Parlay Roulette System

Written by Alex Vasile
Alex Vasile has an iGaming background with over five years working in Support and Account / VIP management. He is also an experienced writer covering topics related to gambling legislation and jurisdictions, casino bonuses and wagering requirements and casino games rules.
, | Updated: October 2, 2024

If you are a casino fan who loves taking risks, roulette is the perfect game for you. This classic table game brings a sense of glamour and a ton of excitement at the same time. One of its most distinctive features is the multiple betting options it offers. For years, roulette tables attracted the attention of millions of people who desperately tried to overcome the game’s house edge. That is how the roulette betting systems were created.

Sports fans are well familiar with the term “parlay” – a type of sports wager that involves two or more bets. “Parlay” is not only a sports bet but also a popular roulette strategy. The origin of the Parlay betting system can be traced back to the 16th century. The strategy can be applied to casino’s most popular games, including roulette, blackjack, craps, and baccarat.


How the Parlay Roulette System Works?

The Parlay betting system belongs to the positive progression category of betting strategies. Many roulette fans rely on it as it is believed to be safe and easy to learn. If you decide to adhere to the Parlay betting strategy, you have to increase the size of your bet after every win by adding your profits to your initial wager. Whenever a loss is registered, you have to revert the size of your stake to its original value and stick to it until a win occurs.

The difference between the Parlay strategy and other roulette techniques is that players use their winnings instead of their funds to place bets. Another popular name of the Parlay betting strategy is “Let It Ride”. Now, we will use an example to illustrate how the system is used in practice:

Bet Number Bet Size Outcome Net Profits
1 10 Win 10
2 20 Win 30
3 40 Win 70
4 80 Win 150
5 160 Loss -10

If we had stopped playing after the fourth spin, we would have generated a net profit of $150 from the $10 we invested in the beginning. However, we decided to stay for another spin during which our luck betrayed us. This resulted in losing all of our winnings.

Another important conclusion is that our net losses equal the size of our original stake – $10. That is why it is important to set a profit target because otherwise, you will end up losing everything and you will have to start the progression all over again.

To sum up, players who want to use the Parlay strategy have to:

  • Determine a base unit
  • Set a winning goal
  • Add winnings to the size of the original bet after a win
  • Wager the base stake following a loss
Setting Initial Bet Size
blank The Target Profit
blank Modifications to the Parlay Betting System

Setting Initial Bet Size

Roulette enthusiasts who intend to adopt the Parlay strategy have to set an initial bet size. To determine the fixed amount of your initial stake, you have to decide how much you can afford to spend on roulette during a given gambling session. Experts advise that the size of the base bet should be no more than 5% of the bankroll. You can also use the minimum table limit as a base bet to minimize the chances of bumping into the maximum table limit.


The Target Profit

As we already mentioned, it is crucial to set a target profit otherwise you are likely to lose your winnings. Once you reach your winning goal, you have to collect your profits and start the progression yet again. Remember that the Parlay betting system is not profitable in the long haul. So, if you rely on it for too long, the house edge will eventually grind your bankroll. For example, the Paroli betting strategy requires players to collect their winnings after three wins.


Modifications to the Parlay Betting System

Recreational roulette players might slightly modify the Parlay betting system to make it even safer. They can use some part of their profits to increase the size of their original wager. For example, if your original wager is $10 and you win $10 more, the size of your next bet can be $15 (your initial stake + half of your net winnings).



How Efficient is the Parlay Betting System?

Undoubtedly, the Parlay roulette system can help you generate some profits in the short term. However, no betting strategy, including the Parlay, can overcome the house edge. Roulette is a game based on pure chance, meaning that the outcome of every spin is random.

Some rookie roulette players believe that there is a relation between past results and future outcomes. This erroneous belief is also known as the gambler’s fallacy. But the truth is that the outcome of every spin is independent of any other. The probability of winning a given bet does not change depending on the outcome of previous spins.

Roulette betting strategies do not increase the odds of winning and that is why they cannot guarantee success in the long term. Even though the Parlay strategy sounds logical and safe, it is not foolproof. In the lines below you can learn more about its advantages and disadvantages.

Even inexperienced roulette enthusiasts will grasp the idea behind the Parlay betting system in no time. The simpler a betting strategy is, the easier to apply it. What is more, the Parlay betting strategy is not steep. Players do not have to dramatically increase the size of their bets, meaning that the chances of reaching the maximum table limits are slim.

Unlike some betting strategies such as the Martingale, the Parlay system is appropriate for roulette fans with any bankroll size. Furthermore, this betting system is regarded as one of the safest because roulette fans use their winnings to increase their bets.

Most roulette betting strategies are geared toward even-money bets. However, if you place the same bets every time, you will quickly get bored and leave the roulette table. To the delight of roulette fans, the Parlay roulette system can be used on all inside and outside roulette bets.

Compared to other betting strategies, the Parlay system has only several drawbacks. The first one is that it cannot be used in the long term. What is more, the Parlay betting strategy is based on a sequence of lucky events. If you generate consecutive losses over a period of time, you risk blowing away your bankroll. And if you are on a hot streak, you have to end the progression whenever you reach the target profit.


Pros and Cons

Pros
Cons
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The Parlay betting strategy is relatively simple

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The Parlay betting system works only in the short term

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Even players on a tight budget can use it

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It relies on winning streaks that may not occur

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Reaching the maximum table limits is unlikely to happen

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Roulette fans have to be disciplined enough to use the Parlay system

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Players use their winnings to increase their bets

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The Parlay betting system takes into account both inside and outside bets

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