A Quick Guide to the Most Popular Blackjack Betting Strategies

Blackjack Betting Strategy

  • There are many betting strategies that players use when playing Blackjack
  • Martingale, 1-3-2-6, and Oscars Blackjack betting strategies are the most popular ones
  • In this article, we look at the most famous one to see if they work or not

Want to play blackjack like a pro? First, you need to know the rules, understand Blackjack odds, and use basic strategy.

Then, knowing how to sound cards own't hurt either.

And that's not always enough.

You wouldn’t want to run out of money before you get even close to a lucky streak, would you?

So, like with any other Casino game, you also need to know how to manage your bankroll.

And that’s where Blackjack betting systems come into play.

Blackjack betting systems are used to avoid heated betting decisions at the table by following a system that dictates how to bet each time.

Types of Blackjack Betting Strategies

Most Blackjack betting strategies are progressive betting systems.

Progressive systems involve increasing or decreasing the amount of your bet, depending on the outcome of the previous hand.

They fall into two categories:

  • Positive progression – betting more after you win a bet. Aimed to maximize profits during winning streaks and limit losses when things run cold.
  • Negative progression – increasing the amount you bet after a loss of a bet. Aimed at recouping losses and winning small amounts of profit very often.

You’ve probably heard about Martingale Blackjack betting system. It’s one of the most famous betting systems used not only in Blackjack but also Roulette and Craps.

And is a perfect example of a negative progression betting system.

You can check the detailed analysis of the Martingale system on this page.

Contrary to popular belief, Martingale is not the only betting strategy you can use for Blackjack.

What other Blackjack betting strategies are there? Let’s take a look.

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1-3-2-6 Blackjack Betting Strategy

Although the name of this system makes it seem complicated, it is actually very simple:

Bets are placed in line with the sequence of 1,3,2 & 6 after a winning bet.

You only trigger the sequence after you win a bet. It ends when you lose a bet.

How does it work?

Below are some examples considering a unit bet of $10

  • If you lose 4 bets in a row, all your bets would have been $10. Without a winning bet to trigger the sequence, the bet size stays the same.
  • If you win 4 bets in a row your bet sizes would be $10, $30, $20 & $60. The sequence is triggered by winning a bet and continues because there is no losing bet. The sequence ends after you win 4 bets in a row. If you win 5 bets in a row your 5th bet would go back down to $10.
  • If you win the first 2 bets but lose the 3rd bet, your bet sizes are $10, $30, $20 & $10. The betting system is triggered because you have a winning bet and continues until you have a losing bet. Since the 3rd bet was lost, you would drop back down to the $10 bet and start again.

Mixing up your bet sizes in this way reduces the risk of blowing out and betting everything you have on one hand.

It provides some structure to your play so that you can enjoy the game as much as possible.

The four-step progression adds some excitement to the game. And it reduces the monogamy of betting the same amount every time.

Keep in mind, though:
This Blackjack betting system will not give you an edge over the house. The house edge remains the same regardless of what amount you are betting. No betting strategy can affect it.

Oscars Blackjack Betting Strategy

Oscars Grind betting system is a progressive betting strategy that revolves around the concept of neutralizing losing streaks and always winning one unit of profit per progression.

The system was originally developed around 1965. Back then it aimed to manage small and consistent profits at the game of Craps.

No matter what game you play, the goal of the Oscars betting strategy is to make one unit of profit for each sequence.

Once you win 1 unit, then the whole progression resets and you start again. So, if you win the first bet, the next bet remains the same as the general aim has been achieved.

If you lose your first bet, then the next bet is also 1 unit.

The difference now is that you are down 1 unit. So, the progression system should begin so you can recoup that loss and generate the 1 unit of profit.

If your second bet wins, the next bet is doubled. Each successive winning hand continues to double in stakes until the aim of winning 1 unit is reached.

Once that occurs the progression is reset again, and we begin from scratch.

You need to think of bets in terms of units and not an amount. Select the unit size you want to use and then you can follow the below rules:

  • When you lose a bet, your next bet will be down to 1 unit.
  • When you win a bet, your next bet needs to be 1 unit higher
  • STOP the moment you have a profit of 1 unit on the sequence. The next bet will be 1 unit and you start the process again.

Below are some examples:

Bet SizeResultRunning Profit
1 UnitLoss-1
1 UnitLoss-2
1 UnitLoss-3
1 UnitLoss-4
1 UnitWin-3
2 UnitsWin-1
2 UnitsWin1

How to read the table:

You see, while you’re losing, you keep the bet at the minimum unit size while accumulating losses.

Once you win a bet - the progression begins.

That’s when you embark on a mission to recoup the losses and have a profit of 1 unit.

If you’re still with me, you may wonder -

Why on the last bet the wager is 2 units and not 3?

That’s because your aim is to profit for exactly 1 unit, remember?

At this stage of the sequence, you were losing 1 unit, thus a bet size of 2 units would result in 1 unit of profit.

So, even though you won the previous bet, you don’t need to increase your bet size. You’ve already achieved your goal.

Bet SizeResultRunning Profit
1 UnitWin1
2 UnitsWin3
3 UnitsWin6
4 UnitsWin10
5 UnitsWin15
6 UnitsWin21
7 UnitsLoss14


As long as there are no recorded losses in the sequence, you can continue to add a unit to your bet size as you keep winning.

The idea is to ride the wave until it stops.

It gives you the greatest opportunity to capitalize on a good run. While still locking in some of your profits along the way.

This Blackjack betting system requires a lot of patience.

Image playing Blackjack at brick-and-mortar Casinos. Action can sometimes be already slow at full tables. So, using strategy wouldn't really bring you any significant wins any time soon.

But the point of the Oscars betting system is not to make you rich every time you visit Las Vegas Casinos.

It does help to maximize profits when a good run of hands presents itself.

Stringing together 6 or 7 straight winning hands at the Blackjack table will result in a significant win.

That also makes this betting system popular with Blackjack players who count cards.

When they see that they have a significant advantage in certain situations, betting higher has a positive expected value.


If you want to improve your chances to win at Blackjack, you need to know the rules and the basic strategy. If you can handle counting cards - even better.

Blackjack systems and betting strategies won’t improve your odds at winning real money. But they can help you to manage your bankroll better.



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