Betting-system limits: standard roulette spins are independent. Staking progressions change your exposure, not the house edge, and cannot guarantee profit or recovery of losses. Never chase losses. Compare roulette odds and payouts and other systems and their risks.
A Roulette Strategy, Or Something Else?
For those of you who are aware of this system, you might actually argue that it should not even be called a system as it certainly works differently to any other out there. Some may argue that Masse Égale is a waste of time and for the inexperienced, but I’m going to take an unbiased look at this so-called roulette strategy and explain how it works, the pros and the cons, allowing you to make an informed decision yourself on whether you think this might be for you.
How Masse Égale Works
This section is likely to be very brief, as this is probably the simplest system there is. Unlike other strategies, there is no progression, negative or positive; the value of every bet remains the same regardless of whether you’re winning or losing. Because of this, inside bets are typically placed instead of outside bets, again something different from most systems. Inside bets pay more when they win, which gives flat betting more upside, though they don’t change your expected loss.
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With flat progression on outside bets, with a return of 36:37 you’re never really going to be much in the positive or negative (over a long period of time, of course, you can expect to lose money). With inside bets, be it street bets or single number bets, you may find yourself significantly in profit after a short period of time. For more information on types of bets, make sure to see the roulette rules page.
What Flat Betting Looks Like Over 100 Spins
Betting $1 a spin for 100 spins on a European wheel:
| Flat bet on | Chance of finishing ahead | Expected loss |
|---|---|---|
| Red or black (pays 1 to 1) | 35.5% | $2.70 |
| A street (pays 11 to 1) | 42.3% | $2.70 |
| A single number (pays 35 to 1) | 50.9% | $2.70 |
The expected loss is the same whichever bet you choose. What changes is the shape of the results: single numbers finish ahead about half the time but swing much more widely, while even-money bets rarely move far either way.
Why People Like The Masse Égale Roulette System
Flat betting without having to worry about what came up before, or what might come up next, is clearly very easy and that’s certainly the main appeal to most people, particularly those who are new to the game. No other system works quite like it, and that’s why some might not even call this a system. Nevertheless, simplicity is certainly its strong point.
Not only that, but the player’s risk is actually quite low. Sure, you’ll encounter some losing streaks, but whereas some systems such as the Martingale increase bets after a loss, this system keeps flat betting and you never have to worry about losing all your money straight away. In this regard, the Masse Égale is perfect for newer players or those who would like to simply sit back and watch the wheel spin. A mild progression for comparison is the d’Alembert system.
The Problems With Masse Égale
Many roulette systems work by trying to capitalize on winning streaks or minimize losses on losing streaks, by varying bets based on what’s come up previously. By flat betting, you never take full advantage of a strong winning streak, nor do you try and minimize your losses during a losing streak. And this is really why the system can scarcely be called a system because nothing changes, and you can’t expect to ever make much or lose much because you are simply playing straight into the house advantage. For those unfamiliar with the concept, the house advantage is the statistical advantage that the casino has over the players.
All casino games are made in such a way so that they allow for a short-term profit for some players at the expense of others, but in the long run, the casino will always come out ahead. Naturally, the house advantage takes its toll only after hundreds upon hundreds of spins and it cannot affect you in any significant way over a few dozen spins.
However, if you play for long enough you will find yourself at a disadvantage. In this sense, the Masse Égale betting system does not account for this and it may end up costing you in the long run. European and French Roulette have a house edge of 2.7% on all bets, while American Roulette offers a house advantage of 5.26% on all bets, with the exception of the Basket Bet, where that percentage is much higher at 7.89%. This difference in the house edge is due to the addition of the double-zero pocket in American Roulette, while the payout ratios are the exact same.
Other systems don’t bypass the house edge either. Progressions create bigger swings, up and down, but because they raise your stakes they also raise the amount you’re expected to lose. Flat betting keeps your expected loss at 2.70% of what you stake on a European wheel. Therefore, if you use the Masse Égale system, it is best advised to stop after hitting a nice profit. Unless you do not mind losing, that is.
Masse Égale FAQ
Is Masse Égale a good roulette system?
It’s the simplest and cheapest way to play, because your stake never grows. It can’t beat the house edge, but neither can any other system.
How much will I lose with flat betting?
On average 2.70% of everything you stake on a European wheel, or 5.26% on an American one.
Is flat betting better than the Martingale?
Over time it loses less, because you never raise your stake to chase losses. The Martingale wins more often in short sessions, but its losing streaks are much bigger.
Which bets should I flat-bet on?
Any; the expected loss is the same. Even-money bets give steadier results; inside bets give bigger swings.
Conclusion
So there you have it, the biggest benefit to the Masse Égale system is also its biggest downfall. In being so simple, you can never really expect to come out winning big and in the long run, you will almost certainly lose, albeit probably not too much. But, after all, that should be expected from a low-risk betting system. What you should always keep in mind is that roulette is a game of pure chance and anything might happen, no matter how unlikely it is. One positive quality of this system is that since you are always betting the same amount of money, you will have a good idea of many spins you will be able to play and therefore you will have greater control over your spending.
While I have tried to provide both sides of the argument to playing this system, my final conclusion is that it should be avoided. I understand how newer players may feel less comfortable with other systems that require some more thought and insider knowledge. However, the path to success is never simple and it sometimes requires that you put in work before you can reap the benefits. There are many other betting systems out there that are not much more complex than this one and they will be worth your time.