on blackjack hands can also be suitable for the D’Alembert system, especially when sticking to the basic strategy.

While they are suited for the D’Alembert system, the house always has an edge, and no system can guarantee wins over time.

Setting Limits

Setting limits is paramount for responsible gambling. Here’s why:

  • Avoiding Massive Losses: The D’Alembert, being a negative progression system, involves increasing your bet after losses. Without a set limit, a prolonged losing streak can lead to significantly large bets, depleting your bankroll quickly.
  • Maintaining Discipline: A predetermined limit ensures you don’t chase losses in the heat of the moment, which can often lead to rash decisions.
  • Longer Play: By setting betting limits and sticking to them, you can enjoy longer gaming sessions without exhausting your funds quickly.

Betting systems like the D’Alembert can provide structure and strategy, but they are not foolproof methods of winning.

Conclusion

The D’Alembert system is a negative progression betting strategy where players increase bets after losses and decrease them after wins.

It aims to balance out wins and losses over time and is best for games with close-to-even-money bets like roulette, baccarat, blackjack, and craps.

Responsible gambling should be the priority, as no strategy can alter the inherent odds of a game. Play for enjoyment, use strategy as a guide, and don’t overplay your bankroll.

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