Eve Luneborg
While playing live casino games, using a clear strategy is important to improve your winning chances and manage your bankroll effectively. Strategies help you make consistent decisions, control your bets, and respond to wins and losses in a structured way.
In this article, we explain common betting systems, game-specific tactics, and essential factors like bankroll management and psychology. By implementing these tips, you’ll have a greater chance of succeeding when you gamble on live casino games.
When you play live casino games, using a strategy helps you make consistent decisions instead of relying on random choices. This doesn’t guarantee a win, but it can improve how you manage your bankroll. It will also help you avoid risky bets and make the most of favourable situations.
A strategy structures your bets, no matter if you’re adjusting your stake after a win or loss, or sticking to a fixed amount. It also helps you focus on the game itself, so you don’t let your emotions or impulse control how you play.
By following a set plan, you can track results over time and decide if a particular strategy is working for you. This way, you’re playing with a method made for long-term gains, rather than trusting chance alone. When done correctly, this will lead to making more disciplined and informed decisions.
Progressive betting strategies tell you how to change your bet size depending on the outcome of the previous round. You can either increase your stake after a win (positive progression) or after a loss (negative progression). The goal is to recover losses or maximise winning streaks.
While systems like these can add structure to your gameplay, they carry risks, especially during losing streaks. But some are riskier than others, so which one you should choose depends on the size of your bankroll and how risk-averse you are. Below are some of the most used progressive betting strategies for live casino games.
The Fibonacci system uses the mathematical sequence where each number is the sum of the two before it (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, etc.). In betting, you start with a base unit, increasing stakes along the sequence after each loss. When you win, you move back two steps in the sequence. This negative progression is fairly slow, as it aims to recover losses gradually rather than in one win.
The advantage is a slower bet increase compared to systems that require doubling of the bet, but the drawback is that long losing streaks still lead to large bets. The Fibonacci method also assumes you will eventually win before hitting table limits or running out of funds. It requires a substantial bankroll to make enough rounds to complete the sequence. Also, keep in mind that a long losing streak can wipe out all previous gains.
The Martingale system is one of the oldest and simplest negative progression strategies. You start with a base bet and double it after every loss. When you win, you return to your original bet. The aim is to recover all previous losses and gain a profit equal to your first bet with just one win.
You can use Martingale for games with even-money bets, such as red/black in roulette or banker/player in baccarat. However, this strategy carries significant risk. Just a short losing streak can result in significant bets, which in turn can lead to significant losses. If you run out of bankroll before a win, or you hit the table limit, the system fails. For this strategy to work, you need an unlimited bankroll and a live dealer table with no max bet limit.
The D’Alembert system is a less aggressive negative progression betting strategy. You start with a base unit and increase your stake by one unit after every loss, and then decrease it by one unit after a win. The goal is to balance wins and losses over time, which makes this strategy popular with cautious players. The gradual changes make your bankroll stay more stable, compared to more aggressive strategies.
The drawback is that even though D’Alembert won’t give you huge spikes in bet values, extended losing streaks can eventually erode your bankroll. In addition, reducing your stake after wins can slow profit growth during winning runs. This strategy works best in games with even money odds. However, never forget that a losing streak can outlast your available funds, and then this system is no more foolproof than other negative progression betting strategies.
The Labouchere is also called the ‘Cancellation System’, and is a negative progression strategy. You begin by writing a sequence of numbers, each representing betting units. Your first bet is the sum of the first and last numbers in the sequence. If you win, you cross off those numbers; if you lose, you add the lost amount to the end of the sequence. The idea is to complete the sequence and reach your pre-set profit.
The benefit is that you can customise the sequence to match your bankroll and profit target. But the risk is that losing streaks extend the sequence, which means increasing your bet sizes. Therefore, completing the cycle without a large bankroll can be tricky. Table limits also restrict the system’s effectiveness, as you may reach the maximum bet before completing the sequence.
Flat betting means you place the same bet on every round, regardless of any previous outcomes. There is no progression — positive or negative — so your bet size stays fixed throughout your gambling session. The main benefit is that it limits bankroll volatility, and you avoid large losses from chasing wins. Overall, flat betting is the easiest strategy there is.
Because the stake never changes, your bankroll can last throughout long losing streaks, which is often not the case when using progressive betting systems. However, the downside is that winnings grow slowly, as you’re not increasing bets during winning streaks. Flat betting also doesn’t give you any advantage in the game, and you’ll have to rely on pure luck to get long-term gains.
The James Bond betting system is designed for roulette and covers a large portion of the wheel. The goal is to win often by betting on all the most common outcomes. You can apply this strategy as a flat betting strategy or one with positive progression, where your bets increase after wins. Here’s an example of how it works:
If you want to bet a total of €200, you place €140 on high numbers (19–36), €50 on a six-line bet covering 13–18, and €10 on zero. This covers 25 numbers in total.
The flaw to this strategy is the uncovered low numbers (1–12), which can cause steady losses if they appear often. The James Bond system also needs relatively high stakes to work, which means you’ll need a big bankroll. Even though the substantial coverage of the wheel gives the impression of low risk, you can quickly lose a lot if the uncovered numbers are hit frequently.
Bankroll management is about deciding how much money you can afford to risk, and also controlling how you use it while you’re playing. You should start by setting a total budget and dividing it into smaller units. This lets you play longer, make it through losing streaks, and avoid risking too much on a single bet.
A common way to do this is to limit each wager to a small percentage of your total bankroll. For live casino games, between 1% and 5% is typically recommended. This keeps losses manageable and makes sure your balance isn’t dropping too quickly. You can also decide on win and loss limits for when to stop playing, no matter if you’re ahead or behind.
Good bankroll management does not change the house edge, but it helps you stay in control. By avoiding over-betting, you reduce the risk of going broke early. Playing longer means you can get lucky and eventually hit a winning streak, so you can end your session on a high note.
Live casino bonuses can extend your playing time by boosting your bankroll. Common offers include welcome bonuses, reload matches, and cashback. Most often, these can be used on live dealer games, but there are exceptions, so always check the casino’s bonus terms.
Checking the bonus terms is something you have to do anyway, before starting to play with bonus funds. This is especially important when it’s live dealer games you want to play. In the terms, you’ll find information about the wagering contribution for different game types. Typically, live dealer table games will contribute between 5% and 20%, while game shows can contribute anything from 10% to 50% towards the bonus playthrough requirement.
Another thing you must check is the maximum bet limit while using bonus funds. Often, this is as low as €5. This means that using any form of progressive betting strategy will be almost impossible.
Due to all the restrictions accompanying casino bonuses, you should think twice before claiming a reload bonus. A much better alternative is to go for a cashback offer, where you start by playing freely with your own funds, and then get something back if you’re unlucky.
The house edge is the casino’s built-in advantage over players, shown as a percentage. The lower the house edge, the better your long-term winning chances are. In live casinos, the house edge varies between games and even between different bets within the same game.
Choosing games with a low house edge means you, on average, lose less over time. However, it doesn’t remove risk. Understanding the rules and optimal play is essential to getting any advantage from games with a low house edge. If you don’t play optimally, the effective house edge can be much higher than it needs to be.
For example, live blackjack can have a house edge of 0.5% if you follow basic strategy. If you don’t, the house edge can be more than 5%. Baccarat bets are other examples. Banker bets have a low house edge, around 1.06%, while betting on Tie can give the house more than 14% of an edge. Similarly, if you play American Roulette, you’ll find that the house edge on even-money bets is 5.26%, while the same bet on French Roulette has a house edge of 1.35%.
As you can see from the examples above, it can make a big difference not only which games you choose, but also which bets you choose to stake your money on.
You can’t use the same strategies for all types og live dealer games. Some are better suited for some games than others. Which one is best also depends on how large a bankroll you have and how risk-averse you are. Below, we are offering you some tips on which strategies or systems you should consider for the various games you might be interested in trying.
Blackjack is partially a skill-based game, so it’s always recommended that you follow the basic blackjack strategy. This strategy offers charts that tell you when to hit, stand, split, or double based on your hand and the dealer’s up-card. Card counting is almost useless in live dealer blackjack, due to continuous shuffling.
Progressive betting systems like Martingale can drain your bankroll quickly, so this is a risky approach. Flat betting combined with basic strategy is the safest option. Side bets generally have a higher house edge and are best avoided.
For roulette, even-money bets combined with flat betting or small positive progression systems can help you manage your bankroll’s volatility. French Roulette has the lowest house edge, but European Roulette isn’t that bad either. Just stay away from American Roulette.
Progressive betting systems can be risky, as a short losing streak can lead to large bets. Also, avoid betting on too many inside numbers at once, as this leads to higher volatility. Instead, use a consistent stake and focus on bets with better long-term rates. The James Bond system can be entertaining, but you need a very high starting balance to absorb losses.
In baccarat, the most statistically favourable bet is on the Banker, which has a lower house edge than Player or Tie bets. Flat betting is often the best choice, as chasing losses with negative progression can lead to you hitting the table limits. Tie bets offer high payouts but have a much higher house edge, and are therefore best avoided.
Pattern tracking systems, such as following streaks or switching after losses, have no mathematical basis. However, it can be a fun way to play. The most effective approach when playing baccarat is sticking to Banker bets while also practising strict bankroll management.
Live dealer poker games like Casino Hold’em and Three Card Poker require that you understand both paytables and optimal play. Using strategy charts for folding and betting decisions can help you reduce the house edge. Bluffing strategies from peer-to-peer poker don’t apply, as you play against the dealer, not other players.
Progressive betting systems are less effective because casino poker is typically not an even-money game. Bets you should avoid are side bets. They may be exciting and offer potentially huge payouts, but the house edge is always higher than the game’s base bets.
Craps offers bets with very low house edges, such as Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come, and Don’t Come. Combining these with taking maximum odds bets is the most effective way to play. Avoid high-house-edge bets in the centre of the table, as they reduce your long-term chances of winning.
Progressive betting systems can work for managing bet size, but flat betting on low-edge bets keeps the volatility of your bankroll lower. And, properly managing your bankroll is the most important thing you can do for long-term success while playing craps.
Live game shows like Crazy Time, Monopoly Live, or Dream Catcher rely purely on chance, as there are no skill-based decisions to be made. Since there is no way to influence outcomes, the best approach is bankroll management and avoiding high-volatility side bets. That is, unless you specifically want a higher volatility where you target big payouts.
Flat betting on lower-multiplier segments will give you consistent results, but returns are still determined by luck. Progressive betting systems are risky here because long losing streaks are common. Besides, there are often no even-money bets, making progressive strategies less than optimal. Treat game show games as entertainment rather than a strategic way to make money.
Playing live casino games involves more than just understanding rules and strategies; managing your mindset is equally important. The live format, with real dealers and interaction, can make the experience more engaging, but therefore also more emotionally charged.
You may feel pressure to keep up with wins or chase losses, which can lead to impulsive betting and poor decisions. Recognising these tendencies helps you stay disciplined and stick to your strategy.
Patience is key, as winning streaks and losing streaks are natural parts of gambling. Having realistic expectations prevents you from getting frustrated. Ultimately, controlling your emotions helps maintain a clear mind, allowing you to make better decisions.
To ensure you’re in the right mindset while playing, take regular breaks, and don’t play when you’re stressed out or feel frustrated, on edge, or irritated.
There are many common mistakes players make when they play live dealer games. Here, we’ll list all the ones you should be aware of, so you can avoid them.
Responsible gambling is essential to protect your finances and mental well-being while playing live casino games. It means setting clear limits on how much time and money you spend, and knowing when to stop, regardless of whether you’re winning or losing.
Incorporating responsible gambling into your strategy means defining a strict bankroll limit and sticking to it. Use tools like deposit limits, loss limits, and self-exclusion options offered by casinos. Taking regular breaks helps maintain focus and prevents mistakes.
Be aware that progressive betting strategies can make responsible gambling harder to maintain. As bets increase after losses, it’s easy to exceed your planned limits or chase losses without realising how quickly your bankroll is shrinking. To avoid this, set maximum bet sizes and loss limits before you start. If you reach these limits, stop playing immediately.
There are many different strategies that can be used while playing live casino games. Which one is best for you depends on your bankroll, how risk-averse you are, and which game you want to play. Not all of them are as good for all game types.
Furthermore, always keep in mind that one of the most strategic decisions you can make is which game to play and what to bet on. Choosing games and bets with the lowest house edge can make a big difference to your long-term chances.
No matter which strategy you choose, never forget that there are no guarantees that any system will work. You always have to rely on luck as well.
Eve Luneborg – Live Casino Specialist at LiveCasino.ie
Eve Luneborg has been part of the online casino industry since 2014, when she moved to the sunny shores of Malta to pursue her passion for gaming.
