Martingale vs Anti-Martingale: Which Crash Strategy Wins? (10M-Round Test)
By Daniel Foster · ✓ Fact-checked by Alex Morgan · Last updated November 2, 2026
Verdict: Anti-Martingale wins. In our 10-million-round test it went bust in 31.7% of sessions vs 87.8% for Martingale, and finished in profit 19.6% of the time vs 12.0%. Median bankroll after 1,000 rounds: $480 vs $0 (from $1,000).
Part of our How to Win at Crash Games: 12 Crash Gambling Strategies That Actually Work (2026). Full guides: Martingale and Anti-Martingale. Every number below comes from the same simulation: 10,000 sessions of 1,000 rounds, a $1,000 bankroll and $10 base bet, 97% RTP.
Martingale vs Anti-Martingale: the numbers
| Metric | Martingale | Anti-Martingale |
|---|---|---|
| Went bust | 87.8% | 31.7% |
| Median final bankroll | $0 | $480 |
| Worst 10% / best 10% | $0 / $4,100 | $0 / $1,280 |
| Sessions in profit | 12.0% | 19.6% |
| Hit rate (rounds won) | 48.5% | 48.5% |
| Average session length (rounds) | 326 | 899 |
| Median max drawdown | $1,570 | $960 |
| Biggest single-round return | $2,560 | $40 |
How the bankroll moves
How Martingale works
Martingale doubles your bet after every loss at a 2x cash out, so one win wins back everything lost in the streak plus one base bet.
Example: a $10 bet loses, then $20 loses, then $40 wins at 2x and returns $80: you're up $10 after the streak.
How Anti-Martingale works
Anti-Martingale does the opposite: it doubles after a win at 2x and resets after three wins in a row or any loss, so it only presses when you're ahead.
Example: $10 wins at 2x, the next bet is $20; it wins too, so the next is $40. A loss at any point costs only the bet on the table.
Which one should you pick?
- Pick Martingale if you want a high win rate in short sessions and accept that a long losing streak can wipe the bankroll.
- Pick Anti-Martingale if you want losses capped at one bet and are happy to ride short hot streaks.
Try both in the simulator
Run the exact study settings yourself, in your currency, and change anything you like.
Try MartingaleTry Anti-Martingale
Test them on these crash games
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Martingale or Anti-Martingale?
In our 10M-round test, Anti-Martingale went bust less often (31.7% vs 87.8%). Neither changes the 97% RTP.
How often does Martingale go bust?
87.8% of 1,000-round sessions ran out of money with a 100-bet bankroll.
How often does Anti-Martingale go bust?
31.7% of 1,000-round sessions ran out of money with a 100-bet bankroll.
Which wins more rounds?
Martingale won 48.5% of rounds and Anti-Martingale won 48.5%. Win rate isn't profit: the size of each win matters too.
Can Martingale or Anti-Martingale beat the house edge?
No. Both play the same 97% RTP game; they only change how your bankroll swings.
Which is better for a small budget?
The one with the lower bust rate: Anti-Martingale, at 31.7% in our test. Set a stop-loss either way.
Sources
- Crash Game Guide: 10-million-round crash simulation study (checked November 2, 2026)
- Study results (CSV, CC BY 4.0) (checked November 2, 2026)
Crash Game Maths & Mechanics Analyst
Daniel focuses on the mathematics and mechanics behind crash games. His reviews examine RTP disclosures, volatility, multipliers, game mechanics and the mathematical principles behind different crash titles.
✓ Fact-checked by Alex Morgan (Casino & Crash Game Reviewer)
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