The Goodman System is a simple money-management scheme favoured by cautious players. Its steps are easy to follow, and the risk stays relatively low even during losing streaks.
This page explains how to use the Goodman System, walks through a simulation, weighs up its pros and cons, and compares it with the similar Barnett System.
- Works on even-money bets (pays 1:1)
- Increase your stake in the sequence 1 → 2 → 3 → 5
- Designed to limit losses when you hit multiple defeats in a row
What is the Goodman System?
Also known as the 1-2-3-5 system, Goodman simply changes your stake through that sequence after wins. Because you’re only following the numbers, beginners can use it straight away.
Note: if you keep winning, you’ll eventually be staking 5× your starting unit, so choose a sensible base stake.
We’ll also note where it differs from the Barnett (1-3-2-6) System and show a simulation below.
Where can you use it? Games with even-money payouts
Use Goodman on even-money bets (≈50% win chance)—for example:
- Roulette Red/Black
- Baccarat Player
- Live game shows’ even-money options (e.g., Crazy Time on “1”)
For Baccarat Banker: standard Banker pays 0.95:1 (not even-money). If you want to apply Goodman, use No-Commission Baccarat—but treat a Banker win with 6 (which pays 1.5:1) as a push for the purposes of the system.
How to stake with Goodman
Rule of thumb: reset to your base unit after any loss.
- Choose your base unit (e.g., $1).
- Bet $1.
– Lose: reset the set (start again at $1 next round).
– Push/Tie: repeat the same stake.
– Win: move to $2. If that wins, stake $3 next. - After wins at $1 → $2 → $3, stake $5.
– If the $5 bet also wins, the Goodman sequence is complete.
After completion, you can reset—or many players keep staking $5 until a loss, then reset.
Simulation: does Goodman really help?
Below is a 15-hand demo using No-Commission Baccarat (Player). Rule: after winning at $5, continue betting $5 until a loss.
| Hand | Stake | 结果 | Hand P/L | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1 | 赢 | +$1 | +$1 |
| 2 | $1 | 输 | −$2 | −$1 |
| 3 | $1 | 赢 | +$1 | $0 |
| 4 | $2 | 赢 | +$2 | $2 |
| 5 | $3 | 赢 | +$3 | $5 |
| 6 | $5 | 赢 | +$5 | $10 |
| 7 | $5 | 赢 | +$5 | $15 |
| 8 | $5 | Tie | $0 | $15 |
| 9 | $5 | 输 | −$5 | $10 |
| 10 | $1 | 输 | −$1 | $9 |
| 11 | $1 | 输 | −$1 | $8 |
| 12 | $1 | 输 | −$1 | $7 |
| 13 | $1 | 赢 | +$1 | $8 |
| 14 | $2 | 输 | −$2 | $6 |
| 15 | $1 | 输 | −$1 | $5 |
Highlights
- Sequence success by Hand 6.
A win streak from Hand 3 completed the 1-2-3-5 ladder by Hand 7. After a tie on Hand 8, the $5 lost on Hand 9. - Four straight losses (Hands 9–12) but small damage.
After the $5 loss, each subsequent loss was only −$1 because the system resets, keeping drawdowns modest.
Totals: 7 wins, 7 losses, 1 tie. Net: +$5 using a $1 unit (i.e., +$50 with a $10 unit).
Key takeaways:
- Three straight wins will at least put you in profit.
- Four straight wins locks in the profit from the 3-win portion (+$6) even if you lose afterwards.
- Losses after a reset are capped at one unit per hand, which lets you play more trials while hunting that four-win streak.
- If you never achieve a 4-win streak, you can still end down—this system suits a patient, longer-session approach.
Goodman (1-2-3-5) Bet Tracker
Controls
Next recommended stake
How this tracker applies the Goodman rules
- Wins step stakes 1→2→3→5. Loss resets to 1. Push repeats same stake.
- On winning the 5-unit step, choose “Reset” or “Keep 5”.
- “Payout per win” = 1.00 for even-money; adjust if needed for a specific game.
| # | Stake (u) | Stake (val) | Outcome | P&L | Cumulative | Note |
|---|
Advantages
Start small: low capital requirement
Because you increase after wins, not losses, you can run Goodman with a modest bankroll. If your base is $1, a single set only needs $2 beyond the initial unit to attempt the ladder.
Compared with Martingale or Winners Method (loss-chasing progressions), Goodman is far more approachable.
Losses stay contained during downswings
After any loss you return to 1 unit, so each loss costs only your base stake. Versus the Paroli (also win-pressing but more aggressive), Goodman is a defensive plan with tighter risk control.
Drawbacks & cautions
Needs three consecutive wins to show a profit
The system is built around banking profit at four wins. If you lose after two wins you’re roughly breakeven; after three wins then a loss you’re only +$1; after four wins and then a loss you’re +$6. Compared with some plans, the bar to realise profit is higher, so big gains tend to require longer sessions.
Alternating results can grind you down
Because the early steps are 1 unit then 2 units, a win followed by a loss yields a −1 unit net. On Baccarat, for example, pattern Player → Banker → Player → Banker and so on can pull you gradually into the red. Goodman assumes streaks; alternating outcomes are its weak spot.
Goodman vs Barnett: which is “easier” to win with?
Both are similar streak-based systems:
| System | Win-sequence stakes |
|---|---|
| Barnett | 1 → 3 → 2 → 6 |
| Goodman | 1 → 2 → 3 → 5 |
Broadly speaking:
- Goodman plays safer (smaller step-ups), better at limiting risk.
- Barnett (1-3-2-6) can hit bigger during winning runs.
Summary & practical tips
The Goodman (1-2-3-5) System works across many live games—Roulette, Baccarat, and money wheels—by pressing wins through a 1 → 2 → 3 → 5 ladder.
Because you only press after wins, it’s bankroll-friendly and keeps losses small during slumps. Like the Barnett 1-3-2-6, it’s popular for its simplicity. Remember, though, it relies on streaks: without a four-win run somewhere in your session, results can end negative, and alternating outcomes hurt.
Use a sensible base unit, reset after losses, and decide in advance whether you’ll keep staking $5 after completing the ladder or always reset immediately.
