I used to write a blackjack Q & A column for Card Player magazine. This was one of the questions that came in:

I lost a substantial amount of my savings playing blackjack at in Atlantic City—almost $30,000. I admit that I was using a progressive betting system—a "straight martingale," and I know that won't give me any advantage—but even so, I feel pretty certain that I was cheated. I was winning steadily for quite a few hours using this system (a simple double-up after a loss), then in a short series of hands that lasted only about 30 minutes— they totally cleaned me out. I was playing perfect basic strategy.

I have enclosed a chart that shows the series of bets I made, and the win/loss results that eventually bankrupted me. I would like to know your expert opinion on whether or not this could have happened in an honest game. Can I take any kind of legal action against the casino if this series of hands [indicates] cheating? I have a friend who witnessed the debacle who can attest to the truth of what happened.

The "martingale" is the granddaddy of all "betting progression" type systems. It is essentially a system whereby you progressively increase your bet to make up for prior losses. The theory sounds reasonable, since no one will lose forever. A single win will wipe out all prior losses, so the system seems foolproof. So, how did this guy lose $30,000? He sent me a partial record of what had happened.

Here's how I answered his letter:

I have studied your results, and although anyone would acknowledge that you suffered an unusually unlucky series of hands—and an especially devastatingly unlucky series for any martingale player—the series of hands in and of itself would not be indicative of cheating.

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