The Martingale method isn’t the only progressive betting system out there. Instead of jacking up your stake when you lose, with the 1-3-2-6 system, you only increase your bet after you win. Stick around as we walk you through this simple yet effective betting strategy that can compound your wins and help you cash out a monster sum!
What Is the 1-3-2-6 Betting System?
The 1-3-2-6 betting system is a positive betting progression system, similar to the reverse Martingale method. However, instead of simply doubling your stake after each win, you follow a specific formula.
According to the 1-3-2-6 betting system, your stake is determined by multiplying the number in the progression by your initial stake. So, if your first bet was £50 and you reached number 6 in the progression, you would bet £300 (£50 x 6).
In the 1-3-2-6 betting system, you only progress and increase your stake if your previous bet wins. If any of your bets lose, you start again with your initial stake. Also, if you win four bets in a row, you restart with your initial bet.
Here’s an example to make things clearer:
- Bet £100 on Alcaraz to beat Djokovic (Alcaraz wins)
- Bet £300 on Arsenal to beat Tottenham (Arsenal wins)
- Bet £200 on Man City to beat Man Utd (Man City wins)
- Bet £600 on England to beat the Springboks (England win)
What Sports Does the 1-3-2-6 Betting Strategy Work On?
The 1-3-2-6 betting system works on all sports and is popularly used on tennis, football, rugby, cricket, and basketball. It also works for in-play and pre-match markets.
Football
Football is one of the most common sports that work well with the 1-3-2-6 betting system. That is because football receives the most coverage, so it is easy to do your research. Additionally, football is the most popular sport in the world, so it is unlikely you will need to learn about the game from scratch before you start placing bets.
The only thing you have to watch out for is that the bookie will accept bets 6x your initial wager. However, unless you’re a serious high roller, this shouldn’t be an issue, especially if you’re betting on popular markets.
Best Bet Types For the 1-3-2-6 Betting System
Just like the Martingale betting strategy, the 1-3-2-6 betting system works best on two-way markets where the odds of winning are close to 50/50. You don’t want to back longshots because even if you manage to hit a winner, you are unlikely to repeat your performance and will never successfully move through the progression.
These are the bet types we prefer to use the 1-3-2-6 betting system on:
- Goal/Points Totals – Bookies will set the line for total goals/points, and you need to predict whether the result will be lower (under) or higher (over). The bookmaker usually sets the line, so betting over or under gives you close to a 50% chance of winning, say, 3.5 goals for an EPL game.
- Both Teams To Score – This is another great bet type for 1-3-2-6 because, based on the last five seasons in the EPL, both teams score 53% of the time.
- Handicap – With a handicap bet, the bookmaker adds or deducts points/goals to the underdog/favourite. Factoring in the handicap, you need to predict which team will win. The whole idea of the handicap is to eliminate the advantage/disadvantage and turn the game into a 50/50 contest.
- Coin Toss – At some bookies, you can wager on the result of the coin toss to decide who kicks off. With this bet, you should be careful of the odds because betting sites charge a hefty commission.
Pros and Cons of the 1-3-2-6 Betting Strategy
The best thing about the 1-3-2-6 betting system is you can end up with a huge win from a small initial stake. For example, if you started with £100 and won all 4 bets at 1/1 odds, your total profit would be £1,200.
This betting strategy is very simple to implement; if you know your 6 times table, you are good to go. It also works on all sports from MMA and F1 to cricket and football. You can adjust the 1-3-2-6 betting strategy to any bankroll. It doesn’t matter if your initial stake is £5 or £1,000, it still works.
Unfortunately, like all betting strategies, the 1-3-2-6 system’s profitability ultimately comes down to the punter’s expertise. If you can’t effectively find value bets and outsmart the bookies, the 1-3-2-6 system isn’t going to help. You might get lucky and go on the odd win streak, but unless you have an edge, the system won’t help you generate a long-term profit.
Pros:
- Can win large sums from a small initial stake
- Works on all sports and markets
- Easy to implement
- Doesn’t require a large bankroll
- Structure removes emotional betting
Cons:
- Won’t eliminate the bookmaker’s edge
- Requires a lot of commitment
1-3-2-6 Betting System Tips and Tricks
So now you have a good idea of how the 1-3-2-6 betting system works, use these tips to churn out a profit:
- Stick to two-way markets – As mentioned previously, the 1-3-2-6 betting system works best on two-way markets where the odds are close to 50/50, like both teams to score and goals totals.
- Conduct analysis – Randomly betting on over/under markets isn’t enough to generate a profit. You need to really crunch the numbers and identify mispriced markets. Start with basic stats like the average number of goals scored/conceded, and then get deeper and look at how certain players perform against certain defences, the impact of managerial strategy, and analyse players’ form.
- Take advantage of free bets – Most bookies offer free bet deals where you bet £10 and get £30 in free bets. You can use these promos to move through the progression more easily while risking less of your own money.
- Be disciplined – It can be tempting to not drop your stake or even increase it after suffering a loss, but that violates the 1-3-2-6 strategy. Keep your emotions out of your decision-making and follow the system, no matter what!
- Pick the right unit size – It is crucial you don’t overspend. You must choose a unit size that matches your bankroll and how much you are willing to risk. It is generally recommended that you keep your unit size to 1-2% of your bankroll. So if your bankroll is £100, your unit bets will be £1 or £2 each.
- Use more than one bookie – Don’t just limit yourself to one bookie. Open up a few accounts at different sites as you will give yourself more opportunities to find the right odds.
FAQs
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What is the 1-3-2-6 betting system?The 1-3-2-6 betting system is a simple positive progressive betting system where you increase your stake after winning bets. Your stake is calculated by multiplying the number in the progression by your initial bet, for example, £10-£30-£20-£60.
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What bets should you make with the 1-3-2-6 system?The 1-3-2-6 system works best for two-way markets where the odds are as close to 50/50 as possible, such as over/under bets on points and goals and handicaps.
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Is the 1-3-2-6 betting system profitable?The 1-3-2-6 betting system is only profitable if you have an edge on the bookie. No betting system will magically turn you into a winner. The only way to beat the bookies is to handicap odds more effectively or arbitrage.
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Do professional sports bettors use the 1-3-2-6 system?Professional sports bettors don’t use the 1-3-2-6 system, instead, they use the Kelly Criterion, which tells you exactly how much to bet based on your edge and bankroll.
