Martingale (Chase) Calculator
Updated: 16.09.2026
The Martingale (chase) calculator works out the size of each subsequent stake, the cumulative spend and the potential profit over a losing series. Enter the initial stake, the odds and the number of steps — the calculator will show the stake progression table and warn you when the amounts become risky.
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What is the Martingale strategy
Martingale (also known as chasing losses) is one of the oldest betting strategies, based on increasing the stake after every loss. The idea is that a win recovers all previous losses and yields a profit equal to the winnings of the first bet.
The strategy comes from casino play (red/black bets in roulette) and has been adapted to sports betting. In betting, the chase is usually applied at odds between 1.50 and 3.00 — most often on outcomes priced around 2.00.
Stake formula at step N:
Stake(N) = S × KN-1 / (K - 1)
Where S is the initial stake, K is the odds and N is the step number.
For K = 2.00 the formula simplifies to:
Stake(N) = S × 2N-1
Martingale calculation example
Initial stake $1,000, odds 2.00, 5 steps:
| Step | Stake | Spend | Winnings | Profit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | $2,000 | +$1,000 |
| 2 | $2,000 | $3,000 | $4,000 | +$1,000 |
| 3 | $4,000 | $7,000 | $8,000 | +$1,000 |
| 4 | $8,000 | $15,000 | $16,000 | +$1,000 |
| 5 | $16,000 | $31,000 | $32,000 | +$1,000 |
At step 5 the stake is $16,000 — 16 times the initial amount. Yet the profit on a win at any step is the same: just $1,000. This is the core problem of the strategy — the risk-to-reward ratio becomes extremely unfavourable.
Martingale and bankroll: how much money a series takes
Let us break it down with an example. Odds 1.85, initial stake $1,000. At step 5 the stake = 1,000 × 1.85⁴ / 0.85 ≈ $13,770. Total spend over 5 steps: ~$25,000. To play safely, the bankroll should cover at least 7 steps — that is ~$90,000 with an initial stake of $1,000. In practice, a bankroll of 100× the initial stake is recommended.
At odds of 2.00 the maths is simpler: at step N the stake = initial × 2^(N−1). At step 10 — $512,000. No bookmaker will accept a stake like that on a regular match.
Risks of the Martingale strategy
The Martingale strategy has a fundamental flaw: exponential stake growth with linear profit. Even with a high probability of winning, losing streaks are inevitable:
- Bankroll. With an initial stake of $1,000 at K=2.00, step 10 requires $512,000, and the total spend reaches $1,023,000
- Bookmaker limits. Bookmakers set maximum bet limits — by step 7–10 your stake may exceed the allowed maximum
- Psychology. After 5–6 consecutive losses the pressure on the bettor rises sharply, leading to emotional decisions
- The maths. The bookmaker margin makes every bet unprofitable in the long run — the chase does not remove this effect
Losing streaks happen more often than you think. With a 50% win probability (K=2.00), a streak of 10 consecutive losses occurs roughly once in 1,024 attempts. Over a year of active betting (300+ bets) such a streak is entirely realistic. With the bookmaker margin factored in, the real probability is even lower.
When bettors use the Martingale
Despite the risks, the Martingale strategy remains popular. Bettors apply it in several scenarios:
- Totals. Over/under bets at odds of 1.80–2.10 — the most common use
- Both teams to score. The BTTS “yes” market in matches between attacking teams
- Favorites. Bets on a clear favorite to win at odds of 1.30–1.60 (more steps required)
At low odds (1.30–1.50) stakes grow more slowly, but the number of steps to a critical amount increases. Use the calculator above to assess the risks for specific odds.
Martingale on tennis and table tennis: specifics
Tennis and table tennis are popular sports for chasing losses. The reason: a high frequency of matches (up to 30–50 a day) and relatively predictable favorites. A tennis chase is straightforward: bettors back the favorite at odds of 1.20–1.50 and, after a loss, move on to the next match.
An example. Table tennis, a series of matches: the favorite at odds of 1.30. Initial stake $500. After the first loss, the second stake = 500 × 1.30 / (1.30 − 1) = $2,167. The third — $9,389. By the fourth step the stake already exceeds $40,000. With a $50,000 bankroll, a streak of 4 losses wipes out the entire bank.
Note: in table tennis favorites lose more often than in regular tennis. Streaks of 3–4 consecutive losses are not rare. Bookmakers offer extensive table tennis markets, but maximum stakes may be capped — with a chase this is critical, since by step 4–5 the stake exceeds the bookmaker limit.
Alternatives to the Martingale: less risky strategies
Professional bettors use more balanced approaches to bankroll management:
- Fixed percentage. Stake = 1–3% of the current bankroll — the stake size adapts to the state of the account
- Kelly criterion. The stake size is calculated by a formula based on probability and odds
- Value bets. Finding odds that are higher than the true probability — a mathematically profitable strategy
- Dutching. Spreading the stake across several outcomes to reduce risk
Other calculators
- Bookmaker Margin Calculator — work out the commission built into the odds
- Dutching Calculator — spread the stake across several outcomes
- System Bet Calculator — every combination of a system of accumulators
- Accumulator Calculator — final odds and potential winnings
- Value Bet Calculator — find the value in the odds
- Odds Converter — switch between formats
Frequently asked questions about the Martingale strategy
🙋 What is the Martingale in sports betting?
💁 The Martingale (chase) is a strategy in which the size of the next stake is increased after every loss, so that a win recovers all previous losses and yields a profit equal to the winnings of the first bet.
🙋 Does the Martingale strategy work?
💁 In the short term the Martingale often brings a small profit. Mathematically, however, the strategy does not provide a positive expectation — the bookmaker margin makes every bet unprofitable. Long losing streaks sooner or later lead to the loss of the entire bankroll.
🙋 What odds should I choose for the Martingale?
💁 The Martingale is most often used at odds of 1.80–2.20. At K=2.00 every subsequent stake doubles. At lower odds (1.30–1.50) growth is slower, but more steps are required. Odds above 3.00 make the amounts grow too fast.
🙋 How many steps are safe in the Martingale strategy?
💁 There is no such thing as a “safe” number of steps. At K=2.00, by step 10 the stake already exceeds the initial one by 512 times. It is recommended to limit the chase to 5–7 steps and never stake more than you are prepared to lose.
🙋 Can the Martingale be used on accumulators?
💁 Technically yes, but the margin in accumulators is significantly higher than in single bets. This makes chasing losses on accumulators even riskier. For accumulators, use the accumulator calculator.
🙋 How does the Martingale differ from other strategies?
💁 The key feature of the Martingale is the exponential growth of stakes. The fixed-percentage strategy keeps the stake at 1–3% of the bankroll. The Kelly criterion calculates the optimal stake size mathematically. Dutching spreads the risk across several outcomes. All of these approaches are less aggressive.
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