Has anyone actually SEEN a Martingaler?
October 10th, 2011 at 10:15:14 AM
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The closest I've come to seeing a true Martingaler is the following:
I'm at a $10 BJ table in Indiana. Guy walks up in mid-shoe with a bunch of black chips. Bets $200. Loses.
Next he bets $300. Gets a splittable hand and splits it. (Forget what it was, but basic strategy dictated a split.) Loses both hands.
Next he bets $400. Loses.
Next he bets $500. Loses.
Down $1700, he walks away.
I know it's not a true Martingale, but at least the system of chasing losses with larger bets was there.
I'm at a $10 BJ table in Indiana. Guy walks up in mid-shoe with a bunch of black chips. Bets $200. Loses.
Next he bets $300. Gets a splittable hand and splits it. (Forget what it was, but basic strategy dictated a split.) Loses both hands.
Next he bets $400. Loses.
Next he bets $500. Loses.
Down $1700, he walks away.
I know it's not a true Martingale, but at least the system of chasing losses with larger bets was there.
October 10th, 2011 at 10:16:54 AM
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I see it a Pai Gow all of the time. Sad to watch them walk away with nothing, as it's quite easy to run into 6, 7, 8 losses in a row.
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You want the truth! You can't handle the truth!
October 10th, 2011 at 10:21:39 AM
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Not past 3 or 4 losses, no. But I've done it myself at low-limits on a roulette table just to pass the time -- again, capped at 4 losses. I can swallow a $15 loss but not a $1023 loss...
"In my own case, when it seemed to me after a long illness that death was close at hand, I found no little solace in playing constantly at dice."
-- Girolamo Cardano, 1563
October 10th, 2011 at 10:27:54 AM
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Math, how could you? Next thing you'll be telling me is that you play slots too!
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You want the truth! You can't handle the truth!
October 10th, 2011 at 10:44:10 AM
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I saw it once. It's a sad story. You may want to stop reading now.
I went out to Vegas one year with a buddy for an audiophile show. It was his first trip to Vegas. He studied on the internet and learned about the Martingale. I told him he was crazy. He ran simulations and said you hardly ever lose. I told him he was crazy. He continued to run simulations; even on the plane he was using a hand held BJ game to further prove his winning approach. I told him he was crazy. At Ellis Island he found a video BJ game where you could bet .25 to 5.00 per credit and 1-100 credits giving him a spread of .25 to $500. I told him he was crazy. He was doing good for a while. Then it happened. .25 lost. .50 lost. 1.00 lost. 2.00 lost. 4.00 lost. 8.00 lost. 16.00 lost. 32.00 lost. 64.00 lost. 128.00 lost. 256.00 lost. Eleven losses in a row and no room left to double. Over $500 lost chasing a $.25 win. I stopped telling him he was crazy; the realization finally hit home. He too went home and never came back.
I went out to Vegas one year with a buddy for an audiophile show. It was his first trip to Vegas. He studied on the internet and learned about the Martingale. I told him he was crazy. He ran simulations and said you hardly ever lose. I told him he was crazy. He continued to run simulations; even on the plane he was using a hand held BJ game to further prove his winning approach. I told him he was crazy. At Ellis Island he found a video BJ game where you could bet .25 to 5.00 per credit and 1-100 credits giving him a spread of .25 to $500. I told him he was crazy. He was doing good for a while. Then it happened. .25 lost. .50 lost. 1.00 lost. 2.00 lost. 4.00 lost. 8.00 lost. 16.00 lost. 32.00 lost. 64.00 lost. 128.00 lost. 256.00 lost. Eleven losses in a row and no room left to double. Over $500 lost chasing a $.25 win. I stopped telling him he was crazy; the realization finally hit home. He too went home and never came back.
October 10th, 2011 at 10:46:54 AM
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Quote: boymimboMath, how could you? Next thing you'll be telling me is that you play slots too!
Oh, but I do. It's my job. :)
I just haven't been brave enough to write off my slot losses as "business expenses" yet...
"In my own case, when it seemed to me after a long illness that death was close at hand, I found no little solace in playing constantly at dice."
-- Girolamo Cardano, 1563
October 10th, 2011 at 10:49:09 AM
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Saw it? No. Did it myself? Yep.
I describe it on my History page of my Poker For Roulette site:
I describe it on my History page of my Poker For Roulette site:
Quote:Not long after it opened, I was in Resorts Intertnational, the first casino in NJ. Back then the casino wasn't open 24 hours, and there was a dress code to get in. On the plus side, there were plenty of $2 blackjack tables. Armed with only a couple hundred bucks, a cursory understanding of the "pyramid betting system" (I now know it's called the Martingale system), and barely a beginner's understanding of blackjack, I tried my luck. It was a short evening.
Last edited by: DJTeddyBear on Mar 21, 2021
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ —————————————————————————————————————
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
October 10th, 2011 at 10:56:19 AM
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Quote: kpEleven losses in a row and no room left to double. Over $500 lost chasing a $.25 win. I stopped telling him he was crazy; the realization finally hit home. He too went home and never came back.
That story pretty much says it all when it comes to system bettors. I bet such a scenario plays out in Vegas every day -- multiple times. Believers will absolutely never listen to reasoning. The only way for them to see the light is through their wallet. This is why I kept saying everyone was wasting their time trying to save 99steps.
Regarding how to find Martingale players, go to any multi-player blackjack game online. At Casino on Net I saw them all the time, going from $1 to whatever their bankroll could withstand, or the table max, whichever was less.
If I ever ran a casino I think I would make my max bets some factor of 2, just as an inside joke to Martingale players.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
October 10th, 2011 at 11:15:19 AM
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I do it more often than I see it. But I see it pretty regularly, too.
October 10th, 2011 at 11:20:53 AM
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I saw it on a craps table with a guy betting box cars. He told me he waits for no 12 to appear for 16 rolls and then he starts betting. He claims that he hardly ever loses and his winning sessions more than make up for losing ones. He lost that night quite badly. At least for me it would have been a thorough ass kicking I do not know what he lost exactly but I know it was over $500 and his first bet was $1.00. He just put his tail between his legs and left.
October 10th, 2011 at 11:36:22 AM
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I play Martingales in Baccarat, Sic bo, and Roulette all the time. Roulette columns and Sic bo single numbers can be especially fun due to paying out better than 1:1. As long as you understand that it's a disastrous long-term strategy and just do it for fun, I don't see any problem with the Martingale, in any of its variations.
October 10th, 2011 at 11:57:57 AM
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Quote: Wizard
If I ever ran a casino I think I would make my max bets some factor of 2, just as an inside joke to Martingale players.
i forget which casino it was out here but my friend told me he ran into it was either a baccarat or paigow poker table where the min bet was $100 and the max bet was $32,000. i told him it would have been even better if also the min bet was $125.
October 10th, 2011 at 12:01:43 PM
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And therein lies the problem.Quote: heatherAs long as you understand that it's ....
Too many people discover the Martingale by chance, and act like they invented the wheel. They do not fully understand what they discovered.
There's nothing wrong with playing it for a couple levels, as long as you fully understand its limitations.
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ —————————————————————————————————————
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
October 10th, 2011 at 12:52:48 PM
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Before Mike Warren (another pimlico boy)made millions touting football games, he sold a horse betting system. Sort of a modified Martingale. A 10 page pamphlet
that was basically Just win $200 each day at the track. Quit each day and start over LOL Then he got into football picks in the 1980's and shut down a telephone exchange, he had so many suckers.
that was basically Just win $200 each day at the track. Quit each day and start over LOL Then he got into football picks in the 1980's and shut down a telephone exchange, he had so many suckers.
October 10th, 2011 at 1:40:22 PM
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I've never seen a TRUE Martingaler, as in follows it to the letter with exact doubling and such, but I see similar all the time. Of course, I'm in a casino 5 days a week so I'm bound to see some. Mostly I see maybe a 4 step, where a $5 wager stops at $40. Nothing so extreme as someone taking it to the limit. Of these wagering sytems I've identified (Marty and anti, D'alembert, NY) I've only seen ONE TIME where a guy seemed to be working it. He did well enough to garner Table Game's attention, and after I checked him out for an hour, he was basically just getting lucky with a Marty. They weren't exact doubles ($25-$40, for example), but every loss was increased, and every win was decreased. He was playing three hands, and he was using the entire play to judge (W-L-P he'd stay the same wager, W-L-L he'd double, W-W-L he'd decrease). He won a couple grand off a couple grand buy in. He also never took it to the limit.
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October 10th, 2011 at 3:25:46 PM
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I once came close. After losing 4 hands in a row at 3CP, I decided to double the ante and play bet beause I was "due to win." I don't recall whether I won or lost, but when I realized what I'd done I went back to flat betting and didn't try it again.
You may know all the pertinent facts, but when you get caught up in the game gut feelings and hunches reign supreme.
You may know all the pertinent facts, but when you get caught up in the game gut feelings and hunches reign supreme.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
October 10th, 2011 at 4:55:50 PM
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Yes- I played blackjack with an Asian gentleman who was fairly drunk I guess. Anyway, we are playing $25 min BJ and he was surviving because he would catch that win. He goes on a terrible run and bites the dust on a 400 hand.... comes back to the table 5 minutes later with 700 from the ATM, hits a Blackjack, goes back to betting 50 a hand and then is completely sunk again within 45 minutes....never came back as I think the ATM had gone dry.
I have doubled a few times after losing and it has never gone too well for me at least.
I have doubled a few times after losing and it has never gone too well for me at least.
when man determined to destroy himself he picked the was of shall and finding only why smashed it into because."
— E.E. Cummings
October 10th, 2011 at 5:06:23 PM
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Never saw one but have heard the sad tale of one from a dealer. Somewhere long gone on the strip (Little Ceasars I think) and it was a true bird game. Guy was half the right thing by betting either pass or don't (I forget which but as we know it does not matter.) Guy went .25, .50, 1.00, 2.00, 4.00, 8.00, 16.00. 32.00, 64.00, 128.00, 256.00. 512.00 and finally somehow the guy playing a bird game lays $1,048.00 and loses it all. The dealer was very speciffic telling me this mamaluke finally put over $1,000 down. AT LITTLE CAESARS!
Probably half the total money laid on the whole craps table that night.
Probably half the total money laid on the whole craps table that night.
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others
October 10th, 2011 at 5:37:20 PM
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When I was learning gambling an old gambler told me - If a bet goes one way 3 times either bet with the streak or don't bet. I like up and pull myself. Start a series betting 2 units. If you win bet 1 unit and keep adding 1 more unit to your bet until the streak ends. Then go back to 2 units.
Gambling is a metaphor for life. Hang around long enough and it's all gone.
October 10th, 2011 at 5:48:15 PM
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Quote: ncfatcatWhen I was learning gambling an old gambler told me - If a bet goes one way 3 times either bet with the streak or don't bet. I like up and pull myself. Start a series betting 2 units. If you win bet 1 unit and keep adding 1 more unit to your bet until the streak ends. Then go back to 2 units.
That's the NY. Or at least some refer to it as the NY since it starts with 2-1-2 (area code) and the thought is by winning 2 and then betting 1, you lock up that 1 wager in case of a loss, but if you win then the increase will take advantage of streaks. You'll last longer than a Marty, so there's that...
The opinions of this moderator are for entertainment purposes only.
October 10th, 2011 at 6:10:53 PM
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And lose 66.6% more than if you used the NYC zip code prefix 111...
October 10th, 2011 at 7:01:56 PM
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I've used the Marty quite a few times playing don't pass in craps...I've gotten lucky when I did it, I think the highest I got was $160 before a win...
$5 -> $10 -> $20 -> $40 -> $80 -> $160
I've also done a reverse Marty playing the pass...but I TAKE the odds also, done well the few times I did it..although never got up to the $160 level...
$5 -> $10 -> $20 -> $40 -> $80 -> $160
I've also done a reverse Marty playing the pass...but I TAKE the odds also, done well the few times I did it..although never got up to the $160 level...
Gambling calls to me...like this ~> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Nap37mNSmQ
October 12th, 2011 at 7:35:53 AM
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Never understood the attraction of martingales, the concept of throwing large sums of money to make a tiny profit is just so.... anti-gambler. The reverse is where the money's at! Sometimes I declare to the dealer that i'm going to double up until I hit the table maximum and go home, most of the time they just give me a mild shrug, one guy asked to play along so i put down a dollar on the side (it lost at $2). The highest I've ever gotten was 10 -> 20 -> 40.
October 12th, 2011 at 8:04:30 AM
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I did not know the pizza place had a casino?Quote: AZDuffmanNever saw one but have heard the sad tale of one from a dealer. Somewhere long gone on the strip (Little Ceasars I think) /
October 12th, 2011 at 8:12:25 AM
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Quote: NicksGamingStuffI did not know the pizza place had a casino?
There was a dive of a place, from what I've heard, on the Strip called Little Caesar. It was torn down in 1994 to amke room for Paris.
It was on yesterdays question of the day at the Anthony Curtiss' site.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
October 12th, 2011 at 8:13:36 AM
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I've seen variations of it at the craps table, usually on the field.
Most memorable: a young guy with short hair (looked like a soldier from a nearby base) came in, and he bet the following, all of which lost: $100, $200, $300 and finally $400.
Never forget the look of disbelieving stupefaction on his face as he walked off, looking for the train that had just hit him.
Most memorable: a young guy with short hair (looked like a soldier from a nearby base) came in, and he bet the following, all of which lost: $100, $200, $300 and finally $400.
Never forget the look of disbelieving stupefaction on his face as he walked off, looking for the train that had just hit him.
"What, me worry?"
October 12th, 2011 at 9:00:18 AM
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I laughed when I saw the Mike Warren (Lasky) reference. I once went to his office Baltimore in person after being ripped off on Credit Card charges and met him. He appologized, refunded the card and then tried to sell me more picks. He then ended up working with Dione Warrick as he was the money backer of the Friends Network in early 90's.
