My Favorite Strategies for Live Games
Folks, before you get too excited, I have to stress this: this isn’t a how-to-win-big-quick guide. It’s more about playing longer and shedding light on some of the more underrated strategies. In case you’re curious, I tested these while playing at Richard Casino. It’s a great spot for those who want to play with live dealers since they have 24/7 tables for Roulette, Blackjack, and Baccarat play, just to name a few. Also, a huge welcoming package of up to 5,000 AUD plus 300 free spins and a 176-tier loyalty program if you want to stick around.
Now, back to the subject at hand – below, you will find my most oft-used tactics for live dealer games!
Win-Loss Mirror
The Win-Loss Mirror is my go-to system for games like Baccarat or Roulette when I want a structured, disciplined approach that isn’t aggressively progressive. It’s designed to lock in small wins and prevent a single losing streak from devastating your session bankroll. The core idea is simple: you mirror your bet size based on whether you won or lost the previous hand/spin.
How I use it: I start with a base unit (e.g., $10). My next bet is always equal to what I just won or lost. Example:
- I bet $10 and win. I now have a $10 profit. My next bet is $10 (the amount I just won).
- I bet $10 and lose. I am down $10. My next bet is $10 (the amount I just lost).
- Here’s a sequence: Bet $10 (Win) -> Bet $10 (Win) -> Bet $10 (Lose) -> Bet $10 (Lose) -> Bet $10 (Win).
This system creates a very flat betting pattern. The psychological benefit is huge; it removes the emotional urge to “chase” losses by dramatically increasing your bet.
It keeps me focused on the game’s rhythm rather than the money. It won’t generate huge wins, but its primary purpose is capital preservation (which is my number one goal in any session). Compared to a high RTP slot (say, one at 99%, the kind you can find here – slotspeak.net/slot-games-with-99-rtp/), this system is about managing my money, not exploiting a statistical edge.
Spiral System
I consider the Spiral System a more cautious cousin of the classic Martingale. It’s designed for even-money bets and aims to recoup losses with a slightly less aggressive and potentially less bankroll-busting progression. The rule is to increase your bet after a loss, but only by a single unit each time, creating a “spiral” upwards.
How I use it: I set a base unit (e.g., $5) and a predetermined spiral limit (e.g., 5 steps) to cap my risk.
Example Sequence:
- Bet $5 (Lose) -> Total Loss: -$5
- Bet $10 (Lose) -> Total Loss: -$15
- Bet $15 (Lose) -> Total Loss: -$30
- Bet $20 (Win) -> Win: +$20. Net Position: -$30 + $20 = -$10
- After a win, I reset back to my base unit of $5.
The key is the pre-set limit. If I hit my 5th-step bet ($25 in this example) and lose, I’ve lost a total of $75 ($5+$10+$15+$20+$25). I then walk away, honoring my stop-loss. This structure prevents the infinite, catastrophic spiral of a pure Martingale. It’s a system for grinding out small recoveries, not for making a fortune. The discipline lies in sticking to the reset and the loss cap.
1-5-10-20 System
This is a positive progression system I might use during a strong winning streak at a Blackjack or Baccarat table. Unlike negative progressions that increase after losses, this one increases after wins, aiming to capitalize on perceived “hot” streaks while protecting my initial winnings. It’s a structured way to press your advantage without going overboard.
How I use it: The name defines the betting sequence. I start at “1” unit.
Example with a $10 unit:
- Bet 1 unit: $10. Win -> +$10. Bank the profit, next bet is 5 units.
- Bet 5 units: $50. Win -> +$50. Total session profit: +$60. Next bet is 10 units.
- Bet 10 units: $100. Win -> +$100. Total profit: +$160. Next bet is 20 units.
- Bet 20 units: $200. Lose -> -$200. Net profit is now +$160 – $200 = -$40.
- After any loss, I immediately reset the sequence back to 1 unit ($10).
The calculation shows the risk: you risk a large portion of your winnings on the final, largest bet. However, because you only advance the sequence after a win, you are always betting with the casino’s money until the very last step. This system helps me lock in a profit from a streak. If I lose on the 20-unit bet, I’m often still ahead or only slightly down for the sequence, and the reset prevents tilt-chasing.
Loss-Cap Martingale
This is the only way I would ever touch a Martingale-style system. The classic “double after a loss” strategy is a bankroll killer waiting to happen. My adaptation is to define a strict, absolute loss cap from the outset, turning it from a dangerous gamble into a controlled, short-term strategy with a clear exit point.
How I use it: I decide my base unit and my cap—for example, a $10 base and a $160 loss cap (allowing for 4 consecutive losses).
Example:
- Bet $10 (Lose) -> Loss: -$10
- Bet $20 (Lose) -> Total Loss: -$30
- Bet $40 (Lose) -> Total Loss: -$70
- Bet $80 (Lose) -> Total Loss: -$150
- The next bet would be $160, but my cap is $160 total loss. I have reached my cap. I do not place the bet; I end the session.
This is non-negotiable. The system is designed to recoup losses only if you win before hitting your cap. The moment you hit that pre-defined financial red line, you walk away. It’s a system for a short series of bets, not a full session.
