2-1-2 Manhattan Betting System

Introduction

The 2-1-2 betting system is a moderately progressive approach designed to maximize winnings during favorable stretches while accepting higher losses during inconsistent sessions. Often referred to as the Manhattan system, presumably due to its original area code, this strategy is primarily connected to Manhattan. However, various online discussions about the 2-1-2 tend to contradict each other and can hold inconsistent views. This page aims to illustrate what I believe to be the most straightforward and logical interpretation of the 2-1-2 strategy—let's call this the Wizard variant of 2-1-2.

Rules

Similar to many betting systems, the 2-1-2 method is primarily tailored for games that offer even money payouts, including blackjack.

1. Players must first determine what constitutes a single betting 'unit.' For instance, they might choose to set this at $10.
2. Following any loss, the player should either terminate the session or restart their betting.
3. In the event of a push, the player is advised to place the same wager again.
4. The player starts with a 2-unit wager.
5. Should the player win their initial bet, their second wager will be set at one unit.
6. Whenever the player wins any bet after the first, they should increase their subsequent bet by one unit.

Alternatively, the player could begin with a bet of two units and consistently raise their wager by one unit after each victory, except for after their first win, where they would reduce the bet by one unit.

Below is a flowchart demonstrating the 2-1-2 strategy. Begin by placing a bet of 2 units.

Other variants:

• In what I will call the Blackjack University Variant The player raises their wager from one unit to three units after securing a second win. For a visual example of this, refer to the video at timestamp 5:42. Just to clarify, if this were indeed the intention, it would have been named the 2-1-3 (Los Angeles) system.
• On many sites, Betway Insider For instance, one version requires that the player remains at a one-unit bet after losing a single unit, meaning they have to lose a larger bet of two units or more to decide to quit.

Analysis

As specified in the rules, a player must incur a loss to conclude their session using this system. Hypothetically, this means that the player could potentially play indefinitely. Nevertheless, to avoid the complexity of infinite scenarios, I will establish a limit whereby the player can walk away victorious if they achieve 21 consecutive wins (or reach a total bet of 20 units). The likelihood of accomplishing this in craps with a player bet is approximately 1 in 2.8 million.

The table below outlines the net winnings, probability, and return contributions associated with applying the 2-1-2 method on the Player bet in baccarat. The bottom right cell indicates an expected loss of 0.053506 units per session, with an average of 4.332144 bets made during each session. The ratio of anticipated losses to total money bet in a session stands at 0.012351, mirroring the house edge on the Player bet.

The table here illustrates net winnings, probabilities, and return contributions for utilizing the 2-1-2 strategy on the Banker bet in baccarat. The bottom right cell reveals an expected loss of 0.047746 units per session, with an average number of bets per session recorded at 4.513230. The expected loss to money wagered ratio is 0.010579, consistent with the house edge for the Player bet.

The following table presents net winnings, probabilities, and return contributions for the 2-1-2 strategy applicable to even money bets in single-zero roulette. The bottom right cell shows an anticipated loss of 0.103915 units per session, with an average of 3.844864 bets made during each session. The ratio of expected loss to total money bet per session is 0.027027, equivalent to the house edge featured in this game.

The table that follows provides insight into net winnings, probabilities, and return contributions for the 2-1-2 system as it applies to even money bets in double-zero roulette. The bottom right cell indicates an expected loss of 0.195263 units per session, averaging 3.709994 bets per session. The ratio of expected money lost to money wagered per session is 0.052632, reflecting the house edge in this particular game.

The subsequent table showcases the net wins, probabilities, and returns when using the 2-1-2 method for even money bets in triple-zero roulette. The lower right cell indicates a projected loss of 0.276295 units per session, with an average of 3.591833 bets placed. The expected loss to total bets ratio per session is 0.076923, consistent with the house edge in this game.

Here, the table outlines net winnings, probabilities, and contributions to returns while employing the 2-1-2 strategy for a pass bet in craps. The lower right cell shows an anticipated loss of 0.055393 units per session, with an average of 3.917097 bets per session. The ratio of expected losses to the total amount wagered per session is 0.014141, comparable to the house edge on this specific bet.

This table presents net winnings, probabilities, and return contributions for those following the 2-1-2 strategy on the don't pass bet in craps, with the lower right cell reflecting an expected loss of 0.054950 units per session. The average number of bets placed per session is 4.029694, and the ratio of projected losses to the total money wagered per session stands at 0.013636, aligning with the house edge on this fare.

Video

Please enjoy my video on the 2-1-2.

Written by: Michael Shackleford