Sports bettors use two basic types of betting systems: regression and progression. Regression involves decreasing the amount of cash you bet as time goes on, while progression focuses on increasing wagers. These systems focus on even odds bets and they work in a preplanned way. Although such systems were first developed and used for table games such as roulette, sports bettors have adapted them.
Regression Elements
Regression systems start with a bettor making a large unit wager and following that by wagering in smaller, normal sized units. Although this is unusual, the point is to try to make a lot of cash on the initial wager. After the first bet, you revert to utilizing your cash in a conservative manner, preserving any profit you’ve made or containing further losses.
As an example, let’s say that you have a bank totaling $300. Normally, as a smart sports bettor, you would not wager more than 6%, or $18, on any one game. However, using a regressive wagering model, you may decide to wager as much as 30% ($90) on your initial bet.
If you bet $90 on a point spread, you can realize a profit of about $81, giving you a bank of $381. If you lose $90, your bank will be at $210. If you lose, you may limit bets to 3% to 5% of your bankroll. Even if you win, you would still be conservative, betting 6%. However, if you made an $81 profit on your initial bet, 6% would be $23, whereas is you lose $90 on that first wager, your wagering limit would be $10.50.
Does Regression Work?
Regression works only if it works. In some ways it’s not a bad system. It allows you to take a risk, and then once you take that risk, you can become much more conservative. If, as a sports bettor, you can be disciplined and be very conservative after your initial wager, regression can work.
Progression Elements
Progressive systems are everywhere. The Martingale System, which doubles the amount you wager each time you lose, is a classic example of progression sports betting. Progression sports betting may increase bets when you lose (Martingale) or when you win (Paroli of Three and Contra d’Alembert System). One thing is certain in a progression system: You always increase your wager.
Does Progression Work?
Progression sports betting often puts your bankroll at risk. Bettors can lose a lot of equity quickly. If you’re going to go with progression betting, at least utilize a system that expands the amount of your wager after winning. Also, only use such systems if you are ahead by at least 30%. Try to protect your profit and your ability to make a profit.
Combination Systems
There is a third type of system which combines progression and regression sports betting. One system that does that is the Reverse Labouchére System. With this system, you increase betting amounts until you lose, and then you revert to a smaller bet until you start winning again. These types of systems offer sports bettors a safety valve to get out of trouble.
Staying in the Moment
Perhaps the most important thing that any sports bettor can do is stay in the moment. What does that mean? Staying in the moment as a sports bettor means making appropriate unit choices specifically for each wager. Save betting systems for the times when you are ahead of the game and can afford to take some chances.