Roulette is one of those casino games that many players like to play with a specific strategy to guide their bets and manage their bankroll properly too. The Paroli system is one of the oldest betting systems, with many believing it dates back to the 16th century. Although it may not be as popular as other betting systems like the Martingale or Fibonacci methods, the Paroli systemis frequently used to play different casino games, particularly on the roulette table. In short, the Paroli roulette betting system is a positive progression system that calls for increasing your stake on a win and decreasing it on a loss. It can be used in different games, including craps, baccarat, and of course, roulette. Like many roulette betting systems, it can be used for even money bets only, but we’ll get into all the details further on. If you’re curious to learn more about the Paroli method, we’ve prepared an in-depth guide that will explain how to use the Paroli system when playing roulette at an online casino UK. We’ll also give you our expert Paroli strategy roulette tips and go over some of the most significant advantages and disadvantages that you should consider before using this betting system.
How Does the Paroli System Work?
The Paroli system states that you should increase the size of your stake on a losing bet and decrease it when you win. Essentially the Paroli roulette strategy is the same as the Reverse Martingale strategy because it’s exactly the opposite of the classic Martingale method. Instead of doubling on a loss, the Paroli system requires you to double your stake on a win and keep it the same if you lose. This means that your stake should always remain the same so long as your bet doesn’t win. The most important fact about the Paroli roulette betting system is that you should keep doubling your bet until your get three wins in a row. After getting three consecutive wins, the strategy states that you should return to your original stake. If you’re following this system, you should never increase or double your stake after a losing bet. Before we look at a Paroli system example in detail, let’s summarise the most important facts to remember about this betting system:
- Double your bet on a win, not a loss.
- Keep your stake the same on every losing spin, no matter how long the streak is.
- You should always stop doubling your bet after three winning bets in a row.
- The Paroli system should only be used on even money bets, i.e., red/black, odd/even, or low/high numbers.
Example of the Paroli System in Roulette
With the Paroli system explained, it’s time to take a closer look at how it works in practice. For our Paroli system example, we’ll start with a base unit of £1. This is your original stake in the game which means that until you win, you start by betting £1 on every round. You get two losing spins, but the third one wins, so your stake should be increased to £2. The next bet wins again, so you double your stake to £4. On the third winning spin, you double your stake again to £8. Since this is also a winning bet, you return to your original stake of £1 and would have made a profit of £4. The process should then be repeated for the rest of your game, but keep in mind your bankroll. If you use up the money allocated for online roulette, you’ll have to quit the game whether you made a profit or not. The table below illustrates this example:
| Bet | Result |
|---|---|
| £1 | Lose |
| £1 | Lose |
| £1 | Win |
| £2 | Win |
| £4 | Win |
| £1 | Lose |
| Profit: £4 | |
We recommend starting with a low initial stake when using the Paroli system because just like you can get winning streaks, you can also get losing streaks. If you get a long losing streak, you can quickly run up big losses before seeing any profit. More importantly, if you start with a big stake, you might use up your bankroll before getting any winning streaks. For example, let’s say your total bankroll for the game is £100, and you decide to start with an original stake of £20. Your first two spins lose, so you’ve already bet a total of £40 on the first two rounds. This is already 40% of your total bankroll, and you’ll have a remaining balance of £60. Your next bet wins, so you get your £20 bet back and win another £20, leaving you with a balance of £80. Since your bet won, your next bet will be £40, so you get your £40 bet back and win another £40, leaving you with a balance of £120. Your third bet requires you to double your stake again, giving you a stake of £80. This bet loses, which means your balance is now £40, and you’ve made no profit. In total, you’ve lost £60. This example is also illustrated in the table below:
| Bet | Result |
|---|---|
| £20 | Lose |
| £20 | Lose |
| £20 | Win |
| £40 | Win |
| £80 | Lose |
| Profit: -£60 (no profit) | |
If you win the third bet in the above example, your balance will go up to £160, after which you can return to your original bet of £20 with a profit of £140. However, as we’ve illustrated, starting with a large original stake is risky because you can quickly end up with zero.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Paroli System
Every roulette betting system has its advantages, so it’s hard to say which is better. It would be best if you asked which strategy is more suitable for you, the risk level you’re comfortable with, and your bankroll. This is because no strategy can counter the in-built house edge in the game, nor can it eliminate the element of chance. Roulette is a 100% random game, and it’s impossible to predict the outcome of a game, no matter what strategy or betting system you use. That said, the Paroli roulette strategy also has several benefits and disadvantages. Below, we’ve summarised the pros and cons of using the Paroli betting system in roulette, all of which we’ll examine in further detail in the following sections.
| Advantages of the Paroli System | Disadvantages of the Paroli System |
|---|---|
| Easy to understand and apply in practice. | It’s not foolproof and can’t guarantee a win. |
| Less risky than the Martingale strategy. | It’s still possible to lose your entire bankroll or only break even without making a profit. |
| It’s a positive progression system. | The odds of 3 wins in a row are very low. |
| Not limited to roulette only. | You can run out of funds if you get a long losing streak. |
| A smaller bankroll can be used. | Limited to even money bets only. |
Advantages of the Paroli System
One of the most obvious advantages of using the Paroli system roulette method is that it’s easy to understand and follow. All you need to remember is double on a win and keep your stake the same on a loss. You return to your original stake if you get three wins in a row. That’s all there is to using the Paroli method, and with just a little bit of practice, you’ll get the hang of it in no time. Additionally, it’s easy to calculate the size of your stake when you need to increase it because you double it. Other strategies require you to follow a specific number sequence or add numbers together to get your stake, which can get a little complicated with bigger bets or if you have a timed betting limit. The Paroli roulette simplifies things, especially for beginners. Another advantage is that it’s a positive progression system, making it less risky than the popular Martingale strategy. This strategy states you should double your stake every time you lose, which, when you think about it, can be very stressful when real money is involved. It also means you need a considerable bankroll because if you start with a losing streak, you’re instantly doubling your stake from the start. You can see your balance going down, and there’s no telling when the losing streak will end and when you’ll be able to return to your original bet. With the Paroli method, you only double when you’ve won, which should minimise huge losses, making it less risky than negative progression betting systems. There’s no guarantee you won’t incur losses or even make a profit, but unless you experience a very lengthy losing streak, the Paroli system could be a good method for managing your bankroll properly. Like many betting strategies, the Paroli betting system can be applied to a variety of other casino games, so it’s not limited to roulette only. You can try this betting system when playing blackjack, baccarat, craps, and video poker. The Paroli strategy is also very popular in sports betting, where it can be applied using the same method described in this guide.
Disadvantages of the Paroli System
One of the flaws in the Paroli system is that it’s based on the belief that wins and losses come in streaks. While this isn’t entirely inaccurate, it’s very important to understand that when these streaks occur, they’re entirely random and impossible to predict. This means that when you get your first win, you won’t be able to predict if the streak will continue to get three wins in a row or simply when it will end. The system is designed to take advantage of a winning streak but still protect your winnings by returning to your original stake after these wins. This will avoid the risk of losing any profit you might have generated by following the strategy up to that point, but since you can’t predict how long a losing streak will be, a profit isn’t guaranteed when using the Paroli roulette system. The problem with the premise of doubling your bet until you win three times in a row is that it’s riskier than you might think. These winning streaks don’t typically occur regularly in the game, so a profit won’t always be possible if you don’t get a three-win streak at a relatively early stage. You’ll often get isolated wins or two wins in a row, perhaps, so if you lose on the third bet, you’re back to square one with your original stake. To make any profit with this betting system, you need a streak of at least three wins, and the odds of this occurring are rather low. Like any betting strategy, the odds of success with the Paroli system are difficult to calculate because roulette is all about chance. It’s not a foolproof strategy, and while this may be obvious, many players consider it a disadvantage. Although it doesn’t require a big bankroll, you can still incur losses and end the game without a profit if you don’t get three wins in a row, which is how you can make a profit with this strategy. This betting system also limits you to even money bets only. This is the same for nearly every popular roulette betting system, but it’s a drawback for many players because you won’t be able to win more than even money in the game.
How to Use the Paroli System Strategy in Roulette?
You need to remember only a few rules when using the Paroli betting system in real money roulette. In the following sections, we’ll go over the basic rules of using the Paroli method in the game and a few tips to keep in mind whether you’re playing online or live roulette.
Paroli Strategy Step-by-Step
The goal of this betting system is to get three wins in a row and make a profit. Now, this doesn’t always happen, but here are the steps to follow if you want to try this strategy:
- Choose your starting bet. This will be the bet you return to after completing the sequence.
- Bet this amount on any outside bet that pays even money. For example, you might bet on red.
- If your bet wins, double your original bet until you win three times.
- Once you get three wins, go back to the same amount; don’t keep doubling your bet at this point. You always return to your original bet on any loss.
Choose Your Starting Bet Carefully
Your original bet should be relatively small, especially compared to your total bankroll. For example, if you have allocated a bankroll of £50 for your game, it would be far too risky to start with £10 because, in just five losing spins, you would make zero profit and, more importantly, you’ll be out of money. For example, a starting bet of £1 would be much safer for your bankroll.
Play European Roulette
This roulette tip isn’t specific to using the Paroli betting system, but if you want to ensure you have the best odds of winning, you should always choose the European version of roulette. The house in American roulette is nearly double because of the additional double zero pocket. Remember, if the ball lands in a zero pocket, your even money bet will definitely be lost. And since you’re placing even money bets with this roulette strategy, you’re slightly more likely to win your bet when playing European roulette because there’s only one zero.
Odds of Winning
As discussed in this Paroli system guide, one of the flaws of this system is that it relies on getting three wins after each other, which isn’t highly probable. If you look at the odds, you can see that winning one even money bet has odds of around 48.6%, but the chance of this outcome occurring three times is just 11.50%.
Which Other Casino Games Can the Paroli Betting System Be Used in?
The Paroli strategy is one of the oldest betting systems in the casino world, and although it’s very popular among roulette players, it can also be applied to different games. Indeed, some of the best casino games at Britain Play can be played with this strategy, including:
- Baccarat
- Blackjack
- Casino Hold’em
- Craps
- Sports betting on bets with odds that are as close to 50/50 as possible (like betting on red or black in roulette)
Now that you’ve learnt all about the Paroli betting system, it’s up to you to decide whether you wish to try it out on your next game of roulette or any other casino game. Whichever you decide, be sure to check out Britain Play’s fantastic welcome offer for all new members! New players only, £10 min fund, £50 max bonus, 65x Bonus wagering requirements, max bonus conversion to real funds equal to lifetime deposits (up to £250). Full T&Cs apply.
Is It Worth It to Use the Paroli System?
Whether you’re considering using any roulette betting strategy or not, the most important fact to remember is that none of these can guarantee a win or even a profit in the long run. A strategy like the Paroli system should only be used to manage your bankroll properly, rather than choosing random amounts. Compared to other betting strategies, the Paroli system is great for beginners because the concept is straightforward to apply in practice. It’s also considered less risky than strategies like the D’Alembert, Martingale or Fibonacci sequence betting strategies because it’s not as aggressive. Additionally, although it doesn’t influence the outcome in any way, many players feel more comfortable keeping their stake the same when losing and only increasing it when they’ve won something. Finally, remember that the odds of winning three bets in a row are only around 11.50%, and since you can’t predict when this streak will happen - if it does - that’s where the strategy can get risky. Considering all the pros and cons, you can decide whether the Paroli method suits you.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Paroli System in Roulette
Find the answers to any questions you might have down below!
Can the Paroli System Be Used by Beginners?
Yes, the Paroli system is ideal for beginners because it’s easy to understand and simple to implement. No complex calculations need to be done to follow the strategy, making it ideal for those who might not be very experienced in roulette.
Is it Legal to Use the Paroli System?
Certainly, using the Paroli system for online, live, or land-based roulette is legally permitted, so you can try out any Paroli roulette methods without worrying about this issue.
Is the Paroli System Effective in the Long Run?
Unfortunately, in most cases, it’s not effective in the long run. It’s difficult to say how effective it can be because you may get fortunate and get several winning streaks, or you might not be so fortunate, in which case the Paroli system won’t help you make any profit. Because roulette is a game of chance, no strategy is guaranteed to be effective in the long run because the outcome depends mainly on your luck.
Is the Paroli Progressive System the Best One When Playing Roulette?
Not necessarily, no. The Paroli strategy won’t influence your odds of winning in the game, and it has its risks, just like any other betting strategy. However, if you want a less risky strategy than the Martingale system, for example, it could be a good option. Remember to start with a small original stake to minimise the risk of big losses.
What Other Betting Strategies Can Be Used When Playing Roulette?
Other betting strategies you can use when playing online roulette include the Martingale strategy, the Fibonacci Sequence method, and the D’Alembert betting system.