Martingale vs Fibonacci
Which roulette betting strategy is right for you? Compare these two popular systems side-by-side.
Martingale Strategy
Double your bet after each loss to recover losses plus a small profit when you win.
Fibonacci Strategy
Follow the Fibonacci sequence for bet sizing, moving forward after losses and back after wins.
10,000 Simulated Sessions Each: Martingale vs Fibonacci
We ran both systems through 10,000 simulated sessions on a European wheel under identical conditions: $1,000 bankroll, stopping at $1,500 (win), $500 (loss), or 500 spins.
| Measured over 10,000 sessions | Martingale | Fibonacci |
|---|---|---|
| Sessions ended in profit | 39% | 48.9% |
| Average session result | −$65 | −$135 |
| Average spins per session | 132 | 341 |
| Average worst drawdown | −$272 | −$444 |
| Best single session | $500 | $500 |
| Worst single session | −$635 | −$940 |
| Hit the table limit | 20.5% | 0% |
In this run, Fibonacci ended more sessions in profit, while Martingale lost less on average — a classic trade-off between win frequency and loss size. Neither beat the house edge.
How Martingale sessions ended
How Fibonacci sessions ended
Methodology: fixed-seed runs from our open simulation engine, using the same settings as the strategy guides and interactive simulators — the numbers here match each system's guide page and can be reproduced there. Both systems lose on average because no betting progression changes the house edge; the comparison shows how differently they get there.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Martingale | Fibonacci |
|---|---|---|
| Style | very-aggressive | aggressive |
| Complexity | simple | moderate |
| Progression Type | negative | negative |
| Best For | Short sessions | Moderate sessions |
Martingale
Pros
- ✓Simple to understand and follow
- ✓Guarantees profit on each winning sequence
- ✓Works well in short term
Cons
- ✗Exponential bet growth can wipe out bankroll
- ✗Table limits can break the system
- ✗Large bets for small rewards
Fibonacci
Pros
- ✓Slower progression than Martingale
- ✓Based on famous mathematical sequence
- ✓More sustainable for longer sessions
Cons
- ✗Still leads to large bets over time
- ✗More complex to remember
- ✗Cannot overcome house edge
Quick Summary
Quick Simulation: Martingale on Red
Starting balance: $1,000 | Base bet: $10 | European roulette odds
Quick Simulation: Fibonacci on Red
Starting balance: $1,000 | Base bet: $10 | European roulette odds