Paroli vs Flat Betting

Which roulette betting strategy is right for you? Compare these two popular systems side-by-side.

Paroli Strategy

Double your bet after each win for a set number of wins, then reset.

conservativesimplepositive progression

Flat Betting Strategy

Bet the same amount on every spin regardless of wins or losses.

conservativesimpleflat progression

10,000 Simulated Sessions Each: Paroli vs Flat Betting

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	Paroli	Flat Betting
Sessions ended in profit	29.4%	25.7%
Average session result	−$112	−$132
Average spins per session	493	490
Average worst drawdown	−$232	−$244
Best single session	$515	$500
Worst single session	−$500	−$500

In this run, Paroli 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 Paroli sessions ended

Losing sessionsWinning sessions

Lost over $800

Lost $400–$800

9.5%

Lost $100–$400

43.6%

Lost up to $100

16.8%

Won up to $100

13.7%

Won $100–$400

14.9%

Won $400–$800

1.5%

Won over $800

How Flat Betting sessions ended

Losing sessionsWinning sessions

Lost over $800

Lost $400–$800

11.9%

Lost $100–$400

42.7%

Lost up to $100

17%

Won up to $100

12.4%

Won $100–$400

15%

Won $400–$800

1.1%

Won over $800

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.