Is a Negative Progression System Right for You?

Posted by Harry Kane on Monday, June 26, 2017

As anyone who has ever played roulette will testify, there are a number of alternative systems and strategies available.

Some of these are truly unique, of course, such as the chaotic and largely unproven Kavouras system (which covers 20 numbers that are scattered randomly across the wheel). The vast majority have some form of basic form and structure, however, while they can also be loosely described as being either a progressive or negative progression strategy.

What is the difference between these two types of strategy, however, and which one should you look to deploy as a relatively inexperienced gambler?

What Is the Difference Between These Two Betting Systems?

There is one core difference between progressive and negative progression betting systems, with the former requiring players to scale their bets during a winning sequence. In contrast, a negative progression strategy asks players to increase their wagers with every loss, before returning to an original, predetermined betting unit after a success. This relates to a fundamental part of all roulette strategy, as players must start by establishing a fixed betting unit, before increasing or decreasing this systematically according to how each game unfolds.

Apart from these functional differences, however, what else separates progressive from negative progression strategies?

In simple terms, progressive betting systems are considered to be more risk-averse than negative progression alternatives. This is because they only increase their betting unit and wagers during a winning sequence, which in turn means that they minimise their spend after each loss. In contrast, players adhering to a negative progression system must scale their bets with every single loss, meaning that they may be required to sacrifice a considerable percentage of their bankroll before they experience a win.

This explains why progressive betting systems are generally preferred by inexperienced or risk-averse gamblers, as they minimise loss and negate the need to scale the size of their wagers as they continue to lose (which seems counter-intuitive to anyone without a full understanding of roulette). Conversely, more experienced players with a keen sense of determinism and a greater appetite for risk prefer to adopt negative progression tactics, as this enables them to maximise each win and overcome even sustained losses with successful wagers.

The Last Word: Which Type of Roulette System is Right for You?

Ultimately, the type of system that you choose will depend on your level of experience, budget and outlook as a gambler. As in the world of investment, a risk-averse nature encourages traders to prioritise options that minimise risk, and the same principle can be applied to gamblers. This is why risk-averse roulette players or those who are new to the game tend to adopt progressive betting systems, as the notion of increasing their spend while losing is often too much to bear.

Over time, your outlook may change you develop a core knowledge base and emerge as a successful roulette player. Then, armed with a larger bankroll and a greater appetite for risk, you can switch to a negative progression system that sees you scale losing wagers in anticipation of significant wins. Be sure to understand the nature of each system before making a commitment, however, and take the time to ensure that your chosen strategy suits your philosophy as a player.