The Paroli System

The Paroli system is a very simple progressive betting system, and one of the more popular among gamblers that like to use such systems. It has two main purposes.

• To generate small wins consistently
• To avoid the risk of substantial losses.

The name of this system is derived from the Latin term par, which means “one that is equal”. It is essentially the opposite of the Martingale, but with fixed limits for the maximum stake.

The Paroli is a positive progression betting system, which means increasing your stakes after a win. You are not guaranteed to turn a profit with this system, but it is appealing for a couple of reasons. Its popularity is largely down to the fact that it is incredibly easy to learn and use.

Please see below for further details on the Paroli system, including its advantages and disadvantages.

How to Use the Paroli System

The Paroli system is designed to be used for even money wagers. It’s most commonly used at casino games such as roulette, craps, baccarat and craps, although it can be used at other games too. It can also be used for sports betting, again with even money bets. The system is very straightforward as it just involves adjusting your stakes according to some simple rules.

Here’s a quick guide to using this system.

RULE 1 – Fixed Base Stake

To use this system effectively you should have a fixed base stake. This is how much you stake at the start of each cycle. It can be any amount you choose, but it shouldn’t be too high in relation to how much you have set aside to gamble with. About 2% of what you are prepared to risk losing in a session is probably ideal, and you really don’t want to go above 5%. So if you have $200 that you are happy to play with, a base betting unit of $5 would be about right.

RULE 2 – Doubling Up After Winning

Every time you win a bet, you should double your stake for the next bet. So if you start with $5, and then win, your next bet should be for $10. If you then win again, you double up once more to $20.

RULE 3 – Stop After Three Wins

You should stop increasing your stakes after three consecutive wins, and drop back down to your base stake. The idea here is that three consecutive wins is not particularly uncommon, but any more than that becomes less likely.

RULE 4 – Base Stake After Losing

Whenever you lose a bet, your next bet should always be at your base stake. It doesn’t matter how many times you lose in a row, you should never increase your stake following a loss.

The Paroli system really is that simple. You are just aiming to double up three times, take that profit, and then start again. The theory is that you should be able to do this a few times during a session, and your profits from these mini winning streaks should hopefully be greater than all your combined losses.

Advantages & Disadvantages of the Paroli System

There are three main advantages to the Paroli system. Firstly, it is very simple. It takes no time at all to learn and implementing it is very easy. The second advantage is that it provides the potential for consistent, albeit relatively small, wins. Thirdly, you are unlikely to suffer large losses – unless you went on a really long losing streak.

Let’s say you’re using the system at roulette, and betting on black every time. You set your base stake at $5.

You’re hoping for a streak of three consecutive BLACKS to maximize your potential profits.

• Win $5 on your first bet
• Win $10 on your second bet
• Win $20 on your third bet

Your TOTAL WINNINGS across this sequence would be $35

Each time the above sequence happens, and you successfully double up three times, you make a total profit of seven times your base stake. By then starting again with your base stake, you are reducing the risks of quickly giving back these winnings. This can give you a real chance of making an overall profit in a session. Three consecutive blacks could quite conceivably happen numerous times.

Let’s look at what happens if you go on a streak of alternate blacks and reds.

• Stake $5. Win. Total +$5.
• Stake $10. Lose. Total -$5.
• Stake $5. Win. Total +$0.
• Stake $10. Lose. Total -$10.
• Stake $5. Win. Total -$5.
• Stake $10. Lose. Total -$15.

As you can see, you’ve lost a total of $15 here. If you were staking a fixed $5 on each spin, you’d have broken even with this sequence.

This brings us on to the primary disadvantage of the Paroli system – there is absolutely no guarantee that you will win money from it. An unfavorable sequence of results will always lead to a loss. You can do well with the right sequence of results, but this is technically the case any time you play in a casino. The house edge still exists though. Like any betting system, the Paroli system does nothing at all to actually overcome this edge.

Is this System Worth Using?

The best way to view this system is simply as a good way to help you manage your bankroll. If you stick to it rigidly then you won’t find yourself chasing your losses when you’re on a bad run. You will also avoid getting carried away on a winning streak, when it’s all too easy to increase your stakes so high that you risk giving everything back when your luck turns against you.

If you view the Paroli this way, and don’t expect it to deliver favorable results time after time, then there is no reason why you shouldn’t use it. It won’t actually improve your overall chances of winning, but it may well help you to bank some profit when luck is on your side.