Like all types of gambling, systems involve risk. Sometimes systems go bust for unexplained reasons, yet others will continue to churn a profit year after year. This is why you shouldn’t rely on one system alone. No smart investor would buy shares in just one company, and it’s the same with systems. If one of your systems is showing a loss, hopefully your other systems will compensate.

Why do some betting systems fail?

Systems fail for a number of reasons:

Poor staking
This is the most common reason. Punters let their own opinion come into play and start putting extra money on horses that they feel is a ‘cert’. When using systems, very strict discipline is required. The staking plan that has proved successful historically must be adhered to, and long-term thinking is required.

Psychological factors
When using systems, you must change your whole mindset regarding punting. You must see the system as an investment, and not deviate from the rules and staking. The downside of this is that it often takes away from the enjoyment of following racing. Your system may tell you to back the outsider where you clearly feel it is a no-hoper. You must remind yourself that the system is based on proven historical data, and NOT your opinion, otherwise it’s a game of luck. Certain punters are not good at handling losing runs, especially on systems with a low strike rate. After a few losers, many punters will drop a system before it has a chance to get off the ground.

People trying to ‘get rich quick’
If you’re thinking of doing a few systems, I’d hold off telling the boss where to shove his job for now. The reality of gambling is that over 90% of people come out with a loss. If your system doubles its bank in a year, consider yourself very lucky. If you feel disappointed that your starting bank of £100 is only £150 by the end of the year, then systems are not for you. Consider though, that a 50% increase in your investment is a lot better than your high street bank will offer!