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The Fibonacci system, first described by the Italian mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci in the 13th century, is a fascinating mathematical pattern found in nature, architecture, art, science, and the very fabric of our universe.
It can also be applied as a betting strategy for sports and casino games that regularly results in a session win. Read on to learn exactly how to apply the Fibonacci sequence in gambling, what games and bet types it can be used for, and how to use it most effectively.
What is the Fibonacci System?
The Fibonacci system involves a sequence of numbers that is applied to your gambling activity. The progressive projection strategy can be used in various games, including blackjack and roulette. It also works in sports betting.
You add your previous two stakes together to calculate your next bet. In the event that your bet is unsuccessful, another number is added to the sequence. However, if the bet wins, two numbers are taken away.
The Fibonacci strategy is best suited to even money markets, where your chances of success are around 50%. Examples include gambling on red or black on a roulette table or the banker’s or player’s hand in baccarat.
As a result, you are unlikely to go on extended losing streaks when using the Fibonacci system. However, meeting the maximum bet limit is unlikely because of how the strategy works. The theory of the system is that you will make enough from winning bets to cover your losses and make a profit.
How Does the Fibonacci Sequence Work?
The Fibonacci system works by adding the previous two numbers together to determine the next number. However, it is not quite as simple as just adding up two consecutive Fibonacci numbers to determine a stake.
As you win or lose, the sequence moves in a see-saw manner, with numbers (betting units) being added if your bet loses and moving back two spaces in the sequence if your bet wins.
Fibonacci Numbers
In the Fibonacci sequence, the first two numbers are 1 and 1. Every subsequent number in the sequence after that is the sum of the previous two numbers, so the numbers look like this: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, and so on.
The Golden Ratio
The Golden ratio, also known as the divine proportion or the Golden Proportion, is a mathematical concept that appears in the Fibonacci sequence and is the ratio between two consecutive numbers in the sequence.
As the numbers in the Fibonacci sequence grow larger, if you divide each number by the previous number in the sequence, the sum will always be roughly 1.618, also known as Phi.
This ratio can be found in architecture, the most famous example being the Great Pyramids, and throughout nature, the human body, clouds, leaves, and even the structure of the universe.
Examples of a Fibonacci System
Here’s an example of what a session using the Fibonacci system may look like in a session. In this example, we are starting the sequence on the second 1 of the Fibonacci sequence, if you start on the first one in the sequence, then about half the time, the session will end in a push rather than profit.
| Bet No. | Stale ($) | Result | Running Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | loss | -5 |
| 2 | 10 | loss | -15 |
| 3 | 15 | loss | -30 |
| 4 | 25 | loss | -55 |
| 5 | 40 | win | -15 |
| 6 | 15 | loss | -30 |
| 7 | 25 | win | -5 |
| 8 | 10 | loss | -15 |
| 9 | 15 | loss | -30 |
| 10 | 25 | win | -5 |
| 11 | 10 | loss | -15 |
| 12 | 15 | win | 0 |
| 13 | 5 | win | +5 |
| 14 | 5 | loss | 0 |
| 15 | 10 | win | +10 |
Fibonacci System Pros and Cons
As with any system, Fibonacci betting is not perfect. It has its benefits but also some drawbacks and is not suited for every type of bettor and every bankroll. Here are some of the positives and negatives of using the Fibonacci sequence in gambling to help you decide whether the system is for you or not.
Pros:
- Helps to reduce impulsive betting
- Decreases the chance of losing big
- Works on multiple types of casino or sports games
- Increases the excitement of gambling versus flat betting
- Lower risk of hitting the maximum table limit than Martingale
Cons:
- Relatively complicated system compared to Martingale or D’Alembert.
- Doesn’t ultimately overcome the house edge.
Nikita JonesCasino & Betting Editor
The Fibonacci System and Sports Betting
While it does not appear to be the best form of gambling suited to the system, the Fibonacci strategy can be implemented in sports betting. Again, even money markets are the most suitable. Look out for odds of around -100 or -110 when making selections.
In sports such as NFL, NBA, and NHL, winning just $110 from a $100 stake is a common occurrence. This is especially true in the case of handicap bets, where -110 is a regular price. With online sportsbooks having a 10% house edge from losing -110 wagers, you will take the house edge to just 5% if you win 50% of your bets.
Expert Tips for Using the Fibonacci System
You can use the following tips to maximize your Fibonacci betting experience and, hopefully, win more in the process.
- Seek the Lowest House Edges – The most important factor of all. The closer your bets are to even money, the better your chances of making your Finobacci betting system successful. Roulette is a perfect example because French (1.35%) and European roulette (2.70%) are better than the American game (5.26%).
- Play Low Stakes – One limitation of Fibonacci is that a long losing streak could see you hit the table maximum bet line. If you get to this point, only luck will see you recoup all your losses. Try and budget for a losing streak of at least 10 wagers.
- Be Realistic – Like any gambling or betting system, Fibonacci isn’t bombproof. If you keep hitting losing hands, then you will hit the table limit or even lose your bankroll. Know the risks involved before you hit the casino.
- Get Online Casino Bonuses – Using online casino bonuses that can be used on table games like blackjack and roulette is a great way to pad out your Fibonacci betting system bankroll.
- Know When to Take Profits – Walking away when you are in front is the best way to prevent things from taking a turn for the worse. Fibonacci betting works the vast majority of the time but there are no guarantees so the safest way to ensure winnings are yours is to walk away when in front.
Alternatives to the Fibonacci Betting System
The Fibonacci is a hugely popular betting system but it’s by no means the only one available. Below, we look at some Fibonacci strategy alternatives that will appeal to anyone looking to build up a portfolio of gambling strategies.
Negative Progressive Systems (Increased Bets to Recoup Losses)
Progressive betting systems fall into two main categories: negative and positive. In negative systems, you increase your bet size after a loss and either decrease or reset your bet size after a win. The Fibonacci betting sequence is a negative progressive system, and here are some others.
D’Alembert System
The D’Alembert system is one of the simplest betting systems out there. You simply increase bet stakes by 1 unit after losing and decreasing wager stakes by 1 unit after winning. So, if your unit stake is $20 and your bet loses, your next wager will be $40.
Labouchere System
The Labouchere system requires you to set a profit target (for example, 20 units). You then map out a sequence of betting units that add up to that amount (eg, 3-2-5-3-2-1-4-1 = 20). To determine your next wager size, simply add the first and last numbers (in this example, 3+1).
If your bet wins, you cross off the numbers to narrow the sequence (2-5-3-2-1-4) and add up your next wager (2+4 = 6). After a loss, you add the losing bet to the end of the sequence (3-2-5-3-2-1-4-1-4). The goal is to cross everything off and reach your profit goal.
Martingale System
The Martingale system is more simple in that it only requires you to double your bet after any loss. Once you hit a winner, you revert to betting 1 unit. This is a system that requires a big bankroll if you are going to withstand a lengthy losing run.
Positive Progression Systems (Increased Wagers to Capitalize on Hot Streaks)
A positive progression system is the exact opposite of a negative system, in which you increase your bet size after a win and reset or decrease your bet after a loss. These systems are meant to capitalize on winning streaks. Here are some of the most popular positive, progressive systems.
- 1-3-2-6 System – As the name implies, the aim is to win four consecutive bets of 1 unit, 3 units, 2 units, and 6 units. If you back a winner, you move up the ladder, but if you back a loser, you return to a 1-unit stake. If you complete the sequence, you then return to 1 unit.
- Oscar’s Grind – This progressive system requires you to increase bets by 1 unit after each win. Bet a loser, and your next stake will be the same. The sequence ends when you have 1 unit of profit, at which point you start over or walk away!
- Paroli System – Maximize profits by increasing your wager by 1 unit following each win. Once you hit three successive winning bets, you return to 1 unit. Bet a loser, and you also return to a single-unit stake.
Conclusion
Using the Fibonacci rule in betting can help you manage your bankroll effectively and cut out impulsive betting. It’s a fairly straightforward system, and while it requires some mathematical skills it’s fairly simple, you can always use the Fibonacci betting calculator to automate the sums if you’d prefer.
As far as betting systems go, it’s one of the less risky options, and it can ensure that you make a steady profit. However, it’s not without its downfalls. Most of the time, you can be sure of making a small profit, but if you lose in a session, it can be a heavy loss.
Ultimately, it’s not a system that will suit everyone and the best way to know if it’s right for you is to try it out and see whether it’s a good fit for your habits and preferences.
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