Parlay System
The Parlay System is a progressive roulette strategy. It has some aspects in common with the Martingale and D’Alembert systems, though it is a distinct method. It has become popular with roulette players over the years for its simplicity and flexibility. The word ‘parlay’ simply means an accumulator or combination bet. This strategy can be used with any other type of betting activity and does not require any complicated mathematical approach, while offering the player a great deal of flexibility in terms of bet size and winning aims.
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes.
How does it work?
The first stage in the Parlay Strategy is to determine the amount you are aiming to win and the size of your first bet. If your first bet is a winner, you use the returns from that bet on the next bet and continue to do that until you have reached your target amount. If at any stage you suffer a losing bet, you return to the initial bet size and start the process again. When the target amount is reached; that particular roulette session is over.
When using the Parlay System, there is no limit on the size of the initial bet or on the types of bets you make. It is possible to bet on even-money bets such as Odds/Evens or Red Black, or opt to bet on Columns or Dozens. For example, let’s say your initial bet is for R100 and your target amount is R1000. You make your first bet on Red. If this wins, the returns would be R200, which you might choose to put on your next bet, on the third column. The odds of a Column bet are 2-1, so your return would be R600. You could then put this on Red again and if that bet wins, you will have reached your target amount. If any of these bets lose, you would simply return to the beginning and make a R100 bet next time.
Pros and Cons
The Parlay System has a number of positive aspects. The freedom to set your own target amount and initial bet size mean that beginners and experienced players alike can tailor it to their betting bankroll size, risk threshold and playing style. Unlike some roulette strategies, it is not restricted to certain kinds of bets, offering another way for players to adapt it.
The other main advantage of the system is that it does a good job of balancing profit with loss-prevention. While it is possible to quickly reach your target using the Parlay System, ultimately with a losing bet you will only really be losing your initial stake. This is an improvement on more volatile progressive methods that can lead to players having to risk ever greater portions of their bankroll just to break even.
Ultimately, the house edge means that the long term profitability of any roulette system is questionable, and it is important to remember that the Parlay System cannot change this fact. It can also be frustrating for some players to see two or three winners in a row, only for a losing bet to wipe out their accumulated profits. However, in its flexibility and loss-minimizing aspects, the Parlay System offers a good chance for players to profit in the short term and it remains one of the better roulette systems available.
As for the maximal profit, the player should aim at such a level that requires no more than 3-4 successive wins. The probability of such a winning streak is 1/16 and it is quite reasonable to anticipate it during a typical roulette session.