2024-11-13

The 1-3-2-6 Blackjack Betting System

If you're familiar with the game of blackjack, you'll be aware that it's a game of strategy as well as chance - and one of those strategies is the 1-3-2-6 betting system, a popular system for those who prefer to manage their bets in a more structured way.

This system is basically designed to work with wins whilst mitigating those unavoidable losses during a losing streak. However, remember - although the 1-3-2-6 system can offer you a more strategic approach to placing your bets, it's still a game of chance, and no betting system can guarantee a win.

How to Use the 1-3-2-6 Blackjack System

The great news is that the 1-3-2-6 betting system is very easy to put into place - and it's basically a sequence of four bets. Here's how you can use the system:

Start with One Unit: Begin by placing a bet of one unit (i.e. £1). If you win, you'll move on to the next step. If you lose, start over again with the one unit.
Increase up to Three Units: If your one-unit bet wins, you'll then need to make a three-unit bet (£3). If this bet loses, return to betting one unit. If it wins, move to step 3…
Drop to Two Units: Once you win your three-unit bet, drop your next bet to two units (£2). If you lose, go back to step one (one unit). If you win, you can progress to the last step.
Go Up to Six Units: When you've won the first three bets, you can place your bet of six units (£6). Whether you win or lose this bet, you start back at step 1 again.

The 1-3-2-6 System in Practice

So, if you were to put this into practice, let's see how it might work out in actuality:

Round 1: You Bet One Unit - Which is £5: You decide that one unit is equal to £5 and make a bet of one unit, and win. So, you'll need to move to the next bet.

Profit: £5

Round 2: You Bet Three Units - £15: You now move on to bet three units - £15 and win again. In this case, you'll then move on to the next bet.

Profit: £5 + £15 = £20

Round 3: You Bet Two Units - £10: On the third stage, you then have to bet two units - which is a £10 stake. However, this time, you lose, so you need to go back to the beginning and bet one unit in the next round.

Overall Profit: £5 + £15 - £10 = £10

Round 4: Bet One Unit Again - £5: You go back to betting one unit again (£5) but lose this time - so you'll need to stay at one unit (£5) until you win.

Overall Profit: £5 + £15 - £10 - £5 = £5

So, as you can see, even when winning two and losing two, you'd still be £5 up. However, if you managed to win all four bets, you would have made an overall profit of 12 units (£60). But if you do lose at any point -especially in the third or fourth steps, the system helps to minimise your losses.

The Pros and Cons of the 1-3-2-6 Blackjack System

That being said, like all betting systems, there are pros and cons to consider before deciding whether or not it's for you:

Pros

Minimises Risks: This is designed to limit your potential losses, especially during a period of losses. In comparison, a progressive system could guide you to increase your stakes when losing, which has a higher risk of leading to more significant losses.
Makes the Most of Consecutive Wins: As you progress through the steps, the incremental increase in stake can result in a higher payout, with the previous wins minimising the risk of the increase.
Easy to Learn: It's also really easy to understand and use, which is great if you’re unfamiliar with blackjack betting systems.
Gives You Control: The structure of the system means that you have structure around your stake selections, meaning you’re less likely to chase losses and incur significant losses. At 21.co.uk, you can make use of our safer gambling tools to help with setting limits.

Cons

However, there are also some disadvantages to consider:

Not Much Long-Term Profitability: Ultimately, like any system or strategy, the 1-3-2-6 doesn't override the house edge or give you a better chance of winning in the long run. The house will always have the advantage.
Relies on Consecutive Wins: This is a system that relies on consecutive wins, as seen in the example provided above.

How Does the 1-3-2-6 System Compare Against Others?

The 1-3-2-6 System vs The Martingale

If we look at the Martingale Strategy, this involves doubling your bet every time you lose to try to recoup all of your previous losses with one single win, and while the Martingale can certainly be effective in theory, it does require a larger bankroll.

This is due to the higher risk of bigger losses when hitting consecutive losses. You also need to consider that if you hit the table's maximum bet limit, you might not be able to recoup the previous losses which is what the martingale is designed around. The 1-3-2-6 betting strategy is a lot less risky in comparison and it doesn’t require such a large bankroll.

The 1-3-2-6 System vs the Paroli

Then, there's the Paroli, which, in contrast to the Martingale, involves you increasing your bet when you win. This system has been designed to take advantage of consecutive wins - but a little more aggressively. This system does not require a large bankroll, but you could potentially lose all your winnings if you lose.

Summary of the 1-3-2-6 System

Ultimately, when comparing them all, the blackjack betting strategy 1-3-2-6 system is definitely more balanced and is designed around lower-risk stakes and structured betting. However, if you’re looking for a progressive betting system, something like the Martingale could be more suited, with the 1-3-2-6 strategy being a flat system.

The strategy is not restricted to blackjack either. You can also apply the system to games such as roulette and baccarat.

Essentially, whether it's the right strategy for you depends on your playing style and your bankroll.