There’s no shortage of roulette strategies, and right at the top of the most popular betting systems is Tier et Tout, a negative progression system originating in the 19th-century Hamburg Casino.
In itself, it’s very simple and elegant, maintaining a steady bankroll flow, often used for avoiding long losing streaks. In this article, you’ll be able to see all you need to know about Tier et Tout betting in roulette.
We’ll cover everything from betting logic to real-play examples, win probabilities, pros and cons, and sheets for Tier et Tout roulette strategy.
Tier et Tout in a Nutshell
Tier et Tout, French for “third and all,” is a goal-oriented roulette strategy that splits the bankroll into three parts, each having a specific purpose during the session.
It’s a negative progression betting system, which means the bets are increased after losses, and decreased after wins.
The method works in two stages: first, you wager one-third of your chosen bet; if that bet wins, you follow up with a second bet using the remaining two-thirds. If both bets win, you add the total profit to your starting bankroll, raise your goal, and start again. If either bet loses, you begin the process anew.
Unlike the Martingale system, which focuses on chasing losses by doubling after each loss, Tier et Tout aims for steady profit accumulation. Martingale is the most famous betting strategy in roulette, but it’s often not recommended for novices. Tier et Tout is a bit safer for inexperienced players who want to give negative progression a go.
In other words, Tier et Tout doesn’t assume an infinite bankroll, but rather sets a finite, often modest, goal to win, and then approaches risk accordingly. It’s why it’s more disciplined than aggressive strategies like Martingale.
Step-by-Step Mechanics
In its essence, the Tier et Tout roulette strategy is very simple to use.
The Tier et Tout roulette betting system is a mix of the positive Reverse Fibonacci and a dash of the Labouchere, which is a negative betting system.
The only thing that might confuse some players is the beginning as they must remember the starting steps.
However, that’s easy too. What follows is a detailed explanation of how Tier et Tout works, broken down into major sections and elements.
Bankroll Split & Bet Flow
The heart of Tier et Tout is the stake, and it’s crucial that it is split smartly.
Hence, at the beginning of the session, you first must select a total wagering budget, set pick a win goal that you desire to achieve. A smart bankroll management system goes a long way in protecting yourself against gambling harms.
Now, the initial bet dictates the pace: you place a bet, and if you win, the bet is resolved. If you lose, the stake goes up; it’s that simple.
After the budget is set, you start with a fixed betting unit. It’s best if it’s divisible by three (e.g., 9, 12, or 15 chips).
- The first bet is one-third of the unit.
- If the first bet wins, your second bet is again one-third of the unit. If it’s a loss, the second bet is the two-thirds of the unit.
- If the outcome is a win, the winnings are then set aside, and the stake is again one-third of the unit.
This ensures a steady accumulation of winnings rather than aggressively chasing winnings after devastating losses. Players are advised to increase their stakes after losses and decrease winnings (or sticking to 1/3 of the unit) whenever they strike a win.
Tier et Tout isn’t an open-ended progression system. Instead, it aims to reach a fixed profit target, usually around +3 units or 30% of the bankroll. After reaching your goal, you reset and scale the system by including your winnings into the starting bankroll. While playing, the winnings are accumulated as the unit does not change until you hit the goal.
A Practical Example
Tier et Tout is a strategy that works best with even-money wagers, such as Odd/Even, Red/Black, and such.
Here is an example with a bankroll of $9 and a win goal of $6 or more.
- First bet: $3 → win → bankroll: $12.
- Second bet: $3 → win → bankroll: $15.
- Profit: $6+ → reset of the unit = new unit is $12 (the original $9 + $3, $3 is set aside).
- Third bet: $4 → loss → bankroll $8.
- Fourth bet: $8 → win → bankroll: $16 (+ $3 that is stored aside).
The process can continue as long as the player wants. Our recommendation is to be careful with bet increases as the round progresses, especially if you are not very experienced.
Does Tier et Tout Change the Edge?
Despite its structured logic, Tier et Tout does not reduce the house edge. Whether you’re playing European roulette (2.70%) or American roulette (5.26%), the odds remain constant. What changes is how you structure your exposure, not your expected return per spin.
Tier et Tout versus the 1-3-2-6 System
Both Tier et Tout and the 1-3-2-6 system rely on two consecutive wins to unlock decent profits. But Tier et Tout has lower exposure, since you never wager more than your current bankroll. Plus, winnings are slowly incorporated into the bankroll and only when the goal is hit, can the players increase their unit and stakes.
| Feature | Tier et Tout | 1-3-2-6 System |
| Win required | 2 in a row | 4 in a row |
| Max bet size | ≤ Bankroll | 6 units |
| Restart after loss? | Yes | Yes |
| Profit potential | Medium | High |
| Risk | Controlled | Higher |
As you can see, Tier et Tout is a much safer option for steady wins and avoiding sharp decreases in profits.
Tier et Tout Strategy Tips
No strategy is failsafe, and nothing can guarantee wins at casinos. With that in mind, players tend to use roulette betting systems to protect their assets, rather than increase the bankroll. However, as all games are unpredictable, punters should stick to a couple of important tactics to ensure the best results when using Tier et Tout roulette strategy – or any other strategy, as a matter of fact.
- Tier et Tout is for even-money bets (Red/Black, Odd/Even). These maximize your odds per spin. Avoid inside bets, as they are volatile and can ruin your sequence quickly.
- Set a realistic win goal. Don’t aim for more than 30% of your total bankroll. A high goal forces your second bet to approach or exceed 100% of the bankroll, defeating the system's safety structure.
- Introduce a stop-loss rule. We recommend quitting after 3 failed cycles without hitting your goal. This limits emotional decisions and the loss of your budget.
- Try Tier et Tout roulette betting in free mode first. Free games allow you to test out the system without investing real money. Only when you feel ready for the real game should you switch to online or live dealer roulette tables.
Perhaps the most important piece of advice that we can impart is to never chase losses. Stick to the budget, and if you begin feeling like the game is not enjoyable anymore or you are losing too much, it’s best to step away from the game and cooldown a bit.
FAQ
- What’s the probability of success using Tier et Tout?
About 63% based on 10k simulations with a +3 goal and 9-unit start.
- What’s the minimum bankroll needed?
At least 3 chips, but ideally 9+ for goal setting and structure.
- Can I set a bigger goal than +3?
Yes, but the risk of second-bet busting increases significantly.
- Can I use Tier et Tout with straight-up numbers?
It’s not advised. The low hit rate breaks the win-goal loop, so you should stick to even-money bets only.
- Is it better online or in a live casino?
Online offers more speed but higher variance; live is slower but steadier, so choose according to your skill level.
- Is Tier et Tout legal?
Yes. It’s a betting system, so anyone who wants can use it.
- Can I use it on mobile apps?
Absolutely. Just track your bankroll manually or with a notes app.
- Who invented Tier et Tout?
It first appeared in 19th-century in Hamburg Casino, oftentimes credited as the invention of Thomas Garcia.
- Can I combine it with other systems?
Better not, it’s best used standalone. Mixing it with others increases complexity and variance.
Conclusion
The focus of this strategy is on creating bigger wins over winning streaks and minimizing losses during losing streaks.
In other words, the point of it all is to capitalize on wins during winning streaks and try to curtail losses when you are hit with a dry spell (as much as possible, that is).
It doesn't promise to beat roulette, but it offers a thoughtful way to set goals and manage risk. Remember, the house edge remains unchanged, but how you ride the variance can be entirely up to you.
Test the strategy risk-free on a free RNG simulator first, and when you feel ready, check out our list of top-rated roulette casinos to play with real stakes.
