Most casino players are well aware that betting strategies rarely work in the long term, yet they constantly devise new systems and methods with varying degrees of success. One of the most peculiar systems is the Base Two Strategy, which can be used for multiple casino games, including roulette, blackjack, and craps.
This is a relatively popular wagering system that is based on the simplest progression one could imagine: the player’s minimum and maximum bets. Unlike many other methods that require arranging one’s wagers in accordance with a long and complicated sequence of numbers, the Base Two system has only two possible bet sizes. This is where its name comes from, as there are just two fundamental bets that are placed throughout the entire game. Sometimes, this technique is referred to as the Level Two system.
Interestingly, the origins of this strategy remain unknown, and experts are not certain where or when it was first used in casino gaming. What they do know is that Base Two is quite risky and may turn out to be disastrous if not applied properly. At the same time, players who are well-informed and have carefully picked their two bases beforehand may leave the roulette table with a decent profit.
How It Works
The Base Two system involves a positive progression, according to which the size of the stake is increased after a winning roulette spin, while after a loss, the bet decreases. As with most betting progressions, this method can be applied successfully in any casino game that has even-money bets. Therefore, gamblers often use this system on blackjack or on the pass and don’t pass bets in craps.
When we apply Base Two to roulette, we need to choose any of the even-money wagers we prefer, such as red or black, even or odd, or low or high numbers, and bet accordingly. Players should know, however, that the chances of hitting red or black, for instance, are not fifty-fifty. Due to the presence of the green zero (or two zero pockets in the American roulette version), which is neither black nor red, neither even nor odd, and neither high nor low, the chances that you will hit any of the even-money bets are 48.65% (47.36% in American roulette).
Following this logic, we can assume that each of these six bets is equally suited to progressive betting systems such as the Base Two strategy. Players who adopt it can therefore stick to the same wager throughout their game or, alternatively, change their bets before every spin of the wheel. Once this part of the system has been clarified, we can explain exactly how the strategy works.
It is probably the simplest form of structured betting and is easy for practically anyone to learn and understand. Before applying it, roulette players need to choose their “two bases,” which means the minimum and the maximum stake amounts they feel comfortable with. This, of course, depends solely on one’s individual bankroll and willingness to take risks. For the minimum bet, players are advised to use the table minimum: $5 or $10 in land-based casinos, or $1 online.
However, more factors must be considered when determining the second base, namely the maximum bet. Typically, this should be the amount of money players are prepared to lose per spin. Another thing they need to take into account is the maximum betting limit of the table they play at. Last but not least, they will need to choose a bet size in accordance with their bankroll; a max bet of roughly 10% of their bankroll would be suitable.
Once the two bases are chosen, players can start with the initial bet and keep it until they win. When this happens, they place the max bet. If the following bet wins, the stake remains the same, but if it loses, players go back to the beginning and place the minimum bet. For example, we have a bankroll of $200 and the table minimum is $5, so our two bases will be $5 (minimum bet) and $20 (maximum bet). Let’s see how the Base Two strategy works in 10 random bets.
| Spin | Bet | Outcome | Payout | Profit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5 | Lose | $0 | -$5 |
| 2 | $5 | Lose | $0 | -$10 |
| 3 | $5 | Win | $10 | -$5 |
| 4 | $20 | Win | $40 | $15 |
| 5 | $20 | Lose | $0 | -$5 |
| 6 | $5 | Win | $10 | $0 |
| 7 | $20 | Win | $40 | $20 |
| 8 | $20 | Win | $40 | $40 |
| 9 | $20 | Win | $40 | $60 |
| 10 | $20 | Lose | $0 | $20 |
| Total Bet Amount: $140 | Total Payout: $180 | Net Profit: $20 |
Risks Associated with the Base Two Betting Strategy
As we can see from the example above, this is an effective betting system as long as we experience a series of winning bets. The idea is that with this strategy players can capitalize on their winning streaks. They keep betting the maximum amount until a loss is registered, but by that time they have already generated a decent amount of money that will not be wiped out by a single losing spin.
Similarly to most betting progressions, the Base Two system relies on the concept of hot and cold streaks, also called by some players winning and losing streaks. The method seemingly limits the losses during cold streaks and maximizes the profits during hot streaks. However, the belief that there are such things as hot and cold streaks is a misconception, and this is where the risk of Base Two lies. When we win several times in a row, we are not guaranteed continued success; we are simply experiencing a temporary run of good luck.
In reality, roulette is a completely random game based purely on chance. Luck, on the other hand, is merely people’s perception of the game’s probabilities coming to life. This means that players should not rely on winning streaks to turn a profit, as they may never experience such a favorable series of wins. It takes just a long losing streak, however, to lose huge amounts of money when using this method. In fact, even if losses are followed by wins and wins by losses over a total of 10 spins, the session could end in a net loss so significant that it would be hard to compensate for it, as demonstrated in the following example.
| Spin | Bet | Outcome | Payout | Profit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5 | Lose | $0 | -$5 |
| 2 | $5 | Win | $10 | $0 |
| 3 | $20 | Lose | $0 | -$20 |
| 4 | $5 | Win | $10 | -$15 |
| 5 | $20 | Lose | $0 | -$35 |
| 6 | $5 | Win | $10 | -$30 |
| 7 | $20 | Lose | $0 | -$50 |
| 8 | $5 | Win | $10 | -$45 |
| 9 | $20 | Lose | $0 | -$65 |
| 10 | $5 | Win | $10 | -$60 |
| Total Bet Amount: $110 | Total Payout: $50 | Net Loss: $60 |
The Base Two Betting Strategy Additional TipsIf the sequence starts with a winning spin, however, players would still lose a total of $75 with the same alternating outcomes. The only scenario in which this strategy is profitable is when the right circumstances occur. In other words, to generate any winnings with this system, players would need to be certain they will win several bets in a row, which is of course impossible when playing a random game such as roulette.
Moreover, there is no guarantee that the gaming session will end with a profit even if players register more wins than losses. If the 11th spin in the table above were a winning one, the progression would still end in a net loss of $40.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Base Two Strategy
The first and most important advantage of this wagering system is that it is exceptionally simple and easy to learn. It can be applied by both experienced roulette players and complete novices. The strategy also eliminates the risk of reaching the maximum table limit because there are only two possible bet sizes. In contrast, aggressive progressions such as the Classic and the Reverse Martingale require that you double your bet after a loss or a win, and with such progressions the stake could escalate to hundreds of dollars after only a few spins.
Under the right circumstances the system could be very successful, as its main goal is to maximize one’s winnings and limit the losses. After all, winning streaks do occur, although they are simply random and independent of previous outcomes, as explained above. Of course, the Base Two casino strategy has its weaknesses as well, and they should be carefully considered in advance.
Additional Advantages and DisadvantagesThe biggest disadvantage of this method is its dependence on a very specific set of conditions, namely the occurrence of several consecutive winning spins. Such circumstances are, of course, possible but they are not certain. There is a very real risk of losing large amounts of money with this strategy even without experiencing long losing streaks, as demonstrated in the example above. In addition, the system does not include a rule that determines when to stop the progression. If continued for a long time, it increases the risk of losing your entire bankroll.
It is also important to know that the system cannot change the house edge of the game; this is the fixed casino advantage built into every version of roulette that guarantees the casino will win over the long term. Last but not least, we should not forget that the Base Two betting method is very flexible and can be adjusted to suit every type of player. For a safer alternative, gamblers are advised to choose a max bet that does not exceed 5% of their entire bankroll.
Conclusion
Just like almost any other betting system in existence, the Base Two Strategy does not work in the long term and is not a foolproof way of securing winnings when playing roulette or any other casino game. If applied with caution, however, it can be very profitable and entertaining, especially for those gamblers who are looking for a new and exciting method for betting on roulette.
The strategy is also a good tool for structuring your bets, even if you are new to the world of wagering systems. The Base Two method is simple and can be learned and applied even by beginners. It would be useful, however, to determine not only the minimum and maximum bet sizes but also maximum limits for the wins and losses expected from a single betting progression.