The first thing to understand is that all casino games have a built-in house edge – meaning long-term, the casino will always come out ahead. Slots typically have a house edge ranging from 2-15%, while table games like blackjack have a lower house edge of around 0.5% if playing with perfect basic strategy. That said, some systems help players reduce the house edge and potentially walk away a winner in the short term.
For example, blackjack card counting systems track the ratio of high to low cards left in the deck to determine when the odds shift in the player’s favor. By increasing bets when the deck is rich in 10s and Aces, skilled card counters overcome the house edge and turn the odds in their favor. Major casinos now use multiple decks and shuffle frequently to deter card counters, but the system still works to a lesser degree.
Another blackjack system is to follow basic strategy charts, which statistically determine the optimal play for each hand versus the dealer’s upcard. By memorizing and accurately following basic strategy, players can reduce the house edge to around 0.5% or less. This doesn’t guarantee profits, but it does maximize a player’s odds over many hands. Other betting systems like the Martingale involve doubling bets after each loss, so a winner recoups all previous losses. This system works in games with even odds like red/black or even/odd roulette bets. However, players often reach the table limit before the system succeeds, and they end up losing more money chasing losses with doubled bets.
For high roller casinos online players, wins are determined on each spin randomly rather than by skill or strategy. Some claim progressive betting systems overcome the house edge on slots. It involves increasing bets systematically after losses and resetting after a big win. Again, table limits often thwart these systems over the long run. Slot makers also program machines to distribute wins and losses in a deliberately unpredictable way to defeat systems. So, while a player might get lucky and win big on a system once in a while, over time the house edge kicks in and the casino wins.
Some players swear they’ve beaten online casinos with various betting systems that work for them. However, independent computer simulations and mathematical analysis indicate these systems don’t overcome the ingrained house edge in the long run. Short-term wins are possible when playing systems optimally, but the house advantage inevitably grinds most players down over time. For best results, discipline is required to walk away from a system after a big score rather than risk those winnings chasing further long-shot bets.
While skillful play like card counting may temporarily alter the odds, no method overcomes the built-in casino advantage. The house edge exists to guarantee the casino profits over the long haul. If any system of play consistently beat the house, casinos would not offer the game. The random outcomes and mathematical edge benefit the casino in the end. That said, some players do have spectacular short-term success beating online casinos with various betting systems for a time. It provides an exciting rush and major wins.