3/2 Betting Strategy
The 3/2 Betting Strategy bets three units on black or red and two on even or odd. It increases your chances of steady gains while minimizing losses.
Moreover, it’s a straightforward betting strategy if you just started playing roulette.
How to Use the 3/2 Strategy
Bet Ratios
The name “3/2” comes from the ratio of the bets you’ll use to play online roulette. You’ll place a larger bet on the colour and a smaller bet on the column.
Typically, the ratio is three units on the colour and two units on the column. Place two bets by betting on the column and a bet on a colour. It can be red or black.
If the ball lands on your colour, in this case, Red, you’ll win the colour bet. The payout you’ll get will be 1:1 for winning three units.
If the number is also in the column you bet on you’ll win the column bet. This pays 2:1, meaning you win four units, two units times two.
What happens if the ball lands on a number in your column but not on your colour? You’ll lose the colour bet which means a loss of three units.
Furthermore, you’ll win the column bet by winning four units. If the ball lands on a number not in your column or colour.
Guess what? You’ll lose both bets, losing five units in total.
Testing the 3/2 Strategy
The 3/2 betting strategy in roulette allows you to cover more numbers to increase your winning chances.
By betting on both a colour and a column. You give yourself a higher probability of winning at least one of your bets.
For example, I bet $30 on red and $20 on the third column. The ball landed on 19 red and in the third column.
I won $30 on red for a payout of 1:1 and $40 on the third column. That paid 2:1 giving me a total win of $70.
Another time, the ball landed on 1, which is red but not in the third column. I won $30 on red but lost $20 on the column, resulting in a total win of $10.
However, when the ball landed on 2 which wasn’t on red nor in the third column.
I lost $30 on red and $20 on the column. That’s a total loss of $50.
Probability of Winning
Winning probability betting on red 1st, 2nd, and 3rd columns and black 1st, 2nd, and 3rd columns.
| Bet Type | Winning Probability |
|---|---|
| Red 1st Column | 12.16% |
| Red 2nd Column | 12.16% |
| Red 3rd Column | 12.16% |
| Black 1st Column | 12.16% |
| Black 2nd Column | 12.16% |
| Black 3rd Column | 12.16% |
Each column contains 12 numbers. The wheel has 18 red numbers and 18 black numbers. That excludes the green 0 and 00 in American roulette.
For any specific column bet, the probability is 12/38 ≈ 31.58%.
The overlapping probability for red or black numbers within each column bet is 4/38 ≈ 12.16%.
3/2 Betting Strategy Vs Martingale?
The 3/2 betting strategy and the Martingale system offer distinct approaches to roulette.
It involves placing a larger bet on a colour and a smaller bet on a column.
You’re spreading the risk across more numbers for moderate payouts albeit frequent but smaller wins.
In contrast, the Martingale system doubles your bet after each loss on even-money bets.
The aim is to recover your losses with one win. While simpler to implement, it carries higher risk and requires a larger bankroll to withstand long-losing streaks.
Martingale focuses on consistently small profits. It can drain your budget fast or when you reach the table limits.
Though more complex, the Martingale betting strategy is riskier than the 3/2 betting strategy.
Pitfalls of the 3/2 Betting Strategy
The 3/2 betting strategy in roulette has several pitfalls you should be aware of:
House Edge Remains Unchanged
No betting strategy can alter the house edge in roulette. The house edge for American roulette is 5.26%, and for European roulette, it’s 2.7%.
The 3/2 strategy does not reduce this inherent advantage.
Complexity
Managing two bets simultaneously can be confusing, especially for beginners. It requires careful tracking of wins and losses, which can be challenging during a fast-paced game.
No Guarantee of Winning
The strategy increases the chances of covering more numbers but doesn’t guarantee a win. It’s possible to experience consecutive losses, which can be a bankroll killer.
Higher Risk of Large Losses
You’ll lose the bet when the ball lands on numbers that neither match your colour nor your column.
That can result in significant losses, especially if you play roulette for high stakes.
Limited Payouts
Since the strategy involves covering a lot of numbers with smaller payouts.
The payout potential is often lower than riskier bets with higher payouts like the Martingale.
Conclusion
The 3/2 betting system allows you to “win 70.27% of your bets”. Unlike other betting systems where you lower or increase your bets.
With the 3/2 betting system, your average bet per spin stays the same. Play European roulette since it has a single zero offering you better odds of winning.
The strategy is only effective over the short term. Therefore, the longer you play the more the house edge creeps up on you.