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What is the Dalembert strategy?
The d’Alembert strategy is one of the most popular betting methods used in the game of roulette, and like the Martingalemethod, it is a negative progression strategy that sets the bet amount higher than the previous one after a loss.
Origin of the Dalembert Strategy

The Dalembert strategy is named after Jean-Baptiste Le Long Dalembert, an 18th-century French mathematician-physicist-philosopher.
Although roulette itself is said to have originated in French social culture, the betting strategy was not actually invented by d’Alembert, but was named after him by later generations.
Why is it named this way?
Why was Dalembert’s name, which seems to have nothing to do with roulette, used in this betting strategy?
In the 18th century, “probability” was still a fledgling discipline among mathematicians, and even the great minds of the day, such as Fermat, Pascal, and Bernoulli, were not able to treat probability as rigorously as they do today, relying primarily on intuition to interpret it. This was due to the limitations of the time, when the concept of independent trials had not yet been formalized.
Dalembert’s name was chosen from a long list of mathematicians because he actually made a mistake about probability.
He believed at the time that repeated experiments like coin tosses or roulette would “rebalance” – that is, successive outcomes would be followed by an increased likelihood of the opposite outcome – the equivalent of what is knowntoday in probability theory as the “Gambler’s Fallacy.
Of course, Dalembert’s claims were not intended to describe a strategy for a game like roulette, but more of a philosophical choice on his part to understand probability intuitively. But over time, his name has been used by the casino industry as a strategic designation that borrows the authority of a “trusted mathematician.
Rules of the Dalembert Strategy
First of all, this strategy is based on the Only used for bets with 1:1 odds

- Red/Black → Red/Black
- Odd/Even → Odd/Even
- Low(1 to 18)/High(19 to 36) → Low/High
Despite its fancy name, the rules of the Dalembert strategy are quite simple.
- Set the default bet amount unit (e.g. 1 unit = X amount)
- The first bet is 1 unit
- Adjust the amount of your next bet based on the result
- Lose → Next bet +1 unit
- Win → Next bet -1 unit
4. end one cycle when the bet amount is back to 1 unit
Real-world play examples
Set bet) Amount: 10,000 won, betting on Black
| Spins | Bet Amount | Game Results | Accumulated Profit or Loss |
| 1 | 10,000 | Losing | -10,000 |
| 2 | 20,000 | Losing | -30,000 |
| 3 | 30,000 | Losing | -60,000 |
| 4 | 40,000 | W | -20,000 |
| 5 | 30,000 | W | +10,000 |
| 6 | 20,000 | Losing | -10,000 |
| 7 | 30,000 | W | +20,000 |
| 8 | 20,000 | 手 | 0 |
| 9 | 30,000 | Losing | -30,000 |
| 10 | 40,000 | W | +10,000 |
| 11 | 30,000 | W | +40,000 |
Game results: 11 games, 5 wins and 6 losses (45% win rate) Final profit: +40,000
Looking at the table, from game 1 to game 4 of a losing streak, the bet amount increases by 1 unit ($10) for each game.
After winning the next four games, you can see that the bet amount has been reduced by 1 unit to 30,000 won for the next game, game 5.
Looking at the playthrough, you can see that even though the win rate was less than half at 45%, the final profit was 40,000 won, a 300% return.
Loss structure for losing streaks (realistic risk)
So far, the d’Alembert strategy looks like a “stable but not unprofitable strategy”.
So, let’s take an example of what happens when you’re on a losing streak.
Let’s set the number of losing streaks to 11, the same number of games as above, and assume you win the 12th game.
| Spins | Bet Amount | Game Results | Accumulated Profit or Loss |
| 1 | 10,000 | Losing | -10,000 |
| 2 | 20,000 | Losing | -30,000 |
| 3 | 30,000 | Losing | -60,000 |
| 4 | 40,000 | Losing | -100,000 |
| 5 | 50,000 | Losing | -150,000 |
| 6 | 60,000 | Losing | -210,000 |
| 7 | 70,000 | Losing | -360,000 |
| 8 | 80,000 | Losing | -80,000 |
| 9 | 90,000 | Losing | -90,000 |
| 10 | 100,000 | Losing | -100,000 |
| 11 | 110,000 | L | -760,000 |
| 12 | 120,000 | W | -640,000 |
The table above shows one thing. It’s that a single win after a losing streak rarely recovers losses.
This is the biggest weakness of the Dalembert strategy.
Since the d’Alembert strategy involves lowering the bet amount by one unit after a win compared to the previous game, it is very difficult to recover from accumulated losses during a losing streak in a short period of time. As a result, the ability to recover losses deteriorates rapidly.
Of course, the 11-game losing streak we’re assuming here is rare in itself, but if it were real, in order to make up for it with a d’Alembert strategy, you’d have to expect something close to an 11-game winning streak again afterward, which is extremely unfavorable probabilistically.
Dalembert Strategy vs. Martingale Strategy

Despite this risk, many roulette players prefer the Dalembert strategy to the Martingale strategy because it allows them to make up their losses in one fell swoop.
This is because, unlike Martingale, the Dalembert strategy is structured in such a way that the bet amount does not explode.
This is because Martingalerequires a fairly risky bet of 2x the previous bet to cover losses in the event of a loss, whereas Dalembert only adds 1 unit, allowing for a relatively ‘gentle progression’.
This difference has the effect of reducing the speed of bankroll depletion, the speed of reaching table max bets, and the psychological pressure of losing streaks.
| 项目 | Dalembert | Martingale |
| Increase Bets | +1 | X2 |
| Risk | Medium | Very high |
| Capital requirements | Relatively small | Very large |
| Psychological Stability | Good | Poor |
Who is the Dalembert strategy right for?

The d’Alembert method, which has the advantage of being able to bet slowly and the disadvantage of not being able to recoup losses, will be evaluated differently depending on the type of player.
We’ll break down when this is appropriate and when it’s not below.
When the Dalembert strategy is right for you
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Roulette Beginners
Beginners with limited gaming experience will have a limited range of betting strategies to utilize.
The relatively low-risk, simple structure of the Dalembert strategy makes it a good fit, especially since the goal is often to experience a variety of betting options rather than to place bets with 1:1 odds.
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Players who want to learn the betting flow
The basic rules of the Dalembert strategy are pretty straightforward: +1 unit for a loss and -1 unit for a win.
This simple structure allows you to learn to control your betting units naturally, and it’s a great strategy for building the fundamentals of roulette betting, including better seed management, minimizing emotional involvement, and reducing the risk of bankroll depletion.
-
Short Session Player
Because the increase and decrease of the bet amount is small, a losing streak will not cause your bet amount to increase dramatically. Unless you’re on an extreme losing streak, it’s unlikely that you’ll reach the table max bet in a short amount of time.
Short session players, in particular, often have clear stop losses, which makes the Dalembert strategy a good fit in terms of quick entry, efficient operation, and quick exit.
When the Dalembert strategy is not suitable
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Players looking for long-term returns
Given its poor ability to recoup losses, the d’Alembert strategy is unlikely to produce a stable long-term profit structure.
When a losing streak occurs in the presence of a house edge, a single win only temporarily delays the losses rather than “recovers” them, and they are more likely to be offset by the small profits that have been built up.
Also, as mentioned in the introduction, the Dalembert strategy is a negative progression, which basically means that you increase your bet as you lose, so in the long run you will eventually reach your bankroll limit or the table maximum bet.
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Players emotionally shaken by losing streaks
In any game, in any situation, letting your emotions get the best of you is one of the worst choices you can make. When using the d’Alembert strategy, you should also be wary of letting your emotions get the best of you.
If you have enough seed money, a single win with Martingale can bring your profit back to near zero, but the structure of the Dalembert strategy makes this difficult.
This can put a lot of psychological pressure on players who are sensitive to losing streaks, and it’s likely that they’ll experience a lot of stress in the process.
A word of caution about the d’Alembert strategy
3 criteria you must set

The advantage of the d’Alembert strategy is that it allows for slow progression, but because it has a low drawdown structure, it’s important to set clear criteria up front.
In particular, the three criteria below must be considered regardless of whether you use the strategy or not.
Stop Loss Line
The d’Alembert strategy does not make up for accumulated losses in a short period of time during a losing streak, so once you reach a certain level of losses, you need to make a decision to exit the game based on a solid stop loss rather than hoping for further recovery.
If you continue to play without a stop loss, even if you win some, your accumulated losses will remain largely intact, making it easy for your psychological motivation and focus to deteriorate rapidly. Conversely, a clear stop-loss line is a minimal safeguard that prevents unnecessary further losses and allows you to end the session with relatively little damage.
Target revenue
As with stop losses, it’s also important to set a realistic target profit. The Dalembert strategy is not a high-risk strategy that aims for high returns, so it doesn’t work well with playing for long periods of time with the expectation of big profits.
The strategy is to set a target profit that is achievable within a short session, and then quit the game when you’ve achieved it.
Session length
Even with a strategy that has a gradual increase in bet size, if you play long enough, you will eventually reach your capital limit or the table maximum bet. This is no exception for the Dalembert strategy.
Therefore, predetermining the length of your sessions and practicing good time management is one of the most powerful ways to curb the risk of losing streaks. Simply having a clear end point for your sessions is an effective way to prevent emotional betting and chasing losses.
Game Environments (Online & Offline)
Even if you have a good understanding of your strategy and clear rules, there are still unexpected variables in the way you play or the environment around you.
- Online
Roulette played on online platforms tends to be relatively fast-paced with a steady game flow.
The nature of auto-betting and long hours of play can easily lead to fatigue and a loss of focus, and it’s easy to lose sight of the standards and goals you set early on, which is why it’s so important to stick to the rules you’ve established.
- Offline
While the pace of the game itself is slower in an offline environment, external stimuli such as wait times between bets, the reactions of nearby players, and noise can all add to the pressure. These factors can cloud your judgment, so it’s important to have the self-control to not be swayed by the environment.
Variant Dalembert Strategy?
In some casino forums or communities, the
They also introduce a “win once, reset the bet back to 1 unit” approach.
This approach appears to have lower short-term volatility but gives up previous losses. It has a different structure than the classic d’Alembert strategy, and only has the effect of hiding loss accumulation.
Conclusion: How to use the d’Alembert Strategy
The Dalembert strategy is a more realistic and stable roulette betting strategy than the Martingale.
But being stable doesn’t change your expectations, and at the same time, it makes you lethargic in the face of a losing streak.
In other words, the most obvious purpose of the Dalembert strategy is more akin to ‘managing your roulette playing time’ than ‘beating the casino’.
If you set clear stop losses and target profits, and only use it when you’re in and out, the Dalembert strategy can be a worthwhile roulette betting strategy.
Dalembert Strategy FAQ
1. Is the Dalembert strategy allowed in real casinos?
→ Yes, it is allowed.
Because the Dalembert strategy doesn’t exploit any specific rules or systems, it can be used without restriction at most online and offline casinos.
However, please note that different tables have different minimum and maximum betting limits, so check beforehand.
2. Can I use the Dalembert strategy as an automated bet (autoplay)?
→ Technically possible, but not recommended.
Automated bets have the advantage of reducing emotional involvement, but it’ s easy to miss your stop loss or session exit criteriaduring a losing streak.
The d’Alembert strategy is more of a managed strategy that necessarily involves manual intervention.
3. What unit size is appropriate for the Dalembert strategy?
→ A unit size of 1-2% of the total seed money is most realistic.
Too large of a unit and you lose the benefit of gradual progression, too small and your strategy can feel less effective. The key is “size to withstand a losing streak“.
4. Can I apply the Dalembert strategy to single number bets or multiple odds?
→ Not recommended.
Because the Dalembert strategy is designed around 1:1 payouts, applying it to bets with different payout structures can skew the P&L calculation and make the strategy meaningless.
5. Is the d’Alembert strategy disadvantaged by long winning streaks?
→ During a winning streak, you can create a rather stable revenue stream.
However, since the bet amount is reduced with each win, there are obvious limitations that prevent you from capitalizing on a strong winning streak.
6. Is it okay to combine the Dalembert strategy with other strategies?
→ This is theoretically possible, but not recommended for beginners.
The Dalembert strategy is most stable when used alone and with clear criteria, as mixing strategies blurs the rules of betting and increases the likelihood of emotional involvement.
“This post is for informational purposes to help you understand the game in countries and territories where it is legal.”


