Martingale vs Paroli
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.
Paroli Strategy
Double your bet after each win for a set number of wins, then reset.
10,000 Simulated Sessions Each: Martingale vs Paroli
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 | Paroli |
|---|---|---|
| Sessions ended in profit | 39% | 29.4% |
| Average session result | −$65 | −$112 |
| Average spins per session | 132 | 493 |
| Average worst drawdown | −$272 | −$232 |
| Best single session | $500 | $515 |
| Worst single session | −$635 | −$500 |
| Hit the table limit | 20.5% | — |
In this run, Martingale came out ahead on both measures — more sessions in profit and a smaller average loss. The house edge still won overall: both averaged a losing session.
How Martingale sessions ended
How Paroli 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 | Paroli |
|---|---|---|
| Style | very-aggressive | conservative |
| Complexity | simple | simple |
| Progression Type | negative | positive |
| Best For | Short sessions | Conservative players |
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
Paroli
Pros
- ✓Limits losses to base bet
- ✓Takes advantage of winning streaks
- ✓More conservative than negative progressions
Cons
- ✗Relies on winning streaks to profit
- ✗Wins can be quickly lost
- ✗Requires discipline to reset
Quick Summary
Quick Simulation: Martingale on Red
Starting balance: $1,000 | Base bet: $10 | European roulette odds
Quick Simulation: Paroli on Red
Starting balance: $1,000 | Base bet: $10 | European roulette odds