People have been devising clever ways to win at games of chance for as long as gambling has existed. Countless betting strategies have emerged over the years as a result of these efforts, some better known than others. Systems like the Martingale, Labouchere, and Fibonacci attract the most attention, and no wonder. They have been around for decades, even centuries.
In today’s article, we are going to discuss a less popular system known as the 2-1-2. It takes its name from one of Manhattan’s area codes and is intended for gamblers who aim to exploit successive winning streaks. Without further delay, let us explore how the 2-1-2 system works.
Bet Sizing with the 2-1-2 System
The 2-1-2 is a positive progressive betting system, meaning it requires players to increase their wagers after winning rounds. Its milder progression and lower volatility make it a good fit for more risk-averse players who want to extract greater value from their winning streaks.
Suitable for Even-Money Bets
Bet Sizing with the 2-1-2 SystemThe 2-1-2 Betting System in Action
In this section, we provide an example of the 2-1-2 betting system in action to demonstrate how it works in the real casino environment. European roulette played on a single-zero wheel is our game of choice for this example. It offers several outside bets with even-money payouts on number properties like red-black, odd-even, and high-low.
For simplicity, we have selected a base betting unit of $10 to start our hypothetical session. Examine the table below before we proceed with the explanation.
| Example of the 2-1-2 Betting System in Action with Base Bet Unit of $10 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Round Number | Amount Staked | Outcome | Total Return |
| Spin #1 | $20 on Red | 16 Red, Win | $40 ($20 + $20) |
| Spin #2 | $10 on Black | 15 Black, Win | $60 ($40 + $20) |
| Spin #3 | $20 on Odd | 21 Red, Win | $100 ($60 + $40) |
| Spin #4 | $30 on High | 33 Black, Win | $160 ($100 + $60) |
| Spin #5 | $40 on Even | 10 Black, Win | $240 ($160 + $80) |
| Spin #6 | $50 on Red | 24 Black, Loss | $190 ($240 – $50) |
As you can see, the hypothetical player in this example was lucky enough to experience a hot streak of five winning rounds in a row, gradually increasing their wager by one unit after the second consecutive win. After winning the first round with a $20 bet (2 x $10 base units), the player reverted to a single base unit for the second round.
This spin produced a second win, earning the player $20 in net profit on top of the $40 collected during the first successful round. Keep in mind that the original wagers are included in the calculations. The second consecutive win called for a bet increase to two units, so the player staked $20 on the third round.
A streak of wins ensued, prompting the player to keep raising by one unit ($10) until wagering $50 on the sixth spin. Unfortunately, this is where the streak ended, and so did the betting session. The player generated $190 in total returns over the first five spins.
Variation of the 2-1-2 Betting System
We briefly mentioned a variation of the 2-1-2 betting system in which you start over after a loss instead of quitting, so let’s elaborate on that. With this version of the strategy, you can continue playing after a loss, but you must drop down to one base unit for the next round.
| Round Number | Amount Staked | Outcome | Total Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spin #1 | $20 on Red | 32 Red, Win | $40 ($20 + $20) |
| Spin #2 | $10 on Red | 13 Black, Loss | $30 ($40 – $10) |
| Spin #3 | $10 on Odd | 7 Red, Win | $50 ($30 + $20) |
| Spin #4 | $20 on Low | 15 Black, Win | $90 ($50 + $40) |
| Spin #5 | $30 on Even | 26 Black, Win | $150 ($90 + $60) |
| Spin #6 | $40 on Black | 25 Red, Loss | $110 ($150 – $40) |
| Spin #7 | $20 on Red | 9 Red, Win | $150 ($110 + $40) |
| Spin #8 | $10 on Odd | 34 Red, Loss | $140 ($150 – $10) |
| Spin #9 | $10 on Black | 26 Black, Win | $160 ($140 + $10) |
As the table above indicates, the main difference in this variation of the system is that the player sticks to one unit after losing a single-unit wager. In our case, a single-unit loss first occurred on the second spin, so the player wagered one unit on the third round.
A streak of three consecutive wins came next, followed by a loss on the sixth spin, at which point the player reverted to the original two-unit bet. The seventh round was successful and required a reduction to one unit. The player lost again, then wagered a single unit on the ninth spin, when things once more began to move in their favor.
With this variant of the 2-1-2 system, the player drops down to two units after an unsuccessful round unless they have lost one unit on the previous spin, in which case they must bet one unit next. Another variation of the strategy requires you to raise your bet from one to three units after two consecutive wins.
Impact on Expected Return in Common Casino Games
The main idea behind the 2-1-2 system is to help you win more during strong streaks and cut down your losses during choppier sessions. But does this strategy actually help you win more, and can it improve your odds of beating the casino?
Gambling expert Michael Shackleford addressed these questions by analyzing how the system performs in several popular casino games, including baccarat, roulette, and craps.
The analysis involves a hypothetical (and highly unlikely) winning streak capped at twenty-one consecutive wins. The probability of this occurring in baccarat is 1 in 2.8 million when betting on the Player side.
Mr. Shackleford first calculated the average losses per session a system player can anticipate, along with the average number of wagers made per session. He then determined the theoretical expected return each casino game yielded with the 2-1-2 strategy in place.
Are There Any Benefits to Using the 2-1-2 System?
As readers have already seen, using the 2-1-2 betting system is pointless for generating positive long-term expected value. All wagers in games of chance have a negative expectation.
No reasonable person would assume that adding negative numbers (or negative-EV wagers, in this case) could produce a positive result. So, are there any benefits to using this betting system? Why apply it at all? The answer depends largely on your personal goals as a player.
It Makes Gambling More Fun for Recreational Players
It Is Less Volatile Compared to Other Betting Systems
It Helps You Capitalize on Hot StreaksClosing Thoughts
To wrap up, casual players who gamble occasionally for recreation can feel free to try the 2-1-2 system. While it does not overcome the house edge, the system can help them collect more profit during winning streaks, at least in the short term.
We will finish with a word of caution. You should always opt for free betting systems like this one rather than purchase them from someone on the Internet. The people who sell them are usually charlatans looking to profit from the naivety of unsuspecting players. No betting system works over the long haul, so why waste your money on one?