The 1-3-2-6 Craps System
This is a simple twist on a normal positive progression betting system. By changing your bet size through a simple four step process. For this system to work for you, you should be comfortable sustaining a long string of losses with the knowledge that you are chasing a larger, albeit rare, win.
The 1-3-2-6 betting system is designed to keep your initial stakes low, but when you win, it can help you reinvest the winnings for even greater profits. The 1-3-2-6 system has the power to take full advantage of any hot streaks without making you endure heavy losses from a cold table.
Here Is How It's Done
Start by picking a low stakes table, and make an even money $10 bet. Even money bets are any wagers that pay 1:1, but pass line bets are the most common. For our example, this $10 will be equal to one unit. What you do next depends entirely upon how well your first, one-unit bet performs.
If the $10 bet loses then you simply make another identical $10 wager. If it wins, however, leave the original $10 and the newly won $10 on the bet. At the same time, add another $10 to the wager so that there is a total of $30 on the layout (3 units, 3x10=30).
If this three-unit bet loses, then go back to your original one-unit wager ($10). If it wins, however, then there will be $60 on the layout. Pull $40 down, and leave only $20 on the wager (two units). Again, if it loses, you go back to the beginning $10 bet.
If your two-unit ($20) wager wins, then you move on to the fourth and final stage of the system. There will be a total of $40 on the table, so add $20 to create a six-unit, $60 wager.
Whether this six-unit bet wins or loses, you always return to the beginning of the system after this stage. Here's an example of a player's betting history when playing with the 1-3-2-6 system (starting with a $40 bankroll).
| Bet # | Bet Size | Win/Loss | Net Win | Bankroll |
| 1 | 10 | Win | 10 | $50 |
| 2 | 30 | Loss | -20 | $20 |
| 3 | 10 | Loss | -30 | $0 |
| 4 | 10 | Win | -20 | $20 |
| 5 | 30 | Win | 10 | $50 |
| 6 | 20 | Loss | -10 | $30 |
| 7 | 10 | Win | 0 | $40 |
| 8 | 30 | Win | 30 | $70 |
| 9 | 20 | Win | 50 | $90 |
| 10 | 60 | Win | 110 | $150 |
| 11 | 10 | Loss | 100 | $140 |
| 12 | 10 | Loss | 90 | $130 |
| 13 | 10 | Loss | 80 | $120 |
| 14 | 10 | Loss | 70 | $110 |
In the example above, the player has seven wins and seven losses. There is a four-win streak to illustrate the full system, but also a four-loss streak to maintain balance. In the end the player still ended up ahead by $70.
Does It Really Work?
On the one hand, you've got people who point out that the system takes a one-unit bet and turns it into a twelve-unit profit. These people say that the occasional big win is more than large enough to offset the possible net-loss in between winning streaks.
At the other end of the spectrum we have pencil-pushing math nerds who say they've run the numbers, and the 1-3-2-6 system is nothing more than smoke an mirrors. These brainiacs insist that each individual event is independent of the others, and that each bet faces an insurmountable house edge.
The Final Verdict
So who's right? Well, they both are. You can make fourteen bets (as with the example above) and come out on top easily. At the same time, you are still at the mercy of the house edge, which means you cannot possibly come out on top in the long run.
In short, this system doesn't give you any advantage over just playing randomly, hoping for a quick win, and getting out while your ahead. Sadly, that is not a very fun or profitable way to enjoy the game of craps.